Episode 266 - Is tretinoin making hair fall out?

Perry Romanowski (0:00)

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

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. A unique insider's look at the cosmetic industry.

Or is it all unique? I forget. Anyway, this is episode 266 I'm your host, Perry Romanowski, and with me today is Valerie George. Hello, Valerie.

Valerie George (0:36)

Hi, Perry.

Perry Romanowski (0:37)

How you doing today?

Valerie George (0:38)

I'm doing good. It's a beautiful day in California.

Perry Romanowski (0:43)

Ah, well, it's a hot and muggy day here in Chicago, but it's the evening now, and so that gives me a chance to talk to you and answer some questions.

And on today's show, we're going to talk about whether Tretinoin is making hair fall out, what we think of the Orbi hair care products. We'll also talk about cosmetic active ingredients and do they really work. Then we'll get into whether LED masks at home are worthwhile and which one you should get. And finally, we'll talk about that NASA skincare technology. But first, how about some of our inane chit chat, Valerie?

Valerie George (1:22)

It can be inane, but I think we have some fun stuff planned to talk about today.

Perry Romanowski (1:26)

Well, I have to tell you, right now, I'm feeling a little hungry. Do you know why?

Valerie George (1:33)

Why?

Perry Romanowski (1:35)

Well, today was my fasting day. So I started on this project many years ago where once a month, I don't eat anything. It's more of a challenge, I suppose.

But I also read that it was like heart healthy. So yeah, today, this is the first time I'm recording without any food in my belly.

Valerie George (1:56)

Wow, wow. So do you drink anything? Like what goes on during the day?

Perry Romanowski (2:00)

The only thing I drink is water or hot tea, which I have not right now. And the hot tea has no sugar or anything in it. It's just black.

Well, it's mostly the way I drink tea. It's just really brown water.

Valerie George (2:13)

Well Mr. Cosmetic Chemist always says, are you hungry? Drink a glass of water.

Perry Romanowski (2:18)

So well, there is some truth to that.

You know, there's another topic I wanted to chat about before we get to our main topics. First of all, you know, last time was our special 100th episode.

Valerie George (2:31)

Yep, it sure was.

Perry Romanowski (2:32)

Although you know, to the discerning listener, they would have heard me say this was episode 266 and they're saying, what were those other first 166 episodes? Or 165, actually, didn't we?

Valerie George (2:47)

It's all right. Perry wasn't a math major, everyone.

Perry Romanowski (2:51)

He was, though I play one on the podcast.

Anyway, I reached out to the former host, Randy, and I said, hey, Randy, we just had 100 episodes. And he sent in this reply, which I thought would be interesting for us to hear.

Randy Schuler (3:08)

Hi, this is Randy Schuler, Grand Emeritus of the Beauty Brains, and I'm here to congratulate Perry and Val on their first 100 episodes together.

So, Val, we've never met, but I want to compliment you on a couple of points. First, you're highly articulate, and the fact that you actually use the products that you guys talk about does bring a compelling angle to the show that was missing before, so thank you. Also, just for the record, I've started wearing eyeliner and blush, so if you get into any of those questions, just throw them my way. But what I appreciate most about Val is that you found a way to be a companion for Perry that brings out the best in him, so the two of you together are quite a team.

And Perry, for your stamina in continuing to field these questions year after year after year, you deserve the Mason G. Navarone medal just for that alone, not to mention the other things you've done for the cosmetic industry. Hey, quick fact check. In episode 100, you mentioned your highest-grossing show with Val, but can you tell us what the highest-rated episode of all time is? My guess is it's something that you and I did together, and the downloads are probably in the range of Avengers End the Game or something. But anyway, can you just run those numbers, please?

Anyway, in conclusion, I have to mention that the entire Beauty Brains brand was Perry's idea, except for the name. I get credit for that. And I am so proud that this thing we created continues to educate people and hopefully make their lives better. And I'm grateful to Val for carrying on the tradition. So, congratulations, guys. Thank you. And remember, be brainy about your beauty.