Depilatory or bleach – which is better for hair removal?
Vick asks…Bleach or depilatory – which lasts longer or is less toxic for facial hair?
The Beauty Brains respond
Vick, I’m not sure what you mean when you say “less toxic” for hair. If you mean “toxic” in the sense of “poisonous” then you don’t need to worry about it because neither product will be poisonous when properly applied to skin. (Just don’t try drinking either one!) If you mean “toxic” in the sense of damaging to hair, remember that products designed to remove hair are SUPPOSED to destroy the hair, that’s how they work.
Of the two, bleach is less aggressive but it also is not as effect...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - May 29, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Randy Schueller Source Type: blogs
Can plant stem cells grow more hair? Episode 84
This study indicates that butyl avocadoate does reduce sebum production (although there was no control used in the study so it’s really hard to tell if the reduction in sebum just resulted from washing the scalp.) Regardless, all the study showed was less oil on the surface of the skin it did NOT measure any factors related to hair growth. So the only evidence for this ingredient doesn’t even support the primary claim.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Tyler asked what you can expect to see from this technology. The answer is…we can’t find any evidence that this product will do anything to your hair beyond reducing hai...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - May 26, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Randy SchuellerDiscover the beauty and cosmetic products you should use and avoid Source Type: blogs
Is the Remington Wet 2 Straight Iron good for hair?
Bluecatbaby asks…Last year I bought a Remington Wet 2 Straight iron. It is marketed as an iron that can be used on wet hair without causing the damage that other irons cause when used on wet hair. I actually have hardly used it because I am skeptical of its claims and I hate damaging my hair. Still, the user reviews for it are mostly raves. Can it really be used on wet hair without causing damage (beyond that which is caused by any flat iron)?
The Beauty Brains reply
As astute reader AleV pointed out in our Forum: “I don’t think this iron causes less damage than any other flat iron. When you apply the kind of heat a...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - May 23, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Randy Schueller Source Type: blogs
Do mild cleansers really get your hair clean? Episode 83
On this week’s podcast we talk about the effectiveness of mild hair cleaners and other interesting beauty science news.
Should natural beauty products be patented?
We think one advantage of natural beauty products (and natural medicines for that matter) is that they are available to anyone to use without having to pay “Big Beauty” or Big Pharma in the case of drugs. That’s why I was surprised to see this story out of Australia that confirms that, as a type of intellectual property, natural ingredients and formulations are being granted more patents than any other segment of cosmetics. They say that “there i...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - May 19, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Perry RomanowskiDiscover the beauty and cosmetic products you should use and avoid Source Type: blogs
Is it okay to use soap on hair?
Bunny Lake asks…Chagrin Valley Shampoo Bars are really popular with a lot of the people on the Long Hair Community, and I’ve been trying some sample bars out myself. I love some, but others give me that waxy feeling. I have soft water where I live, also. Is Chagrin Valley Soap the kind of “soap” that is actually NOT good for your hair and skin? A lot of their complexion and body bars contain coconut oil which I have heard is good for hair but highly comedogenic (pore clogging). Thanks for any information you can give me!
The Beauty Brains reply
It sounds like you’re already savvy to the main problem with washing...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - May 17, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Randy Schueller Source Type: blogs
Is red sandalwood an effective sunscreen?
Firoza asks…I often find producers of “herbal” or “ayurvedic” cosmetics selling sunscreens containing red sandalwood as the active ingredient. They rate these sunscreens as SPF 50 or higher. Does red sandalwood actually have any sun blocking properties?
The Beauty Brains respond
Red Sandalwood may have certain medicinal properties when applied topically (see link ) but it is not approved for use as a sunscreen. Any products using this as the “active” sunscreen ingredient would be illegal drugs in the U.S. (and several other countries.)
Red Sandalwood + Sunscreen
I did a quick check on this ingredient and fo...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - May 14, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Perry Romanowski Source Type: blogs
Does Bio Oil really work? Episode 82
This week we answer listener questions about Bio Oil and other products. But first, another game of Improbable Products…
Improbable Products
Which of these bad body odor products is not real:
The iPhone bad breathalyzer that tells you if you have halitosis.
Odor detecting gym socks that change color when you feet start to smell.
The Smart Deodorant stick that automatically dispenses just the right amount of deodorant so your arm pits don’t smell.
Listen to the show for the answer!
Does Bio Oil work?
Bio Oil consists of mineral oil, triisononanoin, cetearyl ethylhexanoate, isopropyl myristate, retinyl palmitate...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - May 12, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Randy SchuellerDiscover the beauty and cosmetic products you should use and avoid Source Type: blogs
How can I tell if my shampoo is really natural?
