HomeMirror Session

How the rules work

The routine is not written by an AI. It follows the fixed rules below, so the same scan always gives the same routine. Scores are 1-100 from YouCam Skin Analysis, higher means healthier-looking skin. At most 2 active ingredients are suggested at the start.

Rules: scan result to ingredient

  • If Hydration is below 70: Hydrating moisturizer (glycerin, hyaluronic acid)

    Hydration looks low. Humectants pull water into the top layer of the skin.

  • If Hydration is below 45: Barrier moisturizer (ceramides)

    Hydration looks clearly low. Ceramides help the skin keep its water in.

  • If Oil balance is below 55: Niacinamide (active)

    The skin looks shiny. Niacinamide is used to help balance oil.

  • If Pores is below 55: Niacinamide (active)

    Pores look visible. Niacinamide may make them look less obvious over weeks.

  • If Pores is below 45: Salicylic acid (BHA) (active)

    Pores look very visible. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble and works inside the pore.

  • If Smoothness is below 50: Salicylic acid (BHA) (active)

    The surface looks uneven. A mild exfoliating acid can smooth it, slowly.

  • If Blemishes is below 60: Salicylic acid (BHA) (active)

    Some spots and bumps are visible. Salicylic acid helps keep pores clear.

  • If Blemishes is below 45: Azelaic acid (active)

    Spots and bumps are clearly visible. Azelaic acid is gentle and also evens skin tone.

  • If Redness is below 60: Soothing ingredients (panthenol, allantoin)

    Redness is visible. Keep the routine simple and use calming ingredients.

  • If Redness is below 50: Azelaic acid (active)

    Redness is clearly visible. Azelaic acid is often well tolerated by reactive skin.

  • If Dark spots is below 60: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (active)

    Darker patches are visible. Vitamin C is used to help even skin tone.

  • If Dark spots is below 60: Niacinamide (active)

    Darker patches are visible. Niacinamide can help even tone.

  • If Under-eye darkness is below 50: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (active)

    Under-eye darkness is visible. Vitamin C may brighten a little; sleep and light matter more.

  • If Fine lines is below 60: Retinol (vitamin A) (active)

    Fine lines are visible. Retinol is the best-studied ingredient for fine lines.

  • If Firmness is below 55: Retinol (vitamin A) (active)

    Firmness looks lower. Retinol supports skin renewal over months.

  • If Radiance is below 55: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (active)

    Skin looks dull. Vitamin C is used for a brighter look.

Ingredients

  • Gentle cleanser

    A mild, fragrance-free cleanser (low-foam or gel for oily skin). Start: n/a. Morning: rinse or cleanse. Evening: cleanse.

  • Hydrating moisturizer (glycerin, hyaluronic acid)

    Glycerin or hyaluronic acid in a light cream or gel. Start: n/a. Morning and evening, on slightly damp skin.

  • Barrier moisturizer (ceramides)

    Ceramides, often with cholesterol and fatty acids, in a cream. Start: n/a. Evening, or morning and evening if skin feels tight.

  • Broad-spectrum sunscreen

    SPF 30 or higher, labelled broad-spectrum, fragrance-free if skin is easily upset. Start: SPF 30+. Every morning, last step; reapply if outdoors for long.

  • Niacinamide (active)

    A serum or cream with niacinamide. Start: 2-5%. Once a day, morning or evening.

  • Salicylic acid (BHA) (active)

    A leave-on product with salicylic acid. Start: 0.5-2%. Start 2 evenings a week, build up slowly if the skin is comfortable.

  • Azelaic acid (active)

    A cream or gel with azelaic acid. Start: 10%. Once a day (evening), start every second day.

  • Retinol (vitamin A) (active)

    A low-strength retinol cream or serum. Start: 0.1-0.3%. Start 2 evenings a week, build up slowly if the skin is comfortable.

  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (active)

    A serum with vitamin C, kept in a dark, closed bottle. Start: 10-15%. Morning, before moisturizer and sunscreen.

  • Soothing ingredients (panthenol, allantoin)

    Panthenol or allantoin in a fragrance-free cream. Start: n/a. Morning and evening, in place of a regular moisturizer.

Safety rules

Patch test every new active first: apply a small amount behind the ear or on the jawline once a day for 2 days. Do not continue if you see redness, itching, burning or swelling.

