The Beauty Brains

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On today’s show we cover lots of questions including…

• Are eye masks and eye creams worth using, and where does castor oil fit in?
• How can you replace discontinued exfoliating wipes?
• Can a spray replace a moisturizer, and can you find a fragrance-free alternative to a conditioner you love?
• What evidence should you look for when comparing scalp serums?
• Does red hair call for different skin and hair products?

Katie and Nikki join us through their recorded questions this week. We talk through finding a replacement for a much-loved wipe, what moisturizers need to do beyond adding water, and why comparing scalp-serum marketing claims can be tricky. We also discuss eye-area products, fragrance preferences and the questions still open about red hair and skin.

Beauty News

Jennifer Lawrence’s announced hair-care brand, followed by a discussion of NAD+ skin care, formulation challenges and the evidence for niacinamide.

Links mentioned

• NAD+ skin-care article in Fashionista
• Curél Deep Moisture Spray — Canadian product page
• L’Oréal EverPure bonding conditioner — Canadian product page

Approximate timestamps

0:00 - Opening and today’s questions
1:00 - Holiday chatter and Halloween decorations
3:30 - Society of Cosmetic Chemists updates
5:10 - Jennifer Lawrence’s hair-care brand
7:35 - NAD+ skin care and niacinamide
12:00 - Carol: eye masks, eye creams and castor oil
16:45 - Katie: replacing discontinued exfoliating wipes
22:45 - Allison: Curél spray versus moisturizer
26:30 - Allison: conditioner scent and fragrance-free alternatives
35:00 - Nikki: comparing scalp serums
43:20 - Monica: red hair, skin and product choices
51:40 - Closing and how to send a question

Five Ways to Ask a Question

1. Send us a message through Patreon!
2. Record your question on your smartphone and email it to [email protected].
3. Send it to us through social media using the links below.
4. Submit it through the Ask a Question form.
5. Leave a voicemail message: 872-216-1856.

Social Media

• Instagram: @thebeautybrains2018
• Twitter/X: @thebeautybrains
• Bluesky: @thebeautybrains
• YouTube: The Beauty Brains
• Facebook page

More from the Hosts

• Valerie’s ingredient company: Simply Ingredients
• Perry’s other website: Chemists Corner
• Follow the Porch Kitty Krew Instagram account

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Send us Fan Mail

Listener questions

1. How can you protect chemically treated hair while swimming regularly in chlorinated pools?
2. Which conditioning ingredients help prevent tangling after hair dries?
3. How do curl creams improve definition, and how do they differ from leave in conditioners?
4. Why might moisturizing shampoos leave buildup, and do you need to shampoo twice?
5. What do we think of iNNBEAUTY Project products?

Beauty news

We discuss The Business of Fashion’s “The Politics of Duping” and why matching a successful cosmetic product is a familiar assignment for formulators. We also look at Head & Shoulders’ scalp care collection and its updated packaging.

The Politics of product duping

Head and Shoulders launches scalp care collection

Thank you to our patrons for helping us keep the show going and for sending thoughtful questions. Heather’s hair care questions gave us plenty to discuss this week.

Approximate timestamps

0:00 Welcome and this week’s questions
0:35 Valerie’s Australia trip
2:25 IFSCC, skin research, and favorite organelles
5:30 Naturally Kiawah and natural ingredient claims
8:45 Beauty news: dupes and copying cosmetics
14:25 Head & Shoulders scalp care collection
18:45 A Japanese sunscreen follow-up
19:15 Protecting chemically treated hair from pool water
28:15 Heather’s questions and detangling ingredients
30:35 Curl creams versus leave in conditioners
34:00 Moisturizing shampoos, buildup, and washing twice
41:00 Our thoughts on iNNBEAUTY Project
43:55 Peptide percentages and raw material blends
47:00 Closing, listener questions, and supporting the show

Referenced links

The Beauty Brains
Naturally Kiawah conference

Five Ways to Ask a Question

1. Send us a message through Patreon!
2. You can record your question on your smart phone and email to [email protected]
3. Send it to us via social media (see links below)
4. Submit it through the following form - Ask a question
5. Leave a voice mail message: 872-216-1856

Social media accounts
on Instagram we’re at thebeautybrains2018
on Twitter, we’re thebeautybrains
On Tik Tok we're @thebeautybrains44
On Bluesky we’re @thebeautybrains
On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018
And we have a Facebook page

Valerie's ingredient company - Simply Ingredients
Perry's other website - Chemists Corner
Follow the  Porch Kitty Krew instagram account

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s show we cover lots of questions including…

- Are Japanese mineral sunscreens effective, and what can their labels tell us?

