The Eco Well podcast

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

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Last year, in our deep dive into the research available, Lanesa Mahon (PhD candidate/cosmetic scientist) came to the conclusion that exosomes are quac...

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

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

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

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Is microplastic misinformation harming environmental outcomes and science literacy? This episode features a roundtable in response to the responses th...

A hair research deep dive: hair bond repair. Roundtable with Jennifer Marsh PhD and Ernesta Malinauskyte PhD

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is a deep dive into hair research - how it works, where it's done and why, its interdisciplinary nature and how the moving pieces all com...

BENZENE IN BEAUTY!? w/ Michelle Wong PhD and Lyle Burgoon PhD ATS

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kicking our new season off with a conversation about BENZENE IN BEAUTY!??? This convo features the POVs of chemist, Michelle Wong, PhD (AKA Labmuffin...

When Beauty Testing Goes Wrong, Who's Responsible? ROUNDTABLE with Avril Love and Rania Ibrahim PhD

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A roundtable discussion follow up on the CHOICE SPF testing scandal - a response to some bad takes I've seen circulating on social media about how the...

Where Beauty Trends Are Really Going, with Jonathan Reynolds

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode features Jonathan Reynolds, Director of Scientific Development at Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, on product development to meet future...

The Hidden Crisis of Bad Science, featuring James Heathers PhD

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How does bad science get published, and why does it matter? This week's conversation with Dr. James Heathers PhD dives into the cracks in our scientif...

Inside Cosmetic Manufacturing, with Richie Rubin

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we're continuing our "need-to-know" series for indie beauty founders with a deep dive into one of the most crucial parts of building ...

Quality Control in Beauty Explained: Safety, Testing, and Responsibility, with Geoff Waby

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Quality control might not be the flashiest topic in beauty, but it is one of the most important. In this episode, I'm joined by industry expert Geoff ...

Cosmetics Regulations 101 with Meredith Petillo

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A rapid fire cosmetics regulatory 101 with Meredith Petillo, VP of Technical Regulatory Affairs at Independent Beauty Association. We covered as much ...

IS MAKEUP DISRUPTING YOUR HORMONES!? (no) with Chris Borgert PhD

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we dive deep into the complex and often misunderstood world of endocrine disruption with toxicologist, pharmacologist and endocrine d...

Sunscreen Gate 2025 Roundtable, with Michelle Wong PhD, Hannah English and Brian Ecclefield

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

By now you have probably heard about the sunscreen testing scandal. Earlier this year in June, CHOICE tested a bunch of sunscreen products in the Aust...

Trending Ingredients VS Science with Lanesa Mahon

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There are so many new trendy ingredients - from exosomes to PDMR, peptides to tranexamic acid… But do they actually work? In my first episode of the...

Beauty's Issue with Snowballing Misinformation with Michelle Niedziela PhD

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Beauty has a misinformation problem. In my latest podcast, we take a look at the issue from a behavioural science POV with behavioural neuroscientist ...

Truth in Beauty - Surfactants Edition! World Surfactants Conference Panel Replay

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last week I moderated the Truth in Beauty Panel, Surfactants Edition, at the 15th ICIS World Surfactants Conference, brought to you by the Independent...

Copy Cats, Counterfeit and Culture; the Ethics of Perfume. Roundtable with Christophe Laudamiel & Pia Long

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This conversation featured perfumers Christophe Laudamiel & Pia Long. We talked about some of the structural challenges that the fragrance sector curr...

A 101 on greenwashing with Wren Montgomery PhD

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features a deep dive into the topic of greenwashing, featuring greenwashing researcher, Dr Wren Montgomery PhD. We get into the different...

A deep dive into the problem of research fraud, with Mu Yang PhD

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features behavioural neuroscientist and academic sleuth with a seriously impressive resume spotting research fraud, Dr Mu Yang, PhD. The ...

Multiplying Beauty Myths, featuring Michelle Wong PhD AKA @labmuffinbeautyscience

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Beauty myths multiply! My latest podcast episode features OG beauty myth buster, Michelle Wong PhD, aka @labmuffinbeautyscience. What's the latest tre...

