The Eco Well podcast

This episode featured a conversation with Tim Caulfield, Canadian sci-comm treasure, prof at the University of Alberta, and author of books like Is Gwenyth Paltrow Wrong about everything? A few months ago Tim participated in a "clean" beauty debate - he was anti-clean, against someone else who was pro-clean… In this episode, Tim and I talked about his experience in the debate, his thoughts on why...

Our latest episode featured Javon Ford - fellow cosmetic chemist and beauty scicommer - in an AMA style interview. You guys sent in questions, we tried our best to answer! From bunk marketing claims to how to become a cosmetic chemist, we covered a lot! Hope you enjoy the convo as much as I did.  Interested in supporting the podcast? Please subscribe and write a review. If it's accessible, we also...

For this week's episode, we take a deep dive into regulations that impact the cosmetics industry, with a focus on the USA market and the many misconceptions people have about it. Are products sold in the EU actually safer than those in the USA? Spoiler alert, the answer is no, and in this conversation, we dive into the why that's the case.  IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER - THIS PODCAST WAS RECORDED BEFORE M...

This was a live panel discussion in LA, hosted by the Independent Beauty Association and moderated by yours truly, about science communication in the cosmetics space. In conversation with Esther Olu (@themelaninchemist), Gloria Lu and Victoria Fu (@chemist.confessions), and Valerie George (Co-host of The Beauty Brains Podcast, @cosmetic_chemist). Extra shout out to the Gold sponsor for this event,...

Kicking off our first episode back for 2023 with a deep dive into intimate care and hygiene - a space gaining a lot of traction in the beauty industry. There are so many products launching of late to purportedly address all of your sexual wellness needs - from vulvar washes to enlargening breast creams. To give us a lay of the land, I was joined by Dr. Tanaya, aka Dr. Cuterus. Enjoy! Interested in...

This week, we dive into the nitty gritty of INCI. Perhaps one of those topics that don't seem like there's anything to it, but scratch the surface just a little? There absolutely is. From how the INCI standard got started, the process of getting an INCI name to common misconceptions. How much can an ingredient list really tell you? Does getting an INCI designation mean that an ingredient has been...

Is 'clean' beauty actually making cosmetics safer? This was the closing panel of our latest e-conference, the 'Safe' Beauty E-Summit. Topic: How is misinformation in the beauty world impacting cosmetics product safety, and how can we start to course correct? Panelists included Michelle Wong Ph. D. AKA @labmuffinbeautyscience, Esther Olu AKA @themelaninchemist, and Lalita Iyer AKA @skinchemy. Main...

Closing out season 7 of the podcast featuring a conversation with Jess Stokesparish, Ph. D. about the science of science communication. A deep dive into what it is, why it's important, what the evidence shows in terms of effective science communication, the emotional toll to scicommers, misinformation online and more. Hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did! Interested in supporting the podcas...

This was a curly hair AMA episode, featuring Heleen Kibbelaar, the brains behind @sciencemeetscosmetics - one of my favorite hair science accounts on IG. Hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This episode was a cosmetics contract manufacturing 101 featuring Richie Rubin, Executive Vice President at Garcoa. What it looks like, what brand founders should know as they navigate the space and common challenges. If you're considering launching a cosmetic brand, or are interested in learning about the behind-the-scenes of getting products onto the market, this conversation was information pac...

This week I talked with Dr. Andrea Love and Dr. Jess Steier, immunologist, and public health scientist, respectively, and hosts of the Unbiased Science Podcast. We dove into the weeds about health and wellness misinformation online. What's the problem, how did we get here and why does it matter? Hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at w...

T his week we look at the tumultuous world of supply chains. How did we get here? And when are things going to go back to normal? Are things ever going to go back to the way they were pre-pandemic? Joining me this week is Tony Hoth, supply chain expert and General Manager of Global Distribution at SharkNinja. Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find...

ESGs are one of those topics that, IMO, everyone should understand. And what they do and do not mean. For better or worse, ESG ratings will, and already are, have a profound impact on how business is done, on emerging regulations, and in the world of corporate investment. There's a lot to unpack. For this week's episode, I was joined by Gracee Shorter, who is a sustainability solutions provider at...

An honest conversation about the body of evidence related to sunscreen, and it's benefits, for skin of color. In conversation with dermatologist and skin cancer researcher, Dr Ade Adamson.  Want to support the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This episode featured fellow cosmetic chemist, Lalita Iyer, otherwise known as @skinchemy. A 101 on cosmetic regulations in the US. We broke down myths and misconceptions, and also have some general tips for brands in navigating the space. Hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

And we're back! Kicking off season 7 with a convo feat Dr Rohin Francis, otherwise known as MedLife Crisis, about (medical) experts behaving badly online. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

Featuring Lalita Iyer @skinchemy, Esther Olu @themelaninchemist & Michelle Wong @labmuffinbeautyscience. A few weeks ago you guys sent in questions via IG, in this episode we tried to answer them all! This is our last podcast before we take a summer break to record more for the next season. We'll be back with our podcast in September! Thanks to everyone who tuned in to season 6! Interested in supp...

This episode featured Adam Ford, Ph. D.  Canada Research Chair in Wildlife Restoration Ecology at UBC, on the topic of misplaced conservation. What it is, how it happens and why we should care. While misplaced conservation may seem like something far removed from cosmetics, as you'll hear once we get started, it really isn't. The misinformation in our space has a tremendously negative impact, incl...

Hope you enjoy the convo as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

A few weeks ago, Michelle @labmuffinbeautyscience and I launched the Sunscreen E-Summit. As part of the conference, we hosted this e-panel about how misinformation is impacting the sunscreen sector, featuring Michelle Wong, Ph. D., Thomas Myers from the PCPC, and Myriam Sohn, Ph. D. from BASF. So many important insights, hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! If you would like to catch...

This week's episode featured plant scientist, Professor Monique Simmonds from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. She is my literal idol in this space, and it was such a treat to pick her brain on the topic of botanical safety and sustainability. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! This week's episode is sponsored by Herbal Essences, who works closely with KEW to confirm the species and chemical com...

There are some potentially big changes coming in the EU regarding chemical management under the new Green Deal which will directly impact the cosmetics industry. Joining us for this episode is regulatory toxicologist, Fred Lebreux Ph. D., CEO at BIORIUS. What's happening, how might it impact the cosmetics sector, and how can brands best prepare for these changes? One of the biggest suggestions for...

This was a 101 episode on the Topical Delivery of Skincare Actives, with Gabriella Baki, Ph. D., cosmetics researcher and prof in the University of Toledo Cosmetic Science program. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This one featured Michelle Wong, Lalita Iyer and Esther Olu. Our take on Not So Pretty.   Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

New podcast alert! A deep dive into ethoxylated ingredients, breaking down the facts, and fiction, with Prof Ricardo Diez. We covered how ethoxylation has allowed for better-performing products, end of life, 1,4-dioxane, PEGs and so much more. This episode was a little in the weeds, but if you want a thorough (and factual) take on the topic, this is the episode for you. Hope you enjoy the conversa...