The Beauty Brains
Episodes
Leaked Labs Lipstick Lesbians and Beauty Hype - episode 422
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send us Fan MailOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…What are our thoughts on The Hair Multiplier from Le Jardin?We’ll look at P...
Can Rice Protein Really Grow Hair? - Episode 421
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send us Fan MailOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…What’s the scoop on rice protein for hair?Can one improve the texture of sy...
Beauty Dupes, Shampoo Truths, & becoming a Cosmetic Chemist - episode 420
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…What is nonenal odor and how do you minimize it? Does panthenol make a shampoo be...
Launching a line, hair hydration, and retinaldehyde - Episode 419
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Are there hydrogen peroxide free glosses for hair?Is retinaldehyde better than ada...
That product cost how much to make!? Episode 418
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…How much does it really cost to make products?Does goat milk have benefit on sk...
Does Pantene’s "Abundant and Strong" Really Improve Your Hair Health? - Episode 417
24 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…What are your thoughts on Pantene’s Abundant and Strong system?Is The Ordinar...
Menstral Mask Madness, When Skincare Trends Go a Little Too Far - Episode 416
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover questions including…When do you need heat protectors in products?What do you think of color locker products...
Low pH shampoo - hard water - supplement sunscreen and more - episode 415
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Do low pH shampoos preserve color?Can a supplement provide you sun protection?W...
Cleaner, Safer, Better? Sorting Fact from Fiction in Today’s Beauty Buzz - episode 414
13 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Can you mix sunscreens to change the tint of the product?Is California Naturals...
Hair bond builders and more - Episode 413
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…How do you know when an ingredient is in a formula at a working %?Why would a c...
Heat protectants, red light, antioxidants and more - episode 412
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…How long do heat protectants last? Is there a meaningful difference between di...
Maintaining Hair Color, Baby Skincare, Retinol and more - Episode 411
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Why would Differin be more irritating than prescription Adapalene?How do you kn...
Sunscreen Stations, Blue Light, Silicones and more - Episode 410
08 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover questions including…What do you think of the young goose line of productsHow do silicones work in hair care...
Why did they change their formula? - Episode 409
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Why would a company reformulate a product?Do different hair products cancel eac...
How to Get the Gunk Off and the Glow On - episode 408
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Is it a good idea to load up a product with active ingredients?What do you thin...
Sunscreen scandals, Busted celebrity brands & beauty questions answered - episode 407
04 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Is the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology a reliable source for peptide informatio...
Can Collagen really improve skin & why is purple shampoo drying? - episode 406
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we cover lots of questions including…How can you tell if a new product is just a name change or the formulas are differen...
Ozempic skin care, serums and more - episode 405
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Do non-UV wavelengths of light also damage the skinAre Dr Emi Arpa products tru...
Sunscreen sticks, oils, hair masks and more - episode 404
16 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…What is the right way to apply sunscreen sticks? What role do oils, butters, a...
Exfoliation, Beef Tallow and a baby - episode 403
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show Valerie is back and we cover...Does product build-up cause breakage?Is a chemical exfoliant better than a soft silicone scr...
Mushrooms, diamond dust and dark circle serums - Episode 402
19 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Are the IS Clinical Hydra Cool products special?What do we think of the anti-ag...
Heat protection, facial masks and sunscreen - episode 401
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…How do you know if a product is providing heat protection?What kind of damage c...
Episode 400 - Indoor sunscreen, micellar water, and a baby?
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…How does different water affect the performance of hair products?Do you really ...
Episode 399 - From Curl Cream to Tretinoin: Unpacking Your Beauty Questions!
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…How do you know if a product has gone bad? Are the results from Retinol compar...
Episode 398 - Product talk with Sarah Bellum
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of "The Beauty Brains," host Valerie George and guest Sarah discuss the latest beauty industry trends, includi...
Episode 397 - Heat protectants, protein and sunburns
31 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Can you re-emulsify a broken product?How do you treat sunburned skin?Do you hav...
Episode 396 - Toxic beauty, hair growth and lightweight sunscreens
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we answer questions like...What do you think about the hair loss product Calecim? What is the deal with Banana Boat's...
