If you’re asking whether our products are safe, the answer is yes (see below for details on our safety testing). We don’t use the word "clean" because there is no regulated, data-backed, or consistent definition of what it means. B.S. claims and marketing tactics are not what PillowtalkDerm is about! We believe in Formulation First and Science-Backed Solutions. If you’re concerned about a specific ingredient or have a question about our formulas, we’re always here to talk nerdy with you. Email us at hello@pillowtalkderm.com.

We’ve tested or used data from our third-party raw material providers to verify the efficacy and safety of all ingredients in our formulas. We also use supplier-provided clinical data to ensure that we are using all active ingredients at their optimal doses, so that they live up to their claims. Finally, we run an independent clinical and consumer perception study on subjects who use the products for prolonged periods of time. You can find more details on the studies on the individual project detail pages.

We perform formula stability testing, PET (preservative efficacy testing), and packaging compatibility testing on all products to ensure that the finished formulas are safe and will remain that way long after opening. A certified independent lab conducts HRIPTs (human repeat insult patch tests) on all of our products to ensure that they don't cause skin reactivity, irritation, or allergic contact dermatitis. If you have questions about product safety or the safety of specific ingredients, we’re always here to talk nerdy with you. Email us at hello@pillowtalkderm.com.

Dr. Idriss would use our products herself if she were pregnant or breastfeeding. That being said, we recommend that you speak with your doctor and take any precautions that you see fit during and post your pregnancy.

Our unit cartons are partially made with post-consumer recycled materials. They're also treated with Biolithe, a water-based additive that decreases the production of greenhouse gas methane during decomposition. We're a small company and consistently re-evaluating our formulas and packaging to improve our environmental impact.

Most PillowtalkDerm formulas are packaged in airless containers or with airless pumps to keep them fresh and hygienic. You may have to pump multiple times before first use to get the product flowing. This should only take a few seconds, so f you’ve pumped the dispenser repeatedly and it’s still not dispensing, the faulty component may be faulty (it’s rare, but it happens!). For help, email hello@pillowtalkderm.com.

We’d love to talk nerdy with you about your skin and its specific needs. Email us with questions at hello@pillowtalkderm.com.

Major Fade products were created with all skin types in mind. On oily skin, they are lightweight enough to not feel overbearing. On dry skin, they absorb easily and leave your skin feeling buttery soft for hours. If you have extra-dry skin or live in a dry climate, you can apply a rich basic moisturizer (no active ingredients!) after Major Fade Active Seal.

All the products work individually to improve discoloration. For the best results, use them together because they're designed to work synergistically. Major Fade Hyper Serum has the most potent level of skin-brightening actives.

You’ll start to notice a difference in four weeks, but expect to see most results—including improvement in skin tone, faded discoloration, and fewer dark spots—in six to eight weeks. As your skin improves, continue to use the products. Dr. Idriss’s #1 rule for patients with discoloration is: Be Consistent! You need to maintain a skincare routine that targets multiple points in the pigment production pathway, even when you’re not flaring up.

No. To treat melasma, the use of RX hydroquinone under the supervision of your doctor is required. The Major Fade Solution System is a cosmetic, not a drug. As defined by the FDA, a cosmetic cannot claim to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease or claim that it otherwise affects the structure or functions of the human body. That said, the Solution System has been clinically tested to improve skin tone, and Dr. Idriss recommends it to patients who want to improve all types of discoloration.

The Major Fade Solution System helps to improve all types of discoloration, including post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (the areas of discoloration that remain after pimples have healed), which can contribute to the overall look of acne scarring. While it has ingredients that help to improve skin texture, it is not formulated to treat the pitting and textural changes caused by acne.

Absolutely! A retinoid can boost the effects of the Major Fade Solution System and up your skin game. If you use a retinoid while using products from the Major Fade Solution System, we recommend applying it on the nights that you are not using Major Fade Flash Mask (or another exfoliating product). If you have sensitive skin, apply your retinoid after Major Fade Active Seal, which acts as a buffer. If you don’t have sensitive skin, you can apply the retinoid before or after Major Fade Hyper Serum.

So, why did we leave it out? Everyone's tolerance for retinol is different, and Dr. Idriss believes retinol needs to be titrated to meet your skin’s unique needs, both in terms of the formula concentration (% of retinol) and the frequency of use.

