The Beauty Brains

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On this show we answer questions like...

• What do you think about the hair loss product Calecim? 
• What is the deal with Banana Boat's Light As Air sunscreen?
• Are personal care products filled with harmful toxins?
• What are your thoughts on the DECIEM company? Are they sketchy?
• And finally we’ll end with a series of patron hair questions.

Beauty News

NPR chemical story

Huffpost toxic ingredients

Best wrinkle creams according to Good Housekeeping

Question links:

Calecim products

Toxicologist interview

Approximate timestamps

0:00 Intro
1:30 Chit Chat
6:20 Beauty News
12:00 Good Housekeeping product rankings
16:05 Listener feedback
19:00 - Beauty Questions - Hair loss product
25:15 - Light As Air sunscreen
28:20 Harmful toxins in personal care products?
34:15 - DECIEM company
39:40 - Hair questions
50:00 - 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
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…

• What is a good leave-in conditioner that has only a little bit of protein?
• What is special fraction petrolatum?
• Is wet hair more resistant to chlorine than dry?
• How does Violet #2 work in hair & what’s a hair toner?
• Can you layer an Ascorbyl Glucoside product over an L-Ascorbic Acid product?

Beauty Science

Best new skincare ingredients

1. Retinol Alternatives (e.g., Bakuchiol)
2. Malassezin
3. Growth Factors
4. Sturgeon DNA (Caviar Extract)
5. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Peptides in skincare - Valerie quoted!

Valerie the dog is rescued!

Listener Feedback

Lab Muffin's video on spray-on sunscreens

Theraplex’s formulations?

Unveiling haircare chemistry with Valerie

Approximate timestamps

0:00 Intro - Chit chat
1:00 AI voice blowback
2:30 Valerie in Reno
6:45 Pretty Kitty kitties
8:15 Beauty News
19:30 Listener feedback
22:55 - Beauty Questions - Leave in conditioner
25:35 - Special fraction petrolatum
30:15 Chlorine on hair
35:10 - Violet 2 and hair toner
42:15 - Layering LAA products
46:25 - 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
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

It's a solo episode for Perry today as the Beauty Brains travel schedule made it too difficult to record together. But we'll be back together next show. In the meantime, enjoy these answers to a variety of questions sent in including...

• 1. Is Ethylhexylglycerin a suitable preservative?
• 2. What are your thoughts about coenzyme Q10?
• 3. Do hair thinning shampoos really help?
• 4. What are the best ingredients for skin and hair?
• 5. What do you make of this research article about paraben and phthalate exposure?
• 6. Is it ok to make DIY natural deodorant?
• 7. How do we learn the clinical data used to support the brand Germ Star One?
• 8. Do home microcurrent devices work?
• 9. Why do DHA products stink?
• 10. What do you think of the brand Altruist?
• 11. What is the difference between the baby version and normal Aquaphor?

Links

The only 4 ingredients proven to work

Altruist skin care

Reduction of daily use of parabens and phthalates

Pura d'or thinning shampoo

Approximate timestamps

0:00 Intro
01:45 Beauty questions - ethylhexylglycerin
09:00 Thoughts on Coenzyme Q10
16:25 - Hair thinning shampoos
21:33 - Best ingredients for skin
31:30 - Paraben and phthalate research
38:40 - Making DIY natural deodorant
44:50 - Germ Star one
48:42 - Do microcurrent at home devices work
51:57 - What do you think of Altruist
53:35 - Why does DHA smell
55:10 - Aquaphor
57:40 - 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
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 cosmetic products filled with microplastics? 
• What do you do about facial hair?
• Is jojoba oil good to use with retinol?
• How can a formula with hypochlorous acid and azeleic acid be stable?
• How do you handle acne at the hair line?

Beauty News

Will printed skin replace animal testing?
Is Gelatin the same as a Collagen supplement?
Is California going to ban anti-aging products for people under 18?
J&J Talc case update - another rejection for a $10 billion settlement

Recall news

Henkel recall

Acne product recall

Time Stamps

0:00 - Intro and chit chat 
4:45 - Beauty News
8:50 - Collagen and Gelatin
11:45 - California and kids cosmetics
14:15 - Talc lawsuit update
16:40 - Recall news
21:45 - Listener feedback
25:05 - Microplastics and cosmetics
31:55 - Facial hair advice
37:00 - Jojoba oil and Retinol
45:20 - Mixing acids
48:45 - Acne and hair lines
52:45 - 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 Bluesky we’re at thebeautybrains
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 this show we cover questions including…

• Can you highlight hair after getting kenalog injections?
• Is protein overload a real thing?
• Can Witch hazel can prevent or get rid of acne?
• Is Alastin Skin Nectar beneficial?
• How can you deal with the razor burn

Beauty News
Are consumers really getting more educated?

