Nizoral dandruff shampoo – Look at the label

Nizoral dandruff shampoo is a best seller on Amazon. Is it really different from other products? Let’s look at the label. Dandruff shampoos are drugs We’ve talked before about how over the dandruff shampoos are actually over-the-counter drugs. As such, there are only a few different active ingredients that can be used in these products. [...]

What is this guy doing in the shower? Vintage cosmetic video

A man enters a shower with a bar of soap telling himself “Ok fella, go to it.” James Bondish theme song music, which identifies the time period as the mid-60’s, plays in the background as we see close up shots of him soaping himself. At the end of the shower he tells us with a [...]

Will micro-needling help acne scars?

Vic says…I’d like to know what you think of micro needle therapy to reduce acne scars? It says it also stimulates cell regeneration, reduces wrinkles, reduces pores, adds collagen. I’m not too sure… I think it does more harm than good, they are sharp needles after all. But my daughter wants to reduce her acne [...]

Does the Ion Shotnizer really help ingredients penetrate skin?

Karen is curious… I live in Asia currently and this one of the most popular products on the beauty aisle now.It is made by Japan Gals Co. Ltd, and its acts like a facial massager (it’s called the “ion shotnizer“). It has two switches and the red light releases a positive ionic wave and enables “deep cleansing [...]

Is “mall smell” making you sick? Episode 42

This week I challenge Perry to another game of Beauty Science or BS. Plus we banter about a bevy of beauty science news stories.  Show notes Beauty Science or Bull Sh*t – a special sunscreen-themed episode Can you guess which one of the following Refinery29 headlines is fake? Your Hair Products Are Causing Your Scalp [...]

The chemistry of hair color

Earlier this year I did a talk for a cosmetic science class at the University of Toledo which outlined the hair research I did which eventually resulted in this patent.  It was all about the process of how we went through some basic research to determine why colored hair fades and ways to prevent that from happening. [...]

Sunscreen savvy for Sunday

Since it’s now August and we’re well into the summer (at least here in the northern hemisphere), I thought it might be a good idea to recap a few our favorite sunscreen-themed posts. (Instead of our regular beauty science news of the week.) Enjoy! The secret “illegal” ingredient in the best sunscreens How much sunscreen [...]

Africa’s Best No Lye Relaxer – Look at the label

Africa’s Best Dual Conditioning No-Lye Relaxer System is a top seller on Amazon.com. Is its “No Lye” claim truthful? Let’s look at the label to find out. I worked with the chemist who developed Motions and other world class relaxers. If you want to support the Beauty Brains please use our link below to shop [...]

White Rain Shampoo – Vintage cosmetic video

“Nice shot,” says the Golf Pro to the Sunshine Bright Blonde.  “And take a look at the beautiful hair!” Sure, it’s an awkward come on line but she doesn’t seem to mind. It took him until the 8th hole to get up the courage for even that lame overature. She laughs and agrees to let him [...]

The secret “illegal” ingredient in the best sunscreens

Yesterday I told you all about the Sunscreen Innovation Act and how the EWG is pushing us to get safer sunscreens by skipping safety testing. (It’s a long story, follow the link above and you’ll see what I mean.) By now we know that the law DID pass which hopefully means we’ll see these “superior” European [...]

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