FAQs

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

We love your questions. If you have a question that hasn’t already been answered below, please visit the contact us page.

ARE Skinstitut™ PRODUCTS CRUELTY FREE TO ANIMALS?

We’re very proud to have been a cruelty-free skincare brand from day one, back in 2008. We don’t use any animal-derived ingredients in our products, we test every single product on willing (and discerning) human volunteers and never ever on animals.

HOW LONG SHOULD I USE Skinstitut™ PRODUCTS? SHOULD I STOP USING THEM ONCE MY SKIN HAS CORRECTED ITSELF?

The short answer: keep going. The longer answer: Skinstitut™ products are designed to correct a range of specific concerns and to return your skin to its best self and keep it that way. We use cosmeceutical ingredients in our formulations which correct those concerns and help to maintain skin health and prevent premature ageing and sun damage. So yes, ongoing use is strongly recommended, as is a seasonal skin consultation to monitor your skin and ensure you’re using the right products to weather all conditions and lifestyle challenges.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH PRODUCTS TO USE?

We know. A thorough, professional skin analysis by a qualified LCA practitioner will ensure you’re investing in the right products for your skin type and concerns — and that you know exactly how and when to use them.

Our advanced skin analysis investigates the cause of any skin concerns; we find that diet, lifestyle, and hormones often have a role to play which is why we take a holistic approach.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WHEN I FIRST START USING Skinstitut™?

Skinstitut™ is a corrective, cosmeceutical range created to inspire change in the skin. Our products hero active ingredients in potent concentrations so you should expect visible changes in the first two weeks of starting your new Skinstitut™ regime.

In some cases as the skin renews itself, dehydration, flakiness or breakouts can be a common side effect as congestion and expired skin cells are encouraged up through the surface layers of the skin. Before you worry that you’re having an allergic response to your new products, know that these types of changes are often experienced when you begin to use new and especially active formulations; it’s a sign that the ingredients are working and creating that change you want to see.

We’ve found that any skin response will settle down within a few weeks, making way for better, brighter, healthier skin. However, if you’re still concerned with the way your skin is responding we recommend you consult your LCA Therapist.

WHAT IS A COSMEDICAL PRODUCT?

A cosmeceutical is a product that has a cosmetic and therapeutic effect on both the health and appearance of the skin. They contain active ingredients that have a positive impact on cellular function and, as part of a committed skincare regime, they can visibly improve skin tone and texture, fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and sun damage, and help to restore the skin’s natural radiance.

Skinstitut™ cosmeceutical products are typically prescribed by a skin professional in a medispa, skin clinic, or medical practice to suit your skin type and condition. As our cosmeceuticals contain active ingredients in the concentrations needed to effect change, it’s extremely important that you follow the specific usage amounts and product instructions and that you don’t just apply them liberally to the skin like traditional cosmetics.

PRODUCT USAGE

MY LCA THERAPIST SAID I SHOULD ONLY USE A SMALL AMOUNT OF PRODUCT. HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

Skinstitut™ is a highly active, cosmeceutical range that should be slowly introduced into your skincare regime. It’s extremely important to follow the usage instructions as being heavy handed with a cosmeceutical product may result in redness and inflammation as the skin is overwhelmed with too many active ingredients. A basic rule to follow: if you’re using more than a pea-sized amount of product you’re using too much.

EYE BELIEVE IS FLAKING ON MY SKIN, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

I HAVE STARTED USING THE RETINOL AND MY SKIN IS NOW SENSITIVE AND IRRITATED, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

You maybe being a bit heavy handed and using too much. Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that promotes cellular renewal by increasing collagen and elastin production—and it’s very active.

Please apply just one pea-sized amount of Retinol Serum every other evening, eventually building up to every evening on clean dry skin. Gently stroke outwards in a circular motion, gradually spreading onto the entire face, throat and chest while being careful to avoid the eye area. And make sure your skin is protected with Age Defence SPF50+ every time you’re outside, no matter what the weather.

If you have sensitive skin try our Rejuvenate 15 serum as it contains Lanablue which is a botanical Vitamin A and is less reactive on the skin.

PRODUCT INGREDIENTS

IS THE L-LACTIC DERIVED FROM MILK?

Lactic Acid is traditionally derived from milk but at Skinstitut™ we create it synthetically in a laboratory for hygienic reasons. It’s perfect for more sensitive skins as it doesn’t penetrate as deeply or quickly as Glycolic Acid. Lactic also has additional benefits including effective hydration and the ability to increase natural ceramides (which improve the skin’s barrier function) and reduced irritation.

WILL EVEN BLEND SERUM BLEACH MY SKIN?

