The Beauty Brains

Discover the beauty and cosmetic products you should use and avoid
  • 4.6 (950)
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Monthly

Real scientists answer your beauty questions

  1. 1d ago

    Does Red Hair Need Different Care? Your Beauty Questions Answered - episode 436

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s show we cover lots of questions including… Are eye masks and eye creams worth using, and where does castor oil fit in?How can you replace discontinued exfoliating wipes?Can a spray replace a moisturizer, and can you find a fragrance-free alternative to a conditioner you love?What evidence should you look for when comparing scalp serums?Does red hair call for different skin and hair products?Katie and Nikki join us through their recorded questions this week. We talk through finding a replacement for a much-loved wipe, what moisturizers need to do beyond adding water, and why comparing scalp-serum marketing claims can be tricky. We also discuss eye-area products, fragrance preferences and the questions still open about red hair and skin. Beauty News Jennifer Lawrence’s announced hair-care brand, followed by a discussion of NAD+ skin care, formulation challenges and the evidence for niacinamide. Links mentioned NAD+ skin-care article in FashionistaCurél Deep Moisture Spray — Canadian product pageL’Oréal EverPure bonding conditioner — Canadian product pageApproximate timestamps 0:00 - Opening and today’s questions 1:00 - Holiday chatter and Halloween decorations 3:30 - Society of Cosmetic Chemists updates 5:10 - Jennifer Lawrence’s hair-care brand 7:35 - NAD+ skin care and niacinamide 12:00 - Carol: eye masks, eye creams and castor oil 16:45 - Katie: replacing discontinued exfoliating wipes 22:45 - Allison: Curél spray versus moisturizer 26:30 - Allison: conditioner scent and fragrance-free alternatives 35:00 - Nikki: comparing scalp serums 43:20 - Monica: red hair, skin and product choices 51:40 - Closing and how to send a question Five Ways to Ask a Question Send us a message through Patreon!Record your question on your smartphone and email it to thebeautybrains@gmail.com.Send it to us through social media using the links below.Submit it through the Ask a Question form.Leave a voicemail message: 872-216-1856.Social Media Instagram: @thebeautybrains2018Twitter/X: @thebeautybrainsBluesky: @thebeautybrainsYouTube: The Beauty BrainsFacebook pageMore from the Hosts Valerie’s ingredient company: Simply IngredientsPerry’s other website: Chemists CornerFollow the Porch Kitty Krew Instagram account Support the show

  2. Oct 22

    Do You Really Need to Shampoo Twice? Episode 435

    Send us Fan Mail Listener questions How can you protect chemically treated hair while swimming regularly in chlorinated pools?Which conditioning ingredients help prevent tangling after hair dries?How do curl creams improve definition, and how do they differ from leave in conditioners?Why might moisturizing shampoos leave buildup, and do you need to shampoo twice?What do we think of iNNBEAUTY Project products?Beauty news We discuss The Business of Fashion’s “The Politics of Duping” and why matching a successful cosmetic product is a familiar assignment for formulators. We also look at Head & Shoulders’ scalp care collection and its updated packaging. The Politics of product duping Head and Shoulders launches scalp care collection Thank you to our patrons for helping us keep the show going and for sending thoughtful questions. Heather’s hair care questions gave us plenty to discuss this week. Approximate timestamps 0:00 Welcome and this week’s questions 0:35 Valerie’s Australia trip 2:25 IFSCC, skin research, and favorite organelles 5:30 Naturally Kiawah and natural ingredient claims 8:45 Beauty news: dupes and copying cosmetics 14:25 Head & Shoulders scalp care collection 18:45 A Japanese sunscreen follow-up 19:15 Protecting chemically treated hair from pool water 28:15 Heather’s questions and detangling ingredients 30:35 Curl creams versus leave in conditioners 34:00 Moisturizing shampoos, buildup, and washing twice 41:00 Our thoughts on iNNBEAUTY Project 43:55 Peptide percentages and raw material blends 47:00 Closing, listener questions, and supporting the show Referenced links The Beauty Brains Naturally Kiawah conference 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 thebeautybrains@gmail.com 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 Tik Tok we're @thebeautybrains44 On Bluesky we’re @thebeautybrains On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018 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

  3. Sep 29

    Why Does Your Hair Look Better at the Beach? Plus Co-Washing - episode 434

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s show we cover lots of questions including… - Are Japanese mineral sunscreens effective, and what can their labels tell us? - What do we think of Brooke Shields’ Commence line for mature hair? - How does Hairstory New Wash work, and how does co-washing compare with shampoo? - Why can curls behave differently at the beach, and how do humectants affect them? - Is Vita Reset worth considering as a skin supplement? Beauty News - Beef tallow’s return to skin care: moisturizing properties, texture, and the limits of stronger claims. - PFAS in beauty products: their formulation roles, environmental concerns, and the hosts’ discussion of ingredient labeling and restrictions. Plus, Valerie prepares for Australia, Perry plans a Toronto talk, and a listener asks how to find the earliest Beauty Brains episodes. Approximate timestamps 0:00 - Welcome and episode preview 1:00 - Australia, Toronto, and travel plans 3:25 - Beauty News: beef tallow in skin care 7:25 - Beauty News: PFAS in cosmetics 13:40 - Listener feedback: finding the earliest episodes 15:20 - Japanese mineral sunscreens and SPF labels 23:35 - Brooke Shields’ Commence and mature hair 29:35 - Hairstory New Wash and co-washing 35:50 - Beach hair, salt, and curls 37:55 - Humectants, glycerin, and frizz 41:10 - Vita Reset and skin-supplement claims 47:30 - Closing, listener questions, and Patreon 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 thebeautybrains@gmail.com 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 Tik Tok we're @thebeautybrains44 On Bluesky we’re @thebeautybrains On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018 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

