Yesterday we gave you a peek into the Beauty Brains mail bag and shared all the questions we received from a grade school science class. Today we’ll answer a few of our favorites.

Does lotion cause cancer?

There is a lot of controversy about the safety of cosmetics. Most ingredients have been proven safe for skin, but many people still think some ingredients are bad for you. Read our post on the myths of mineral oil if you want more info.

How old am i?

I’d guess about 11, but you might want to check with your Mom if you’re not sure.

Why do we use so many acids in some of the products we use?

Acids, like citric acid, are used to adjust the pH of the formula which helps control the quality of the product.

If you wear mascara is it bad for your eyes?

Mascaras are safe to use but read this post about the dangers of getting ANY cosmetics in your eye.

What makes your balls smooth?

Uh, next question.

What the best shampoo?

Best for what? Do you need a deep cleaning shampoo? A moisturizing shampoo? A dandruff shampoo? Depending on your hair type the answer could vary. For more details read our post on the 4 different kinds of shampoo formulas.

Hello?

Hi right back! 

How does conditioner work in your hair?

Conditioner smooths the outside layer of your hair, which is called cuticle. That makes your hair feel smooth and look shiny.

What happens if your hair falls out in the shower?

Your drain gets clogged.

What would you recommend to use if you are allergic to Lanolin?

Lanolin allergies are quite common. Make sure you read the ingredient list on the back of the bottle to avoid products that contain any ingredients with the word lanolin in it.

Since i have acne right know, would i have acne when im about 22 yrs old? And how can you loose stretch marks?

Acne usually gets better as you become an adult so I wouldn’t worry about it yet. But there is a condition called Rosacea that is sometimes called adult acne.

What’s the difference between Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone?????

They’re both preservatives, which means they protect products from contamination from bacteria. The difference between the two is a chemical called chlorine.

If you want softer hair is using a more thick conditioner better for you?

Thicker does not HAVE to mean better. There are some very thin products that work well and some very thick ones that don’t. You’ll have to try a few products until you find something that feels right on YOUR hair.

What is the difference of Baby lotion and lotion. Why cant baby’s use normal lotion?

Baby lotions are typically formulated to be milder so they don’t irritate a baby’s more sensitive skin.

Does lotion help your skin replenish its self or is it just a waste of money?

It depends on how much money you’re spending! Lotion really does moisturize your skin, but expensive lotions don’t necessarily work better than inexpensive ones. So be careful or you may end up wasting money.

What causes acne besides periods?

When you have your period, your hormones go all crazy which can cause breakouts. If you want to learn more, read out post on the causes of acne.

How long does it take to make one bottle of lotion?

Most big companies make thousands of pounds of lotion at a time. It can take up to 6 or 8 hours to make the lotion and then another few hours to fill it into bottles and prepare it for shipping.

Why do manufacturers put such big words in the ingredients?

So cosmetic chemists like us have a job! Seriously, the “big words” are used so all companies use the same name for the same ingredient. For example, if you’re allergic to peanut oil, you want to be sure that ALL companies are using the same name for that ingredient on their label so you can easily find it. Unfortunately, sometimes the most accurate chemical names are big words.