Cosmetic companies (at least in the United States) are prohibited by law from making false claims. However, that doesn’t mean that they can’t make claims that sound amazing and wonderful even though they are not that meaningful. Understanding what claims really mean and what kind of evidence is required to support them can make you a [...]
I hope you’re strong enough to take this because it’s not beauty science news of the weak! (Get it?) Is the era of bogus natural products coming to an end? Herbal supplements are not always what they seem. Watch this video to how skin grows. Revlon takes a stand against cosmetic fear mongering. Yay Revlon! [...]
There must be a lot of people suffering from dry feet because O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet cream is the number seven best selling beauty product on Amazon.com this week. Let’s look at the label. Apparently what makes this product so special is that it contains an unusually high level of glycerin which can bind moisture to skin. (You [...]
Since the TV show “Mad Men” has become so popular everyone seems to think that the 1960s were the pinnacle of creative advertising. Clearly these people have not seen the 1956 spectacle that is Fresh. Stick. Deodorant. The commercial features a guy balancing on a rotating drum, spinning five rings on his arms while the [...]
Missy says…I used two lice treatments on my hair. Today I am trying to condition my hair because it is completely dry and still a little itching. I researched and mayonnaise is supposed to kill lice plus condition hair….is this true?? The Beauty Brains respond: Can mayonnaise kill head lice? Missy, Missy, Missy. That is [...]
Catharine’s question…Love the podcast, I especially like the beauty science or bullsh*t segment. (So do the guys in the family). Anyhow, my question may be more marketing than science. When I travel I prefer to buy products in plastic containers instead of glass because of the weight. This is often difficult to do with my favourite [...]
Is “kitchen chemistry” really good for your hair and skin? This week Perry and I bust a bunch of beauty myths about using ingredients from your kitchen in home made beauty treatments. Show notes Randy’s Refinery29 Rant We love the the website Refinery 29 but sometimes their advice isn’t based on science. As an example, I talk about their article on [...]
Innovation from the cosmetic raw material companies always makes me smile. I remember when one particularly “innovative” company would come in for a visit and always show these incredible compounds with mind blowing claims. While I always admired their attempts there was a fundamental thing they did that I found troubling; they would blur the [...]
Another lazy Sunday means another five beauty science stories for you to peruse…. Why hasn’t evolution made pubic hair obsolete? Will the FDA ban on antibacterial soaps increase health care costs by billions of $$$? Grapefruit extract is a totally naturally preservative. Right? RIGHT? Retinol for dummies. What Plastic Surgeons say about Cosmetic Surgery Tourism
Support the Beauty Brains for FREE! Anytime you shop online for ANYTHING use the Beauty Brains Amazon.com link. It doesn’t cost you any extra and we get credit for the sale. (After you click the link go ahead and browse for any product on Amazon.) Thank you! This week we’re looking at the label for Dial Men [...]