- What do we think of Brooke Shields’ Commence line for mature hair?

- How does Hairstory New Wash work, and how does co-washing compare with shampoo?

- Why can curls behave differently at the beach, and how do humectants affect them?

- Is Vita Reset worth considering as a skin supplement?

Beauty News

- Beef tallow’s return to skin care: moisturizing properties, texture, and the limits of stronger claims.

- PFAS in beauty products: their formulation roles, environmental concerns, and the hosts’ discussion of ingredient labeling and restrictions.

Plus, Valerie prepares for Australia, Perry plans a Toronto talk, and a listener asks how to find the earliest Beauty Brains episodes.

Approximate timestamps

0:00 - Welcome and episode preview
1:00 - Australia, Toronto, and travel plans
3:25 - Beauty News: beef tallow in skin care
7:25 - Beauty News: PFAS in cosmetics
13:40 - Listener feedback: finding the earliest episodes
15:20 - Japanese mineral sunscreens and SPF labels
23:35 - Brooke Shields’ Commence and mature hair
29:35 - Hairstory New Wash and co-washing
35:50 - Beach hair, salt, and curls
37:55 - Humectants, glycerin, and frizz
41:10 - Vita Reset and skin-supplement claims
47:30 - Closing, listener questions, and Patreon

Five Ways to Ask a Question

1. Send us a message through Patreon!
2. You can record your question on your smart phone and email to [email protected]
3. Send it to us via social media (see links below)
4. Submit it through the following form - Ask a question
5. Leave a voice mail message: 872-216-1856

Social media accounts
on Instagram we’re at thebeautybrains2018
on Twitter, we’re thebeautybrains
On Tik Tok we're @thebeautybrains44
On Bluesky we’re @thebeautybrains
On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018
And we have a Facebook page

Valerie's ingredient company - Simply Ingredients
Perry's other website - Chemists Corner
Follow the  Porch Kitty Krew instagram account

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s show we cover lots of questions including…

1. Does Kerastase Thermique Heat Protectant work?
2. What do you think of the Labo hair roll on serum?
3. Do oils in body washes help with moisturization?
4. Do derivatives of actives show good results?
5. Is the Anua Azelaic Acid just clever marketing or is this actually a product?

Beauty News

What AI cannot sense about beauty

Links from questions

LABO products

Anua azelaic acid - starting the controversy
derms respond

Approximate timestamps

0:00 - Introduction
0:55 - Valerie’s skin check and host chitchat
4:10 - Beauty News: what AI misses about skincare and formulation
9:20 - A live ChatGPT spelling experiment
12:30 - Listener feedback and Perry’s consumer-advocate perspective
14:20 - Kérastase Thermique heat protection and budget alternatives
18:05 - Timothy’s question about the LABO scalp roll-on serum
25:15 - Do oils and petrolatum make cleansers moisturizing?
29:55 - Active derivatives and routines for sensitive skin
34:15 - The Anua azelaic acid pH controversy
41:45 - Ending

Five Ways to Ask a Question

1. Send us a message through Patreon!
2. You can record your question on your smart phone and email to [email protected]
3. Send it to us via social media (see links below)
4. Submit it through the following form - Ask a question
5. Leave a voice mail message: 872-216-1856

Social media accounts
on Instagram we’re at thebeautybrains2018
on Twitter, we’re thebeautybrains
On Tik Tok we're @thebeautybrains44
On Bluesky we’re @thebeautybrains
On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018
And we have a Facebook page

Valerie's ingredient company - Simply Ingredients
Perry's other website - Chemists Corner
Follow the  Porch Kitty Krew instagram account

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s show we cover lots of questions including…

1. Does Peptonix really grow hair?
2. What’s up with the new Skinceuticals C, E, Ferulic formulation? 
3. Is there any science behind DHT-3 blockers to promote hair growth?
4. Does clear gloss dp-Hue work?
5. Can you damage hair on purpose to get body?