Cosmetics safety misconceptions with Mo Kanadil PharmD AKA @Moskinlab

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features safety assessor Mo Kanadil PharmD, otherwise known as @Moskinlab, in a conversation about safety misconceptions. What are common...

The War on Science, a roundtable with Jessica Knurick RD PhD, Melody Schreiber and Elisabeth Anderson

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There is currently a war on science. What's happening, what are the impacts, and what can we do about it? This week I was joined by 3 POVs to try to d...

A 101 on skincare efficacy claims with Omer Ibrahim MD and Rania Ibrahim PhD

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is a 101 on skincare efficacy claims, brother and sister duo, dermatologist Dr Omer Ibrahim MD, and skin scientist, Dr Rania Ibrahim PhD....

A 101 on PFAS and Microplastics, with Oliver Jones PhD

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This conversation dove into the topic of environmental contaminants related to cosmetics, in conversation with Prof Oliver Jones PhD. We focused on mi...

Nutrition Misinformation: The Problem. With Danielle Shine RD

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode dives into the topic of nutrition misinformation - what is the problem and how did we get here? From the algorithm forces online to our h...

A deep dive into cosmetics preservatives with Dr Sabrina Behnke

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features a deep dive into the world of preservatives, featuring microbiologist Dr Sabrina Behnke. What are they, how and why are they use...

The "Sephora Kids" Phenomenon - what parents AND brands need to know. Roundtable with Aegean Chan MD and Claire Bing.

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode digs into the new trend of tweens and teens reaching for anti-aging skincare, and the "Sephora Kids" phenomenon.  Coming at the topic fr...

WTF is up with dermfluencers? Roundtable feat. Ade Ade Adamson MD & Avril Love

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A roundtable conversation covering: the rise of dermfluencers, misinformation, undisclosed ads, exploitation and the impact on dermatology as a field...

How EWG actively harms public health & the environment, with Andrea Love PhD

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features Immunologist & Microbiologist, and fellow science communicator, Dr. Andrea Love, in a deep dive into the EWG. Views expressed in...

Huberman x Shanna Swan Toxicologist Reacts Episode, feat Lyle Burgoon PhD

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There was a lot wrong in the recent Huberman podcast featuring Shanna Swan - the misinformation was rapid fire. This episode features Lyle Burgoon PhD...

Conspiracy Theories with Derek Beres

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is about conspiracy thinking, featuring Derek Beres from Conspirituality. What are the dangers of conspiracy theories, how does fear and ...

A Deep Dive on Surfactants Production & Supply with Neil Burns

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features Neil Burns in a deep dive into surfactants. Previously on the show we've covered the topic in the context of formulation, this t...

A Contract Manufacturing in Beauty 101 with Erica Douglas

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features Erica Douglas, otherwise known as @sisterscientist, cofounder of the contract manufacturing business mSEED, in a deep dive on co...

What's wrong with corporate sustainability? With Mark Trexler PhD

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode goes on a deep dive into corporate sustainability - specifically, why isn't it working? Over the last few decades, we've seen lots...

The Science News Media Cycle with Gideon M-K PhD

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why is the media so rife with inaccurate reporting on epidemiological studies? To help guide us through this topic, I was joined with Gideon M-K PhD, ...

The Science News Media Cycle with Gideon M-K PhD

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why is the media so rife with inaccurate reporting on epidemiological studies? To help guide us through this topic, I was joined with Dr Gidion MK, ep...

Biodegradation and Persistence with Chris Hughes

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With the press around "forever chemicals" and the moving regulations related to biodegradation, the topics of biodegradation and persistence are incre...

The Skin Microbiome, featuring Kirstin Neumann PhD

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The skin microbiome and products geared to supporting it have been a hot topic in beauty for the last decade.Where are we at with the science? What is...

Endocrine disruption in beauty? Feat Lyle Burgoon PhD

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is up with endocrine disruption in beauty? There is so much about this topic in the media, seemingly disproportionately focused on cosmetics. Wha...