No. Even Blend Serum will help to even out your skin tone for a brighter complexion with more clarity. Even Blend Serum contains Wakamine: Japanese seaweed which is very high in Vitamin B3 and is extremely effective in inhibiting melanin transfer into the skin cells. This brightening serum takes both a reactive and proactive approach to pigmentation; it doesn’t just treat visible melanin it works below the surface to help prevent the formation of future melanin.

CAN I USE LASER AID FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN JUST AFTER LASER TREATMENTS?

Absolutely you can. Laser Aid is a great multi-tasker to have on hand for a range of skin fixes. A non-steroidal hydrocortisone cream, it has powerful properties to not only cool and soothe skin but to actually draw heat out of the skin. We also recommend it to ease rosacea and sun exposure and to help heal skin post microdermabrasion, waxing, and shaving. It even makes a great mask for acneic skin types due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties.

Our male customers also use Laser Aid as a pre-shave gel.

HOW DO I USE THE VITAMIN C?

As our Skinstitut™ Vitamin C is extremely potent, it’s essential you follow our recommended usage exactly. Mix one tiny shake of powder (equivalent to a grain of rice) with one of the Vitamin C-compatible products we recommend below.

This is the recommended amount of our Vitamin C to be mixed with one pump of the compatible Skinstitut™ products of your choice into the palm of your hand and then directly applied to your skin.

CAN I MIX Skinstitut™’s VITAMIN C WITH OTHER PRODUCTS?

Firstly, we don’t recommend you mix our Vitamin C with anything other than a Skinstitut™ product; our cosmeceutical products have been carefully formulated and tested to complement one another and to be safe to use. If you do want to add a little of our Vitamin C to one of your favourite Skinstitut™ products, it needs to be a formulation that is going to stay on the skin.

Vitamin C plays well with the following: our Enzymatic Micro Peel, Even Blend Serum, Retinol, Hydrating Mask, Moisture Defence or Age Defence SPF 50+.

We don’t recommend combining our Vitamin C with the following: our Multi-Active Oil, Rejuvenate 15 Serum or Repair Balm.

WHAT PERCENTAGE IS YOUR RETINOL?

At Skinstitut™, we pride ourselves on being transparent about our products. Some brands may only promote the percentage of an ingredient as the whole Retinol complex (which can include derivatives of other ingredients) which can be misleading. Our Retinol Serum is a 1.25 % potent encapsulated Retinol which is the equivalent of 0.25% active Retinol.

We use one of the most potent, highest-quality Retinols available on the market. Our Retinol Serum is transported on dry ice to our lab to maintain maximum freshness and uses microscopic encapsulation technology for superior ingredient penetration and stabilisation.

CAN I USE Skinstitut™ PRODUCTS WHEN I’M PREGNANT?

Yes but here are four important things to note before you do.

1. If your skin has undergone significant changes since becoming pregnant, we strongly recommend you have a consultation with your skin therapist who will assess your skin and recommend a gentler but still effective regime to use during this time.

2. Pregnancy is not the time to start an all-new, highly active regime as your skin will likely be more responsive than usual. Instead, make small and gradual changes, ideally in consultation with your therapist, and opt for nutrient-rich, calming and nourishing skincare products and ingredients.

3. High-concentration Vitamin A should be avoided throughout both pregnancy and breastfeeding; this includes our Retinol Serum or any other forms of Vitamin A such as Retinoic Acid. You are best to switch to a more gentle, low concentration of Vitamin A such as the botanically derived Vitamin A we use in our Rejuvenate 15. It contains a Blue Algae extract, rich in essential lipids, proteins, vitamins, and trace minerals that has Retinoic-like properties that help to rejuvenate and refine the signs of premature ageing with a more gentle approach.

4. AHAs are safe to use but be careful not to be excessive. When pregnant, your skin will be much more responsive with an increased tendency for sensitivity or dryness. If you’ve been using L-Lactic Cleanser, Glycolic Cleanser 12%, or Glycolic Scrub 14% prior to your pregnancy, then you should be safe to continue their use. However, if you’re noticing or feeling increased sensitivity then don’t use them as frequently as you had been and cleanse with our Gentle Cleanser as an alternative.

MUST I DO ALL 5 STEPS?

If you want to get great results, yes. While you don’t necessarily need to be doing all 5 steps morning and evening, incorporating cleansing, exfoliating, correcting, hydrating, and protecting within your overall regime is what creates change in the skin.

CAN I USE MORE THAN 5 PRODUCTS?

Absolutely. Many of our customers and staff enjoy using multiple products within a particular step. For example: you can start with Gentle Cleanser to remove makeup, followed by a second cleanse with Glycolic Cleanser 12% to decongest and clear breakout-prone skin. Furthermore, as your skin adapts to the intensity of your Skinstitut™ products you can move to using higher intensity products. For example: progressing from using Rejuvenate 15 to the higher-intensity form of Vitamin A in Retinol Serum.