  • Sunscreen every morning, always. It matters most with retinol, vitamin C or exfoliating acids, which make skin more sun-sensitive.
  • Introduce one new active at a time and wait about 2 weeks before adding another.
  • Retinol only at night.
  • Never use retinol and acids (salicylic or azelaic) on the same night.
  • Vitamin C in the morning.
  • If skin stings, peels or feels tight for more than a few days, stop the newest active and keep only cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen.
  • Keep products away from the eyes, mouth and broken skin.
  • Do not use retinol and salicylic acid on the same evening. Use them on different evenings.
  • Do not use retinol and azelaic acid on the same evening. Use them on different evenings.
  • Keep vitamin C for the morning and retinol for the evening.
  • Do not start salicylic acid and azelaic acid together. Choose one first.

Azelaic acid at 15-20% is a prescription-level strength: ask a doctor or pharmacist before going above the 10% start.

Warning signs you can report (these pause all actives and show a basic routine only):

  • I have painful, inflamed or deep spots or lesions
  • A mole or spot is new, changing, uneven, itchy or bleeding
  • No improvement after 6-8 weeks of a routine

Because of what you reported, only a basic routine is shown (gentle cleanser, moisturizer, daily sunscreen). Actives are paused until you have seen a pharmacist or a doctor.

Scan scores are not clinically validated, so they only add a soft hint and never pause the routine.

You said you are pregnant, trying to be, or breastfeeding. Retinol and salicylic acid are left out of this routine. Azelaic acid, vitamin C and niacinamide can stay: please check with your doctor or pharmacist.

You said your skin is sensitive. Only one active is suggested, vitamin C is kept low (or a gentler derivative), and a patch test matters even more.

See a pharmacist or a dermatologist if skin hurts, bleeds, swells, spreads, gets worse after a few weeks, or if you are unsure about anything here.

Product check: ingredient groups

A label gives the order of ingredients but not their amounts, so the check can only say an ingredient is present. Groups are matched by their INCI names.

  • Fragrance

    Perfume mixes and the common fragrance allergens that must be listed in the EU.

    Wording: fragrance allergen (benzyl alcohol may also be a preservative)

    Matches: parfum, fragrance, aroma, linalool, limonene, citronellol, geraniol, eugenol, isoeugenol, coumarin, citral, farnesol, benzyl salicylate, benzyl alcohol, cinnamal, cinnamyl alcohol, hexyl cinnamal, amyl cinnamal, hydroxycitronellal, alpha-isomethyl ionone, butylphenyl methylpropional, benzyl benzoate, benzyl cinnamate

  • Essential oils

    Plant oils used for scent (lavender, tea tree, peppermint, citrus, ylang ylang, clove and similar). Matches leaf, flower, peel, fruit and other oils.

    Matches: lavandula, lavender, melaleuca, tea tree, mentha, peppermint, spearmint, eucalyptus, citrus, orange, lemon, bergamot, lime, grapefruit, neroli, rosa damascena, cananga, ylang, pelargonium, geranium, cymbopogon, lemongrass, rosmarinus, rosemary, thymus, thyme, origanum, oregano, cinnamomum, cinnamon, eugenia caryophyllus, clove, juniperus, juniper, pinus, boswellia, frankincense, santalum, sandalwood, jasminum, jasmine, salvia sclarea, clary sage, ocimum, basil, illicium, star anise, cedrus, cedarwood, pogostemon, patchouli, vetiveria, vetiver, abies (only when the name also contains "oil")

  • Oils that can react with sunlight (bergamot, lime, bitter orange, angelica)

    Some citrus and herb oils contain compounds that can cause skin reactions in sunlight.

    Matches: citrus aurantium bergamia, bergamot, citrus aurantifolia, lime, citrus aurantium amara, bitter orange, angelica (only when the name also contains "oil")

  • Citrus extracts (lemon, bergamot, lime, orange peel)

    Citrus peel and fruit extracts can make skin more sensitive to sunlight.

    Matches: citrus limon, citrus aurantifolia, citrus aurantium, citrus sinensis, citrus reticulata, citrus paradisi, bergamot, lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, mandarin

  • Plant extracts

    Any ingredient called an extract (mostly plants). Only flagged for sensitive skin or if you listed an allergy.

    Matches: extract

  • Compositae plants (chamomile, arnica, calendula)

    The daisy family: chamomile, arnica, calendula, echinacea, yarrow, tansy, dandelion and relatives. A common cause of plant allergy. Refined sunflower and safflower oils are not counted.

    Matches: anthemis, chamomilla, matricaria, chamaemelum, chamomile, arnica, calendula, echinacea, achillea, tanacetum, artemisia, bellis perennis, inula, taraxacum, chrysanthemum, cynara, silybum, centaurea

  • Propolis

    A bee product; a known contact allergen.