Uma asks…I actually bought a Rustic Art shampoo that claims to be all natural , does not test on animals , is pH balanced, no sulphates, great for the environment and all those good things. I was skeptical as I thought since its so good it wont lather and might just clean my hair and wont be like using silicones and stuff…I didn’t mind as I wanted a natural shampoo. To my surprise, it lathered really well…just needed a small amount too for the lather! Also my hair felt real soft by the end of the wash which I never felt from other shampoos till I used a conditioner…I am really hooked to this and now I am skeptica...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - May 9, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Randy Schueller Source Type: blogs
Can emulsifying agents wear away fat?
Taffi asks…Polyethylene glycol is listed as an ingredient in my vitamin. Does this mean it is pegylated? are pegylated ingredients harmful when ingested? I know ethoxylates can be toxic, but that might be minute exposure. Also, can emulsifying agents wear away fats/water from the body?
The Beauty Brains respond
I think this Wikipedia article on ethoxylation does a nice job of addressing your questions your first question. The bottom line is these materials are not toxic. The potential danger of ethoxylated materials comes from contamination with a chemical called 1,4 dioxane. Most companies ensure their surfactants cont...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - May 7, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Randy Schueller Source Type: blogs
The new Personal Care Products Safety Act – what you need to know Episode 81
In case you haven’t heard there is proposed legislation in the US that could change the way the cosmetic industry is governed. A lot of people have asked us what all this and I did a short interview with Self magazine on what this means for consumers and the industry. So, since this is a hot topic it’s the subject of our opening segment today.
The bill is officially called “Personal Care Product Safety Act” and some say that it will greatly expand FDA authority over cosmetics. BTW, we’re using the term “cosmetic” as short hand for all personal care products. It’s a bipartisan bill, proposed by two senators...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - May 5, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Perry RomanowskiDiscover the beauty and cosmetic products you should use and avoid Source Type: blogs
Is Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Blow Dry Lotion really just a hairspray?
Dafne dares to ask…The other day I bought Luxurious Volume Thickening Blow Dry Lotion by John Frieda. It works, but it feels just like hair spray, looks just like hair spray, and makes your hair sticky like hair spray. Might it actually be hair spray? And if so, can I use just any type of hair spray for this purpose, or this one is actually better than a normal one if it’s used during blow drying?
The Beauty Brains respond
As Dafne pointed out in her original question in our Forum, the product contains the following ingredients:
Alcohol Denat., Aqua, PVP, VP/VA Copolymer, VP/DMAPA Acrylates Copolymer, PEG- 75 Lanoli...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - May 3, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Randy Schueller Source Type: blogs
What ’s the right order to apply a BHA serum?
Little Rhino asks…I would like to add a B5 Serum into my skincare routine. I use a BHA ( salycic acid 2% ) lotion in the am/pm. I works well with my skin and mild acne. However, I do need a little extra boost of hydration. So the B5 sounded like a great place to start. Can these two products work together. If yes, serum first-then lotion or vice versa?
The Beauty Brains respond
Lil’ Rhino’s question is really a “two-for-one.” Let’s break it apart and try to answer them one at a time.
What’s the right order to apply products?
The quick answer is that you should apply the BHA product directly to your skin f...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - May 1, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Perry Romanowski Source Type: blogs
What’s the right order to apply a BHA serum?
Little Rhino asks…I would like to add a B5 Serum into my skincare routine. I use a BHA ( salycic acid 2% ) lotion in the am/pm. I works well with my skin and mild acne. However, I do need a little extra boost of hydration. So the B5 sounded like a great place to start. Can these two products work together. If yes, serum first-then lotion or vice versa?
The Beauty Brains respond
Lil’ Rhino’s question is really a “two-for-one.” Let’s break it apart and try to answer them one at a time.
What’s the right order to apply products?
The quick answer is that you should apply the BHA product directly to your skin f...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - May 1, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Perry Romanowski Source Type: blogs
Should beauty companies keep secrets from you? Episode 80
Do you think it’s okay for cosmetic companies to keep their ingredients a secret from you if it means you get better products? We discuss this question and more in today’s quick Q&A show.
Improbable Products
Two of these “ancient secrets” have been found to really work; one of them is just made up. Can you spot which one is fake? Tune in to the show for the answer.
An onion and Garlic wine cooler can kill Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Pancake syrup from middle eastern dates inhibits the growth of Strep and E coli.
Goat grease fights the fungus that cause cradle cap in inf...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - April 28, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Randy SchuellerDiscover the beauty and cosmetic products you should use and avoid Source Type: blogs
What does face spray do for your skin?
Beyond35 asks…What’s the difference between a floral water and facial mist? The owner told me it [Wild Olive] was an infused water…I’m confused.
The Beauty Brains respond
I looked at this Wild Olive product. “Floral water” and “facial mist” are not technical terms but rather just marketing descriptions so there is no set meaning. A floral water could be an ingredient in a facial mist. Another question is, what’s the deal with these facial sprays?
Why lotions are better than face sprays
The product in question is Wild Olive Face Mist. According to their website this “product is an en...
Source: thebeautybrains.com - April 24, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Randy Schueller Source Type: blogs
