The Beauty Brains

By Discover the beauty and cosmetic products you should use and avoid

Arts Natural Sciences Fashion & Beauty

What's The Beauty Brains about?

We're cosmetic scientists who answer your beauty questions. We explain what the chemicals used in cosmetics really do, how products are tested, and what all the advertising really means. Listen to us and you'll be a smarter beauty consumer!

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Episode 262 - Answering que...

04.21.2021

This is a special broadcast of an edited version of our March 2021 Patreon event. If you would like to participate in events like these live, just sign up to support us on patreon.4 Ways to Ask a question -1. ...

The Beauty Brains episodes:

04.21.2021 Episode 262 - Answering questions at live event This is a special broadcast of an edited version of our March 2021 Patreon event. If you would like to participate in events like these live, just sign up to support us on patreon.4 Ways to Ask a question -1. ...
04.14.2021 Episode 261 - SPF product problems plus answers to other beauty product questions On today’s show we’re going to be answering a bunch of questions sent in from our Patrons including those about…How sustainable are solid products?What do we think of the Save Ralph video?What are our thoughts on the Cosdna ingredient website?What ...
04.07.2021 Episode 260 - Skin care routine - frizz fighting - and more! On today’s show Valerie and Perry answer questions about…Is lavender bad for skinWhat causes frizz?Does L’Oreal Wonder Water really work?What does Valerie use for her sensitive skin?Beauty ScienceMention in the New York TimesGrapes may act as an edible...
03.31.2021 Episode 259 - Are parabens safe for cosmetics? After 20 questions answered last week we opted to cut down the number today.On this episode Valerie and Perry answer questions about Parabens.Beauty Science NewsCrest toothpaste is being suedRecallThe Kimberly-Clark Corporation voluntarily recalls Scott...
03.23.2021 Episode 258 - The keeping your expectations low Episode A fully packed solo show. Perry answer's questions about...1. Is henna ok for hair2. Do peptide products make eyelashes grow3. Do hair heat and color protectors really work?4. Does rice water work for hair?5. Do younger people need to use ...
03.16.2021 Episode 257 - Does water damage hair? On today’s show Valerie and Perry answer questions about…How long to wait between bleaching treatments?Should you bleach your hair at home?Enjoying a product? Is it a placebo effect?Is water damaging to hair?Beauty ScienceUnilever stops using “normal”...
03.08.2021 Episode 256 - Medical grade skincare real or imagined? On today’s show Perry & Valerie answer questions about…What ingredients cause flashback?Does a two-step cleanse really help skin?What are the best detangling ingredients? Is skincare recommended by a plastic surgeon better?What’s the difference...
03.02.2021 Episode 255 - Is there a difference between facial oils and other beauty questions On today’s show Valerie and Perry answer questions about…Is buying $800 worth of beauty products a mistake?Is there a difference between oils used in facial oils?Do you need special shampoos for chlorine exposed hair?What is the best age to start ...
02.23.2021 Is a basic beauty routine ok and other beauty questions answered - episode 254 On today’s show Perry and Valerie answer questions about…Can hair dye permanently stain skin?Will an herbal supplement help fight acne?Is this basic beauty routine ok?How do you treat post-COVID skin?Is polyethylene an actual microplastic in...
02.15.2021 Why is cocoa in your conditioner and more hair care questions - episode 253 On today’s show Perry and Valerie answer questions about…Should I stop using henna?What’s the deal with products sold through doctor’s offices? Can you improve the quality extensions yourself?Does cocoa powder benefit hair?What should you use for dry,...
02.08.2021 The Sunscreen episode - Episode 252 On today’s show Perry and Valerie answer questions about…What’s the difference between asian sunscreen and us sunscreen?Should we be worried about UVC from fluorescent lights?What sunscreen does Valerie like?Will the oils in a primer interfere with...
01.29.2021 Are these beauty products really necessary? - Episode 251 On today’s show Perry and Valerie answer questions about…Can a product with three ingredients work?Do you have to give your nails a break from nail polish so they can breath?Do you have to shampoo out hair color?Do you really need ...
01.21.2021 What do we think of the EWG and answers to other questions - episode 250 On this solo episode Perry covers questions about… What are our thoughts on the EWG?How does New Wash shampoo work without a detergent?Does Venn skincare work?What can you do if you're super duper oily?Is double cleansing with oil effective?How do ...
01.10.2021 Do grey covering shampoos work and other beauty questions? Episode 249 On today’s show we are going to answer questions about… How does grey color reducing shampoo work?Is it ok to spray perfume on your hair?Is your foundation turning your face orange?Can you use body wash as a replacement for hand ...
12.31.2020 Happy New Year! Enjoy your new year's celebration. We'll be back answering your questions early in the new year.Be brainy about your beauty!Perry & Valerie
12.23.2020 Is vitamin C a Pro-oxidant - plus other beauty questions and news Episode 247 On today’s show we are going to answer questions about… Are you rubbing off the sunscreen when I apply the blush?Do AHAs delay the aging process?Whether or not vitamin c is a pro-oxidantHow do hair styling products create hold?Beauty new ...
