FAQ
Product
What is the Sequential Skin test?
The Sequential Skin Test kit is an at-home, easy-to-use patch that we use to collect a sample of your DNA and your skin microbiome. These samples help us capture a full profile of your skin based on your genetics and environment.
Using next-generation sequencing technology, we can get a clear view of the genetic makeup of your skin in terms of both your own genetic makeup and the DNA of your skin microbiome (made up of bacteria, viruses and fungi).
From there, we make an in-depth assessment of the current cosmetic condition of your skin based on five key traits: hydration, sensitivity response, firmess, sun protection, and antioxidant capacity. We also give you personalised skincare recommendations and product suggestions that work best with your Sequential Skin profile, so that your skin can thrive.
What will I get from Sequential Skin?
Every Sequential Skin customer gains access to:
A Sequential Skin Report – This report gives you a clear and in-depth look at how your genes and skin microbiome work together to maintain your skin health. We concentrated on five factors that have the most impact on your skin health, being: hydration, sensitivity response, firmess, sun protection, and antioxidant capacity. We also assess your Skin Microbiome Diversity Index score, that reflects the state of your skin microbiome and also affects the five factors mentioned above. These factors all come together to create your Sequential Skin Profile – an overview of the traits and tendencies of your skin and what it means for its overall health.
Sequential Skin Recommendations – We don’t just want to tell you about the skin you have. We want to give you actionable tips on how to improve its overall health, as well as give you guiding recommendations on what works best with your unique profile. We’ll explain what types of active ingredients to seek out or avoid, and what product combinations will yield the best results, so you know what to look out for when shopping for products.
Our Product Principles – At Sequential Skin, we believe skincare products should comprise clean, safe ingredients that only serve to benefit your skin. We take extra care to only select products that contain an optimum level of active ingredients to address your needs, and discard those made up of ‘empty’ formulas. See our full list of banned ingredients and ingredients to avoid here.
Sequential Skin Routine – Every client will receive a personalised three-step skincare routine designed to address any skin conditions identified in your results. We select specific products – cleanser, day, and night-time ritual – that will work best for your unique skin. Please note: Sequential Skin is brand agnostic. Sequential Skin does not receive commission for any purchases made from its recommendations.
**All results and recommendations provided are based on your personalised skin report. However, if you have any serious concerns about a particular skin condition, we recommend consulting a dermatologist or your GP.
How will I receive my results?
Your Sequential Skin Report and Recommendations will be accessible online and via your Sequential Skin App so you always have access to it, wherever you are. As soon as your results are ready, you will receive a notifying email. If you’d like to print your report, you can download the full PDF version. However, your personalised product recommendations and product matches will only be available via the app.
I don’t have a smartphone, can I still use Sequential Skin?
Of course you can! However, you will need access to a web browser as all of your results are online. We do not mail printed copies of the report.
Can those under the age of 16 take the Sequential Skin test?
The Sequential Skin test is available for both adults and minors. However, the test patch is specifically designed for an adult head size, which may be too large for younger children. This may interfere with the quality of the sample collected.
Can I gift Sequential Skin test to someone else?
It makes for a great gift! The results will be sent to whoever registers the kit online, so they can receive their reports directly from us.
Do I need to use my kit as soon as I receive it?
Your Sequential Skin Test patch is good to use for up to 6 (six) months, so there’s no immediate rush to take the test. However, we do recommend taking the test as soon as you are able.
How often should I retake the Sequential Skin test?
If you would like to see how your skin health is improving or simply changing over time, we recommend retaking the Sequential Skin test every two to three months. Your lifestyle, external environment and the products you use on your skin affect your skin microbiome balance. Repeat testing can help you monitor your skin as it evolves over time and make any necessary adjustments to your skincare routine.
Orders & Payments
What is your return and refund policy?
Any unopened and unregistered Sequential Skin test kit is fully refundable (excluding any shipping and handling fees) within 30 days from the date of purchase. If your test kit is damaged or incomplete, please report it to us within 14 days of receipt, so that we can send you a replacement. Sequential Skin holds the right to reject a refund request in the event that these terms are violated.
