Beauty by the Beaker

Its Wednesday again! Welcome back to the Science Salon for another episode of Beauty by the Beaker. This week hosts Natalie and Sadie are breaking down what it means to be a surfactant, or rather, a Surface Active Agent. They review surface tension, and the difference between water and oil, and talk charged molecules - Cations and Anions. They discuss the four types of surfactants, and how differe...

In this week's episode, hosts Natalie and Sadie are catching up after a long break. They are reflecting on the past couple months of podcasting, and discussing what the next year holds for BXB and their personal ventures. Sadie talks more in depth about her company Strandprint, and the value of microscopic hair analysis. If you struggle with your hair, or just want to learn more, visit: https:...

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! Today hosts Sadie and Natalie are finally talking in depth about some specific products. First, we’re discussing products we already love, purchase, and would consider gifting to someone this holiday. After that we talking about cosmetics we’ve had our eye on, that we might try to pick up in the new year. We’re covering some viral beauty sensations, as well as some b...

Have you ever wondered why your skin and hair feel so much worse in the winter? Well then this episode is for you. This week, hosts Sadie and Natalie are talking all about winter self care routines. Learn about the different types of humidity, and how heating your house in the winter might be drying you out even more. Our skin and hair encounter multiple new challenges in the winter, and this week...

Hosts Natalie and Sadie are giving you and introduction to Emulsions. This week they are defining polarity, and explaining why oil and water don't mix. They tell you all about how emulsifiers work, the formation of micelles, and how spheres are the laziest shape. If you have ever been curious about the nerdy scientific details behind cosmetic formulation, this episode is for you. Welcome to Be...

In this episode of Beauty by the Beaker, hosts Sadie and Natalie are diving into the science of haircare. They discuss identifying your hair type, and the importance that plays on an ideal haircare routine. This week they answer questions about the effectiveness of heat protectants for styling, and rosemary oil for hair growth. Stick around for a discussion on salon ‘grade’ versus drugstore hairca...

Natalie and Sadie are thankful for you! In this weeks episode the hosts are getting you ready to buy beauty products this holiday season. With all the flashy advertising, it can be hard to know what to believe, and what products are going to work best for you. Tune in if you want to know the secret to finding your perfect skincare routine. Welcome to Beauty by the Beaker, the podcast where science...

Welcome back to another episode, and the first of many on Natural vs. Synthetic cosmetic ingredients. This week, we’re talking all about what “natural” actually means (spoiler: the FDA doesn’t even know). We discuss why petroleum might be more natural than you think, and why nature — beautiful as she is — definitely does not have our best interests in mind. The goal here isn’t to make you scared o...

In this week's episode, hosts Sadie and Natalie are diving deep into the science of acne — what it is, why it happens, and how to treat it. This episode explores all the factors that contribute to breakouts and what makes acne so complex. We’ll cover the different types of acne, lasting effects like scarring and hyperpigmentation, and the emotional toll it can take. Plus, we break down treatme...

In this weeks episode, hosts Sadie and Natalie are answering your burning questions, while participating in a Halloween activity, painting pumpkins! We cover our most coveted products, our stance on clean beauty and cosmetic ingredient websites, and how we recommend getting into the industry. We also talk about the 2025 sunscreen drama, or sunscreen gate. Plus the pros and cons of contract manufac...

Welcome back! This week hosts Natalie and Sadie are back in the classroom, and they are ready to teach you everything you need to know before you start mixing! In todays episode, Natalie is going to give you the first 4 lesson of Potions Class. This course is designed help keep you safe from misleading information, and potentially dangerous beauty products. If you have ever considered making DIY c...

Welcome back to another episode! This week is all about getting to know our favorite fall fruit, the Pumpkin! Join hosts Natalie and Sadie as they discuss everything about this gourd, from biology to Jack-o-lantern. They break down how botanical naming works and how it can help us understand the organisms' relation to other living things. Learn all about plant metabolites, and why humans like...

In this episode of Beauty by the Beaker, hosts Sadie and Nat are diving into one of the most misunderstood topics in beauty — parabens and preservatives. We get into how parabens have been used safely for so long, when they got such a bad rep, and why some of the so-called “clean” alternatives might not be any better. We talk about the Darbre study that started all the drama around parabens (and w...

On this week’s episode of Beauty by the Beaker, Sadie and Natalie are officially welcoming spooky season (aka the best month of the year) — and celebrating Natalie’s 30th! They’re breaking down why preservatives in your beauty products actually matter, how microbes can sneak in and mess things up, and the real risks if products aren’t properly protected. Of course, they’ve got a few cosmetic horro...

It's finally here - Sunscreen part 2! This is just the beginning of what we are sure will be a series. In today's episode we freshen up on UVA and UVB, talk about how sunscreen is tested, and discuss what options you have to keep yourself safe from the sun! If you want to learn about how the sun leads to premature aging, or you want to know the difference between different types of sunscre...

We have a long way to go when it comes to education in beauty- but who's responsible for that? This week we talk about how influencers have transformed the cosmetic industry. Welcome to Beauty by the Beaker, the podcast where science meets your bathroom shelf. We're two cosmetic chemists who want to reveal what really goes into your favorite products - and we aren't afraid to bust some...

Join us in this weeks episode to hear Nat talk all about sunscreen! ... wait... no, it's mostly just the Sun. Learn how the sun came to be, and why you need to be worried about it! We hope you are ready for your chemistry lesson! Part 2 of this episode will be released on Wednesday, September 24th Welcome to Beauty by the Beaker, the podcast where science meets your bathroom shelf. We're two cosme...

From lead-based face creams to donkey milk exfoliants and even gladiator sweat, skincare has always been a mix of ritual, culture, science, and risk. In this episode, we chatted about the strange and surprising history of beauty, from ancient Egypt and Rome to today’s TikTok trends, and discovered what it reveals about gender, class, colonialism, and medicine. Welcome to Beauty by the Beaker, the...

Welcome to Beauty by the Beaker, the podcast where science meets your bathroom shelf. We're two cosmetic chemists who want to reveal what really goes into your favorite products - and we aren't afraid to bust some myths while doing it. Whether you’re a skincare enthusiast, a curious consumer, or just tired of being told coconut oil cures everything, you’re in the right place. Let's gossip about al...

Welcome to Beauty by the Beaker, the podcast where science meets your bathroom shelf. We're two cosmetic chemists who want to reveal what really goes into your favorite products - and we aren't afraid to bust some myths while doing it. Whether you’re a skincare enthusiast, a curious consumer, or just tired of being told coconut oil cures everything, you’re in the right place. Let's gos...