Episode 395 - The Klutziest Beauty Podcast?
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn 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 ...
Episode 394 - Ingredients, hair growth, DIY and more
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIt's a solo episode for Perry today as the Beauty Brains travel schedule made it too difficult to record together. But we'll b...
Episode 393 - Jojoba Oil, Retinol, and Other Unexpected Power Couples
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Are cosmetic products filled with microplastics? What do you do about facial h...
Episode 392 - Protein overload, Witch hazel, and Razor burns
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we cover questions including…Can you highlight hair after getting kenalog injections?Is protein overload a real thing?Can...
Episode 391 - Beef tallow, humectants, smoke and more
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover the following questions:Does beef tallow do anything for skin?What can you do to address the effects of secon...
Episode 390 - Squalene, micro needling, misleading labeling
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover questions including…Can you make your own grey treatment shampoo at home?Is an at-home micro needling syste...
Episode 389 - Fragrance trends, dye and dry shampoo, peptides and more
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we cover questions including…How does a dye shampoo work?How do you deal with excessive sebum?Are dry shampoos dangerous?...
Episode 388 - Minoxidil, Hair Loss Lawsuits, Phthalates and cats
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Can you mix chemical exfoliant with a hydrating serum to dilute the exfoliant?I...
Episode 387 - Inflammaging, eye lash glue, estriol and more
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we cover questions including…What are our thoughts on eye lash glues?What polymers are used in tubing mascara?What is inf...
Episode 386 - Seals of approval, Brooke Shields and more
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…How much should you trust seals of approvals on product labels?What do you thin...
Episode 385 - Air drying, growth factors and more
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we cover lots of questions including…How effective are growth factors in topical products?Can low dose Minoxidil pills tr...
Episode 384 - Nanoplasty, talc, and heat oh my
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Is it ok to use self-tanner under your eyes and around your lips?Are PFAS the i...
Episode 383 - Goodbye 2024!
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today's show, we just chit chat about the year in beauty, our goals for next year and answer a couple of questions.Thanks for al...
Episode 382 - Beauty predictions for 2025 plus questions answered
21 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we cover questions including…What do you think of Oneskin products?Are there any good beauty finds in the EU that you can...
Episode 381 - Can babies eat sunscreen? and other beauty questions
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover questions including…What can you use to fight static?Is it ok for babies to eat sunscreen?What are the best...
Episode 380 - Patented ingredients, porosity, quats and more
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIt's a solo episode today but lots to cover including...Are quats in hair conditioners causing bacterial resistance?What do you thi...
Episode 379 - Wonder Water, Product Dupes, Sunscreen layering and more
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Can layering sunscreens make them less effective?Why can’t you use L’oreal ...
Episode 378 - Hair bonding, sponges, and becoming a cosmetic chemist
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover the following questions…What is required to become a cosmetic chemist?Why don’t beauty products always ha...
Episode 377 - Beauty Product Talk!
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textSorry we haven't gotten an episode out in a while! I've been literally traveling (South America) and it was difficult to get a...
Episode 376 - Collagen supplements, hair bonding and more beauty questions answered
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we cover lots of questions including…How can a cosmetic company claim their product “fixes” DNA errors?How does hair ...
Episode 375 - Is exfoliation just as important as using SPF?
28 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we cover lots of questions including…Are silicones like amodimethicone and dimethicone environmentally sound?Is it ok to ...
Episode 374 - The Truth About Quats - Friend or Foe & more beauty questions
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we cover lots of questions including…What can Batanna oil do for hair? Is there a benefit to looking for “quat free”...
Episode 373 - Does deodorant make you retain water?
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Does a shampoo really contain 3% citric acid?Does deodorant work even if you ha...
Episode 372 - Collagen, Horse products, whatsinmy jar and more
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Does topical collagen really work?How good is the whatsinmyjar website?What i...
Episode 371 - Scalp serums, alcohol and hair growth
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Can a scalp serum or electric wands actually help you regrow your hair? Is it ...
