The Vellum Journal
Notes from the lab. And the bench.
Ingredient deep-dives, formulation notes, derm-reviewed routine guides, and behind-the-brand essays from the team in Echo Park. Published monthly.
Ingredient deep-dive
Niacinamide at 10%: where the evidence actually lands
Most niacinamide serums use it at 2-4%. The clinical sweet spot is 5-10% — and the trade-offs that come with it. A formulation note from our lab.
May 2026
Clean beauty
The case against fragrance in skincare
Fragrance is the #1 cause of contact dermatitis in skincare — and yet 78% of products contain it. Why Vellum products are fragrance-free, full stop.
April 2026
Routines
Layering serums: the 60-second rule
The right order, the right wait time, the right amount. A practical guide to layering your morning routine — no marketing, just the science.
April 2026
Formulator's notes
Why we don't make a retinol (yet)
Retinol works — and it's complicated. A frank note from our chief formulator on what we'd want a Vellum retinol to be before we ship one.
March 2026
Ingredient deep-dive
Sunscreen, finally: chemical vs. mineral
The honest pros and cons of each, why mineral SPF used to be a chalky disaster, and how the newest formulations finally fixed it.
March 2026
Behind the brand
Behind the Cushion Cream
Two years, eleven formulations, six derm reviews. The full story of Vellum's flagship moisturizer — from blank page to bestseller.
February 2026
The Vellum Circle
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