The Beauty Brains

Discover the beauty and cosmetic products you should use and avoid

Real scientists answer your beauty questions

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312 episodes
Updated July 24

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Episodes312

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Mar 21, 2017 · 33 min
Why isn’t everyone exfoliating with AHAs? Episode 159
Send us Fan Mail Why isn’t everyone exfoliating with AHAs? Melissa says…I’ve been using an night cream with glycolic acid and I noticed that my skin is actually brighter, clearer, and softer. I’ve been using this product for years and I still love it but I worry that it may be too good to be true. Are there any […] Support the show
Feb 20, 2017 · 31 min
How does color changing makeup work? Episode 158
Send us Fan Mail How does color changing makeup work? Julia asks…I’m a make up artist and my question is how does color adjusting makeup work? I’ve tried a few and they didn’t adjust very well. Also, what are both of your favorite ingredients to use on your own skin? Thanks for bringing this up Julia! Color changing makeup […] Support the show
Jan 24, 2017 · 32 min
Are lotions with water bad for your skin? Episode 157
Send us Fan Mail Are lotions with water actually bad for your skin? Veronica asks…I heard that using lotions with water is actually bad for your skin because as the water evaporates it removes the skin’s natural moisture and oil. Is this true? Veronica’s question is an interesting twist on a theme that we have discussed a couple of […] Support the show
Oct 25, 2016 · 32 min
Is aloe vera lotion really good for skin? Episode 156
Send us Fan Mail Is aloe lotion good for skin? Gemma asks…I am a huge fan of Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Fresh lotion. However, I have found another aloe lotion that is even cheaper: Perfect Purity. So I’m wondering can you tell me if the Perfect Purity will perform as well as my beloved Vaseline? Or should I just […] Support the show
Oct 18, 2016 · 25 min
How can I tell if a product will cause acne? Episode 155
Send us Fan Mail Can a patch test predict acne? Janelly asks…I would like to know if patch testing a product for acne can really work. I see this concept mentioned a lot on Reditt as a way to test if a new skincare product will cause acne. That’s a great question but patch testing for acne does NOT work. […] Support the show
Oct 11, 2016 · 35 min
Are cosmetics poisoning our water supply? Episode 154
Send us Fan Mail Should your cosmetics be biodegradable? Fabi asks about biodegradable products… I have an outdoor shower and it drains into the ground and everyone tells me I have to have biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, and body wash for the ground. Can you explain biodegradable products? It’s really hard to find them. What they’re all about and why […] Support the show
Oct 4, 2016 · 38 min
Is store brand mouthwash as good as name brands? Episode 153
Send us Fan Mail How can I tell if a store brand mouthwash is the same as the expensive name brand? Victoria says…My husband insists that all name brand products are stronger and better than store brands. He feels strongest about Listerine and his dentist agrees with him. Does it matter in areas other than cosmetics? When discussing store brands, […] Support the show
Sep 27, 2016 · 38 min
Can Baby Foot really make your feet smoother? Episode 152
Send us Fan Mail How does baby foot work? Leslie asks…Can you please explain how Babyfoot works and if it is truly safe to use. I have used it and my feet did peel but I really don’t understand how it works. In case our listeners aren’t familiar with this product, it’s a special type of exfoliator designed just […] Support the show
Sep 20, 2016 · 37 min
How does Tresemme Beauty-Full Volume Reverse Wash haircare system work? Episode 151
Send us Fan Mail How does Tresemme Beauty-Full Volume Reverse Wash haircare system work? Jess says…I just saw an ad for the Tresemme Beauty-Full Volume system. Is there really something to conditioning first and then shampooing or are they just convincing us to wash our money down the drain? Let’s talk a little bit about the process of reverse […] Support the show
Sep 13, 2016 · 37 min
Are Micellar Water makeup removers the real deal? Episode 150
Send us Fan Mail What’s the deal with micellar water make up removers? Taylor asks…I’m a new listener and enjoy your show so much. (Gets me through the work day) I want to know the hype about micellar water and is this something new or just a mild makeup remover with a “fancy name.” Micellar waters are named after […] Support the show
Sep 6, 2016 · 21 min
Is Charlotte Tilbury Multi-Miracle cream really miraculous? Episode 149
Send us Fan Mail Is Charlotte Tilbury Multi-miracle cream really worth it? Jo asks…I love Charlotte Tilbury’s Multi-Miracle Glow product but I’m afraid I spent too much and I worry that it really provides any benefits. Can you tell me if it has any special properties and if not is there a more budget conscious version? Thanks for the question, […] Support the show