Episode 370 - Serum drops, dimethicone, hydra facials and warts oh my
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover questions including…Can using too much heat make your hair yellow?Can you turn your bronzer into an SPF 50 ...
Episode 369 - Can Tranexamic Acid Really Reduce Hyperpigmentation?
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Does tranexamic acid really help reduce hyperpigmentation?Can Rene Furterer pro...
Episode 368 - Drunk Elephant vitamin C and more skin care questions
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of skin questions including…Does spraying magnesium on your legs help you sleep and relieve nausea?Are...
Episode 367 - Long Hair Myths and Microneedling Marvels
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we cover lots of questions including…Is a deep conditioner really needed?Is long hair bad for your pregnancy?What ingredi...
Episode 366 - Will Hyaluronic acid dry out your skin?
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis is the 200th episode that Valerie and Perry have recorded together!! And in celebration we had a LIVE virtual audience made up of o...
Episode 365 - Is Topical Estrogen the Secret to Youthful Skin?
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we cover lots of questions including…Why are people putting estrogen cream on their face?Can a shampoo offset the negativ...
Episode 364 - Dry Eyes, Sleepy Scrubs and Energizing Shampoos
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover your questions including…Is sun powder a sensation?Does a corneometer measurement prove a moisturizer works...
Episode 363 - Head, neck, knees and toes questions
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…Are shampoos for different hair types all that different? Can topical products...
Episode 362 - Hair Care Hacks: Frizz Control, Safe Dandruff Solutions, and Finding Perfect Product Dupes
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of hair questions including…What should you look for in hair care products to prevent frizz on humid d...
Episode 361 - Why are exosomes in skin care products?
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of hair questions including…How do different hair bond repair products compare? What makes nail poli...
Episode 360 - Brushable hair spray, silicon peptides and more
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover questions including…Can silicones prevent the penetration of peptides into skin?What makes a hair spray bru...
Episode 359 - Space skin care and hair mousse alternatives
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of questions including…What do we think of the Aeonia "Age Defyning Serum" Mainly, the claim...
Episode 358 - How should you layer skin care products?
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover questions including…What do you think of infrared hair dryers?How does a store brand like Equate compare to...
Episode 357 - Silk pillowcases, white tigers and titanium dioxide
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover questions including…Is it true that a satin or a silk pillow case helps prevent frizz?What do we think of t...
Episode 356 - The questions of curling hair
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover lots of hair questions including…Can hair be too healthy to curl?Does hair porosity matter when picking pro...
Episode 355 - Do you become immune to skin care actives?
27 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we cover questions including…Does freezing hair cause damage?Does skin get immune to the benefits of skin care produ...
Episode 354 - Do Microneedles Work for Skincare?
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we are going to cover some questions including…What is your opinion of microneedle patches?How do you know a study s...
Episode 353 - Keratin treatment, Spiders in lotion and more
07 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textHappy New Year! On today’s show we are going to cover some questions including…What are our thoughts of PatcH20 in skin care produ...
Episode 352 - Do depilatories make hair grow?
30 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this episode, we answer questions about...What do we think of Coenzyme Q10Do depilatories make your hair grow more?Do you really need...
Episode 351 - Glycolic acid as a deodorant? Plus trends for 2024
23 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this episode, we answer questions about...Do pharmaceutical grade claims mean anything?If my product smells like stinky feet or chees...
Episode 350 - Boutique face masks, leave-in conditioners and more
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we coverIs there value in using "treatments" like Chi Silk Infusion in addition to leave in conditionerAre b...
Episode 349 - Do at-home hair colors and professional salon colors mix?
02 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we coverCan people with sensitive skin use retinol and vitamin C products?Are there different percentages allowed for ...
Episode 348 - Quick drying nail polish, acid hair, antioxidants at night and more
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we coverWhat is the difference between quick dry and long lasting nail polish?How are acid treatments for hair differe...
Episode 347 - Do you need multiple cleansers for your face?
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we are going to coverDo you need multiple cleansers for your face?How can you prevent build-up on hair?Is there a down...
Episode 346 - Beauty Devices, Korean Skin care and more
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s solo show we answer questions about:Do Medicube devices work?Arey products-who is it good for and does it work?What makes K...