Science integrity with Lyle Burgoon PhD

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What do we mean when we say science integrity? What is good evidence, and how is evidence incorporated at a policy level? This was the topic of this p...

Experts Behaving Badly Roundtable

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode focused on the issue of misinformation and bad behaviour in the science and medical influencer space. Disclaimer, special attention was g...

Truth in Beauty panel from Suppliers Day

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features the pre-recorded conversation of the scicommer panel I moderated at NYSCC Suppliers Day earlier this month, brought to you by th...

The Issue of Research Fraud, featuring Reese Richardson

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features a deep dive conversation into the world of research fraud, featuring research fraud researcher Reese Richardson. What is the iss...

Sustainability in Cosmetics - Panel Replay from SCC Suppliers Day

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This weeks' episode features the pre-recorded pre-show run of the Sustainability in Cosmetics panel I moderated at NYSCC Suppliers Day in new york a f...

A product development timeline 101 with Lorna Radford

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast featured a 101 about the timeline of product development; from brief to formulation to testing to scale up. To help us cover the topic, t...

An Oral Care 101 with Natalie Hendrix

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Somehow I still haven't covered oral care on the podcast, so to help fix that, this week's episode features oral care formulation chemist Natalie Hend...

Cosmetic Formulation Myth Busting with Gabriella Baki PhD

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is an extension of the cosmetic formulation myth busting fireside chat with Gabriella Baki PhD that happened at the Skincare E-Summit in ...

Diversity and Inclusion, feat Milan Scott @thecosmescientist

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast features Milan Scott, otherwise known as @thecosmescientist in a conversation about diversity and inclusion. From the POV of what's happe...

Future of indie Beauty Panel

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast features a conversation about the current state, and future, of indie beauty, in conversation with Kelly Kovack from BeautyMatter, Rob Ak...

Silicone sustainability with Mike Fevola PhD

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episodes features a deep dive conversation into silicones in cosmetics; what are they, why are they so useful, and what are some of the environme...

The current state of animal testing in beauty with Barae Jomaa PhD

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This pocast features a 101 on the current state of animal testing in cosmetics featuring toxicologist Barae Jomaa PhD. We cover why animal testing tes...

A Cosmetics Formulation 101 with Ava Perkins

03 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode is a 101 on cosmetics formulations; what are the ingredient types that make your products work and why? What's up with surfactant ...

An acne 101 with Dr Mara Evangelista-Huber, AKA @dermomtology

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast features an acne 101 conversation with dermatologist Dr Mara Evanglista-Huber MD, otherwise known as @dermomtology.  Interested in suppo...

Is "Both-Sidism" Really Killing Us? Featuring Tim Caufield

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast was about false balance; what it is, how to spot it and what the greater issue with it is. What's wrong with public form debates on scien...

Cosmetic Chemists Reacts: Beauty Trends. Feat. Lanesa Mahon

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode is a cosmetic chemists reaction episode, featuring the POV of cosmetic science PhD student Lanesa Mahon @raya.faces and myself. T...

A microplastics 101 with Laura Markley PhD

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast episode is a 101 on microplastics in beauty. What do we mean when we say "plastic" and "microplastic"? What's the microplastic issue like...

Truth in Beauty Panel Replay

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a replay of a panel I moderated at the SCC California Suppliers Day, presented by Independent Beauty Association. The conversation was broadly...

An update on animal testing in cosmetics, featuring Carol Treasure PhD

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is the current state of animal testing in cosmetics? Why has it happened, does it still happen - if so, where and why? And where are we at with a...

A claims 101 with Craig Weiss of Consumer Product Testing

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A deep dive into claims with claims expert, Craig Weiss of Consumer Product Testing. What do the claims you see on labels actually mean? What's a stro...

A Toxicology 101 with Pushpa Rao PhD

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast features a 101 episode on toxicology, featuring toxicologist Dr Pushpa Rao. With all the noise and confusion about product safety out in ...

The Rise of Class Action Lawsuits in Beauty with Avril Love

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There have been so many class action lawsuits in beauty over the last few years. What does it all mean? Are products on the market unsafe? Have these ...

