Practical reviewer · Skincare practice
Merve Akkaya
Merve Akkaya is a skincare practitioner and educator who has worked in skin and body care since 2003. She reviews selected Skin Candid content for real-world practicality, treatment experience, clear communication and realistic expectations.
About the reviewer
Experience built through practice, observation and teaching
Merve began training in Skin Care and Beauty Services in 2003 while working at a beauty centre in Nişantaşı. She continued studying the subject at İstanbul Aydın University between 2008 and 2011 while remaining active in practice.
In 2017, she founded Merve Akkaya Güzellik ve Estetik Merkezi in Nişantaşı. Her work has combined professional skin and body care, individual consultation, technology-supported protocols and the training of other practitioners. She currently continues her professional work alongside Dr Abdurrahman Efem.
Her approach starts with listening: understanding what a person is concerned about, what they expect and what is realistic before recommending a product, routine or professional treatment direction.
Defined review scope
What Merve reviews — and what requires medical review
Practical experience adds value when it is clearly separated from medical diagnosis and clinical decision-making.
Within her Skin Candid remit
- Whether a skincare routine is understandable and practical to follow
- Real-world product use, sequencing, texture and routine compatibility
- Professional facial-care protocols and non-medical treatment experience
- Client communication, comfort, aftercare practicality and expectation setting
- Whether guidance reflects how people actually use skincare day to day
Routed to a medical reviewer
- Diagnosis, treatment or monitoring of a skin disease
- Prescription medicines, medical contraindications or medication interactions
- Clinical efficacy and safety claims for medical procedures or devices
- Suspicious lesions, urgent symptoms or situations requiring a dermatologist
- Any personal diagnosis or individual medical treatment recommendation
What practical review means
A reality check between evidence and everyday use
Practical review complements—not replaces—medical review when a topic involves diagnosis, treatment or clinical risk.
Test the clarity
Instructions are checked for sequence, amount, frequency and language a reader can reasonably follow.
Check real use
Texture, comfort, routine fit and common practical obstacles are considered alongside the evidence.
Set expectations
Overpromising is challenged and the difference between gradual care and professional treatment is clarified.
Escalate correctly
Medical questions are flagged for an appropriate physician or dermatologist rather than answered beyond scope.
Reviewed content
Articles reviewed by Merve Akkaya
- 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Reviewed August 6, 2026
- Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Reviewed August 6, 2026
- Acne Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Acne Scars Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Acne-Prone Skin Routine Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Adapalene Reviewed August 6, 2026
- Adenosine Reviewed August 6, 2026
- Adult Acne Reviewed August 1, 2026
- AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) Reviewed August 6, 2026
- Allantoin Reviewed August 6, 2026
- Aloe Vera Reviewed August 6, 2026
- Alpha Arbutin Reviewed August 6, 2026
- Ascorbyl Glucoside Reviewed August 6, 2026
- Avobenzone Reviewed August 6, 2026
- Azelaic Acid Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Bakuchiol Reviewed August 6, 2026
- Beginner Retinol Routine Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Beginner Skincare Routine Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Benzoyl Peroxide Reviewed August 6, 2026
- Beta-Glucan Reviewed August 6, 2026
- BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) Reviewed August 6, 2026
- Blackheads Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Caffeine Reviewed August 7, 2026
- Centella Asiatica Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Ceramides Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Chapped Lips Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Cheek Acne Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Chin Acne Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Cholesterol Reviewed August 7, 2026
- Clogged Pores Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Colloidal Oatmeal Reviewed August 7, 2026
- Comedonal Acne Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Copper Peptides Reviewed August 7, 2026
- CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) Reviewed August 7, 2026
- Cystic Acne Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Damaged Skin Barrier Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Damaged Skin Barrier Routine Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Dark Circles Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Dimethicone Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Dry Flaky Skin Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Dry Skin Routine Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Dull Skin Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Ectoin Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Eczema Reviewed August 1, 2026
- EGCG Reviewed August 8, 2026
- EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Exosomes in Skincare Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Facial redness Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Ferulic Acid Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Forehead Acne Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Glabridin Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Gluconolactone Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Glycerin Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Glycolic Acid Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Green Tea Extract Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Growth Factors Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Hormonal Acne Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Hyaluronic Acid Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Hydroquinone Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Hyperpigmentation Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Hyperpigmentation Routine Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Hypochlorous Acid Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Ingrown Hairs Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Jawline Acne Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Jojoba Oil Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Keratosis Pilaris Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Kojic Acid Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Lactic Acid Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Lactobionic Acid Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Large Pores Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Licorice Root Extract Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Linoleic Acid Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Madecassoside Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Mandelic Acid Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Mature Skin Routine Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Melasma Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Milia Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Morning Skincare Routine Reviewed August 6, 2026
- N-Acetyl Glucosamine Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Niacinamide Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Octocrylene Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Oily Skin Routine Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Over Exfoliated Skin Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Oxybenzone Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Panthenol Reviewed August 1, 2026
- PDRN Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Peptides Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Perioral Dermatitis Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Petrolatum Reviewed August 8, 2026
- PHA (Polyhydroxy Acids) Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Post-Acne Marks Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Post-Inflammatory Erythema Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Psoriasis Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Puffy Eyes Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Resveratrol Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Retinal Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Retinol Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Rosacea Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Salicylic Acid Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Sebaceous Filaments Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Seborrheic Dermatitis Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Sensitive Skin Routine Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Should You Use Alpha Arbutin? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Alpha Arbutin? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Azelaic Acid? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Benzoyl Peroxide? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Caffeine? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Ceramides? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Glycolic Acid? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Hyaluronic Acid? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Kojic Acid? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Lactic Acid? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Niacinamide? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Panthenol? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Peptides? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Retinal? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Retinol? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Salicylic Acid? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Squalane? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Sulfur? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Tranexamic Acid? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Urea? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Vitamin C? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Should You Use Zinc PCA? Reviewed August 12, 2026
- Summer Skincare Routine Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Sun Damage Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Teen Acne Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Three-Product Skincare Routine Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Tranexamic Acid Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Travel Skincare Routine Reviewed August 8, 2026
- Uneven Skin Tone Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Vitamin C Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Whiteheads Reviewed August 1, 2026
- Winter Skincare Routine Reviewed August 8, 2026
Professional background
A career developed step by step
- Training and practice beginBegins training in Skin Care and Beauty Services at Rüştü Uzel Vocational High School while working in a Nişantaşı beauty centre.
- Continued educationStudies Skin Care and Beauty Services at İstanbul Aydın University while continuing to work in the field.
- Independent practiceFounds Merve Akkaya Güzellik ve Estetik Merkezi in Nişantaşı.
- Practice and professional educationWorks alongside Dr Abdurrahman Efem and continues training other professionals through industry education activities.
Disclosure and editorial independence
Merve has her own professional skincare practice and works alongside Dr Abdurrahman Efem. She is also involved in professional education activities connected with Efem Academy.
Where Skin Candid content discusses a service, device or protocol used in her professional work, that relationship must be disclosed on the article. Practical-review attribution is not an endorsement of her services.
Skin Candid retains final editorial control. Reviewers do not choose product rankings, affiliate links, sponsors or advertising partners.
Profile source: Merve Akkaya’s official biography, supplied to Skin Candid on 14 August 2026. View her official About page. Profile last checked by the Skin Candid editorial team on 14 August 2026.
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