Relevant links

Peptonix copper-peptide product
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
BosleyMD BosRevive non-color-treated hair shampoo
dpHUE gloss range

Approximate timestamps

0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - Chit chat
9:50 - Listener feedback: skepticism and consumer advocacy
15:20 - Peptonix, copper peptides, and hair-growth claims
22:15 - SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic reformulation
28:00 - BosleyMD shampoo and DHT-blocker claims
33:30 - dpHUE gloss, color, and buildup
37:50 - Can deliberate hair damage add body?
43:35 - Ending

Five Ways to Ask a Question

1. Send us a message through Patreon!
2. You can record your question on your smart phone and email to [email protected]
3. Send it to us via social media (see links below)
4. Submit it through the following form - Ask a question
5. Leave a voice mail message: 872-216-1856

Social media accounts
on Instagram we’re at thebeautybrains2018
on Twitter, we’re thebeautybrains
On Bluesky we’re at thebeautybrains
On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018
And we have a Facebook page

Valerie's ingredient company - Simply Ingredients
Perry's other website - Chemists Corner
Follow the  Porch Kitty Krew instagram account

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s show we cover lots of questions including…

1. Do you have to worry about BHT in cosmetics?
2. Are hair masks worth using?
3. Will a biomimetic hair longevity serum reduce shedding?
4. Can you mix products together to reduce irritation?
5. What's the deal with QOAT Professional Hair Color?

Perry and Valerie are back after their summer travels, with stories about Greece, Albania, cats, sidewalks, Texas heat, and a medical-testing catch-up before getting into the latest beauty news and listener questions.

Beauty News

- Millions use apps like Yuka to judge beauty products

- A lawsuit alleging that TRESemmé shampoos containing DMDM hydantoin caused hair loss

- Beauty trademark filings connected to Lindsay Lohan and Tate McRae.

K18 FutureIQ product

Approximate timestamps

0:01 - Introduction
7:00 -Yuka product-safety scores and their effect on formulation
11:40 - TRESemmé, DMDM hydantoin, and a hair-loss lawsuit
15:50 - Celebrity launch
18:40 - Is BHT in cosmetics a safety concern?
23:05 - Are hair masks worth using?
28:15 - Mixing tretinoin gel with marula oil
31:10 - K18 FutureIQ hair longevity serum claims
39:25 - QOAT Professional Hair Color Topcoat
44:40 - Ending

Five Ways to Ask a question -
1. Send us a message through Patreon!
2. You can record your question on your smart phone and email to [email protected]
3. Send it to us via social media (see links below)
4. Submit it through the following form - Ask a question
5. Leave a voice mail message: 872-216-1856

Social media accounts
on Instagram we’re at thebeautybrains2018
on Twitter, we’re thebeautybrains
On Bluesky we’re at thebeautybrains
On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018
And we have a Facebook page

Valerie's ingredient company - Simply Ingredients
Perry's other website - Chemists Corner
Follow the  Porch Kitty Krew instagram account

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s show we cover lots of questions including…

1. How does Olaplex Bond Shaper Curl Rebuilding work?
2. Are plant stem cells reducing wrinkles?
3. What chemical in hair color damages the hair?
4. What’s a good sunscreen to use that won’t sting eyes?
5. Is Le Balm solid moisturizer worth the price?

Beauty News

New tool to grade cosmetic ingredients.

The future of beauty according to 5 top scientists.

