Lessons from me, for your skin
Skin SchoolPlain English
Everything I've learned from testing thousands of products and teaching other practitioners, in plain words. No fluff, no fear, just what works.
With Tanisha AllenFounder, skincare expert and educator
Myth or fact?
Six things my clients ask me all the time. Tap a card to find out.
- Myth
UVA reaches your skin through cloud and windows all year round. A daily SPF is the one step I’d never skip.
Read the guide - Myth
A little warmth can be normal with some acids, but stinging or redness that lasts means rinse it off and give your skin a rest.
Read the guide - Fact
Skipping it can leave skin tight and dehydrated. Pick a light, oil-free texture instead.
Read the guide - Myth
Retinoids help your skin renew itself. Flaking in the first few weeks is your skin adjusting. Start slowly and wear SPF every day.
Read the guide - Fact
Just not at the same time. Vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night gives you the best of both.
Read the guide - Myth
Essential oils and plant extracts are some of the most common causes of irritation. The formula matters more than the label.
Read the guide
Every lesson
Brand guidesA beginner's guide to AnteAGEGrowth factors, Biosomes and a simple two-step system: what AnteAGE is and how I'd start you on it.
Brand guidesA beginner's guide to Heliocare (sun protection)Heliocare makes sun protection in almost every texture. Here's how I'd choose yours, and what else is worth having.
Brand guidesA beginner's guide to HydrinityCalm, hydrating and refreshingly simple: how Hydrinity works and the routine I'd start you on.
Brand guidesA beginner's guide to Revision SkincareStable vitamin C, the D·E·J range and a tinted mineral SPF: how I'd introduce you to Revision Skincare.
Brand guidesA beginner's guide to skinbetter scienceAlphaRet, Alto and a sensible way to start: my plain-English guide to skinbetter science.- Can’t see your question?Send it to me on WhatsApp. No question is too small. Ask Tanisha
Brand guidesA beginner's guide to ZO Skin HealthWhat ZO Skin Health is for, where I'd start, and why we offer it after a free consultation.
Skin concernsBreakouts as an adult: a calm, simple routineBreakouts aren't only a teenage thing. A calm, steady routine is far kinder to adult skin than stripping it.
Skin concernsCalming redness and sensitive skinWhen skin flushes, stings or reacts easily, the answer is usually fewer, kinder products. Here's where I'd start.
IngredientsChoosing a daily SPF you'll actually wearThe best sunscreen is the one you're happy to put on every single morning. Here's how to find yours.
Skin concernsDark spots and uneven tone: what helps and what to be patient withWhy dark spots appear, the ingredients and habits that help them fade, and an honest idea of how long it takes.
Skin concernsDry or dehydrated skin? How to tell, and what each needsDry skin lacks oil, dehydrated skin lacks water. Here's how to tell which you have, and what to give your skin for each.- Skin concernsDull skin: bringing back your glowWhy skin starts to look flat and tired, and the simple steps that help bring back a healthy-looking glow.
Skin concernsFine lines and firmness: a realistic routineWhat skincare can honestly do for fine lines and firmness, the few ingredients worth your money, and a routine that's easy to keep.
RoutinesHow long does skincare take to work?Some products feel good on day one, others need months. Here's a realistic timeline, so you know when to keep going.
RoutinesHow to patch-test a new product (and why it matters)A little patience now can save you a week of upset skin. Here's exactly how I'd patch-test anything new.
Brand guidesHypochlorous skincare explained: Clinisept+ and Clinisoothe+What hypochlorous acid is, why it feels so gentle, and when to reach for Clinisept+ or Clinisoothe+.
RoutinesMixing actives: what to use together and what to keep apartVitamin C, retinol, acids, niacinamide: here's how I'd combine them so your skin gets the benefits without the irritation.
Skin concernsOily skin and large-looking poresWhy some skin makes more oil, what pores really are, and a calm routine that keeps shine down without stripping your skin.
RoutinesPurging or breaking out? How to tell the differenceNew spots after a new product don't always mean it's wrong for you. Here's how to read what your skin is telling you.
IngredientsRetinol or retinal: which is right for you?Two names, one letter apart: here is how retinol and retinal differ, and how I help you choose between them.- RoutinesSkincare for beginners: the three steps that matter mostNew to skincare? Start with cleanse, moisturise and protect, and I'll show you how to do each one well.
RoutinesSkincare for men: simple and effectiveA routine that takes a couple of minutes, works around shaving and covers what your skin really needs.
RoutinesSkincare when you're pregnant or breastfeeding: questions to askGeneral guidance on what many people pause, what they keep, and the questions worth taking to your GP or midwife.- RoutinesThe right order to apply your skincare, morning and eveningThinnest to thickest, protect by day and renew by night: the simple order I follow, and why it matters.
Skin concernsTired eyes: dark circles and puffinessWhat's really behind dark circles and puffy eyes, what an eye product can and can't do, and a gentle routine for the delicate skin around your eyes.- IngredientsVitamin C: what it does and how to use it without irritationVitamin C helps skin look brighter and more even. Here's how to pick a form that suits you and use it comfortably.
AftercareWhat to use on your skin after a peel, laser or professional microneedlingThe first days after a clinic treatment matter. Here's how I'd keep your skin clean, calm, hydrated and protected.- RoutinesWinter skin: keeping comfortable when it's coldCold air outside, central heating inside: here's how I'd adjust your routine so skin stays soft and comfortable all winter.
Skin concernsYour skin barrier: what it is and how to look after itWhat your skin barrier does, the signs it's under strain, and the simple routine I'd use to help it feel comfortable again.
Skin concernsYour skin through perimenopause and menopauseWhy your skin can feel different through perimenopause and menopause, and how to adjust your routine so it feels comfortable again.
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