Top Sunscreens 2024, Part 1: Japanese Sunscreens

Nivea UV Deep Protect & Care Essence

I’m finally updating my top sunscreen recommendations! My last list was in 2022, but honestly, I don’t feel like the sunscreens I’m adding this time are a huge step over those. But I do like giving people more options – in case you can’t get certain brands where you live, or you’re allergic to a particular ingredient, or they get …

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Does rosemary oil work for hair growth? The science

rosemary oil hair loss

Is rosemary oil a natural, science-backed treatment for hair growth?  According to a lot of doctors, scientists and trichologists across the internet, yes – there’s “scientific proof” that it works as well as minoxidil. But unfortunately, that isn’t true. It all seems to be a misunderstanding of a single study: Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic …

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Do sunscreen sprays actually work? The science

sunscreen spray thumbnail

Sprays seem like the perfect way to reapply sunscreen without messing up your makeup. But how effective are they? I did some experiments to find out – the results were very eye-opening!  The video with footage of the experiments is here, keep scrolling for the text version… A while ago, I looked at the protection you get from sunscreen sticks …

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Benzene in your products, Part 1: Bad science

valisure benzene video

It’s now Round 5 of “benzene in your products is giving you cancer” – over the last three years, this “known human carcinogen” been found in hand sanitiser, sunscreen, deodorant, dry shampoo, and now benzoyl peroxide acne products.  I previously talked about benzene in sunscreen and dry shampoo, but it’s time for a deeper dive into these findings, and the …

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DMDM hydantoin and formaldehyde in haircare

Tony Youn dmdm hydantoin

DMDM hydantoin is a preservative commonly found in shampoos. It started getting a lot of attention in 2021, thanks to a number of lawsuits surrounding hair loss – so let’s talk about the science behind it and whether it’s safe. (This post is partly based off a longer video about haircare misinformation on TikTok, which also covers sulfates, silicones, testing …

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The “Everything” Serum: Olay Super Serum

olay super serum

I’ve been reviewing beauty products for more than 10 years, so not a lot of things excite me – but some things did in 2023. The Olay Super Serum was one of them! The video version of this review is here, keep scrolling for the text version…. Olay Super Serum is the best new skincare product I’ve tried in a …

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