Q: What makes this range suitable for all skin types?
A: By careful screening and curation of our ingredients we have designed many formulas that are suitable for all skin types. For example, we have looked after people with sensitive skin by only using gentle ingredients, and we have carefully selected non-comedogenic materials to look after oily skins, and a multitude of intelligent hydrating and anti-ageing ingredients to look after dry and mature skins, without over-burdening oily skins. There are scores of ways in which this formulation philosophy plays out, but, for example, we might use shea butter, olive squalane and vegan ceramides to provide hydration and barrier repair that suits dry skin, mature skin, sensitive skin and oily/problematic skin. On the hydration side, we employ a xylitol (a natural sugar) derived complex that brings optimized hydration in an balanced way so that dry skin is looked after without over-moisturizing normal or oily skin. One of our main hero ingredients, Yeast β-Glucan, is also fundamental in making LYCON Skin products very ‘adaptive’ and suitable for multiple skin types.
Q: What does it mean to make the skin behave and think young again?
A: Most skins show some signs of ageing from the early 20s. When we are young, our skin completely turns over its epidermal cells roughly every 21 days. Older skin has a much lower epidermal renewal rate of about 30 days or longer, which along with other factors contributes to the skin becoming thinner. In addition to this reduction in cellular renewal, older skin also has less collagen and other ‘dermal architecture’ components (including proteins such as elastin and polysaccharides such as hyaluronic acid) and the organisation of collagen fibres and other dermal components gets ‘messier’, so to speak. LYCON Skin formulations assist the skin to think and behave like it is young again, using natural and biomimetic ingredients such as Yeast β-Glucan’, peptides, vegan ceramides, natural antioxidants and advanced hyaluronic acid ingredients. This means that cellular renewal is boosted, the replacement and build-up of dermal architecture components such as collagen and hyaluronic acid are stimulated and improved, barrier function is enhanced, hydration is optimised and the skin becomes younger looking, due to improved hydration and structure, making the skin look firmer, smoother, brighter, less lined and wrinkled with a youthful glow.
Q: Why is Yeast Beta-Glucan the signature ingredient?
A: Yeast β-Glucan has several important modes of action: it enhances the skin’s natural protective, anti-oxidant, detoxifying and restorative functions. It also acts to calm and soothe the skin. Since it works with the skin’s own natural functions and potentialities and as it complements the activity of many other hero ingredients, it is a natural choice as the LYCON Skin signature ingredient. Additionally, it has a high suitability and affinity for multiple skin types.
Q: Can LYCON Skin be used on all skin types?
A: Absolutely! There is some sensible fine-tuning or customising that can be done of course. For example, someone with oily/problematic skin may decide to use the Radiance Lime Caviar AHA Mask twice per week, while someone with very sensitive skin might prefer not to use the AHA mask. Similarly, someone with well hydrated skin may choose not to use the Exotic Oil Complex, or might just use it during winter and drying conditions, whereas someone prone to dry skin may use the Exotic Oil Complex on top of their moisturiser every night.
Q: Is LYCON Skin anti comedogenic and what makes it anti comedogenic?
A: When we are formulating LYCON Skin products, one of the ingredient selection filters we use allows us to make sure we are keeping comedogenicity risk very low. As such, the overall ingredient properties, formulation choices and the interaction of the ingredients are carefully considered and monitored. In addition we also perform in-house panel testing of potential formulas and include panellists with blemish-prone skin. We have found that LYCON Skin formulas have very low comedogenic risk. However, we can’t claim zero risk, of course, as rare individuals can have varied responses that can be ‘outliers’ compared to the general population.
Q: Are parabens/sulphates etc used? Is this clean skincare?
A: LYCON Skin uses neither parabens nor sulphates. ‘Clean’ skincare is ultimately in the eye of the beholder, but we heavily rely on gentle natural and naturally-derived ingredients in formulating our range. We haven’t uncritically bowed down to every last Tik Tok fad though – we have remained rational and balanced in creating the LYCON Skin range which focusses on natural but effective ingredients.
Q: What is Pro-vitamin B5 (Panthenol) good for?
A: Panthenol (aka Pro-vitamin B5) is a gentle and soothing moisturiser that also improves skin barrier function. Panthenol is actually a pre-cursor (or pro-vitamin) that your skin quickly converts to vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). Vitamin B5 helps to maintain skin in a soft and supple state.
Q: How does Yeast β-Glucan work?
A: Yeast β-Glucan is a multi-functional biotech ingredient that delicately communicates with skin cells and boosts the skin’s natural protective, anti-oxidant, detoxifying and restorative functions. It also has a soothing function, so it really is a superb all-rounder when it comes to achieving beautiful and happy skin.
