The Beauty Brains

The Beauty Brains

Real scientists answer your beauty questions

Episodes

December 13, 2025 52 mins

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

  1. Can you mix sunscreens to change the tint of the product?
  2. Is California Naturals a good hair care option
  3. How do you talk to a clean beauty believer?
  4. How do you control frizz?
  5. What’s wrong with Decyl Glucoside in hair care products?

Beauty News

Opinion issued on Tea Tree oil in products

Unregulated masks are flooding the market

7 hair care launches shaping the futur...

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

  1. How do you know when an ingredient is in a formula at a working %?
  2. Why would a company use a dangerous ingredient in their product?
  3. Do heat-less curls damage hair?
  4. What’s the deal with Milk Shake Direct Color?
  5. How do hair color products with conditioning effects work?

Beauty News

Science News - Valerie quoted speaking about the skin’s barrier

Bond builders - do th...

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

  1. How long do heat protectants last? 
  2. Is there a meaningful difference between different red light therapy masks?
  3. Why would an anti-aging cream be really expensive?
  4. Can you just use rubbing alcohol to prevent itching and ingrown hairs?
  5. In an antioxidant balm, will the antioxidants absorb into the skin or stay on top?

Beauty News

Augustinus Bader backs Dua Lipa’s wa...

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

  1. Why would Differin be more irritating than prescription Adapalene?
  2. How do you know which retinol lotion to use?
  3. What is your opinion of k18 hair mask?
  4. Is Tubby Todd All Over Ointment really effective for baby acne?
  5. What ingredients help hair color last longer?

Beauty News

Chief sustainability officer steps down

Really? Oral supplement can reduce wrinkles in 12 wee...

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On today’s show we cover questions including…

  1. What do you think of the young goose line of products
  2. How do silicones work in hair care products?
  3. How does Cetaphil nourishing oil to foam cleanser work?
  4. Are those outdoor sunscreen stations providing effective product?
  5. Does light from your cell phone affect your skin?

Beauty News

1.  5 recent breakthroughs in cosmetic science

2. Beauty industry giants collide for cosmet...

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

  1. Why would a company reformulate a product?
  2. Do different hair products cancel each other out?
  3. What sources do you recommend where consumers can educate themselves?
  4. What hair ingredient could be staining your shirt?
  5. Is a lotion with CBD oil suitable for sensitive skin?

Beauty News

Pycnogenol in skin care

K beauty causing problems?

SPF updates: 

SPF 50

Sunscreen investi...

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

  1. Is it a good idea to load up a product with active ingredients?
  2. What do you think of the Ziip Halo device?
  3. How do you remove mineral sunscreen from your skin?
  4. What do humectants really do in hair?
  5. What is Neogen plasma skin regeneration?

Beauty News

What the Hell Are Skin-Loving Cosmetics?

Do you think that is true?  I’m cynical but even I think that sounds a bit ...

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

  1. Is the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology a reliable source for peptide information?
  2. How do you know if a product with an active has enough to be effective?
  3. Does topical estrogen improve skin?
  4. Do at-home microneedling devices work, and is hypochlorous acid spray for skin care?
  5. Is a salon detangler different than one you can buy in the store?

Beauty News

We were on t...

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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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