It was very exiting to read your new report.

I have found many useful stuff there, especially busting beauty myths and ''tools'' for it.

But:

The part about Anti-aging products was slightly unclear. While price is not equal to product's effectiveness, but I would question do they work at all? Definition ''Anti- aging'' is itself misleading- actually here no beauty products which could deliver that promise. If you are looking from recent scientific perspective, here is still no topical solution that could prevent the aging of skin.

In list of products that CAN'T WORK, I was surprised not not find ''Anti-wrinkle'' creams included, just ''Miracle anti-wrinkle lotions'' (What does it mean ''miracle''?). I haven't seen any over-the-counter cosmetics product, that could eliminate wrinkles. If there is one, then everybody could use it and here would be no demand for Botox, dermal fillers, tretinoin and etc....

About dermatologists:

''When it comes to cosmetic conditions like fine lines and wrinkles, dermatologists have no greater expertise at providing you an effective topical solution than a cosmetic formulator''.

Here is some misunderstanding. Dermatologists are competent enough at providing a really effective and proven to work topical solution for wrinkles and photoaging. For example, drugs like tretinoin, high concentration hydroxy acids etc (no over-the-counter cream is potent like these!). Most of dermatologists (who don't sell their own products) are very skeptical about any wrinkle creams/lotions and they don't recommend wasting money on these.

''In fact, since dermatologists spend most of their time treating skin diseases, they likely have LESS knowledge of how to best formulate a skin care product''.

Truth, however even they spend most of time treating skin diseases, it doesn't mean they can't know about skin products.They are well informed how treat photo-aged, wrinkled skin- it it a part of their job! Being a good dermatologist it also requires to follow the latest scientific news, studies and stay ''update'' (including''aesthetic'' skin problems, like wrinkles).

I have seen antioxidants mentioned (in importance of packaging). I would like to ask are here any well designed scientific studies to confirm, that topical antioxidants are beneficial for the skin? I haven't found any convincing scientific evidence yet...

Netherless your report was very informative and easy to read. Especially well written parts about beauty supplements, natural products, MLM, product claims....

Although most of information was known (repeated) from previous Beauty Brains posts, I am sure most of readers will find it very useful.

Thank you The Beauty Brains!

Keep up the good work!

Left Brain,

Thanks a lot for your response!

I agree with you, dermatologists can not know more about cosmetic products than cosmetic scientists do. It makes me sad, when I see some greedy dermatologists selling their expensive product line and claiming being it somehow ''special''. Dermatologists should remain doctors, not try to compete in a cosmetic market using their ''authority'' for persuasion.

As a future dermatologist, I find a photo-aging being an important issue in dermatology. Sunblocks are tools to prevent it, so from this point of view, any cosmetic product containing adequate sunscreen ingredients, could be called as ''anti-aging''.

''The only antioxidant that has been shown to have an effect on skin when applied topically is Vitamin A. None of the other ones have shown any effect beyond lab tests''.
Well, I was always felt confused about antioxidants and their effectiveness. For example, Paula Begoun says: ''There isn't one single miracle, exotic antioxidant with a great story that works the best for your skin. Instead, there are dozens and dozens of effective antioxidants for skin, ranging from familiar ones like green tea, grape extract, or vitamin C, to names you may not be familiar with such as idebenone, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or superoxide dismutase. What counts is that the product you use contains a variety of these—and the more the better. Research has shown skin does better with a cocktail of effective antioxidants than just one''. Well, more antioxidants in cosmetics would make a definitely great marketing story, but better product? I doubt...

Since started reading The Beauty Brains blog, I feel a lot of more educated and skeptical :-)

Looking forward to another secret project :-)

Kind regards