Episode 345 - Is there still formaldehyde in Brazilian Blowout?
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:How does Kerastase Therapiste Hair Serum make hair feel so good?Is there still formaldehyde ...
Episode 344 - When are there too many ingredients in a product
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show Perry and Valerie answer questions about:Does mineral sunscreen prevent hyperpigmentation better than standard sunscre...
Episode 343 - Can apple cider vinegar replace shampoo?
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:When should you buy a more cleansing shampoo?What are ingredients you recommend in a heat pr...
BOBB - Is retinol toxic? and other beauty questions you're dying to know. Episode 313
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textPerry is traveling and Valerie is moving so they weren't able to get a new show recorded. Here is a "best of" which will ...
Episode 342 - Are Beauty Apps Reliable Sources for Product Recommendations?
22 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:Should you throw away products because of a beauty product app?Are lip primers just chapstic...
Episode 341 - Do You Really Need a Separate Heat Protector for Leave-In Conditioners?
05 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:Why are companies replacing ‘synthetic’ blurring ingredients?What’s the deal with The ...
Episode 340 - Tattoo skin care, mixing retinol, biomimicry and more
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:Is biotechnology going to revolutionize the beauty industry?Do products designed for tattoos...
Episode 339 - How Long Does Sunscreen Really Last and Why Does it Degrade?
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:What is hexylresorcinol doing in your skin care?How should you treat highlighted hair that’...
Episode 338 - Can cheap drugstore hair products really ruin your hair?
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:Performance and Marketing of Hair ProductsEating Collagen for Skin BenefitsTreating Large Po...
Episode 337 - Is Mascara Toxic? PFAS in Cosmetics & other beauty questions answered
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:Eyebrow laminationPFAS in mascara - are they dangerousHow does epsom salts affect hairDo bon...
Episode 336 - Pores, Peptides, and Pets with a Dash of AI
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of the Beauty Brains podcast, hosts Valerie George and Perry Romanowski discuss various beauty product topics, including...
Episode 335 - What's a good skin care routine, plus we talk parabens, bleach and heat protectors
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we answer questions about:Parabens in cosmetics are dangerous and Will avoiding parabens reduce chances of cancer?How do yo...
Episode 334 - Does retinol in body wash do anything?
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn this show we answer questions about:Ingredients that make body oils moisturizeDoes body wash with retinol do anything?How does the OP...
Episode 333 - Should adults use baby beauty products?
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:Products marketed for babies, how are they different?Will layering products reduce the effec...
Episode 332 - Is it ok to use body lotion on your face?
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text On today’s show we answer questions about:Whether it’s ok to use body lotion on your faceIf Creatine or other proteins strengthen ...
Episode 331 - Are products with human derived ingredients vegan?
08 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis is a solo episode where Perry answers a variety of questions including...1. Is Goat's Milk beneficial in soap2. Should you mak...
Episode 330 - Does tansy oil help with acne? Collagen supplements, face masks and more
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:Whether blue tansy oil can help with acneWhat we think of the Skinbetter Science line of pro...
K18 bond building, the Olaplex lawsuit and more - episode 329
18 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:Whether we think the K18 peptide technology is as magic as they claimCan you use products fo...
Episode 328 - Desert dates in your skin serums, Chelating shampoos and more
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis is a solo episode with Perry taking on a number of questions including...1. Do you need shampoo to remove Cetyl Alcohol?2. Are dese...
Episode 327 - Salon hair care, cationic skin care, collagen threads and more
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:Cationic surfactants in skin careEven more salon hair care questionsSkin pHAnd Collage treat...
Episode 326 - Almost a double! Barbie doll hair, foundation, petrolatum and more
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:Foundation!Is petrolatum really a terrible ingredient?What is the best conditioner for Barbi...
Episode 325 - What makes a good hair mask?
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:Do lightening conditioners work?What’s a good hair mask?How does Chlorine affect hair?Why ...
Episode 324 - Why aren't deodorants put in cardboard packages?
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOn today’s show we answer questions about:Why aren't there more deodorants sold in cardboard packaging?Are there really any diffe...