THE JOURNAL

The Science Lab

Research-backed writing on sleep, fabric, skin, hair and the science behind better rest.

Bed dressed in a Soft Cashmere eucalyptus lyocell duvet cover and pillowcases, the washable outer layer that separates a duvet system from a comforter

8 min read

Duvet vs comforter: the 5 differences that actually matter

Written by Derek FontaineResearch and Development Scientist at Sleep Research Institute of the Rockies · Last updated: September 2026 Duvet vs comforter comes down to a single ...

Close-up of a eucalyptus lyocell fitted sheet edge and sewn-in fabric tag, the only place a bedding fiber is named

12 min read

What is viscose fabric? The rayon behind your bamboo sheets

Written by Derek FontaineResearch and Development Scientist at Sleep Research Institute of the Rockies · Last updated: September 2026 Viscose fabric is spun from wood pulp that...

Soft Cashmere CloudThera eucalyptus lyocell sheets folded, showing the smooth low-friction surface a side sleeper's chest presses into

9 min read

Chest wrinkles from side sleeping: 7 fixes that actually work

Written by Megan CaldwellAttending Dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine Dermatology Naperville · Last updated: August 2026 Chest wrinkles from side sleeping are mechanical, n...

Two Gentle Slate CloudThera eucalyptus lyocell pillowcases on a made bed, the low-friction sleep surface that determines acne mechanica load overnight

8 min read

Acne mechanica: 6 friction triggers dermatologists check, and the 1 they miss

Written by Megan CaldwellAttending Dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine Dermatology Naperville · Last updated: August 2026 Acne mechanica is acne driven by mechanical stress ...

Electron microscope comparison of rough cotton fibers beside smooth eucalyptus lyocell filaments

11 min read

What is lyocell? 9 questions answered before you sleep on it

Written by Derek FontaineResearch and Development Scientist at Sleep Research Institute of the Rockies · Last updated: August 2026 Lyocell is a fiber spun from wood pulp, usual...

A made bed in Gentle Slate eucalyptus lyocell, set up for training yourself to sleep on your back

8 min read

How to train yourself to sleep on your back: 7 steps that stick

Written by Derek FontaineResearch and Development Scientist at Sleep Research Institute of the Rockies · Last updated: August 2026 To train yourself to sleep on your back, buil...

Gentle Slate eucalyptus lyocell sateen sheets on a made bed, the smooth low-luster surface at the center of the percale vs sateen question

7 min read

Percale vs sateen: which sheet weave is better for your skin?

Written by Robert Smith, MD, FAADBoard-Certified Dermatologist & Sleep Medicine Physician · Last updated: August 2026 For your skin and hair, sateen is the better weave, an...

A bed made up in Gentle Slate eucalyptus lyocell pillowcases, the surface the lower face presses into all night

9 min read

Marionette lines: why you look sad when you're not, and 5 things that actually help

Written by Megan CaldwellAttending Dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine Dermatology Naperville · Last updated: August 2026 Marionette lines are the vertical creases that run ...

A bed made up with a Soft Cashmere eucalyptus lyocell duvet cover, the washable outer layer of a duvet system

9 min read

What is a duvet cover? 9 questions answered before you buy

Written by Robert Smith, MD, FAADBoard-Certified Dermatologist & Sleep Medicine Physician · Last updated: August 2026 A duvet cover is a protective fabric shell that slips ...

A bed made up in Soft Cashmere eucalyptus lyocell pillowcases, the surface one side of the face presses into all night

8 min read

Smile lines: why yours are deeper on one side, and 5 things that actually help

Written by Megan CaldwellAttending Dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine Dermatology Naperville · Last updated: August 2026 Smile lines, or nasolabial folds, are the creases r...

A calm bedroom with a bed made up in Soft Cashmere eucalyptus lyocell bedding, the surface the neck and chest press against overnight

8 min read

Neck wrinkles: there are 2 kinds, and your cream only treats one

Written by Megan CaldwellAttending Dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine Dermatology Naperville · Last updated: August 2026 There are 2 kinds of neck wrinkles, and almost ever...

Clean white eucalyptus lyocell pillowcases on a made bed, the surface skin rests against for 8 hours a night

8 min read

Fungal acne vs bacterial acne: 5 signs you are treating the wrong one

Written by Travis HollowaySenior Microbiologist at UCB · Last updated: August 2026 The fastest way to tell fungal acne from bacterial acne is the itch. Fungal acne itches. Ordi...