A Deep Dive into Curly Hair with Dr Crystal Porter

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode featured hair scientist, Dr Crystal Porter from Mane Insights, in a deep dive into curly hair. We dove into the nitty gritty of the struc...

State Law - The Good, the Bad, the Ugly. With Dr. Simone Swafford

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features a deep dive into state law, featuring Dr. Simone Swafford, regulatory consultant at Vogue Regulatory. What's happening at the st...

Diversity & Inclusion through the Lens of Disability with Bart Maxon

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode featured Bart Maxon - cosmetic scientist, creator of 20 patents, and recent recipient of the SCC Merit Award. Important to this co...

Challenges and Opportunities for the Suncare Sector, Panel

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode featured the closing panel from Michelle @labmuffinbeautyscience and my Sunscreen E-Summit, which happened a few weeks ago.  On the topi...

Beauty Sci-Comm with Michelle Wong, Ph.D. of @labmuffinbeautyscience

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was about beauty science communication, from the perspectives of Michelle @labmuffinbeautyscience and me. What is sci-comm, why is it imp...

Toxicologist Reacts to Headlines, featuring Tony Simion, Ph.D.

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New podcast! This week, we tried something a little different with a Toxicologist Reacts episode, featuring Tony Simion, Ph.D. Industry veteran and ad...

MoCRA - What does it all mean? With Kerry Tassopoulos

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode took a look at MoCRA - What's happening? What do we know? How is going to impact industry, and also consumers? There has been a lo...

Sustainability Challenges & Opportunities for the Cosmetics Sector, Roundtable.

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode featured the closing panel for our Sustainable Beauty E-Summit that happened back in January on Sustainability Challenges and Opportuniti...

Corporate Sustainability - is it actually helping? Feat Dr. Mark Trexler

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we covered the topic of corporate sustainability management and reporting through the lens of… is this actually going to help combat clim...

The Industry of Misinformation with Tim Caulfield

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode featured a conversation with Tim Caulfield, Canadian sci-comm treasure, prof at the University of Alberta, and author of books like Is Gw...

AMA with cosmetic chemists, featuring Javon Ford

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our latest episode featured Javon Ford - fellow cosmetic chemist and beauty scicommer - in an AMA style interview. You guys sent in questions, we trie...

A USA Regulation 101 with Karen Yarussi-King

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For this week's episode, we take a deep dive into regulations that impact the cosmetics industry, with a focus on the USA market and the many misconce...

LIVE Beauty Sci-Commer Panel, Brought to you by the IBA

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This was a live panel discussion in LA, hosted by the Independent Beauty Association and moderated by yours truly, about science communication in the ...

An Intimate Hygiene 101 w/ Dr Tanaya, AKA Dr. Cuterus

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kicking off our first episode back for 2023 with a deep dive into intimate care and hygiene - a space gaining a lot of traction in the beauty industry...

INCI: What it all means, with Mindy Goldstein Ph.D.

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we dive into the nitty gritty of INCI. Perhaps one of those topics that don't seem like there's anything to it, but scratch the surface jus...

Misinformation vs Product Safety: 'Safe' Beauty E-Panel

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is 'clean' beauty actually making cosmetics safer? This was the closing panel of our latest e-conference, the 'Safe' Beauty E-Summit. Topic: How is mi...

The Science of Science Communication with Jess Stokesparish, Ph.D.

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Closing out season 7 of the podcast featuring a conversation with Jess Stokesparish, Ph.D. about the science of science communication. A deep dive int...

A Curly Hair 101 with Heleen Kibbelaar

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This was a curly hair AMA episode, featuring Heleen Kibbelaar, the brains behind @sciencemeetscosmetics - one of my favorite hair science accounts on ...

Cosmetics Contract Manufacturing 101 with Richie Rubin

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was a cosmetics contract manufacturing 101 featuring Richie Rubin, Executive Vice President at Garcoa. What it looks like, what brand fou...

