The Journal — Page 3
Research-backed articles on lipid science, oral care, skincare and the ingredients behind every CallNature formula.
Nails
Why Do I Have a Ridge Down the Middle of My Thumbnail? The 3 Causes — and the 10-Second Side-Ridge Test
A ridge in the thumbnail is usually related to specific conditions. Use a simple side-ridge test to help ident…
Dental Health
How Do You Soothe Sore Gums at Home? A Simple Step-by-Step Plan
Sore, puffy gums? Follow a simple step-by-step home plan — gentle brushing, saltwater rinses, smart daily habi…
Dental Health
What Does the Start of Receding Gums Look Like? The 4 Subtle Signs Most People Miss
The first signs of receding gums are subtle: a longer-looking tooth, a thinning gum edge and a faint "satin ba…
Skin / Anti-aging
Is Phenoxyethanol Bad for Your Skin? The 1% Rule — and How to Read the Dose Off the Label
Phenoxyethanol is cleared for cosmetic use up to 1%. Learn the labelling rules that allow you to determine the…
Dental Health
Why Is My Mouthwash Staining My Teeth Brown? How to Tell Which Ingredient Is Doing It
Certain mouthwash ingredients can stain teeth brown. Learn how to read your label to identify the ingredient a…
Skin / Anti-aging
Why Are My Pores Getting Bigger as I Get Older? (The Round-vs-Teardrop Test)
Pores can look larger as skin ages and loses elasticity. Learn the difference between round and teardrop shape…
Dental Health
Are My Bleeding Gums Hormonal — or Gum Disease? The Two-Cycle Test That Tells Them Apart
Menstruation gingivitis or gum disease? Use a home diary and a cycle-day map to determine if your bleeding gum…
Scars & Stretch Marks
Do Silicone Scar Sheets Work on Old Scars? The Redness Test That Tells You
Silicone sheets are best for new, red scars. The evidence for mature scars is weak; use the redness test to se…
Nails
Why Do I Keep Getting Hangnails? The Real Causes — and How to Break the Cycle
Why do hangnails keep returning? Review dryness, picking, and product exposure, plus careful removal steps, in…
Skin / Anti-aging
Is “Fragrance” in Skincare Bad for Your Skin? What “Parfum” on the Label Actually Hides
Parfum on a label can legally hide many substances. Learn about the common allergens, why natural does not mea…
Skin / Anti-aging
Can You Use Retinol on Stretch Marks While Pregnant? What the Evidence Actually Says
Retinoids are effective for stretch marks but often avoided in pregnancy. Review the evidence and discuss your…
Skin / Anti-aging
Do Face Oils Actually Absorb Into Your Skin — or Just Sit on Top? What Penetration Studies Show
Penetration studies show some oils absorb while others remain on the surface. Learn the factors that determine…
Dental Health
Why Does My Breath Smell With Clear Aligners or a Retainer? The 60-Second Test
Bad breath with retainers or aligners? Use a 60-second test to determine if the tray, dry mouth, or gums are t…
Dental Health
Why Did My Gums Start Bleeding After I Quit Smoking? (The Unmasking Effect)
Nicotine can mask bleeding gums by reducing blood flow. If you quit, bleeding may appear to increase. Learn ho…
Scars & Stretch Marks
Can You Use Scar Oil and Silicone Gel Together? The Order That Actually Works
You can use scar oil and silicone together, but not at once. Silicone works by occlusion, so apply it correctl…
Nails
Are White Spots on Your Nails Really a Calcium Deficiency? What They Actually Mean
White spots on nails are rarely a calcium deficiency. Learn what leukonychia actually means, how to test it, a…
Nails
Is "10-Free" Nail Polish Actually Safer? What the Numbers Mean — and What Was Really in the Bottles
There is no legal definition of 10-Free nail polish. Learn what labs have measured in these products and why y…
Skin / Anti-aging
Why Is My Chest Crepey When My Face Isn't? (The "Thinner Skin" Myth, and What's Really Going On)
Crepey chest skin is not necessarily thinner skin. Discover the actual causes, use a triage table to understan…
Scars & Stretch Marks
Why Does My Silicone Scar Sheet Itch? What's Actually In It — and What the Redness Means
Itching or redness under silicone scar sheets is rarely a silicone allergy. Learn the actual causes for these …
Skin / Anti-aging
Why Do My Fine Lines Look Worse at the End of the Day? (And How to Tell If They're Really Wrinkles)
Lines that are faint at 8am and obvious at 8pm are hydration lines, not collagen loss. Use the 12-Hour Line Te…
Dental Health
Why Does My Floss Smell Bad in One Spot? The 4 Real Causes
If floss smells bad in only one spot, it indicates a localized issue. Use a 3-day audit to identify the cause …
Dental Health
Why Do My Gums Look Like an Orange Peel? What Gum Stippling Really Means
Dimpled gum texture, or stippling, is normal for many adults. Learn what the texture means for your health and…
Scars & Stretch Marks
Why Don't My Stretch Marks Tan? (And Why the Sun Makes Them Show More)
Stretch marks do not tan due to their reduced melanization. Learn why sun exposure increases contrast and the …
Nails
How Long Do Bitten Nails Take to Grow Back? The Real Recovery Timeline
Bitten nails follow a specific recovery timeline, typically showing full turnover in six months. Learn about t…