FAQ
Products
All of our products are vegan and cruelty-free. We don't test on animals and have verified that none of our suppliers test on animals. We're also Leaping Bunny Certified!
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 Dr. Idriss 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@dridriss.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@dridriss.com.
If you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding we suggest you consult with your primary care physician or OBGYN before adding anything new to your routine.
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 Dr. Idriss 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 if you’ve pumped the dispenser repeatedly and it’s still not dispensing, the component may be faulty (it’s rare, but it happens!). For help, email hello@dridriss.com.
We’d love to talk nerdy with you about your skin and its specific needs. Email us with questions at hello@dridriss.com.
Listed below are the country of origin for each product:
- Flash Mask: USA
- Hyper Serum: Canada
- Active Seal: USA
- The Depuffer: USA
We are currently only sold in Idriss Derm, Sephora and our website! Please note that those sold anywhere else is not an authorized retailer, including Amazon.
At Dr. Idriss, 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 Dr. Idriss is about! Our products are always clinically tested for efficacy, tested for safety, and dermatologist tested so you can feel confident in incorporating Dr. Idriss products into your skincare routine. 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@dridriss.com.
Soft Wash
Soft wash is suitable for all skin types! It is gentle enough for sensitive skin types.
Yes! You can use Soft Wash twice for a double cleanse or incorporate it as a second cleanse if you like to use a micellar water or cleansing oil to remove your makeup.
We recommend applying Soft Wash to dry skin and massaging in the cleanser before applying water. Rinse Soft Wash with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
You can use Soft Wash daily 1-2x a day. Dr. Shereene Idriss recommends thoroughly cleansing your face in the PM and just rinsing with water in the AM. If your skin is oily, Soft Wash is gentle enough for a morning cleanse.
Soft Wash is sealed to prevent leakage during shipping. First remove the top by twisting open. Remove the small foil sticker from the opening of the tube. Twist to reattach the cap and dispense!
Soft Wash is a gentle cleanser that can be used any skin type. The pH of Soft Wash is around 5 which is the ideal range to maintain your skin barrier.
Soft Wash is gentle and non-irritating for the eyes.
If you are wearing makeup then you can use Soft Wash as your first cleanse and follow with your active cleanser. If not wearing makeup, you can use your active cleanser first for maximum benefit. Use Soft Wash as a second cleanse so your skin is slightly hydrated and not overly stripped after double cleansing.
Soft Wash is designed for all skin types and is lightweight which is perfect for oily skin types.
Yes! Soft Wash is a great hydrating cleanse for every day use.
Soft Wash is a simple every day cleanser. Skipping treatment actives minimizes the risk for irritation so everyone can use Soft Wash every day!
Major Fade
The Major Fade Solution System is great if you have any form of uneven skin tone, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, post-inflammatory redness (i.e. erythema) or post-inflammatory pigmentation from a chronic inflammatory condition (e.g. acne, or even eczema).
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. Shereene 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. Shereene 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. Shereene 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.
The Depuffer
The Depuffer is suitable for all skin types. It has a gel-like consistency, so it’s appropriate even for oily skin.
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 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 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. Shereene 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.
Orders
We’re here to help! Email us at hello@dridriss.com with your name and order number.
Dr. Idriss 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@dridriss.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.
Subscription
We accept returns like we would your regular order! Unfortunately we won’t be able to offer exchanges at this time but we can cancel the order, refund and place a new order for you. Please note that we are unable to refund shipping charges. To request a return, email hello@dridriss.com with your name, order number, item(s) that you wish to return or exchange, and the reason for requesting a return.
We are currently working on creating refills and it should be available later in the year.
We’re sorry to hear that your order arrived damaged. Please send an email hello@dridriss.com with your name, order number, item(s) and we are happy to assist you.
For orders over $135, standard shipping is free. For orders under $135, standard shipping is $7.95. Please be aware that all subscription items must ship in the same delivery to qualify for the free shipping threshold. If your deliveries are scheduled for different dates you may need to pay shipping per each delivery. If you have any questions, please contact us at hello@dridriss.com.
Subscription orders are not set to combine with additional discounts at this time.
Shipping & Returns
Dr. Idriss currently ships to all 50 US states (+US territories), Canada, and the UK. Sign up for our email list and follow @dr.idriss on Instagram to be the first to know when we expand our shipping options.
Dr. Idriss offers free shipping on orders:
US 135 USD+
Canada 185 CAD+
United Kingdom 110 GBP+
We're able to ship to P.O. boxes if you provide a phone number with your order.
Orders will arrive approximately 5 to 7 business days from date of purchase. Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, the UK, and APO boxes may experience longer transit times. Once your order has shipped, you will receive an email from hello@dridriss.com with tracking information.
We accept returns and exchanges on opened and unopened products within 30 days of purchase. To request a return or exchange, email hello@dridriss.com with your name, order number, the item(s) you wish to return, and the reason for requesting a return or exchange.
For any international orders, any applicable duties, import taxes, and sales taxes are collected at checkout.
Miscellaneous
We offer a 25% discount on orders to beauty and skincare professionals. For consideration, please fill out this form.
Please visit Idriss Dermatology to book an appointment with Dr. Shereene Idriss or one of her associates.