INCI with Rinki

Welcome to Behind the Formula-Series .

After 16 years in cosmetic science and contributing to the development of nearly 500 skincare products, I’ve learned one thing…

Great skincare isn’t created by following trends. It’s created by understanding the science behind every formulation.

In this series, I’ll take you beyond the marketing claims and into the decisions cosmetic scientists make every day, from choosing raw materials and active ingredients to formulation strategy, stability, efficacy, and product development.

Whether you’re a skincare enthusiast, formulator, brand founder, or part of the beauty industry, this series is designed to help you understand why products work, not just what they claim.

Because behind every great skincare product is great formulation science.

Follow Behind the Formula as we decode skincare, one ingredient at a time.

The Korean skincare everyone thinks is popular… isn’t always what Koreans are actually reaching for. 🇰🇷

Unboxing some of Korea’s real skincare gems, including the ⭐ products that locals and skincare enthusiasts are loving right now.

⭐ Star products:
• REJURAN Turnover Ampule ( my favorite )
• celimax Vita-A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
• Centellian24 Madeca Cream Time Reverse
• Dr. Althea Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream
• SUNGBOON EDITOR PDRN Pink Vitamin Glow Boosting Ampoule
• Dr.Reju-All Advanced PDRN Lip Serum
• ATOPALM MLE Cream
• AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum
• iUNIK Centella Calming Daily Sun Water
• Genabelle Melacare Intensive Cream

From PDRN and retinal to barrier repair, pigmentation care, and skin rejuvenation, these are the products creating buzz in Korea, not just internationally.

Which one would you like me to review first?

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Some invitations are more than a meal. They are a journey home.

Walking into Chourangi’s Calcutta Street Food Festival, I wasn’t just exploring a menu. I was reconnecting with a city that lives in my heart. As a Bengali, every aroma carried a memory, every spice whispered a familiar story, and every bite felt like a conversation with my roots.

From the playful phuchka to the delicate banana blossom croquette, the crisp prawn cutlet, fragrant gondhoraj chicken fry, comforting chilli chicken, and pillowy luchi with aloo dum, each dish celebrated the soul of Kolkata. But it was the perfectly crisp prawn cutlet that stole my heart, while the rich, creamy baked rasogolla achieved that rare harmony of indulgence and balance. And the aam panna? Simply sunshine in a glass.

As a cosmetic formulator, I spend my days understanding chemistry. As a passionate foodie, I find the same magic on a plate. After all, cooking and chemistry speak the same language. Precision meets intuition. Reactions create transformation. The smallest ingredient can change the entire story.

Thank you, Chourangi, for the invitation and for reminding me that sometimes the shortest journey home begins with a single bite.

💧 I Love Ectoin Hydro Barrier Serum Let me explain simply. Not sponsored

Think of your skin like a house.

Hyaluronic acid is the water tank. It fills your skin with moisture.

Ectoin is the climate control system. It helps your skin hold onto that moisture, even when it’s facing hot showers, air conditioning, pollution, UV, or cold weather.

Originally discovered in microorganisms that survive extreme environments, ectoin forms a protective hydration shield around skin cells, helping reduce water loss and supporting a healthier skin barrier.

If your skin feels tight, dehydrated, or easily irritated, ectoin is an ingredient worth knowing.

Hydration isn’t just about adding water. It’s about keeping it there. thank you .theinkeylist your team knows magic 💋

Your dry shampoo might be making your hair dirtier.

Sounds backwards, but here’s the science.

Most traditional dry shampoos use starches or powders to absorb excess oil. While they can make hair look fresher, repeated use without washing can leave residue on the scalp and hair.

Over time, that buildup can trap oil, sweat, and environmental debris, making hair feel heavy and leaving the scalp less comfortable.

That doesn’t mean dry shampoo is bad. It means it’s designed to refresh, not clean.

Newer formulas, like AirWash, take a different approach by focusing on managing odor while minimizing visible residue, helping hair feel fresher between wash days.

The key takeaway?

Dry shampoo is a tool to extend the time between washes, not replace shampoo. A healthy scalp still benefits from regular cleansing to remove buildup. Expensive but worth it in my opinion 🙏. Will you try it?

My toxic trait is reading the INCI before I read the product name.

Think of it as checking the cast before watching the movie. If the ingredients are good, I’m pressing play. 🎬🧪

Had the best afternoon with chatting about Oat Cleansing Balm, Ceramide Moisturiser, Exosome Serum, and all things formulation over comfort food. Safe to say I found my people.😘

Your feet can develop calluses as a protective response to repeated pressure and friction. The challenge is removing that buildup without over-scrubbing healthy skin. AD - prgift
The Foot Softener At-home Kit uses glycolic acid, lactic acid, and urea to help soften and loosen dead skin cells, making callus removal easier and more effective. Paired with a dual-sided stainless steel foot file, it helps reveal smoother, softer feet in minutes.

Less force. Smarter exfoliation. Better results. 👣
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Join the Refill Movement ♻️

I’m making a small change that makes a big difference. By choosing refills for my L’Oréal Paris Colour Protect products, I save money while helping reduce packaging waste. 🌍💚

Better for my wallet, better for the environment, and the same great hair care I love.

Who’s ready to make the switch and join the refill movement?

I don’t colour hair but my family does. I have been buying these for years. I recommend them