Is Sequential Skin available worldwide?
Yes, we ship internationally. However, you will need to pay for the return of the kit if you live outside of Singapore
Taking The Test
How do I take and submit my test patch?
It’s easy! We recommend taking the test first thing in the morning, before you shower or wash your face, so the patch captures a sample when your skin is in its most natural state. Simply stick the patch on your forehead (adhesive side down) for about 10 seconds, pop it in the test tube provided, and mail it back to us. More thorough instructions are included in the test kit. Please follow them carefully to ensure the quality of your sample!
I think I messed up my sample collection, what should I do?
Oh no! If something went wrong for any reason, please get in touch with us through our online contact form so we can send you a new test kit if necessary.
How long will it take to receive my results?
You can expect to receive your results roughly two to three weeks after we have received your test kit and completed questionnaires.
Data Privacy
What information do I need to give you in order to take the test?
When registering any Sequential Skin test kit, you can use any name you like, if you’d rather stay anonymous. However, we do require a working email address so that we can send you updates regarding your results. As part of the test, we do ask a series of lifestyle-related questions so that we can make more accurate recommendations and product matches. Having these details is what helps us to build a comprehensive profile of your skin and give you more accurate results.
Is my data private? How do you safeguard my data?
At Sequential Skin, we take your privacy and data protection very seriously. Sequential Skin does not share your information with any third-party. We are committed to protecting the privacy and security of any personal information that could be used to identify you as a customer.
For more details, please visit the PRIVACY section
What do you do with my sample after the test?
Your data will be securely stored on the Sequential Skin cloud server, though you are in control of whether your information is shared. If you are open to us using your samples and data for future research and development, tick the optional checkbox when registering your kit online. Please note: All data used in our research is anonymous. If you choose not to participate in future research and development, Sequential Skin will discard your data and sample after 12 months.
The Science
How does Sequential Skin test work?
Sequential Skin test is an at-home, non-invasive, adhesive patch that derives a sample of human and microbial DNA from the skin’s surface. This sample then undergoes next-generation laboratory sequencing technology and a method known as quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), to determine what unique genetic variants you possess in both your own DNA and your skin microbiome DNA. This allows us to compare your unique genetic variants with the common variant for specific skin traits, as well as assess the microbiome diversity of your skin – specifically the ratio of good versus bad bacteria
What exactly is the skin microbiome?
The surface of our skin is home to a whole ecosystem of different microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) that all work together to maintain our wellbeing. It’s estimated that there are roughly 1000 different species of ‘skin flora’ that are harmless and even beneficial to us. It is also our first line of defence, strengthening our body’s immune system and helping us fight off infection, inflammation and illness. In many ways, it is as important to your health as your gut microbiome, so ensuring it is well looked after is critical.
The bacteria present on our skin are largely defined by our external environment, like pollution, sunlight, humidity, and even our skincare routine – as well as internal factors, like our genes. As a result, our microbiome is always changing, responding to and adapting to different elements constantly. It is as alive as we are and a critical part of maintaining great health, way beyond just our skin. Most importantly, it is completely unique to each of us. Ultimately, the more diverse your skin microbiome, the better. A good balance between different bacteria is essential to keeping your skin healthy and beautiful.
How do you ‘measure’ skin microbiome diversity?
Sequential Skin uses a DNA sequencing technology method called 16S rRNA sequencing to map all the bacteria on your face. We’re specifically looking at four species of bacteria that act as the best indicators of overall skin health, based on current peer-reviewed scientific literature. The Sequential Skin Test measures the ratio between these four ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria to create a Microbiome Diversity Index score, that is a measure of how diverse your microbiome is. The higher the skin microbiome diversity, the healthier the skin!
What do you mean by genes and DNA?
Our DNA is the literal blueprint of who we are. It is made up of a sorted code involving four bases called adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C) and thymine (T). Every single human has DNA that is made up of about 3 billion of these bases that make up our genome. 99% of these are exactly the same. That last 1% is what makes us unique.
The human genome has millions of genetic variations (‘variants’) that differentiate us from one another. In fact, we haven’t even discovered all of them yet. Nevertheless, working from those that have been scientifically understood so far, we can make accurate assessments of the traits you possess based on your unique genetic variant, and how they physically present in your body.