12.11.2020 Purito Sunscreen Problems and answers to other beauty questions - episode 246 On today’s show we are going to answer questions about… What is the truth about hair conditioners? Are beauty products poisoning us? Are cruelty free products still safe? Are eye creams worth the money? Is brow wax just soap?Beauty new ...
12.03.2020 Freezing Retinol, color preserving shampoos and other beauty questions answered - episode 245 On today’s show we are going to answer questions about…Silicones and protein in hair productsDo you need to use the same amount of sunscreen in the winter?Do color preserving shampoos and conditioners work?How long do retinol products last & can ...
11.25.2020 Episode 244 - Beauty Supplements, MLMs and more answers about the Cosmetic Industry Today's show is a "best of" show featuring answers to questions about...Are MLM products safer?How do you become a cosmetic industry professional?Do before and after pictures prove anything?Are microplastics in cosmetics bad?Can companies hide allergens...
11.19.2020 Episode 243 - What order should you apply sunscreen? And other beauty questions On today’s show we are going to answer questions about…Covid 19 and hair lossCan L’Amarue tell your hormones to give you healthy skinHow can you tell if there is nickel in your color cosmeticsDoes the order of application affect sunscreen ...
11.13.2020 Beauty Question Extravaganza - AMA - episode 242 Welcome to the Beauty Brains. It's a solo episode and it's all about answering questions. Nearly 25!On today’s show we answer questions about…1. Can you trust skinfluencers?2. Is isotretinoin an effective anti-aging ingredient?3. Does urine have...
11.05.2020 Is Micellar water really great and should you put lobster on yourself to get great skin? Episode 241 Welcome to the Beauty Brains. On today’s show we answer questions about…Is micellar water as great as it’s made out to be? How does John Freida’s lightening shampoo work? Is it a permanent color change?Is it ok to add lactic ...
10.26.2020 Beauty routines, sulfate free shampoos, armpit detox and more - episode 240 On today’s show we are going to answer questions about…What’s a good beauty routine for someone in their 50s?Does Pacifica’s underarm detox really help you get out those pore clogging toxins?Can coconut oil absorb through your skin to cause an...
10.19.2020 Are salt sprays good for hair and other hair care questions - episode 239 On today’s show we are doing an all hair extravaganza and we’ll be answering questions about…Can coal tar be a substitute for AHA/BHA?What are the downsides to those fast developing colors?Are salt sprays for hair safe to use?Are you wasting ...
10.09.2020 Episode 238 - Will Perfect Eyes give you perfect eyes - Plus Planarian! On today’s show we are going to answer questions about…Does Paula’s Choice live up to its claims?Does My Perfect Eyes make your eyes perfect?Can I heat up my product to get rid of the fragrance?Does Lotion P50 deserve a 100?What ...
10.05.2020 6 Tricks Companies use to get you to overspend on beauty products - Episode 237 It's a solo episode today.Perry takes you through 6 marketing techniques that beauty brands use to get you to spend more on beauty products than you really need to.6 Marketing TricksExclusive technologiesCelebrity endorsements / launchesBeauty...
09.24.2020 How effective are DIY Vitamin C recipes? episode 236 On today’s show we are going to answer questions about…Do allergens last through soap reactions?What is CBD doing in my adult product?Is this DIY Vitamin C recipe worth all the hype?Beauty Science NewsUnilever to axe petrochemicals from it’s entire...
09.17.2020 Does hair need trimming during pandemic? - Episode 235 On today’s show we are going to answer questions about…Are common product preservatives causing hair to fall out?Is it bad to not trim your hair?Are expensive skin care products really worth the cost?Do lab created fragrances work the same as ...
09.10.2020 Is retinyl propionate the best retinoid? - Episode 234 On today’s show we are going to answer questions about…Is retinyl propionate the most effective non prescription form of retinol?Can you blend products from the Ordinary?Can you make your own hand sanitizer?What can people who are losing their hair to...
09.04.2020 Are rancid oils ok in cosmetics? and more beauty questions answered - episode 233 On today’s show we are going to answer questions about…Why does Rosehip oil oxidize so quickly?Will Redken Extreme Bleach Recovery Lamellar Water Treatment be good for platinum hair?How do I know the difference between fractionated coconut oil and...
08.28.2020 Can skin get addicted to glycerin and other beauty questions - episode 232 On today’s show we are going to answer questions about…Do tinted sunscreens work better?Do extra ingredients in hair color provide a benefit?Can skin get addicted to glycerin?What does it mean when a shampoo says % natural origin?Beauty Science...
08.19.2020 What is the PAO and when is the right time to floss? episode 231 On today’s show we answer questions about…What is the PAO and why can’t I find it on makeup?Will natural collagen drinks or tablets improve the appearance of acne scars?Are anti-frizz serums detrimental to hair?What ingredients should you avoid to...
08.14.2020 Rebroadcast - Episode 191 - Who Owns What? We look at brands in the beauty industry and let you know which big companies own which brands. You may be surprised just how many of the "small, independent" brands are actually owned by big conglomerates.Plus, we answer some of ...
