Beauty by the Beaker

Winter is coming, so this week we are reminding you how to keep your hair happy and healthy as the temperatures drop. In this episode, we discuss the effects of winter on skin and hair, emphasizing the importance of adjusting beauty routines to combat dryness and irritation caused by cold weather. We explain the science behind humidity, skin structure, and the necessity of maintaining hydration th...

This week we are feeling extra spooky, because it’s nearly Halloween! So we wanted to give you a sneaky little peak into the scariest things we have heard as cosmetic chemists, and we promise its more than just unpreserved cosmetics (Of course its still a little bit of that, because they are really scary).  Sadie and Nat are sharing some of the times that things didn’t go as planned while working...

Fungi are everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE. And they tend to be pretty misunderstood.  Yeast, mold, and mushrooms are not plants, not bacteria, and not just spooky Halloween germs. They are a completely different branch of life, and they play a much bigger role in your environment, your skin, and your cosmetics than you probably realize. This week we break down what it means to be a fungus in a w...

Have you heard of Zombie Cells? Senescent cells are real, but the skincare claims built around them are often way more terrifying than the science supports. This week in the Science Salon, Sadie and Nat unpack the spooky truth behind these dormant skin cells.  The scariest thing might be all the new vocab words. This week we discuss telomeres and apoptosis and explain how UV damage and stress fit...

We are kicking off Spooky Season the scariest way we know how! Beauty misinformation is more than annoying, it shapes what people buy, believe, and do with their skin. In this episode, Sadie and Nat break down some of the most persistent beauty myths, from chemical sunscreen fears and “reef-safe” claims to oral sunscreen supplements, preservative misinformation, and the ways AI and sensational hea...

This week is all about scalp health. Your itchy, flaky scalp might not be dandruff, and using the wrong treatment could make it worse. In this episode of Beauty by the Beaker, cosmetic chemists Sadie and Natalie explain the difference between dry scalp, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis, plus how to choose a smarter next step. Learn how scalp oil, aka sebum, and the yeast Malassezia a...

Every once in a while we see pH marketed on labels, but most people have no idea what it actually means - and that confusion is exactly why it has the opportunity to become such a powerful buzzword. If you’ve ever wondered whether “pH balanced” skincare or hair care is worth paying more for, this episode breaks down the science in a way that finally makes sense. This week we are discussing the pow...

When it comes to curls there is a lot of misinformation, and this week we are setting the record straight. Natalie and Sadie, cosmetic formulation chemists are covering the 3 main misconceptions when it comes to curly hair, and explaining why you might not be treating your hair right. We break down why curl type is a weak predictor of what your hair actually needs, why “wash less” is not universal...

 It’s the first official episode of season 2, and we are going to be trying something a little bit different. Mostly because we want to talk about beauty science you are actually interested in, but also because our lives have been a bit crazy, and we needed another week of chatting to give us more time for research. Since we want to give you the most accurate and easy to understand information we...

Happy Birthday BXB!!! This week we are celebrating 1 year of the podcast by reflecting on some of the epic highs and lows of the past, and setting some new expectations for the future. We discuss the unexpected struggles of co-hosting a beauty science podcast, and the desire to stop the spread of misinformation while still appealing to a large audience… which we unfortunately haven’t done yet afte...

Summer isn’t over yet! We have stressed the importance of sunscreen, but how does the sun affect your hair? In this episode we are breaking down the science of UV damage, visible light, melanin, and why some hair fades or weakens faster in the sun. Have you ever wondered if your hair needs sunscreen? Tune in, this episode is for you. Welcome to Beauty by the Beaker, the podcast where Sciences Gets...

It’s about time we give you another peak into our vanity shelves! This week we are spilling the details on our favorite skin and hair care products under $30 (well almost, we need to make one exception for Sadie). As cosmetic formulation chemists we have tried a lot of different products, and are very familiar with all types of ingredients. Join us in the Science Salon for 10 products we are curre...

Are you ready for perfect hair? Good, because this episode is your scientifically proven guide to perfect hair! .. well… sort of. As it turns out, hair isn’t super vital, and for that reason, there hasn’t been a very strong push for rigorous scientific evaluation. But today we have the closest thing we are going to get to a hair expert, Sadie! Sadie performs microscopic hair analysis, and writes u...