Wellness Misinformation with Dr Andrea Love & Dr Jess Steier

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week I talked with Dr. Andrea Love and Dr. Jess Steier, immunologist, and public health scientist, respectively, and hosts of the Unbiased Scienc...

The State of the Supply Chain with Tony Hoth

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we look at the tumultuous world of supply chains. How did we get here? And when are things going to go back to normal? Are things ever going...

ESG ratings - what it all means, feat Gracee Shorter

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

ESGs are one of those topics that, IMO, everyone should understand. And what they do and do not mean. For better or worse, ESG ratings will, and alrea...

Sunscreen for Skin of Color, featuring Dr Ade Adamson

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An honest conversation about the body of evidence related to sunscreen, and it's benefits, for skin of color. In conversation with dermatologist and s...

A US Regulatory 101 with Lalita Iyer, AKA @skinchemy

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode featured fellow cosmetic chemist, Lalita Iyer, otherwise known as @skinchemy. A 101 on cosmetic regulations in the US. We broke down myth...

(Medical) Experts Behaving Badly w/ Dr Rohin Francis, aka MedLife Crisis

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

And we're back! Kicking off season 7 with a convo feat Dr Rohin Francis, otherwise known as MedLife Crisis, about (medical) experts behaving badly onl...

AMA Season Finale! Feat @themelaninchemist @skinchemy & @labmuffinbeautyscience

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Featuring Lalita Iyer @skinchemy, Esther Olu @themelaninchemist & Michelle Wong @labmuffinbeautyscience. A few weeks ago you guys sent in questions vi...

Misplaced Conservation with Adam Ford, Ph.D.

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode featured Adam Ford, Ph.D. Canada Research Chair in Wildlife Restoration Ecology at UBC, on the topic of misplaced conservation. What it ...

Interview with James Welsh on Navigating Beauty BS as a Skinfluencer

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hope you enjoy the convo as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

The Impact of Misinformation on the Sunscreen Sector

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A few weeks ago, Michelle @labmuffinbeautyscience and I launched the Sunscreen E-Summit. As part of the conference, we hosted this e-panel about how m...

Botanical Safety & Sustainability with Prof Monique Simmonds, Ph.D., from Kew

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode featured plant scientist, Professor Monique Simmonds from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. She is my literal idol in this space, an...

Cosmetic Regulations under the EU Green Deal with Fred Lebreux, Ph.D

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are some potentially big changes coming in the EU regarding chemical management under the new Green Deal which will directly impact the cosmetic...

Topical Delivery of Skincare Actives with Gabriella Baki, Ph.D.

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This was a 101 episode on the Topical Delivery of Skincare Actives, with Gabriella Baki, Ph.D., cosmetics researcher and prof in the University of Tol...

Not so pretty: a reaction from real cosmetic scientists

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This one featured Michelle Wong, Lalita Iyer and Esther Olu. Our take on Not So Pretty.   Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at ww...

Ethoxylated Ingredients: Fact or Fiction. With Prof Ricardo Diez

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

New podcast alert! A deep dive into ethoxylated ingredients, breaking down the facts, and fiction, with Prof Ricardo Diez. We covered how ethoxylation...

A PFAS 101 with KC Hyland, Ph.D.

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Unless you live under a rock, I am sure you have seen some scary headlines about PFAS. This episode featured analytical chemist and PFAS researcher, K...

Cosmetic Product Sensory with Mark Chandler

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we take a look at the deceptively complicated world of product sensory. Featuring cosmetic chemist and formulation aesthetics expert, Mark C...

A deep dive into cosmetic ingredients with Annalisa Branca @skinperspective

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Annalisa @skinperspective and I set out to answer some specific questions about slept-on ingredients and ended up answering all of yo...

Entrepreneurship in Beauty with Jasmina Aganovic

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Entrepreneurship in Beauty, with the most badass entrepreneur I know, Jasmina Agonovic. Previously a founder at Mother Dirt, her new company Arcaea wa...

Sustainable Development During the Infodemic - Panel

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This was the closing panel at our Sustainable Beauty E-Summit last week, in conversation with Dr. Rene Van Acker, Dean of the Ontario Agricultural Col...