The Beauty Brains

The Beauty Brains

Real scientists answer your beauty questions

Episodes

November 17, 2025 52 mins

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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 ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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
...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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
...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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 ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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 ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...
Mark as Played

Send us a text

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 ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Ruthie's Table 4

    For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.