Do chemical sunscreens cause free radicals? episode 304

Perry Romanowski (0:00)

Hi, I'm Perry, and you're listening to The Beauty Brains.

Hello and welcome to The Beauty Brains, a show where real cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions and give you an insider's look at the cosmetic industry. This is episode 304 I'm your host, Perry Romanowski, and with me today is Valerie George. Hello, Valerie.

Valerie George (0:30)

Hi, Perry.

Perry Romanowski (0:32)

Recording on a Saturday, that's not usual for us.

Valerie George (0:35)

It is not, but that is how dedicated we are.

Perry Romanowski (0:40)

Absolutely, and I have to get this in before going to a beer fest later. You know what we're going to cover today?

Valerie George (0:46)

What are we going to cover?

Perry Romanowski (0:48)

On today's show, we're going to answer questions about whether chemical sunscreens can cause free radicals.

We're going to answer the burning question about what our favorite heat protection products are for hair, why Nizoral might have an unexpected effect on the hair and scalp, and whether stem cell technology in professional products can actually straighten hair. But first, some of that inane chit chat of ours. What do you got going today there, Valerie?

Valerie George (1:16)

I am just trying to get caught up on some work since I've been out and about traveling, trying to run two businesses. I just got a little bit behind being at a trade show a couple weeks ago, and I'm just going to spend this long weekend getting caught up, and of course, I will be seeing some friends and hanging out, though.

Perry Romanowski (1:38)

You are a regular entrepreneur with the two businesses.

Well, I am back from Prague, which was lovely. Lovely city. Oh, I mean, they have old stuff there, right?

Valerie George (1:50)

Wow.

Perry Romanowski (1:51)

In the US what's the oldest thing you think we have here in the US? Maybe the...

Valerie George (1:55)

Something in Philadelphia or Washington. Or maybe New England, Massachusetts.

Perry Romanowski (2:01)

From the 1600s, maybe?

Valerie George (2:02)

St. Augustine.

Perry Romanowski (2:04)

St. Augustine? The college?

The city.

Valerie George (2:08)

But I don't know if any old buildings remain. I don't recall that fact, but that's, you know, that's been around for a while, but nothing will hold a candle to Europe.

Perry Romanowski (2:17)

Exactly. I mean, they have... You know what occurred to me? It's like new buildings don't seem nearly as ornate as old buildings. Nobody builds buildings like that anymore, right?

Valerie George (2:27)

No.

I mean, it was an art form. And I guess now it still could be an art form in architecture circles, but I don't think the ornateness is in style.

Perry Romanowski (2:38)

Yeah. It just must cost too much, right?

Valerie George (2:41)

Yeah. Or it's outdated looking. Who knows?

Maybe it's not Leeds friendly.

Perry Romanowski (2:48)

You know, speaking of cost too much, I think my cat has finally just knocked over three vases that cost more than the cat.

Valerie George (2:56)

Is Ted a problem maker?

Perry Romanowski (2:58)

Theodore Logan. You know, I was talking to the shelter people, and they're like, oh, you took Ted. I was like, yeah, I was going to take these other ones, but, you know, there was two cats he had to take together. And they said, oh, well, Ted's like having two cats.

What? You didn't tell me that before I got him. I told you that.

Valerie George (3:17)

Oh, I wonder if he's a Gemini with his multiple personalities.

Perry Romanowski (3:22)

He could be wack sometimes. I mean, cats are supposed to sleep like 20 hours a day, right? This cat sleeps maybe two.

Valerie George (3:28)

Oh, gosh.

Perry Romanowski (3:30)

I know. Are we ready for some beauty science news?

Valerie George (3:33)

Yeah, let's head there.

Perry Romanowski (3:34)

Let's head there.

Well, there are a couple stories that were interesting. Why don't you tell us the first one about a lawsuit?

Valerie George (3:47)

Yeah, so Estee Lauder is being sued because of their face scanning technology. And I found this one interesting because I actually also have developed a virtual product when I was at the Big Hair brand that scanned hair and scalp.

And I remember going through a lot of challenges with our legal team and VP of technology because consumer privacy is so, so huge. And we had to make sure that when we were collecting the information, it wasn't personally identifiable and that people had some sort of consent. It's very tricky. So anyway, Estee Lauder has a virtual makeup try on feature and they were hit with a proposed class action that alleges this makeup try on feature scans the consumer's face without their consent.