Rephonic
Artwork for The Beauty Brains
Hair Care
Sunscreen
Cosmetic Chemistry
Cosmetic Industry
Pantene
Retinol
Sunscreens
Collagen Supplements
Silicones
Benzene
Skincare
Skin Care
Heat Protectants
Keratin Treatments
K18
Exfoliation
Hard Water
Dye Shampoo
Dry Shampoo
Fragrance Trends

Real scientists answer your beauty questions

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes310Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceArtsNatural SciencesFashion & Beauty

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Artwork for The Beauty Brains

Latest Episodes

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On today’s show we cover lots of questions including…

• Are benzoyl peroxide products dangerous?

• Is a UBEAUTY serum really a holy grail?

• What is the new sunscreen active approved by the FDA?

• Do you need more than 5% Niacinami... more

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Send us Fan Mail

On today’s show we cover lots of questions including…

• What are our thoughts on Herbal Face Food brand?

• Can eye creams make skin sensitive to the sun?

• Do we have recommendations for reducing C-section scars?

• Have we ever loo... more

YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s show we cover lots of questions including…

• Does sunscreen block skincare ingredients in makeup from working?

• What do you think of The Good Face Project for cosmetic formulation?

• Does AO2 Clear help treat acne?

• Wh... more

YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

On today’s show we cover lots of questions including…

• Is it a good idea to put pure glycerin on skin?

• Can a salon professional attend a cosmetic chemist course?

• Why don’t all Amlactin lotions smell bad?

• Is there a good two ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Zed the Human
Listener with an AI-assisted question
Episode: Beauty Dupes, Shampoo Truths, & becoming a Cosmetic Chemist - episode 420

Hosts

Valerie George
Co-host and cosmetic chemist; Host of The Beauty Brains; focuses on explaining beauty science in accessible terms.
Perry Romanowski
Co-host and cosmetic chemist; Host of The Beauty Brains; brings lab experience and industry perspective to discussions.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • An essential for anyone interested in skincare and beauty

    The Beauty Brains is an amazing podcast! I have binged most of their back catalog. This podcast is an absolute essential for anyone interested in skincare and beauty, especially if you’re getting most of your information from brands and influencers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nan-see-3
    United States6 months ago
  • Great beauty pod

    As a hairdresser , these guys know what they are talking about!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    a bad Christian
    United States8 months ago
  • It’s the best!

    This is my favorite podcast, and I listen to a lot! Witty, charming, and informative. I learn something every time. The chit chat and tales of the kitties make it especially delightful!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yucky salad
    United States8 months ago
  • Has potential

    Love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DayOneListener
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • My FAVORITE podcast

    I absolutely love this podcast! At 52, I’ve learned more practical science about skincare and cosmetics here than in decades of buying products. Perry and Valerie have not only taught me how to cut through the marketing jargon, they’ve saved me a ton of money. If I could go back to being 18—or even 25—I’d go back to school and become a cosmetic chemist, because they’ve inspired me that much.

    They have such a gift for explaining things in terms that anyone can understand, no matter your backgrou... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    raych72
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Accessible yet rigorous discussions that often include practical hair and skincare tips.
Warm, humorous banter with cat updates that humanizes heavy topics.
Experts who explain beauty science in plain language and debunk marketing claims.
Some listeners feel the tone can be too niche or casual for product-specific claims.
Appreciated for honesty and absence of sponsorships influencing content.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The New Sunscreen Ingredient, Niacinamide Overload, and Keratin Treatments - Episode 428
Q: Is niacinamide in sunscreen a problem if someone reuses products with higher levels or overlaps with evening routines?
Niacinamide is generally safe at typical cosmetic use levels; the risk comes from excessive exposure to nicotinic acid impurities at high concentrations or improper formulation with acids or very low pH; in practice, most products keep niacinamide well below problematic levels and reusing sunscreen with niacinamide is unlikely to cause issues unless multiple high-dose products are used together.
The New Sunscreen Ingredient, Niacinamide Overload, and Keratin Treatments - Episode 428
Q: What are your thoughts about the CeraVe benzoyl peroxide in a benzene class action lawsuit situation, and why is this happening now?
The controversy stems from how labs test for benzene under heat, which can create detectable benzene in some analyses even if the product itself doesn't contain benzene at meaningful levels; the FDA hasn't found broad consumer danger, and many lawsuits hinge on testing methodology rather than real-world risk, with larger brands like CeraVe (owned by L'Oreal) being targeted due to visibility and scale.
Does Sunscreen Stop Your Skincare From Working? - Episode 426
Q: Does infrared styling work without causing pregnancy-related issues? Should you use a heat protectant with infrared tools and with the associated hair oil?
Infrared tools can dry hair efficiently and may cause moisture loss; pregnancy safety is considered favorable, but heat protection remains prudent, and using a dedicated heat protectant in addition to styling oils is advised to minimize long-term damage.
Does Sunscreen Stop Your Skincare From Working? - Episode 426
Q: Is AO2 Clear real, and could it benefit acne or dry skin?
The panel discusses skepticism about claims and notes limited evidence; while some formulations may hydrate or provide mild effects, robust clinical data and OTC regulatory status should be scrutinized before relying on such products.
Does Sunscreen Stop Your Skincare From Working? - Episode 426
Q: Hiya, I had a question about layering SPF and makeup. Does SPF block skincare ingredients from getting into the skin, and do you need to wait between steps?
Sunscreen tends to stay on the surface and can inhibit penetration of certain actives, but some ingredients may still get through depending on the product formulation and film technology; in practice, many skincare actives may have limited penetration when layered with sunscreen, and long-term effects depend on specific ingredients and formulations.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Beauty Brains

What is The Beauty Brains about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two cosmetic scientists answer listener questions with a steady mix of science, industry news, and practical guidance on skincare and haircare. They routinely challenge hype, dissect ingredient mechanisms, and explain how marketing claims line up with real-world evidence. Episodes frequently cover ingredients (peptides, retinol, niacinamide), product testing, and the business side of beauty, peppered with accessible banter and personal anecdotes. The show stands out for its clear, evidence-based approach, absence of sponsorships influencing content, and light-hearted cat-chat segments that keep complex topics approachable for a broad audience.

Potential listeners who want to cut through marketing noise, improve their ingredient literacy, o... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Beauty Brains?

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How many listeners does The Beauty Brains get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Beauty Brains?

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How many subscribers and views does The Beauty Brains have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Beauty Brains has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Beauty Brains?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Beauty Brains:

1. Breaking Beauty Podcast
2. Fat Mascara
3. Gloss Angeles
4. Biohacking Beauty: The Anti-Aging Skincare Podcast
5. The Doctor Youn Show

How many episodes of The Beauty Brains are there?

The Beauty Brains launched 13 years ago and published 310 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Beauty Brains?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Beauty Brains?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Beauty Brains from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Beauty Brains?

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What guests have appeared on The Beauty Brains?

Recent guests on The Beauty Brains include:

1. Zed the Human

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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