Chemist Confessions

In this extended 30 for 30 finale, we review 30 chemical sunscreens across drugstore, mid-tier, international, and luxury categories. breaking down textures, performance, pilling, greasy finishes, and even surprise standouts like Banana Boat Light as Air. Perfect for anyone struggling to find their next go-to SPF! Products Discussed this 2025 Podcast Season *a small portion of your purchase throug...

We’re back for our third year of the 30 for 30 sunscreen challenge where we test 30 sunscreens in 30 days. In part 1, we discuss the mineral sunscreens. This category is divided into mineral fluids and mineral lotions. We rate them from worst, meh, noteworthy, and best based on their texture and finish. Overall, we’ve found this category to be much improved! Let’s dive into our mineral sunscreen j...

One of the top questions we get on sunscreen is - I want to layer foundation with my sunscreen is that okay? What does it mean for the level of sun protection I’m getting? That’s a pretty complex question and thankfully - we have some great studies and recommendations to share. *a small portion of your purchase through these links goes to feeding a chemist. https://shopmy.us/collections/1280514 Pr...

Ever since we did round 1 of our CE Ferulic dupe tests, round 2 has been highly requested. This time around, the ascorbic acid serum contenders are: La Roche Posay Pure 12% Vitamin C Serum, Wild Fleur 15% Pure Vitamin C + Xanthophyll - Marigold Brightening Serum, Cerave Vitamin C Serum, Geek & Gorgeous Vitamin C Face Serum, Prequel Lucent C, and Vichy 16% Pure Vitamin C Brightening Serum We in...

Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is famously known as the only rigorously tested antioxidant for age prevention. Yet this active is also notoriously known for its quirky characteristics in the classic CE Ferulic serum format. This unstable hot dog water has often generated concerns for using it long term. In this episode, the chemists discuss ascorbic acid’s stability and compare vitamin C in water-based...

It’s finally getting warmer and this means that we’ve already started testing our 2025 #30for30SunscreenChallenge tests! So this feels like a great time to do a special sunscreen news roundup episode. In this episode, we discuss why you can’t buy Asian sunscreen formulas as easily anymore, what tariffs might mean for the sunscreen landscape, and interesting studies on sunscreen application. Oh! An...

In 2025, the chemists want to tackle both the science and practical application of skincare. Following our cleanser science episode, we tested 5 of the topselling Kbeauty cleansing oils so you don’t have to, which include: Skin1004, Beauty of Joseon, Anua, Ma:Nyo, and Haru Haru. We discuss our thoughts on the texture and use experience from both the oily skin and dry skin perspective. 

On the topic of cleansers, a lot of the questions the chemists get are about the cleansing routine. One of the common questions is, “Can you just use water to cleanser your face?” The great thing is, this scenario has actually been tested (which is very rare). The chemists discuss the findings and what things to consider if you happen to be using just water to rinse your face. An unusual deep dive...

In 2025, the chemists want to tackle both the science and practical application of skincare. Following the ceramide deep dive, the chemists review 4 of the most popular drugstore moisturizers so you don’t have to, which include: Vanicream, CeraVe, Cetaphil, and La Roche Posay Lipikar. We discuss our thoughts on the texture and use experience from both the oily skin and dry skin perspective. 

The chemists are going down the ceramides rabbit hole again because many of you have asked, “Which ceramide is best?” The chemists explain the different types of ceramides and what the research says on which one you should be targeting in your skincare. 

In 2025, the chemists want to tackle both the science and practical application of skincare. Following the ectoin deep dive, the chemists review two ectoin products so you don’t have to. Products were chosen to showcase the diverse landscape of ectoin skicnare. This episode was recorded before the launch of Prequel’s latest Ectoin cream. We discuss our thoughts on the texture and use experience fr...

Many of you asked about ectoin so the chemists went down the research rabbit hole. Ectoin is a new kid on the block with some surprising data in the skin barrier and hydration realm. The chemists talk about what it is, what it does for skin, and whether or not it’s better than niacinamide.

In 2025, the chemists want to tackle both the science and practical application of skincare. Following the pore care deep dive, the chemists review five toner pad products so you don’t have to. We discuss our thoughts on the texture and use experience from both the oily skin and dry skin perspective.

When strategizing how to tackle pores, the science is about as random as the skincare landscape. The chemists tackle the biology, the ingredients, and the skincare to try to make sense of what steps can actually make a meaningful difference to help reduce pore size. Can “glass”, “egg”, poreless skin actually achievable?

In 2025, the chemists want to tackle both the science and practical application of skincare. Following the spicules deep dive, the chemists review the top two spicule (reedle) skincare products so you don’t have to. We discuss our thoughts on the texture and use experience from both the oily skin and dry skin perspectives.

Continuing our journey of diving into exciting, trendy new ingredients, this week, the chemists take a closer look at all the science behind spicule skincare. Though these prickly bits derived from marine sponges definitely have some interesting data, we still have more questions on how to best use spicules… Let’s jump in the rabbit hole!

In 2025, the chemists want to tackle both the science and practical application of skincare. Following the PDRN deep dive, the chemists review the top two PDRN skincare products so you don’t have to. We discuss our thoughts on the texture and use experience from both the oily skin and dry skin perspective.

One of the most popular requests for us to decode is PDRN. Kbeauty continues to be at the center of trendy and exotic “new” skincare. This week, the chemists’ dive into PDRN, fragmented DNA derived from salmon sperm? They discuss what it is, how it ended up in our skincare, and if there’s any substantial evidence of PDRN’s benefits for skin. Let’s go down the rabbit hole!

We’re kicking off the 2025 podcast season with a twist. With all of our new listeners and viewers, it’s time to brush up on the fundamentals of who exactly the chemists are, how we analyze the science, and just what sort of decoding you can do to assess your skincare like an expert! Think of this as a primer into all the deep dives we’ll be getting into and an episode dedicated to getting to know...

It’s the last episode of 2024! Reflecting back on the year, we’re discussing top skincare science and animal fun facts. We also share our plans for the new year. The podcast has truly built an incredible community and we are so grateful to you all. Happy Holidays and we'll see you in 2025.

As a follow-up on last week’s episode on skincare for certain age groups, this week, let’s dive into estrogen-based skincare, in particular creams with estradiol or estriol. This prescription skincare realm aimed to treat peri and post-menopausal skin issues like irritation, redness, and dryness. So! Do they work? Are there other benefits beyond skin barrier care?

We all know that skin changes with father time, but how should you best skincare for your specific age? We discuss the science, what major timepoints to consider and what skincare you should be using in your teens, 20s, 30-40s, and 50s+.

Neck aging can be so difficult to address because of its complex biology. But can topicals do anything to help? Let’s take a closer look at 3 neck cream clincals done by Replenix, Skinceuticals, and Revision skincare to see if you really need a dedicated product just for your neck area.

The holiday season is just looming around the corner. So whether you’re taking advantage of the discounts for yourself, or on the market for loved ones, here are some of thoughts on on the beauty holiday deals. Join us for some shopping inspirations or just some laughs!

After a nice break from sunscreens, we had some time to dabble in lip SPF products. It turns out our lip skin actually has a lot less natural protection from both sun and dryness than the rest of our body. Thus, it only makes sense that having a good lip SPF (or two) is important to have handy. We tried 12 lip SPFS of various types and various price points and share all of our findings! The taste...