    Matches: propolis

  • Colophonium (rosin)

    Pine resin and its derivatives; a known contact allergen.

    Matches: colophonium, rosin, rosinate, abietic acid, abietate

  • Lanolin (wool wax)

    A wool-derived fat; a known contact allergen for some people.

    Matches: lanolin, adeps lanae, wool wax, wool fat, lanolin alcohol, lanolin oil, hydrogenated lanolin

  • MI / MCI (methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone) and related

    Preservatives that are among the most common causes of contact allergy. Also catches benzisothiazolinone and octylisothiazolinone.

    Matches: methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, benzisothiazolinone, octylisothiazolinone

  • Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives

    Preservatives that slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde; allergen for some people.

    Matches: dmdm hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, bronopol, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate

  • Parabens

    A family of preservatives (methylparaben, propylparaben and others).

    Matches: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben

  • Phenoxyethanol

    A widely used preservative; some people react to it.

    Matches: phenoxyethanol

  • Drying alcohols

    Ethanol-type alcohols that can dry or sting the skin (not fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol).

    Matches: alcohol denat, alcohol, sd alcohol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, denatured alcohol

  • Sulfate cleansers

    Strong foaming cleansers (sodium lauryl sulfate and similar) that can dry or irritate.

    Matches: sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium coco-sulfate

  • Propylene glycol

    A common moisturising solvent; some people react to it.

    Matches: propylene glycol

  • Silicones

    Smoothing ingredients (dimethicone, siloxanes). A preference, not an allergy.

    Matches: dimethicone, dimethiconol, cyclomethicone, trimethicone, siloxane, silicone

  • Nuts (peanut and tree nuts)

    Peanut, almond, hazelnut, walnut, macadamia, pistachio oils and extracts. If you avoid nuts, shea butter is flagged too.

    Matches: arachis hypogaea, peanut, prunus amygdalus, almond, corylus avellana, hazelnut, juglans regia, walnut, macadamia, pistacia vera, pistachio

  • Shea butter

    Flagged only when you avoid nuts.

    Matches: butyrospermum parkii, shea, butyrospermum

  • Wheat / gluten

    Wheat-derived ingredients (wheat germ oil, hydrolysed wheat protein).

    Matches: triticum, wheat, hordeum, barley, secale, rye, avena sativa

  • Soy

    Soy-derived oils and extracts.

    Matches: glycine soja, soybean

  • Chemical UV filters

    Organic sunscreen filters (oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate).

    Matches: benzophenone-3, oxybenzone, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, octinoxate, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, ethylhexyl salicylate

  • Scrub particles

    Ground shells, seeds, kernels and pumice used to scrub the skin. A label cannot always show that a product is a scrub.

    Matches: shell powder, seed powder, kernel powder, stem powder, pumice, jojoba esters, walnut shell

  • Retinoids (vitamin A)

    Retinol, retinal, retinyl esters and prescription retinoids.

    Matches: retinol, retinal, retinaldehyde, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinyl retinoate, hydroxypinacolone retinoate, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, isotretinoin

  • Exfoliating acids (AHA)

    Glycolic, lactic, mandelic and malic acid.

    Matches: glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid

  • Salicylic acid (BHA)

    Salicylic acid (not its esters used as UV filters or fragrance).

    Matches: salicylic acid

  • Vitamin C

    Ascorbic acid and its derivatives.

    Matches: ascorbic acid, l-ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl palmitate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate

  • Niacinamide

    Vitamin B3.

    Matches: niacinamide

  • Azelaic acid

    Azelaic acid and its derivatives.

    Matches: azelaic acid, potassium azeloyl diglycinate

  • Benzoyl peroxide

    An acne ingredient that can dry, irritate and bleach fabric.

    Matches: benzoyl peroxide

Product check: medicines

  • Tetracyclines (doxycycline, minocycline, lymecycline, tetracycline) (antibiotics)

    Makes skin more sensitive to sunlight

  • Isotretinoin (tablets) (prescription acne treatment)

    Makes skin very dry and fragile; Makes skin more sensitive to sunlight

  • Acitretin (tablets) (prescription skin treatment)

    Makes skin very dry and fragile; Makes skin more sensitive to sunlight

  • Fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin) (antibiotics)

    Makes skin more sensitive to sunlight

  • Hydrochlorothiazide (water tablet for blood pressure)

    Makes skin more sensitive to sunlight

  • Amiodarone (heart rhythm medicine)

