The Beauty Brains

The Beauty Brains

Real scientists answer your beauty questions

Episodes

September 8, 2025 56 mins

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On this show we cover lots of questions including…

  1. How can you tell if a new product is just a name change or the formulas are different?
  2. Why can’t companies sell mousse sunscreens?
  3. Why is purple shampoo drying?
  4. What’s the deal with OS-01 peptide? / What are your thoughts on Molecular Mesh?
  5. How do you deal with rosacea?


Beauty News

Do collagen supplements really improve skin?

Is VO5 better than Pantene

Approximat...

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

  1. Do non-UV wavelengths of light also damage the skin
  2. Are Dr Emi Arpa products truly innovative or just driven by trendy marketing? 
  3. Does using an ultra-plush, water-only makeup remover cloth cause significant mechanical exfoliation?
  4. Are there baby products that people should use and avoid?
  5. Do facial serums work?

Beauty News

Ozempic face aging - Valerie is quoted 

J...

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

  1. What is the right way to apply sunscreen sticks? 
  2. What role do oils, butters, and silicones actually play in haircare
  3. Do you need less anhydrous sunscreen than lotion based ones?
  4. Do all hair masks work the same way?

Beauty News

PETA suspends Beauty without Bunnies program

Can We Stop Hating on Chemicals In Skincare, Please and Thanks?

Urban decay reformulation - i...

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On this show Valerie is back and we cover...

  1. Does product build-up cause breakage?
  2. Is a chemical exfoliant better than a soft silicone scrubber? 
  3. What are your thoughts about beef Tallow facial creams?
  4. Are rinse-free shampoos any good?

Beauty News

Safer Beauty Bill

Martha Stewart launches a line

Approximate timestamps

0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Chit chat
5:50 - Beauty news - Safer beauty bill
11:20 - Martha Stewa...

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

  1. Are the IS Clinical Hydra Cool products special?
  2. What do we think of the anti-aging and effectiveness of Pavise?
  3. What ingredients might be responsible for the great results in a conditioner?
  4. What can be done about under eye dark circles?
  5. How do you practice sun safety diligently

Approximate timestamps

0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Chit chat
3:50 - Natural talk
...

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

  • How do you know if a product is providing heat protection?
  • What kind of damage can high force air do to wet hair?
  • What makes a facial mask work amazingly?
  • What is really important when using sunscreen?
  • Do red light masks spur collagen growth?

Beauty News

Buzzy skincare ingredients - which do you think are the most promising?

Approximate timestamps

0:00 - Intro
...

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

  • How does different water affect the performance of hair products?
  • Do you really need to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours?
  • Can rinse out conditioner and a deep conditioner or mask be used interchangeably?
  • Does Avene makeup removing micellar water really work?
  • Are '20 free; or '12 free' nail polishes safer?

Beauty News

Peptides in moisturize...

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

  • How do you know if a product has gone bad? 
  • Are the results from Retinol comparable to Retin A?
  • Is Pantene bad for hair?
  • Can you use skin products on your scalp?
  • Is it ok to use a metal spoon to mix vitamin C?
  • Are salt sprays safe to use? 

Beauty News

Fat Mascara taking a break?

The best shampoos for men?

Sydney Sweeny bath soap sparks controversy

Approximate timesta...

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In this episode of "The Beauty Brains," host Valerie George and guest Sarah discuss the latest beauty industry trends, including Pros’ new customizable scalp serum and the growing focus on scalp care. They share honest opinions on mass market versus premium shampoos, debunking common myths and highlighting their personal favorites. The conversation covers product effectiveness, ingredient misconceptions, and...

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

  • Can you re-emulsify a broken product?
  • How do you treat sunburned skin?
  • Do you have to use the matching conditioner with a shampoo?
  • How effective are heat protectants
  • Do regular hydrolyzed proteins build up on hair?

Beauty News

Protein to restart hair growth

Hair color litigation

Social media influencing ingredient choice

Huda drops claims after saying it was the “st...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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...
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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 ...

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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 - P...

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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% f...

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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 lab...

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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 Sha...

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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 ...

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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

...

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