The Estee Lauder Companies’ outfit breaks down the cosmetic safety assessment process, the science of skin inflammation and sensitivity, and safe and effective use of highly searched ingredients including zinc, hyaluronic acid and retinol in a September report aimed at bringing clarity to conversations online.

The Estee Lauder Companies-backed startup has been highly successful despite erratic and, in the eyes of many, concerning behavior from founder Brandon Truaxe. In his latest – and supposedly last – Instagram post for the brand, Truaxe says DECIEM will be shutting down operations and renews claims about corruption within the organization.

Getting younger consumers to embrace skin care with the same enthusiasm they bring to makeup has been a challenge for Lauder. The firm's investment in DECIEM gives it a stake in the "abnormal" startup's umbrella of largely skin-care brands, which have given rise to new conversations and levels of excitement online among millennials and those who think like them.