    Makes skin more sensitive to sunlight

  • Methotrexate (tablets or injection)

    Makes skin more sensitive to sunlight

  • Ketoprofen gel (painkiller gel) (applied to the skin)

    Makes skin more sensitive to sunlight

  • St John's wort (herbal) (supplement)

    Makes skin more sensitive to sunlight

  • Prescription retinoid cream or gel (tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene) (applied to the skin)

    Prescription retinoid on the skin; Makes skin more sensitive to sunlight

  • Corticosteroid cream on the same area (applied to the skin)

    Corticosteroid on the same area

  • Oral contraceptive (the pill) (hormonal tablets)

    May make pigment spots more likely

  • Benzoyl peroxide (acne treatment) (applied to the skin)

    Can irritate the skin

What each effect does to the check

  • Makes skin more sensitive to sunlight

    This kind of medicine can make skin burn or react more easily in the sun. Daily sunscreen is needed.

    Reminder: daily sunscreen.

    • Retinoids (vitamin A): ask your pharmacist or doctor (retinol also raises sun sensitivity)
    • Exfoliating acids: ask your pharmacist or doctor (exfoliating acids also raise sun sensitivity)
    • Citrus extracts (lemon, bergamot, lime, orange peel): ask your pharmacist or doctor (citrus extracts can react with sunlight)
    • Oils that can react with sunlight (bergamot, lime, bitter orange, angelica): better to skip (these oils can react with sunlight)

  • Makes skin very dry and fragile

    This kind of medicine dries and thins the skin and makes it easier to irritate.

    Reminder: daily sunscreen.

    • Retinoids (vitamin A): better to skip (it adds vitamin A on top of the medicine; ask your doctor)
    • Exfoliating acids: better to skip (skin is fragile; ask your doctor)
    • Scrub particles: better to skip (skin is fragile; ask your doctor)
    • Benzoyl peroxide: better to skip (it dries and irritates)
    • Drying alcohols: ask your pharmacist or doctor (it can dry and sting)
    • Fragrance: ask your pharmacist or doctor (fragile skin reacts more easily)

  • Prescription retinoid on the skin

    A second retinoid, an exfoliating acid or a scrub on top can irritate the skin.

    Reminder: daily sunscreen.

    • Retinoids (vitamin A): better to skip (you already use a retinoid; ask your doctor)
    • Exfoliating acids: better to skip (it stacks irritation; ask your doctor)
    • Scrub particles: better to skip (it stacks irritation; ask your doctor)
    • Benzoyl peroxide: ask your pharmacist or doctor (it can stack irritation)

  • Can irritate the skin

    Adding other strong actives can stack irritation.

    • Exfoliating acids: ask your pharmacist or doctor (it can stack irritation)
    • Retinoids (vitamin A): ask your pharmacist or doctor (it can stack irritation)

  • Corticosteroid on the same area

    On the same area, a corticosteroid cream can thin the skin, which then tolerates strong actives less. No strong actives there.

    • Retinoids (vitamin A): ask your pharmacist or doctor (thinner skin tolerates it less)
    • Exfoliating acids: ask your pharmacist or doctor (thinner skin tolerates it less)
    • Scrub particles: ask your pharmacist or doctor (thinner skin tolerates it less)
    • Benzoyl peroxide: ask your pharmacist or doctor (thinner skin tolerates it less)

  • May make pigment spots more likely

    Hormonal medicines such as the contraceptive pill can make pigment spots (melasma) more likely, especially with sun. Daily sunscreen helps.

    Reminder: daily sunscreen.

    Product check: pregnancy and breastfeeding

    • Retinoids (vitamin A): better to skip (retinoids are left out in pregnancy and breastfeeding)
    • Salicylic acid (BHA): better to skip (salicylic acid is left out in pregnancy and breastfeeding)
    • Essential oils: ask your doctor or pharmacist (essential oils: check with your doctor or pharmacist)
    • Benzoyl peroxide: ask your doctor or pharmacist (check with your doctor or pharmacist)

    Azelaic acid, vitamin C and niacinamide are not flagged. Please still check with your doctor or pharmacist.

    Product check: sensitive skin and allergy profile

    • Sensitive skin, Citrus extracts (lemon, bergamot, lime, orange peel): ask your pharmacist or doctor (citrus extracts can irritate and react with sunlight)
    • Sensitive skin, Plant extracts: ask your pharmacist or doctor (plant extracts can irritate sensitive skin)
    • Any allergy listed, Plant extracts: ask your pharmacist or doctor (you listed an allergy, and plant extracts can contain allergens)