Unique variant: The ‘unique variant’ is what DNA bases you carry for a particular gene.
Common variant: The common variant is the average variant across a population.How do you assess my DNA?
Once a sample is collected, Sequential Skin uses a method known as quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) that looks at specific markers (for both human and bacteria DNA) to identify what unique variants you carry and how they impact how certain genes are expressed. The specific genes Sequential Skin looks at are considered the most relevant in determining six key skin traits, according to past research and peer-reviewed publications.
How does Sequential Skin use this information to create my report?
Sequential Skin has built a database of thousands of commercially available skincare products and the major active ingredients used, to be able to offer the best recommendations available on the market. We run multiple analyses of your data and use machine learning to determine what active ingredients are most effective for your skin, and the market products that match what you need best. As we continue to build our knowledge base, through peer-reviewed scientific literature, biological testing and customer feedback, our machine learning algorithm will become even more advanced.
How scientifically valid is Sequential Skin?
All claims made by Sequential Skin are supported by peer-reviewed scientific literature. For a full list of research references, please see below:
Microbiome references:
1. Malla et al, 2019 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2018.02868/full
2. Moskovicz et al, 2020 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7409027/
3. Sohn, 2018 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07432-8
4. Belkaid et al, 2014 https://science.sciencemag.org/content/346/6212/954.long
5. Lynde et al, 2015 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26492918/
6. Belkaid et al, 2016 https://www.nature.com/articles/nri.2016.48
7. Prast-Nielsen, et al 2019 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjd.17691
8. Hoffmann, 2017 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/vde.12408
9. Worsley et al, 2019 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00018-019-03114-4
10. Oh et al, 2016 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27153496/
11. Chen et al, 2018 https://www.nature.com/articles/nature25177
12. Schommer et al 2013 https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0966-842X(13)00199-6
13. Lunjani et al, 2019 https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0966-842X(13)00199-6
14. Dreno et al, 2016 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27735094/
15. Byrd et al, 2018 https://www.nature.com/articles/nrmicro.2017.157
16. Chng et al 2016 https://www.nature.com/articles/nmicrobiol2016106
17. Wu et al, 2015 https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1005614
18. Fitz-Gibbon et al, 2013 https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022-202X(15)36405-8
Genetic references:
1) Edwards et al, 2010 (OCA2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20221248/
2) H et al, 2009 (OCA2) https://europepmc.org/article/MED/19340012
3) Duffy et al, 2007 (OCA2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17236130/
4) Sulem et al, 2008 (ASIP) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18488028/
5) Gudbjartsson et al, 2008 (ASIP) https://europepmc.org/article/med/18488027
6) Hongmei et al, 2009 (ASIP) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19384953/
7) Casto et al, 2011 (SL24A5) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21253569/
8) Stokowski et al, 2007 (SL24A5) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17999355/
9) Graf et al, 2005 (SLC45A2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15714523/
10) Han et al, 2008 (SLC45A2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18483556/
11) Nan et al, 2009 (SLC45A2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19340012/
12) Huang et al, 2013 (GPX1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24058403/
13) Chen et al, 2011 (GPX1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21842217/
14) Tang et al, 2012 (GPX1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21185702/
15) Kuzuya et al, 2008 (GPX1) https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/87/6/1939/4633439
16) Soerensen et al, 2009 (GPX1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19428448/
17) ClinGen database (COL1A2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/clinvar/variation/254953/
18) Gao et al, 2017 (COL1A2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28057405/
19) He et al, 2012 (ELN) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0046130
20) Liu et al, 2012 (MMP1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22198560/
21) Paszkowska‐Szczur et al, 2013 (XPC) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijc.28123
22) Smith et al, 2006 (FLG) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16444271/
23) Marenholz et al, 2006 (FLG) https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(06)01574-0/fulltext
24) Novak et al, 2008 (FLG) https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022202X15338860
25) Sulem et al, 2007 (KITLG) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17952075/
26) ClinGen database (AQP3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/snp/rs17253713
