The Eco Well podcast

Jen@theecowell
  • 4.8 (24)
  • Chemistry
  • Updated Weekly

Weekly discussions with scientists to get into the weeds of beauty science. Interviews faciliated by cosmetic scientist and scicommer, Jen Novakovich. If you really want to know about the science behind cosmetics, this is the spot!

  1. May 12

    Animal Testing in Beauty, a 2026 update. W/ Jonathan Reynolds and Barae Jomaa PhD ERT

    This episode is a 2026 update on where things are at with animal testing in beauty. A roundtable discussion featuring the POV of regulatory expert from the brand side of things, Jonathan Reynolds & regulatory toxicologist from the ingredient supply side, Barae Jomaa PhD ERT. What has happened, is happening and is on the way, and why? Where are we at with non-animal safety testing methods, what is up with China, what does cruelty free even mean, what are common misconceptions about this topic? We covered all this and lots more!  Interested in supporting the podcast? Please share, subscribe and write a review if you haven't already! If it's accessible, you can also support my work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Big thank you to all of my patreon supporters for supporting my scicomm!

    1h 20m

  2. May 5

    Women in Science Communication Roundtable. w/ Jen Gunter MD, Emily Graslie and Michelle Wong PhD

    A roundtable on women in science communication - and some of the often unspoken barriers in this space. Featuring Dr Jen Gunter, Dr Michelle Wong and Emily Graslie. There's a lot here, I think the points raised in the discussion are really important for everyone to be aware of. Interested in supporting the podcast? Please share, subscribe and write a review if you haven't already! If it's accessible, you can also support my work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Big thank you to all of my patreon supporters for supporting my scicomm!

    1h 12m

  3. Apr 28

    Influencer/brand relationships: what everyone needs to know. With Jennifer Santos and Meredith Petillo

    This week's episode is all about influencer marketing, and what everyone needs to know. There are rules, and very real potential repercussions, for brands AND influencers for not getting them right. This podcast features a roundtable discussion with Jennifer Santos from BBB National Programs, now program director of the Center for Industry Self-Regulation, C-I-S-R, and Meredith Petillo, VP of technical regulatory affairs at Independent Beauty Association.  Interested in supporting the podcast? Please share, subscribe and write a review if you haven't already! If it's accessible, you can also support my work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Big thank you to all of my patreon supporters for supporting my scicomm!

    1h 32m

  4. Apr 14

    "Skin Longevity" as a trend in beauty. Roundtable w/ Rania Ibrahim PhD, Omer Ibrahim MD and Kailey Bradt

    This week's episode covers skin aging and skin longevity as a trend in beauty. How much can cosmetic regulated products really do, how do skin longevity claims fit within what cosmetics are allowed to say, from testing to ingredients to formulas - what innovation is happening in this space and more. Coming at the topic from the product development perspective with Kailey Bradt, the clinical testing perspective with Rania Ibrahim PhD and dermatologist Omer Ibrahim MD for a roundtable conversation. Interested in supporting the podcast? Please share, subscribe and write a review if you haven't already! If it's accessible, you can also support my work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Big thank you to all of my patreon supporters for supporting my scicomm!

    1h 22m

  5. Apr 7

    Talc in Beauty: An Update/WTF is Happening? w/ Lyle Burgoon PhD ATS

    There has been A LOT happening with talc - from class action lawsuits, regulatory action, a testing proposed rule and its subsequent withdrawal, and so on. There's also been a huge amount of incorrect or misleading reporting on what's been happening, making everything extra confusing... This episode will serve as a 101 update on talc in beauty + a breakdown on WTF is happening. There's a lot! To help me do the topic justice, this weeks episode features toxicologist Lyle Burgoon PhD ATS. Interested in supporting the podcast? Please share, subscribe and write a review if you haven't already! If it's accessible, you can also support my work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Big thank you to all of my patreon supporters for supporting my scicomm!

    1h 20m

  6. Mar 31

    Exosomes in Beauty are Bunk Science. Change our minds. With Ryan Kudla PhD and Lanesa Mahon

    Last year, in our deep dive into the research available, Lanesa Mahon (PhD candidate/cosmetic scientist) came to the conclusion that exosomes are quack science. In this episode, Ryan Kudla PhD will try to change our minds. We covered a lot of ground in this episode - from what exosomes are, the different types in beauty, how they're made, and the research to support them. Why is so much of that research behind corporate doors, and are we meant to just trust companies? I really enjoyed this podcast format, props to Ryan for agreeing to literally be grilled by Lanesa and I. Now the question to our audience - after you listen to the episode, let us know if Ryan changed your mind! Interested in supporting the podcast? Please share, subscribe and write a review if you haven't already! If it's accessible, you can also support my work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Big thank you to all of my patreon supporters for supporting my scicomm!

    1h 33m

  7. Mar 23

    Dodgy Hair Growth Claims VS Science with Dr Leona Yip MD PhD

    This episode digs deep into hair growth and scalp care - specifically, the dodgy advice online VS the science. What actually works, what doesn't, why so much dodgy advice, and what's the greater issue with it. This episode features Dr Leona Yip MD PhD, dermatologist and alopecia specialist. If you are someone struggling with hair thinning or loss, this episode is a must listen. Big thanks to my Patreon audience who submitted so many amazing questions for this episode! Interested in supporting the podcast? Please share, subscribe and write a review if you haven't already! If it's accessible, you can also support my work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Big thank you to all of my patreon supporters for supporting my scicomm!

    1h 10m

  8. Mar 17

    Is microplastic misinformation harming environmental outcomes and science literacy? Roundtable with Oli Jones PhD and Rick Stafford PhD

    Is microplastic misinformation harming environmental outcomes and science literacy? This episode features a roundtable in response to the responses the Guardian got for their recent article highlighting the uncertain science of microplastics. Turns out a lot of the headlines that went viral didn't actually represent reality. I was happy to see the Guardian making a correction, but then I saw the responses they got… A lot of people were really convinced the article was brought to you by "big plastics". And when I did my own recap on social media, I was also accused of being funded by the plastic industry. To help cover what unfolded, and what this all means for broader science and environmental outcomes, this convo features Oli Jones PhD from the microplastic research POV, and Rick Stafford PhD from the environmental science and policy POV. Interested in supporting the podcast? Please share, subscribe and write a review if you haven't already! If it's accessible, you can also support my work on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Big thank you to all of my patreon supporters for supporting my scicomm!

    1h 9m
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4.8
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

Weekly discussions with scientists to get into the weeds of beauty science. Interviews faciliated by cosmetic scientist and scicommer, Jen Novakovich. If you really want to know about the science behind cosmetics, this is the spot!

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