The 6 Key Skin Concerns

Healthy skin is not about chasing trends or layering endless products. It starts with understanding what your skin is trying to tell you.

At Lab Creations by pH Factor, we approach skincare through formulation science. Most visible skin issues are not random. They are usually linked to changes in the skin barrier, hydration levels, cellular renewal, oil production, or pigment activity within the skin.

Rather than offering generic skincare advice, we focus on the six most common skin concerns seen across dermatology clinics, aesthetic practices, and professional skincare environments. Each concern reflects a different biological process occurring within the skin and requires carefully selected ingredients and formulations to support it.

As a formulating chemist with over 25 years of experience, Rita Sellars selects ingredients based on their compatibility, proven performance, and ability to work within the skin’s natural systems.

Explore the six key skin concerns below and discover formulations designed to support healthier, stronger, and more resilient skin.
Barrier Health & Sensitivity
Hydration & Dry Skin
Breakouts & Congestion
Pigmentation & Uneven Skin Tone
Ageing & Skin Density
Dullness & Skin Renewal

Barrier Health & Sensitivity

Understanding the Concern

The skin barrier is the outermost protective layer of the skin. When it becomes compromised, the skin can lose moisture and become more vulnerable to irritation, environmental stress, and inflammation. This often appears as redness, sensitivity, stinging, or reactive skin.

Supporting the barrier is essential for restoring skin comfort and resilience.

Rita’s Chemist Tip

When the skin barrier is compromised, adding too many active ingredients can often make things worse. The focus should be on restoring the lipid structure of the skin using ingredients such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids that mimic the skin’s natural barrier composition. Once the barrier is stable, the skin becomes far more tolerant to other active ingredients.

Ingredients Rita Recommends

* Ceramides
* Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
* Beta-Glucan
* Ectoin
* Centella Asiatica Extract
* Oat Extract (Avena Sativa)
* Squalane
* Cholesterol & fatty acids
Learn with the Chemist

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Active Pro-Age Face Oil skin Longevity | Barrier Repair

Active Pro-Age Face Oil skin Longevity | Barrier Repair

Active Pro-Age Face Oil skin Longevity | Barrier Repair
$38.00

Hydration & Dry Skin

Understanding the Concern

Hydration refers to the water content within the skin. When the skin lacks sufficient water, it can appear tight, flaky, rough, or dull. Dehydrated skin can occur in all skin types, including oily skin, and is often influenced by environmental exposure, harsh cleansers, and seasonal changes.

Effective formulations focus on replenishing water while helping the skin retain moisture.

Rita’s Chemist Tip

Hydration is not just about adding water to the skin. Effective formulations combine humectants, emollients, and occlusives to draw moisture into the skin and help retain it. Ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid attract water, while lipid-based ingredients help prevent that moisture from evaporating.

Ingredients Rita Recommends

* Hyaluronic Acid (multiple molecular weights)
* Glycerin
* Sodium PCA
* Aloe Vera
* Propanediol
* Polyglutamic Acid
* Trehalose
* Betaine
Learn with the Chemist

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Active Pro-Age Face Oil skin Longevity | Barrier Repair

Active Pro-Age Face Oil skin Longevity | Barrier Repair

Active Pro-Age Face Oil skin Longevity | Barrier Repair
$38.00

Breakouts & Congestion

Understanding the Concern

Breakouts occur when excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria accumulate within the pores. This can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed blemishes. Hormonal changes, stress, and improper skincare can all influence congestion within the skin.

The goal of treatment is to regulate oil production, support gentle exfoliation, and maintain a healthy skin microbiome.

Rita’s Chemist Tip

Harsh products designed to strip oil can often trigger the skin to produce even more sebum. A better strategy is to support gentle exfoliation and regulate oil production while maintaining the skin barrier. Ingredients such as niacinamide and salicylic acid can help manage congestion without overly disrupting the skin.

Ingredients Rita Recommends

* Niacinamide
* Salicylic Acid (BHA)
* Azelaic Acid
* Zinc PCA
* Green Tea Extract
* Tea Tree Extract
* Lactobionic Acid
* Willow Bark Extract
Learn with the Chemist

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AHA/PHA Gel Cleanser

AHA/PHA Gel Cleanser

AHA/PHA Gel Cleanser
$13.50

Pigmentation & Uneven Skin Tone

Understanding the Concern

Pigmentation occurs when melanin production becomes uneven within the skin. This can be triggered by sun exposure, hormonal fluctuations, inflammation, or skin injury.

Pigment correction focuses on supporting healthy skin renewal while helping regulate melanin production.

Rita’s Chemist Tip

Pigmentation treatments take time because they work alongside the skin’s natural renewal cycle. Consistency and sun protection are essential. Even the most advanced brightening ingredients will struggle to show results if the skin continues to be exposed to UV radiation without proper protection.



Ingredients Rita Recommends

* Niacinamide
* Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid or derivatives)
* Alpha Arbutin
* Tranexamic Acid
* Kojic Acid
* Licorice Root Extract
* Azelaic Acid
* Resveratrol
Learn with the Chemist

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Day Cream Bright+Tight | Skin Longevity

Day Cream Bright+Tight | Skin Longevity

Day Cream Bright+Tight | Skin Longevity
$27.00

Ageing & Skin Density

Understanding the Concern

As the skin ages, collagen production slows and the structural support within the skin gradually declines. This can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and reduced firmness.

Supporting ageing skin focuses on stimulating collagen pathways, improving hydration, and protecting the skin from oxidative stress.

Rita’s Chemist Tip

Collagen decline begins earlier than many people realise, often in the late twenties. Ingredients that stimulate cellular renewal, such as retinoids and peptides, work best when supported with antioxidants and barrier-supporting ingredients to maintain overall skin health.



Ingredients Rita Recommends

* Retinol or Retinal
* Peptides
* Bakuchiol
* Vitamin C
* Growth Factor Mimicking Peptides
* Coenzyme Q10
* Ceramides
* Hyaluronic Acid
Learn with the Chemist

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Day Cream Bright+Tight | Skin Longevity

Day Cream Bright+Tight | Skin Longevity

Day Cream Bright+Tight | Skin Longevity
$27.00

Dullness & Skin Renewal

Understanding the Concern

Dull skin often results from a buildup of dead skin cells and slower cellular turnover. This can lead to rough texture, uneven tone, and lack of radiance.

Supporting healthy skin renewal helps reveal smoother, brighter, and more luminous skin.

Rita’s Chemist Tip

Exfoliation is not about removing as much skin as possible. Over-exfoliation can weaken the skin barrier and lead to sensitivity. Gentle chemical exfoliants such as AHAs and PHAs help encourage natural skin renewal while maintaining skin balance when used correctly.


Ingredients Rita Recommends

* Lactic Acid
* Mandelic Acid
* Glycolic Acid
* PHA (Polyhydroxy Acids)
* Fruit Enzymes
* Vitamin C
* Niacinamide
Learn with the Chemist

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Night Restore Peptide Complex | Vitamin A | Skin Longevity

Night Restore Peptide Complex | Vitamin A | Skin Longevity

Night Restore Peptide Complex | Vitamin A | Skin Longevity
$55.00