Experiments that help protect and improve your skin

Niacinamide has credible evidence for barrier repair, redness, acne, and pigmentation, a rare single ingredient that layers with anything and rarely irritates.

62% noticed a change180 tried

Established◆Supplement

OTC retinoids for wrinkles and acne

Retinaldehyde and retinol are available without a prescription and outperform nearly every other topical for aging and acne, if you survive the early adjustment period.

61% noticed a change145 tried

Established◆Supplement

Silicone gel for scars

Silicone gel or sheeting is the best-evidenced option for flattening raised scars, and it works as prevention too, if you start as soon as a wound closes.

59% noticed a change135 tried

Moderate◆Supplement

Omega-3 for skin inflammation

Omega-3 supplementation reduces systemic inflammation that underlies atopic dermatitis and skin conditions with an inflammatory component, with meta-analyses finding moderate improvement in eczema severity.

52% noticed a change186 tried

Moderate◆Supplement

Colloidal oatmeal

This isn't folklore: colloidal oatmeal contains compounds that measurably calm itch and inflammation, but it has to be finely milled, not regular oats tossed in the tub.

49% noticed a change155 tried

Emerging◆Supplement

Probiotics and eczema

Specific probiotic strains given during pregnancy and early infancy can reduce eczema risk in high-risk families, but using probiotics to treat existing eczema has largely failed in trials.

48% noticed a change81 tried

Moderate◆Supplement

Tea tree oil for acne

At 5% dilution, tea tree oil performed comparably to benzoyl peroxide for acne, slower to act but gentler, as long as you never apply it undiluted.

47% noticed a change238 tried

Moderate◆Supplement

Keratosis pilaris (chicken skin)

Those rough bumps on your arms respond to chemical exfoliation, urea or alpha-hydroxy acids, not the physical scrubbing most people instinctively reach for.

47% noticed a change137 tried

Established◆Supplement

Sunscreen as an anti-aging product

A landmark trial found daily sunscreen users showed zero detectable increase in skin aging over 4.5 years, ahead of any anti-aging serum on the market.

46% noticed a change130 tried

Moderate◎Lifestyle

Rosacea flares

Rosacea is intensely trigger-driven, and your specific triggers are individual, yet most people chase products instead of running the simple diary exercise that finds them.

41% noticed a change97 tried

Moderate◆Supplement

Oral zinc for acne

Zinc has a modest but real evidence base for inflammatory acne, a low-cost option for people who want to avoid or can't take antibiotics or isotretinoin.

36% noticed a change94 tried

Established◆Supplement

Soak and seal

Most people moisturize dry skin instead of damp skin, and reach for a watery lotion instead of the rich cream that actually rebuilds the skin barrier.

32% noticed a change157 tried

Emerging◆Supplement