For some people, yes. Major Fade Flash Mask briefly lowers your skin’s pH, so you may feel a tingling sensation when you apply it. If you have sensitive skin, we recommend that you patch test Major Fade Flash Mask before you use it for the first time (learn how to do a patch test here).

Yes, but it can cause temporary sensitivity to the sun. We recommend using it at night so you can follow it with Major Fade Hyper Serum and Major Fade Active Seal and leave skin free of makeup. No matter which products you use, always remember to apply sunscreen (at least SPF 30) as the last step in your morning skincare routine.

Yes. The products are not designed to treat rosacea, but they contain ingredients that help to improve uneven skin tone and decrease redness.

Yes, but introduce one product at a time and patch test each product before you apply it fully. Be cautious with Major Fade Flash Mask, which contains exfoliating acids and may cause sensitivity for some people.

Yes! All skin types benefit from a brighter, more even-toned complexion.

You should use The Depuffer consistently for at least four weeks to see results. That being said, in an independent clinical study, participants saw an immediate reduction in skin redness after using The Depuffer on irritated skin.

When developing the products, we used active ingredients from raw-material suppliers who could provide clinical data proving the effectiveness of their ingredients at specific levels. Then we formulated with those same levels. (FYI: In order to shout out specific active ingredients on their labels, some brands sprinkle a bit of the ingredients in their formulas instead of using them at the levels that were proven to be effective). Then, we hired a third-party facility to prove efficacy. They ran a clinical study of 26 subjects who used The Depuffer for four weeks. The Depuffer was clinically proven to reduce skin redness and undereye puffiness. In addition to the industry-standard tests above, we sent The Depuffer to 100 skin nerds who follow @shereeneidriss and asked them to take before and after videos and provide feedback.

No. The Depuffer does not treat rosacea. There isn't a single treatment that permanently gets rid of rosacea; rather, a combination of over-the-counter topicals and lasers can help mitigate the condition. That being said, The Depuffer has been clinically proven to improve transient skin flushing and reactive redness.

No. The Depuffer has been clinically proven to treat under-eye puffiness. For information about combating undereye circles, check out this article in the Skin Nerd Academy blog.

Yes. There are two types of facial discoloration: hyperpigmentation and redness. Major Fade addresses the former; The Depuffer addresses the latter. More tactically speaking, when used together, Dr. Idriss recommends using The Depuffer in the morning first, followed by Major Fade Hyper Serum and Active Seal. In the evening, the Flash Mask should be applied first, then The Depuffer, prior to Hyper Serum and Active Seal.

Yes. For the average person, using several products with niacinamide at efficacy levels won’t irritate their skin, because it’s generally a well-tolerated ingredient. For individuals with sensitive skin, and in the undereye area, it's optimal to err on the side of caution and patch test, or to use only one product with niacinamide.

Yes. In a third party consumer perception study of 26 subjects, 96% said that The Depuffer is gentle for everyday use, and 88% said that their skin felt soothed and calmed after using The Depuffer. That being said, if you have sensitive skin, you should patch test before applying it fully.

The Depuffer contains Centella Asiatica, which gives the formula a brown hue. This is normal and to be expected.

PillowtalkDerm accepts all major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. We also accept PayPal and Apple Pay.

You can purchase a digital gift card here.

Unfortunately, we can't modify your order once you’ve received your order confirmation. We may, however, be able to cancel the order. Email us at hello@pillowtalkderm.com as soon as possible after placing your order with your name, order number, and subject line “Cancel Order,” and we'll do our best to accommodate.

We offer free shipping on select orders.

We're able to ship to P.O. boxes if you provide a phone number with your order.

Orders are processed Mondays through Fridays, with the exception of federal holidays. Orders are typically fulfilled and ship within 1-2 business days. Shipping times vary by carrier. Once you place an order, you'll receive information on the carrier and how to track your shipment.

We accept returns and exchanges on opened and unopened products within 30 days of purchase. To request a return or exchange, email hello@pillowtalkderm.com with your name, order number, the item(s) you wish to return, and the reason for requesting a return or exchange.

Please visit Idriss Dermatology to book an appointment with Dr. Idriss or one of her associates.