Approximate timestamps

0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Chit Chat
3:40 - Tool to grade ingredients
8:30 - Future of beauty science
19:15 - Listener feedback
20:40 - Olaplex bond shaper
25:10 - Plant stem cells
30:45 - Hair damage chemical
35:00 - Sunscreen recos
38:45 - Le Balm solid moisturizer
44:20 - Ending

Five Ways to Ask a question -
1. Send us a message through Patreon!
2. You can record your question on your smart phone and email to [email protected]
3. Send it to us via social media (see links below)
4. Submit it through the following form - Ask a question
5. Leave a voice mail message: 872-216-1856

Social media accounts
on Instagram we’re at thebeautybrains2018
on Twitter, we’re thebeautybrains
On Bluesky we’re at thebeautybrains
On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018
And we have a Facebook page

Valerie's ingredient company - Simply Ingredients
Perry's other website - Chemists Corner
Follow the  Porch Kitty Krew instagram account

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s show we cover lots of questions including…

• How do you know a study can be trusted?
• Are collagen supplements for skin a myth?
• What makes a hair conditioner condition? 
• Is EGF worth the hype?
• Is exfoliation just as important as SPF?

Approximate timestamps

0:00 - Intro
2:00 - Trusting Studies
12:00 - Supplements and skin
18:30 - Hair conditioner
26:30 - EGF
30:25 - Exfoliation and SPF
40:00 - Ending

Five Ways to Ask a question -
1. Send us a message through Patreon!
2. You can record your question on your smart phone and email to [email protected]
3. Send it to us via social media (see links below)
4. Submit it through the following form - Ask a question
5. Leave a voice mail message: 872-216-1856

Social media accounts
on Instagram we’re at thebeautybrains2018
on Twitter, we’re thebeautybrains
On Bluesky we’re at thebeautybrains
On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018
And we have a Facebook page

Valerie's ingredient company - Simply Ingredients
Perry's other website - Chemists Corner
Follow the  Porch Kitty Krew instagram account

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s show we cover lots of questions including…

1. Are benzoyl peroxide products dangerous?
2. Is a UBEAUTY serum really a holy grail?
3. What is the new sunscreen active approved by the FDA?
4. Do you need more than 5% Niacinamide?
5. How do keratin treatments work?

Links in questions

UBEAUTY serum 

Approximate timestamps

0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Chit chat
6:00 - Trigger warning: Nose injury story
9: 45 - Can AI be used to learn about active ingredients?
16:00 - Benzoyl peroxide lawsuit
22:25 - UBEAUTY serum
31:10 - New sunscreen active
36:20 - Niacinamide in products 
40:00 - Keratin treatments
45:50 - Ending

Five Ways to Ask a question -
1. Send us a message through Patreon!
2. You can record your question on your smart phone and email to [email protected]
3. Send it to us via social media (see links below)
4. Submit it through the following form - Ask a question
5. Leave a voice mail message: 872-216-1856

Social media accounts
on Instagram we’re at thebeautybrains2018
on Twitter, we’re thebeautybrains
On Bluesky we’re at thebeautybrains
On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018
And we have a Facebook page

Valerie's ingredient company - Simply Ingredients
Perry's other website - Chemists Corner
Follow the  Porch Kitty Krew instagram account

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s show we cover lots of questions including…

1. What are our thoughts on Herbal Face Food brand?
2. Can eye creams make skin sensitive to the sun?
3. Do we have recommendations for reducing C-section scars?
4. Have we ever looked at the brand Timeless?
5. What do Silymarin and Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate do for skin? 

Beauty News

Science of scam?

Boomer skincare vs Millennials

Question links

Herbal face food

Authentic Ego

Approximate timestamps

0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Chit chat
3:45 - Listener feedback
8:00 - Does Perry believe anything works?
12:05 - Beauty News - science or scam
18:20 - Millennials vs Boomer skincare advice
25:50 - Herbal Face food
32:20 - Eye creams and the sun
37:35 - C-section scar treatment
42:45 - Timless brand
45:35 - Silymarin and Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
51:10 - Ending

Five Ways to Ask a question -
1. Send us a message through Patreon!
2. You can record your question on your smart phone and email to [email protected]
3. Send it to us via social media (see links below)
4. Submit it through the following form - Ask a question
5. Leave a voice mail message: 872-216-1856

Social media accounts
on Instagram we’re at thebeautybrains2018
on Twitter, we’re thebeautybrains
On Bluesky we’re at thebeautybrains
On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018
And we have a Facebook page

Valerie's ingredient company - Simply Ingredients
Perry's other website - Chemists Corner
Follow the  Porch Kitty Krew instagram account

Support the show