Aug 30, 2016 · 13 min
Does an anti-aging skin cleanser really exist? Episode 148
Send us Fan Mail Our plane just landed and I’m posting this from my phone while waiting for Perry who’s stuck in customs. Apparently they think his juggling balls are contraband. We’ll be home soon! In the meanwhile listen to this blast from the past about skin cleansers and active ingredients. Click this link to read the original show […] Support the show
Aug 23, 2016 · 35 min
Zika or bug spray: which is more dangerous? Episode 147
Send us Fan Mail I thought for sure we’d be back in the country by now but before we could board the plane Perry was detained by the police. I’m still not sure what’s going on but apparently it has something to do him getting robbed on the way back to the hotel. Don’t worry though, you can still listen […] Support the show
Aug 16, 2016 · 19 min
Are fragrance allergies all in your head? Episode 146
Send us Fan Mail I thought we’d be flying home from our tropical vacation today but it turns out Perry lost our plane tickets in a poker game last night. Looks like we’ll be flying stand by. Until we get this all sorted out, please enjoy this encore episode on fragrance allergies. You an find the original show notes here. […] Support the show
Aug 9, 2016 · 31 min
Can the Think Dirty app really protect you from dangerous cosmetics? Episode 145
Send us Fan Mail I was planning on coming back to work today but Perry just ordered another picture of margaritas. That means today’s podcast has to be another rerun. Check out our discussion of the Think Dirty app. Click here for the original show notes. Support the show
Aug 2, 2016 · 33 min
Do you smell different when you ovulate? Episode 144
Send us Fan Mail Perry and I are still at the beach but don’t worry he’s constantly rubbing me down with sunscreen. While we’re gone please enjoy this encore episode of our podcast about the odors of ovulation. Click here to read the original show notes. Thanks and see you soon! Support the show
Jul 26, 2016 · 27 min
Is it safe to use antibacterial soaps? Episode 143
Send us Fan Mail Perry and I are on summer vacation. While we’re gone please enjoy this encore episode of our podcast about antibacterial soaps. Click here to read the original show notes about antibacterial soaps. Thanks and see you soon! Support the show
Jul 19, 2016 · 30 min
Do you really need 3 kinds of conditioner? Episode 142
Send us Fan Mail Do I really need to use 3 kinds of conditioner? Dev asks… Is it absolutely essential to use a leave in, a rinse out, and a deep conditioner? I’ve been washing my hair and appling a regular rinse out conditioner and then I leave it in until the next time I wash my hair about […] Support the show
Jul 12, 2016 · 24 min
Can Coca Cola give you a better sun tan? Episode 141
Send us Fan Mail Can Coca Cola give you a better tan? Nanda asks…Will Coca Cola give you a better sun tan? When I first head this I thought it was an obscure, ridiculous rumor. But I was wrong. it turns out it’s a very pervasive, ridiculous rumor. Yeah, if you Google “using coca cola to tan” you get […] Support the show
Jul 4, 2016 · 33 min
Is fabric softener a good hair conditioner? Episode 140
Send us Fan Mail Does blotting oily sunscreen reduce SPF? Emma asks in Gmail…I don’t like the oily skin I get from using sunscreen so I blot off the excess with an oil absorbing sheet. Is this reducing the SPF of the sunscreen? Yes, blotting some of the sunscreen off your face will reduce the UV protection, to some […] Support the show

The Beauty Brains

Support the show

Why isn’t everyone exfoliating with AHAs? Episode 159

How does color changing makeup work? Episode 158

Are lotions with water bad for your skin? Episode 157

Is aloe vera lotion really good for skin? Episode 156

How can I tell if a product will cause acne? Episode 155

Are cosmetics poisoning our water supply? Episode 154

Is store brand mouthwash as good as name brands? Episode 153

Can Baby Foot really make your feet smoother? Episode 152

How does Tresemme Beauty-Full Volume Reverse Wash haircare system work? Episode 151

Are Micellar Water makeup removers the real deal? Episode 150

Is Charlotte Tilbury Multi-Miracle cream really miraculous? Episode 149

Does an anti-aging skin cleanser really exist? Episode 148

Zika or bug spray: which is more dangerous? Episode 147

Are fragrance allergies all in your head? Episode 146

Can the Think Dirty app really protect you from dangerous cosmetics? Episode 145

Do you smell different when you ovulate? Episode 144

Is it safe to use antibacterial soaps? Episode 143

Do you really need 3 kinds of conditioner? Episode 142

Can Coca Cola give you a better sun tan? Episode 141

Is fabric softener a good hair conditioner? Episode 140