08.06.2020 Are hypoallergenic cosmetics really allergen free? episode 230 On today’s show we are going to answer questions about…Is it okay to make my own cosmetics if I get ingredients from a legitimate source?Do Hydrolyzed proteins really do anything?When should I apply my azelaic acid product?What is the proper ...
07.31.2020 Is Ventner's Daughter Serum worth the price? Episode 229 Questions talked about today include Should witch hazel be rinsed off after using?Is Vintner's Daughter serum worth the price?Do you need a 10% niacinamide formula?Beauty Science NewsVegan claims on the rise in color cosmetics - Are vegan cosmetics...
07.20.2020 Is it ok to blend beauty products? episode 228 On today’s show we’re going to be answering questions about…Will cocamidopropyl betaine or decyl glucoside remove water insoluble silicones?Are knock-off fragrance sprayers reliable?Do home microcurrent devices work?Is it ok to blend beauty...
07.13.2020 Most misleading beauty product claims - Episode 227 Valerie and Perry answer questions about which UVA products work best, why azelaic acid products are in gel form, and whether essential oils can be used to replace parabens. Also, they talk about the most misleading beauty product claims, recent...
07.02.2020 Can sunless tanners be organic? Episode 226 On today’s show we answer questions aboutIs glycerin bad for curly hair?Are encapsulated ingredients better?Do scalp exfoliators help?Can beauty companies hide allergens in their products?What’s the difference between organic DHA and the non-organic...
06.25.2020 Are microplastics in cosmetics bad for the environmental? – episode 225 On today’s show I’m going to answer questions about Microplastics in cosmetic products Metallic colorants in hair color The best products to use when undergoing chemotherapy Should you used expired sunscreens? Beauty Science News Is coffee waste the next hot ...
06.19.2020 Will vitamin supplements make my hair grow? Episode 224 Welcome to the Beauty Brains, a show where real cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions and give you an insider’s look at the cosmetic industry. Hosts: Perry Romanowski. On today’s show we’re going to answer questions about… Whether beauty ...
06.11.2020 Is dry shampoo bad for your hair and scalp? episode 223 Welcome to the Beauty Brains, a show where real cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions and give you an insider’s look at the cosmetic industry. Hosts: Valerie George and Perry Romanowski. On today’s show we’re going to answer questions ...
05.30.2020 Do plant extracts work in skin care products – episode 222 Welcome to the Beauty Brains, a show where real cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions and give you an insider’s look at the cosmetic industry. This is Episode 222. Yes, that’s a palindrome! Yeah. I’m your host, Perry Romanowski ...
05.22.2020 Amino acids in hair plus other beauty questions answered – episode 221 Welcome to the Beauty Brains, a show where real cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions and give you an insider’s look at the cosmetic industry. Hosts: Valerie George and Perry Romanowski On today’s show we’re going to be answering ...
05.14.2020 Cosmetic Marketing Tricks – Episode 220 Hello & welcome to the Beauty Brains, a show where real cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions and give you an insider’s look at the cosmetic industry. This is episode 220. Host: Perry Romanowski 7 Marketing Tricks that are ...
05.04.2020 Wait time between skincare products – is it necessary? episode 219 Welcome to the Beauty Brains, a show where real cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions and give you an insider’s look from scientists in the cosmetic industry. On today’s show we’re going to be answering questions about… Is the ...
04.22.2020 Monat MLM Beauty Products – Are they remarkable? Episode 218 Welcome to the Beauty Brains, a show where real cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions and give you an insider’s look at the cosmetic industry. This is Episode 218. Hosts: Valerie George and Perry Romanowski. On today’s show we’re ...
04.17.2020 Victoria Beckham skin, Kiehls, anti-aging products and the oldest beauty brands – episode 217 On today’s show we’re going to be answering questions about… Does Kiehls eye alert product help eyes look better? What is the best product to use to avoid breakouts with anti-aging benefits? What do you think of the technology of ...
04.09.2020 Do bond builders for hair really work? Episode 216 The Beauty Brains episode 216 featuring cosmetic chemists Valerie George and Perry Romanowski. Beauty questions covered today include: How do bond builders work? Is sodium coco sulfate more gentle than SLS? Does men’s antiperspirant better than women’s? Beauty Science Avon ...
04.02.2020 Viruses Carnauba Wax and Argan oil on hair – Episode 215 This is Episode 215. I’m your host, Perry Romanowski and with me today all the way from sunny California is Valerie George. Hello Valerie! We have a few interesting beauty questions to cover today, including: Can the coronavirus survive on ...
03.25.2020 Is high end lipstick better than store brand lipstick? episode 214 Welcome to the Beauty Brains, a show where real cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions and give you an insider’s look at the cosmetic industry. This is Episode 214. I’m your host, Valerie George and with me today is ...

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