Our Co-Founder Noelly sat down with skin expert and beauty industry royalty Caroline Hirons to talk about the science of skin tone and our mission to provide skincare equity for everyone.

We’ve pulled together some key takeaways below. Follow the link below for the full interview.

• Thinking that all skin phototypes need the same approach to skincare products is like believing that all plants, no matter their origins need the same amount of water and sunlight to thrive or that a person can wear shoes that are a size too small - sure, they can make it work, but it’s not going to be comfortable or optimal for their needs. Just like how shoes need to fit properly to be comfortable, skincare products need to be formulated specifically for darker skin tone physiology and functionality for true skin health.

• There has been a lack of representation for darker skin tones, known dermatologically as phototypes IV, V and VI on the Fitzpatrick scale (AKA skin of colour), in dermatologic clinical trials and testing, which limits therapeutic options and potentially contributes to worse outcomes for people of colour. This may also explain why it is more convenient for the industry to favour conclusions that one size should fit all.

• At 4.5.6 Skin, we created the world’s first Skin Tone Research Lab in the heart of the Cosmetic Valley in France. Through the Science of Skin Tone, which is the basis of our formulation philosophy, we believe that the correct theory on skin tone must delve deeper into the genetic, metabolic, physio-pathological, and psychological implications of Skin Tone in skincare.