Time Stamps

0:00 - Intro and chit chat 
5:10 - Beauty News
12:30 - Highlighting hair
14:45 - Protein overload
21:00 - Witch Hazel and acne
29:20 - Alastin skin nectar
35:50 - Razor burn
40:30 - 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
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 the following questions:

• Does beef tallow do anything for skin?
• What can you do to address the effects of second hand smoke on skin and hair? 
• What should you consider when picking humectants?
• Why are cheap conditioners so thin?
• What does it mean for a fatty acid to swell?

Beauty News

Articles like this have been showing up in my feeds.

68 year olds spring skin routine made sagging skin 43% firmer?

47 year old skin became 42% firmer?

Time Stamps

0:00 - Intro and chit chat 
3:05 - Beauty News
10:00 - Beef tallow and skin
15:28 - Second hand smoke
20:18 - Humectants
27:29 - VO5 conditioner
34:00 - Fatty acid swelling
37:57 - 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
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 questions including…

• Can you make your own grey treatment shampoo at home?
• Is an at-home micro needling system a great addition to skin care routine? 
• What is squalene and why does my skin love products that have it in it?
• Why can’t you feel the menthol effect everywhere as strongly?
• What’s the difference between body lotion or cleanser and face lotion or cleanser?

Beauty News

Are beauty labels lying to you?

Can you really create beauty products that are different for tweens & teens?

Top ten beauty brands on Amazon

Pure Sensitive Shampoo by Nature Clean.

Sky line by Green Cricket.

Time Stamps

0:00 - Intro and chit chat 
5:45 - Beauty News
19:35 - Listener feedback
20:45 - Making your own grey shampoo
24:45 - Microneedling
28:50 - Squalene
35:45 - Menthol
41:45 - Face vs body products
47:50 - ending
50:00 - Whipped cream dreams

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
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 this show we cover questions including…

• How does a dye shampoo work?
• How do you deal with excessive sebum?
• Are dry shampoos dangerous?
• How can a company sell azaelic acid products without requiring a prescription?
• Does Sh-Polypeptide-9 stimulate capillary growth?
• Are natural fragrances toxic to aquatic life? 

Beauty News

Biggest fragrance trends for 2025

What is antipollution beauty?

Questions

SkinSAFE

Instant Dye Shampoo

Vivier GrenzCine serum

Time Stamps

0:00 - Intro and chit chat 
4:35 - Beauty News
19:45 - Beauty Questions - Dye shampoo
25:50 - GrenzCine-Serum
33:10 - Dry shampoos
39:00 - Azaelic acid products
46:10 - Natural fragrances
52:10 - 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
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…

• Can you mix chemical exfoliant with a hydrating serum to dilute the exfoliant?
• Is using a topical minoxidil for women safe to use on eyebrows?
• Does shampoo really strip all the lipids from your hair?
• Is the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Cream properly preserved?
• Do we know of a good website to find allergenic ingredients in products?

Beauty News

First lawsuit of the year!

What you should know about the toxins in beauty products.

Question links

Nature article

Time Stamps

0:00 - Intro and chit chat 
4:45 - Beauty News
17:26 - Beauty Questions - Hydrating serum
21:18 - Minoxidil on eyebrows
25:05 - Shampoo stripping lipids
29:35 - Aveeno properly preserved
38:10 - website suggestions
42:00 - 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
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 this show we cover questions including…

• What are our thoughts on eye lash glues?
• What polymers are used in tubing mascara?
• What is inflammaging and is it going to be a big trend this year?
• Does Estriol cream live up to its claims?
• How do you restore hair's natural texture and manageability after washing? 

Beauty News

Top 10 most beautiful women according to science?

Best ingredients for mature skin

Time Stamps

0:00 - Intro and chit chat - bug bites, cat in the wall update
6:40 - Top ten most beautiful women
10:20 - Best ingredients for mature skin
15:50 - Eye lash glues
20:50 - Tubing mascara
24:20 - Inflammaging
31:25 - Estriol creams
38:23 - Restoring hair texture
43:00 - 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
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