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THE PHARE EDIT | APR 26

Why We Talk About Ingredients Instead of Products

Stop buying skincare on "product recommendations".

The most common question we hear (in clinic and online) is some version of: "which products should I be using?" It sounds simple. But it's not really how we think about skincare.

Why ingredients matter more than products

We rarely start with products. We start with ingredients, because that's what actually drives change in the skin. Two people can use the same product and get entirely different results. What matters is what's inside it, and whether those ingredients are right for that skin, at that time.


Once you shift to thinking this way, your routine starts to make sense. Each step has a purpose. And when your skin changes (which it will) you know how to adjust, rather than starting over from scratch.

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"A basic routine might keep skin comfortable. But if you want to actually improve a concern (redness, breakouts, early ageing), you need to be more intentional about what you're using and why." - Dr. Laura

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THE "OLD WAY" OF THINKING

For a long time, skincare was simplified into cleanse, tone and moisturise. (Hands up if you remember learning this in school??)

It's not that that structure is "wrong", it just doesn't go far enough for most people now. "Toners" are also a whole different category now than they were 10+ years ago!

We are seeing more complex skin concerns in clinic. It is very common for someone to be dealing with sensitivity, breakouts and early signs of ageing at the same time.

A basic routine might keep the skin comfortable, but it just won't improve those concerns in a meaningful way.

Why ingredient-first thinking works

Flexible as your skin changes

Hormones, seasons, age: your skin evolves. An ingredient-based routine adapts. A product-based one doesn't.

Fewer unnecessary steps

When every product has a clear role, it's easier to see what's earning its place, and what isn't.

Better results, faster

You stop layering products and hoping for the best. You know what each ingredient is doing and why it's there.

THE CORE FOUR

WHERE MOST ROUTINE SHOULD START

ANTIOXIDANTS

Protect the skin against environmental stress throughout the day. Vitamin C is the most familiar, followed by Niacinamide but the right choice depends on your skin type and tolerance.

SHOP PHARE APPROVED ANTIOXIDANTS

SPF

Non-negotiable. Without daily sun protection, it becomes very difficult to maintain progress on pigmentation, texture, or overall skin quality, regardless of what else you're using.

SHOP PHARE APPROVED SPF

RETINOIDS

One of the most effective ingredients available. Works on texture, collagen support and pigmentation. Look for the type of retinoid in your products: retinol, retinal, tretinoin (prescription strength).

SHOP PHARE APPROVED RETINOIDS

EXFOLIATING ACIDS

Exfoliating acids (like glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid) help dissolve dead skin cells, clear congestion, and improve skin texture.

SHOP PHARE APPROVED EXFOLIATING ACIDS
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HOW WE BUILD SKINCARE ROUTINES

MORNING

MORNING

PROTECTION AND PREVENTION

Your morning routine is your daily defence strategy.

Prevent further damage, particularly from UV rays

Protect the skin from environmental stressors like pollution, smoking, diet, and oxidative stress


The two ingredients that help us do this best are:

 Antioxidants
SPF

EVENING

EVENING

REPAIR AND REGENERATION

Night time is when skin cell turnover increases,
blood flow rises, and repair enzymes kick in to

undo the day’s damage.

The ideal window to apply your most powerful corrective ingredients.

The two ingredients that help us do this best are:

Retinoids

Exfoliating Acids

ALWAYS

ALWAYS

BOOKENDS

Every skincare routine should be bookended by your cleanser at the beginning, and your moisturiser at the end (SPF is final step in AM).

Both should keep barrier health and hydration in mind. No stripping cleansers, and moisturisers that suit your skin type.


Cleansers
Moisturisers

THEN

THEN

TARGETED INGREDIENTS

Once you have your Core Four and your Bookends down, you can add extra steps if needed to target specific concerns like acne, rosacea, pigmentation etc.

You should also tailor your Core Four to these concerns.

WHERE PRODUCTS FIT IN

Products matter, but they come after the ingredient decision.

Formulation, texture and wearability all determine whether something actually gets used consistently, and consistency is everything in skincare.


At Phare, this is how we curate. We start with ingredients we know work, and select products that deliver them well, at concentrations that make a difference, in formulas you'll actually reach for.

Not sure which ingredients your routine is missing? Our online consultation matches you with the right products for your skin without the guesswork.

BOOK A PHARE CONSULTATION

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