What ingredients are in your lash serum? And is it really worth the risk?  Long, luscious lashes are a beauty goal for many, but do you really know what's happening when you use those popular eyelash serums? This week we are diving into an unlikely lash lengthener that was discovered while treating glaucoma. We are telling you everything you need to know about prostaglandin analogs. These ingredie...

Exosomes are rapidly becoming the hottest buzzword in skincare, but what do we really know about their power? Are they the regenerative breakthrough they're made out to be, or simply a clever marketing tactic? If you're curious about whether products claiming to harness these tiny cellular messengers are worth your hard-earned money, this episode is for you! As cosmetic chemists, we cut th...

Welcome back to the Science Salon! You might claim to be a K-beauty fan, but did you know that it’s a result of Korea’s strategic comeback after the 1997 Asian financial crisis? And was Missha the first Ordinary when it comes to simple and effective, no-frills skincare? This week is part 2 of our K Beauty series, and this week we are discussing all things Hallyu, or the Korean Wave. We break down...

You can’t be a skincare fan and not know about K-Beauty. Today we are talking about the history behind Korea’s astonishing rise to global beauty powerhouse. It’s more than just cosmetic, it’s a story of resilience, strategy, and innovation. Most Americans overlook Korea’s deep history, but a centuries-old story of oppression, evolution, and social shifts laid the groundwork for today’s K-beauty cr...

I bet you have heard of Ozempic, but did you know it was first discovered in Gila Monster venom? This week we are talking about weight loss drugs, and the shocking side effects they can cause. If you're curious about the science, the beauty industry's profit-driven response, and why these weight-loss drugs might be doing more harm than good, this episode is your essential guide. We talk ab...

This week we are diving deep into Accutane, also known as isotretinoin. This is one of the most talked about acne treatments in dermatology. If you’ve ever wondered how Accutane works, why skin can get worse before it gets better, what the purge phase feels like, or whether Accutane is actually safe, this episode breaks it all down in a science-backed, easy-to-understand way. We cover the accident...

EMERGENCY SUNSCREEN UPDATE!  The FDA just approved the first UV filter in over 20 years! Join us for breaking news in US sunscreens. This ingredient promises to be the safest and most effective filter the United States Market has ever seen, but what does that actually mean as a consumer?  This week we are telling you EVERYTHING you need to know about Bemotrizinol, BEMT, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol met...

0:00 - Introduction to Looksmaxxing  Discussion on the concept and its societal implications. 15:18 - A Never Ending Pursuit For Perfection How looksmaxxing has roots in historical beauty practices. 19:06 - Modern Trends and Influences  The role of social media and influencers in popularizing looksmaxxing. 21:35 - Gender Perspectives  Differences in beauty standards and expectations for men and wo...

Is there a line between makeup and skincare? If there is, it's extremely blurry, and understanding the science behind it can change the way you approach your beauty routine. In this eye-opening episode, cosmetic chemists Sadie and Natalie peel back the layers of what truly goes into your favorite complexion products. from BB creams with origins in 1960s Germany to the skin tints that are still...

We are unlocking the secret differences between makeup and skincare formulations and discover why most companies excel in one, but not both.  Cosmetic chemists Sadie and Natalie pull back the curtain on how the beauty industry structures its product development, from the complex web of outsourcing to the specialized labs that craft your favorite products. They explore the vast “umbrella” of cosmet...

We are cosmetic chemists, and today we are uncovering secrets behind hair care myths, product hype, and what science actually says about styling and cleansing routines in this lively Q&A. From horse shampoos to curl conditioners, discover whether your favorite products are worth the hype, and learn how to optimize your routine, even in hard water or with stubborn color fades. Ever wondered if...

Are you brushing your teeth with explosives? No, not really, but your cosmetics could still set off alarms going through TSA, and not just because they are bigger than 3.4oz. In this episode we are diving into a cosmetic ingredient that might help with tooth sensitivity, but it might also get you stuck at the airport security checkpoint having your luggage swabbed. Potassium Nitrate, KNO3. In this...