THE HAUS NOTES · THE SKIN EDIT · 4 MIN READ
Why expensive doesn't always mean effective, more isn't necessarily better, and why Synergie Skin earned its place at Lau-vei Haus.
I think it's fair to say I've tried just about everything when it comes to skincare. The expensive products. The luxury brands. The products recommended by professionals. The skincare you can pick up from your local chemist. The trending ingredients. The elaborate routines. The products that promise to change everything. And this started long before I ever worked in the skin and aesthetics industry.
I've been navigating my own skin concerns since I was 13 years old. So when I say I've tried just about everything, I really do mean it.
I've spent tens of thousands of dollars on skincare over the years, and I can tell you that spending more money doesn't necessarily mean getting better results.
I know the excitement of starting a new product. The hope that this might finally be the one (a little like dating, really). The initial honeymoon phase when you're convinced you've found something incredible. And then the disappointment when, weeks later, you're still wondering whether it's actually doing anything.
And somehow, despite knowing better, you find yourself thinking perhaps the next serum will be different.
Even after more than 14 years working in skin health and aesthetic medicine, I've continued to navigate my own skin challenges.
Because understanding skin professionally doesn't make you immune to the frustrations of having skin.
If anything, those experiences have made me more particular about what I use, the science I trust and what I'm comfortable recommending to the people who place their trust in me.
I've experienced skincare from both sides of the consultation. And I know how much it matters to feel confident that what you're investing in is actually right for your skin. Which is why choosing a skincare partner for Lau-vei Haus was never going to be a decision I made lightly.
I DIDN’T WANT SKINCARE ON THE SHELVES JUST FOR THE SAKE OF IT
When I started planning Lau-vei Haus, I knew I wanted to offer professional skincare. But I didn't want an enormous wall of products, overwhelming choices or recommendations based on what's popular, expensive or trending. I wanted a company whose philosophy genuinely aligned with my own. One that valued cosmetic chemistry, thoughtful formulation, education and long-term skin health. I wanted to understand what was inside the products, why those ingredients had been selected and what evidence supported their intended use.
Because when I recommend something, I want to be able to explain why I believe it deserves a place in your routine.
After exploring different brands, Synergie Skin stood out to me.
AN IMPRESSIVE INGREDIENT LIST DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN AN IMPRESSIVE PRODUCT
Something I wish more people understood about skincare is that a well-researched ingredient doesn't automatically make a well-formulated product.
We hear about vitamin C, retinoids, niacinamide, peptides and exfoliating acids all the time. And many have evidence supporting their use for particular skin concerns. But seeing an ingredient on the packaging is only part of the story.
The concentration matters. The form and stability of the ingredient matter. The pH, delivery system and other ingredients within the formulation can all influence how a product performs. And higher concentrations aren't always better, particularly if they compromise skin tolerance. There's also a difference between research supporting an individual ingredient and evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of a finished formulation.
Your skin doesn't care how popular an ingredient is on Instagram.
What matters is whether the formulation is appropriate for your skin and whether there's a reasonable basis for expecting it to help.
SO, WHY SYNERGIE SKIN?
Synergie Skin is an Australian skincare company founded by cosmetic chemist Terri Vinson. What initially appealed to me was the brand's emphasis on cosmetic chemistry, ingredient research and purposeful formulation. But equally important was its approach to education and skin health.
I wanted to work with a company whose philosophy aligned with how I practise. One that encouraged understanding the ingredients we use, their intended purpose and the limitations of what skincare can realistically achieve. That doesn't mean every product will suit every person, or that one brand has all the answers. It means I've chosen a skincare partner whose approach aligns with the standards I want to uphold at Lau-vei Haus.
Because the products I choose to recommend are ultimately a reflection of my own clinical judgement.
And that's something I take seriously.
EXPENSIVE DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN EFFECTIVE. AFFORDABLE DOESNT MEAN INFERIOR
After spending tens of thousands of dollars on skincare, this is probably one of the biggest lessons I've learned.
Price and performance are not the same thing.
I've used expensive skincare that I've loved. Expensive skincare that did very little for me. And affordable products that have earned a permanent place in my routine. Sometimes a higher price reflects formulation research, ingredient quality and product development. Other times, you're paying for packaging, marketing or brand positioning. And sometimes a relatively inexpensive product does exactly what your skin needs.