  4. Sep 11

    The Beauty Brains

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s show we cover lots of questions including… Does Kerastase Thermique Heat Protectant work?What do you think of the Labo hair roll on serum?Do oils in body washes help with moisturization?Do derivatives of actives show good results?Is the Anua Azelaic Acid just clever marketing or is this actually a product?Beauty News What AI cannot sense about beauty Links from questions LABO products Anua azelaic acid - starting the controversy derms respond Approximate timestamps 0:00 - Introduction 0:55 - Valerie’s skin check and host chitchat 4:10 - Beauty News: what AI misses about skincare and formulation 9:20 - A live ChatGPT spelling experiment 12:30 - Listener feedback and Perry’s consumer-advocate perspective 14:20 - Kérastase Thermique heat protection and budget alternatives 18:05 - Timothy’s question about the LABO scalp roll-on serum 25:15 - Do oils and petrolatum make cleansers moisturizing? 29:55 - Active derivatives and routines for sensitive skin 34:15 - The Anua azelaic acid pH controversy 41:45 - 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 thebeautybrains@gmail.com 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 Tik Tok we're @thebeautybrains44 On Bluesky we’re @thebeautybrains On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018 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

  5. Sep 3

    SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic: What is new? Episode 432

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s show we cover lots of questions including… Does Peptonix really grow hair?What’s up with the new Skinceuticals C, E, Ferulic formulation? Is there any science behind DHT-3 blockers to promote hair growth?Does clear gloss dp-Hue work?Can you damage hair on purpose to get body?Relevant links Peptonix copper-peptide product SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic BosleyMD BosRevive non-color-treated hair shampoo dpHUE gloss range Approximate timestamps 0:00 - Introduction 1:00 - Chit chat 9:50 - Listener feedback: skepticism and consumer advocacy 15:20 - Peptonix, copper peptides, and hair-growth claims 22:15 - SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic reformulation 28:00 - BosleyMD shampoo and DHT-blocker claims 33:30 - dpHUE gloss, color, and buildup 37:50 - Can deliberate hair damage add body? 43:35 - 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 thebeautybrains@gmail.com 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 On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018 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

  6. Aug 21

    Can K18 serum reduce hair fall and reverse grey? Episode 431

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s show we cover lots of questions including… Do you have to worry about BHT in cosmetics?Are hair masks worth using?Will a biomimetic hair longevity serum reduce shedding?Can you mix products together to reduce irritation?What's the deal with QOAT Professional Hair Color?Perry and Valerie are back after their summer travels, with stories about Greece, Albania, cats, sidewalks, Texas heat, and a medical-testing catch-up before getting into the latest beauty news and listener questions. Beauty News - Millions use apps like Yuka to judge beauty products - A lawsuit alleging that TRESemmé shampoos containing DMDM hydantoin caused hair loss - Beauty trademark filings connected to Lindsay Lohan and Tate McRae. K18 FutureIQ product Approximate timestamps 0:01 - Introduction 7:00 -Yuka product-safety scores and their effect on formulation 11:40 - TRESemmé, DMDM hydantoin, and a hair-loss lawsuit 15:50 - Celebrity launch 18:40 - Is BHT in cosmetics a safety concern? 23:05 - Are hair masks worth using? 28:15 - Mixing tretinoin gel with marula oil 31:10 - K18 FutureIQ hair longevity serum claims 39:25 - QOAT Professional Hair Color Topcoat 44:40 - 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 thebeautybrains@gmail.com 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 On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018 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

  7. Jul 24

    Can a $1,200 Eye Treatment Really Reduce Wrinkles? - Episode 430

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s show we cover lots of questions including… How does Olaplex Bond Shaper Curl Rebuilding work?Are plant stem cells reducing wrinkles?What chemical in hair color damages the hair?What’s a good sunscreen to use that won’t sting eyes?Is Le Balm solid moisturizer worth the price?Beauty News New tool to grade cosmetic ingredients. The future of beauty according to 5 top scientists. Approximate timestamps 0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Chit Chat 3:40 - Tool to grade ingredients 8:30 - Future of beauty science 19:15 - Listener feedback 20:40 - Olaplex bond shaper 25:10 - Plant stem cells 30:45 - Hair damage chemical 35:00 - Sunscreen recos 38:45 - Le Balm solid moisturizer 44:20 - 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 thebeautybrains@gmail.com 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 On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018 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

  8. Jul 10

    What really works - Episode 429

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s show we cover lots of questions including… How do you know a study can be trusted?Are collagen supplements for skin a myth?What makes a hair conditioner condition? Is EGF worth the hype?Is exfoliation just as important as SPF?Approximate timestamps 0:00 - Intro 2:00 - Trusting Studies 12:00 - Supplements and skin 18:30 - Hair conditioner 26:30 - EGF 30:25 - Exfoliation and SPF 40:00 - 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 thebeautybrains@gmail.com 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 On Youtube we are at thebeautybrains2018 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

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4.6
out of 5
950 Ratings

About

Real scientists answer your beauty questions

Information

  • Creator
    Discover the beauty and cosmetic products you should use and avoid
  • Years Active
    2013 - 2026
  • Episodes
    318
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Element 44 Inc
  • Show Website
    The Beauty Brains

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