The Science of Beauty - Beauty Questions Answered

Emulsifiers

professorauntie — Thu, 20 May 2010 04:44:54 -0400

Does anyone have experience using emulsifiers when making their own cosmetics? Could anyone give me step-by-step instructions for using cetyl alcohol to mix oil into a water-based mixture? I'm trying to copy a store-bought leave-in conditioner. It's water based and it contains just a little oil. It also contains cetyl alcohol, which must be there partly as an emulsifier.
Also, to add cyclomethicone or dimethicone to a liquid, is it neccesary to use an emulsifier? If so, would emulsifiers that work for oil also work for silicones?
I found a good intro to emulsifiers here
www.makingcosmetics.com/articles/02-making-emulsions-for-cosmetics.pdf
but I still would like more how-to info.

Do we have any tetrachromats out there?

Left Brain — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:18:50 -0400

I read this fascinating article about women who have an extra receptor in their eyes and can see more colors than regular people. So I was curious, do any of you have this tetrachromat super-power?
I have to say, I'm uber jealous of anyone who does!

Explaining the numbers behind sunscreens ++

Poulette — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:36:00 -0400

Can someone help me understand the logic behind how SPF numbers are allocated to sunscreens? I'm thinking primarily of SS using physical barriers like zinc oxide & TO. For example, Josie Maran claims SPF 40 with Titanium Dioxide 9.5%, Zinc Oxide 6.0%, while Snowberry Everyday SPF has 16% ZO and claims SPF 15. There are so many examples of this, too many to list! How do the manufacturers come up with the final number? Thanks!

Is using spray tan safe?

dogsbloggs — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 02:14:25 -0400

I have read recently that there is a question as to whether the chemicals in spray tan are safe to use, because you inhale a small amount when spraying. Is a mask enough to protect you from this?

How Long Do Eyelashes Last?

LeftBrain — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 02:01:20 -0400

MSA has a question about hair loss...Why do we lose 100 hairs a day and is it true that eyelashes have a lifespan of 150 days? The Right Brain responds: The answer to both questions lies in understanding the cycles of hair growth. Why do you lose 100 hairs each day? Hair goes through three [...] Read more: How Long Do Eyelashes Last?

Cool tool to find out about comedogenics

Ximena — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 04:59:42 -0500

I hope the brains approve, I've found a site that helps you find all the ingredients in a product (or even the product itself) and tells you their comedogenic index.
http://www.cosdna.com/eng/

Hope it helps us acne sufferers!

Beauty Science Blogs

LeftBrain — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 02:01:34 -0400

According to Alexa there are over 7000 blogs about beauty. Most of them provide great product reviews. A few of them, like the Beauty Brains, blog about the science of hair and skin products. Here’s a trio of technical tidbits from some of our favorite beauty science blogs. Lab Muffin: How does the “vampire facelift” [...] Read more: http://thebeautybrains.com/2012/04/18/beauty-science-blogs/

DMDM Hydantoin

mo — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:53:13 -0400

I want to understand the safety profile of various preservatives in skin care products.

My choices are limited as I can't use anything with fragrance, dyes, urea etc. I have used Cerave Cleanser & Lotion on my face with moderate success but worry about parabens in them, used as preservatives. Can they irritate my psoriasis or acne? Cetaphil has parabens too. So far I've only realized that I'm allergic to Diazonydyl Urea when I used Complex 15 lotion on my face. Propylene Glycol does not seem to irritate my face.

Anyway, I'm trying to pick up Olay Sensitive Skin Foaming Face Wash & though the live chat assistant has assured me that DMDM Hydantoin is a preservative & that allergic dermatitis has never been reported with this Olay product, I wonder why this ingredient shows up as a known allergen all over the internet.

Maybe DMDM Hydantoin would be better than parabens.
Maybe I should just go ahead & try it.

Looks like not many people visit this site. Does anybody know if the Left Brain actually replies to any posts?

Is It Safe To Transfer Cosmetics To Another Bottle?

LeftBrain — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:00:15 -0400

Blue cat baby says…Often by the time a skin care product or makeup item has reached its expiration date, I still have a lot left. I’m thinking of putting a portion of such products in another bottle when I open it, and giving that to a friend. Are there any products that I shouldn’t do that [...] Read more: Is It Safe To Transfer Cosmetics To Another Bottle?