There's nothing wrong with enjoying beautiful, luxurious skincare. But I think it's important to separate the experience of using a product from how effectively it performs. A beautiful bottle doesn't tell us how well something works. Neither does a high price tag. I would rather you spend your money on three products that are appropriate for your skin than eight that aren't.
Because good skincare isn't about how much you can afford to put on your face. It's about understanding what your skin actually needs.
MORE SKINCARE ISN’T NECESSARILY BETTER SKINCARE
Something I see regularly in consultations is people arriving with an impressive collection of products but very little understanding of why they're using them. A cleanser someone recommended. A vitamin C serum they saw online. An exfoliating acid for texture. A retinol they're a little nervous to use. And perhaps another serum because the reviews were incredible.
Sound familiar? I've been there too.
And often, the problem isn't that every product is wrong. It's that nobody has helped put the pieces together. Some products may be doing similar things. Others may not be appropriate for the person's skin. And combining multiple active ingredients can sometimes contribute to irritation. The answer isn't necessarily to throw everything away and start again.
Sometimes it's simplifying.
Sometimes it's changing how frequently something is used.
And sometimes the most useful recommendation I can make is to stop using something.
I don't believe you should need a chemistry degree to understand your skincare routine.
That's what your skin professional is there for. To assess, educate and help you make informed decisions. Not to send you home with ten products and hope for the best.
WHY I HAVE CAREFULLY CURATED THE COLLECTION
Synergie Skin has an extensive product range, but you won't find all of it at Lau-vei Haus. And that's intentional.
I've selected a smaller collection to complement the skin concerns I commonly see, the treatments I offer and my approach to long-term skin health. The fundamentals matter. Appropriate cleansing, moisturisation, daily sun protection and supporting skin barrier function. Then, where appropriate, targeted ingredients for individual concerns.
Not everyone needs an elaborate routine. Not everyone needs multiple active serums. And not every concern requires another product. I want patients to understand what they're using, why they're using it and what they can realistically expect. And importantly, I want recommendations to be achievable within their lifestyle and budget.
Because a routine you can consistently maintain is often far more valuable than one that looks impressive on paper.
SKINCARE IS IMPORTANT. BUT IT’S NOT THE WHOLE PICTURE
One of the reasons I created Lau-vei Haus was to approach skin health, aesthetic medicine and wellbeing more broadly.
Our skin doesn't exist in isolation. Hormonal changes, genetics, sun exposure, sleep, stress, nutrition and general health can all influence how our skin looks, feels and functions. And while topical skincare plays an important role, it isn't always the entire answer.
For some people, establishing a good home routine may be the most valuable place to start. For others, professional treatments may be appropriate alongside their home care. And sometimes, a concern warrants a broader clinical assessment.
This is why consultation-led care is so important to me. Because what works beautifully for someone else's skin may not be what your skin needs and, what works for you today may change over time.
A FINAL NOTE
If there's one thing my own skincare journey has taught me, it's that you can spend an extraordinary amount of money and still not be giving your skin what it actually needs. After more than 14 years working professionally with skin, I've come to appreciate that the answer isn't always another product.
Sometimes it's a better understanding of your skin.
Sometimes it's a more appropriate formulation.
Sometimes it's consistency, patience or a simpler routine.
Choosing Synergie Skin wasn't about finding a brand to fill the shelves at Lau-vei Haus. It was about finding a skincare partner whose approach to science, formulation and education aligned with my own. And if you're already using something that works beautifully for your skin, I'm not going to suggest replacing it simply because I stock something different.
I'm not interested in convincing you to buy more skincare. I'm interested in helping you get more out of the skincare you choose to use.
Because after all the products I've tried, the money I've spent and everything I've learned along the way, I keep coming back to the same conclusion. The best skincare routine isn't necessarily the most expensive, the most elaborate or the most impressive.
It's the one that's right for your skin, your lifestyle and your individual needs.
And that's exactly the kind of care I want to provide at Lau-vei Haus.
Lauren Chandler
Registered Nurse · Advanced Dermal Clinician · Aesthetic Clinical Trainer
Founder, Lau-vei Haus
Ascot, Brisbane
Personalised aesthetic medicine, skin health and regenerative care.
CONSIDERED SKINCARE
What we apply to our skin deserves the same consideration as every other aspect of our health. Synergie Skin reflects an approach to skincare that prioritises thoughtful formulations, evidence-informed ingredients and individual skin needs over trends. Explore the complete collection online, or speak with us about which products may be best suited to your skin.