Harmful Hair Care Habits

LeftBrain — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 02:01:25 -0400

Rapunzel asks…I’ve read on this blog that the toxic chemicals used in cosmetics are not absorbed through your skin. But can dangerous chemicals be absorbed by the open hair follicles? The Left Brain replies: There has been considerable research showing that our skin is a good barrier to keep most chemicals out of our body. [...] read more: harmful-hair-care-habits-2

Can Emulsifying Agents Wear Away Fat?

LeftBrain — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 02:01:08 -0400

Taffi asks…Polyethylene glycol is listed as an ingredient in my vitamin. Does this mean it is pegylated? are pegylated ingredients harmful when ingested? I know ethoxylates can be toxic, but that might be minute exposure. Also, can emulsifying agents wear away fats/water from the body? The Right Brain responds: I think this Wikipedia article on ethoxylation does [...] Read more: can-emulsifying-agents-wear-away-fat

Beauty Science and St. Valentines Day

LeftBrain — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:01:44 -0500

Happy Valentines Day everyone! To celebrate here are five of our favorite posts from the past: When Chemicals Attract Beauty Science for Valentines Day Roses Are Red, Our Planet Is Blue… Valentines Day Experiments For Kids The Deadly Danger Of Valentines Day Image credit: xkcd.com Read more: http://thebeautybrains.com/2012/02/14/beauty-science-and-st-valentines-day/ ;

Link and Learn: Beauty Science From Other Blogs

LeftBrain — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:01:41 -0500

The Beauty Brains may be the #1 beauty science blog in the world but there are plenty of other blogs that do a terrific job explaining the truth about cosmetics. Here are a few recent posts that we think are worth sharing. We link, you learn. Get it? What is hard water? (A Man’s Guide to [...] Read more: http://thebeautybrains.com/2012/01/30/link-and-learn-beauty-science-from-other-blogs/

Parabens.

NataliaPessoa — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:45:57 -0400

I just wanted to know everyones opinion on Paraben. Do you think its a health risk?

Can You Use Natural Extracts To Preserve Cosmetics?

LeftBrain — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:02:31 -0500

As regular readers of the Beauty Brains know, we recently blogged about Shea Moisture’s Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo and raised the concern that the label seemed to missing a few key ingredients, including preservatives. We were skeptical that the natural extracts contained in the product would provide sufficient protection against microbial growth. However, [...] Read more: can-you-use-natural-extracts-to-preserve-cosmetics

Science of Attraction

annie13 — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:15:06 -0400

I read through the link posted on Monday about the science of attraction and facial symmetry. As someone who does not have the most symmetrical nose, aka I have a tiny bump in the upper nose area, I wonder if that plays a role in my physical attractiveness to others. Does anyone agree or disagree with the relation between facial symmetry and beauty? (I have read previously that a majority of models and celebrities are known to have symmetrical faces). Maybe this is why plastic surgery rates are so high? Just a thought.

I have a skin cream that I have not been opened and storage for skin products in the tropics

uranus — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:21:08 -0500

Hello!

I have a skin cream which expired in September 2010. I have never opened it and I have stored it in the coolest room in my house as I live in the tropics. Can I open it and use it?

Also as I live in the tropics can I store my skin care products in the fridge, such as cleansers, skin creams, sun screen, toners, serums etc. I have kept a few things in my fridge such as Touche Eclat by Yves Saint Laurent, Avon clay facial cleanser and Clarins Beauty Flash Balm (which I have had for a few years!)

Thank you for your help!

Regards,

Uranus

What does organic mean?

Left Brain — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 06:33:22 -0500

I was slightly amused by yesterday's Midbrain post about how manufacturers are trying to create "organic" depilatories. It reminded me of a question I always think about when I hear the word "organic".

What do people think "organic" means?

When I was in college, organic meant any molecule that had Carbon (and usually Hydrogen). This would mean ingredients like mineral oil and petrolatum would be considered organic molecules. Somehow, I don't think that's what the rest of the world believes.

So I ask you, what is organic? And while we're at it, what is "natural"?:confused:

Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide: Which is more effective on acne?

Dreniva — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:42:16 -0400

I just wonder which is more effective on acne? Is it salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide?

Can You Train Your Nose?

LeftBrain — Sat, 14 May 2011 02:01:00 -0400

Sarah Bellum says: I’ve always been a fan of fragrance and have even aspired to a career as a perfumer myself. Just imagine – being one of the special few who actually get to CREATE new scents – how exciting! Almost anyone can reproduce a visual memory (like a favorite place) or a sound memory [...]

Read more about training your nose

Vitamin E

rach3223 — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:48:15 -0400

Hi,
I have a general question relating to Vitamin E, which has been confusing to me. Do you happen to know the difference between Tocopherol and Tocopheryl Acetate? I read somewhere that Tocopherol isnt as bad as Tocopheryl Acetate, but not sure if thats trueare they both contaminated with Hydroquinone? Are either of these ingredients ones to try to avoid when going product-shopping?

Thanks so much,
Rachel

Finding a skincare line to retail

facescapes — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:06:19 -0500

Hi, I just joined - never did anything like this before so thanks for your patience.
I am a NYS Licensed Esthetician for the past 13 years. Opening my own small skincare studio and need some help on private label/professional product selection to use as backbar and sell as retail. I am making myself crazy - I want active products with a combination of science and nature. I am familiar with reading labels. Either the minimums are too large for me to commit to right now, or the ingredients are not quality or beneficial or they are too expensive to retail. I want my clients to only be able to come to me for their products not every other spa/salon or beauty store. Any help for be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Paula Begoun's Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary

Karen — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 21:12:28 -0500

Paula Begoun now has a cosmetic ingredient dictionary at her website. Check it out if you want to know more about an ingredients' list for a product you're currently using or thinking of using, fellow Beauty Brains' members!
www.cosmeticscop.com/cosmetic-ingredient-dictionary/A.aspx

Retired designer fragrances dangerous?

Mechanicalme — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 02:08:40 -0500

I was recently reading about faux designer fragrances being quite dangerous, with often toxic ingredients to get the perfect scent. But what I'm having a difficulty finding is honest studies done on retired fragrances like Confession by Calvin Klein. If the designer is no long producing the fragrance, can I assume that what I'm buying at Perfumania is potentially bad for me? If not, is it even made of original ingredients and worth the $50 designer price they try to tack on to it?

Your Credentials

neuterus — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:49:25 -0500

Hi there, I love reading your blog, and I suppose you've taught me a thing or two about being sceptical of info presented to me on a daily basis. I understand that you must remain anonymous(I guess....?), but how do I know you guys are actually cosmetic scientists/chemists etc., that you are independent and that I can trust what you do say? Would you guys be willing to gives your credentials or at least your education? The tough thing with anonymity is that you could be pretending to be anyone, and that hoards of average cosmetics users trying to to educate themselves could be getting a biased perspective from a seemingly trustworthy source.

Hair Reconstructor Vs. Hair Treatment

b_wlsn22 — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:31:41 -0400

I have thin, dry, brittle hair and I currently use different deep conditioners, hair masks, and treatments trying to find which will help moisturize and and repair my hair.

What are the differences between
Deep conditioners
Hair treatment masques
Reconstructing creams
and everything else claiming to be better than regular conditioner.

Thanks!

hair

nashwa — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:16:54 -0500

does covering hair all the time destroys it ?

Alternative Preservatives

Curses — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:25:49 -0500

Hi Brains, long time, no see! I'm doing a tiny study looking at the efficacy of "natural," paraben-alternative preservatives. So far, I've gotten my hands on samples of vitamin E (seems like the most popular) and Optiphen. Any other recommendations? I've been wading through tons of info on the subject, but my uni library doesn't carry many cosmetic chem journals, and internet searches aren't all that great at sorting the wheat from the chaff.

glycerin use

meadowmaker — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:40:30 -0500

would it be a good idea to use a drop of pure glycerin to make powdered eyeshadow into a paintable liquid?

(Hydrated) Magnesium silicate

parenthesise — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:07:20 -0500

Hi all,
Quick question from a girl without much science knowledge: what's the difference between hydrated magnesium silicate and its non-hydrated variant?
The reason I'm asking is because I'm on the market for some mineral foundation, and found a brand that says they're talc-free, but has magnesium silicate in their ingredients list. When I Wiki'd this, I was redirected to talc. The only difference I can tell is that talc is the hydrated version of the compound.
I've read the stuff about talc being safe/dangerous, so this question isn't about that—I'm just curious about the difference between the two