What’s the deal with Australian sunscreen?

Ultraceuticals listing number

Australian sunscreens are a bit unusual. A few people have recently asked me why Australian sunscreens often don’t show a full ingredients list, and why some sunscreens get downgraded from high SPFs to SPF 15 once they hit the Australian market. There’s also the fact that some Australian sunscreens have questionably low SPF ratings, and why some companies just can’t be bothered …

Read more

Chemical Exfoliants as Deodorant? The Science of Smelly Armpits

deodorant

As a dedicated skincare addict, I own quite a few never-ending bottles of exfoliating acid toners that I can’t really use up fast enough. They’ve been sitting around going dusty, and I was prepared to gift them to my grandchildren one day. Enter Tracy Robey, of fanserviced-b. Tracy, a longstanding member of the online skincare community, has kindly performed some …

Read more

Why Skincare Isn’t Just About Actives

I’ve seen many people online say things like “moisturisers just seal in moisture, you need actives to have real anti-aging effects”. I strongly disagree, and to back up my case I’m going to present a recent study that I think really illustrates the difference a basic product (cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen) can make. The “actives or nothing” approach really underestimates how …

Read more

Hair frizz science: water and hydrogen bonds

I’ve had some people ask me how the Panasonic Nanoe Hairdryer prevents frizz while adding water to the hair. I tried to explain it in an Instagram post, but then I realised that I needed more diagrams and space to explain it properly, so here it is! (Note: This post isn’t sponsored, although I have been sponsored by Panasonic for …

Read more

All About Azclear Azelaic Acid Medicated Lotion

This post is sponsored by Azclear. Here’s a breakdown of the science behind a cult Australian skincare nerd favourite: Azclear Medicated Lotion. What Is Azelaic Acid? Azelaic acid is an active skincare ingredient that’s great for a range of skin conditions, including mild to moderate acne and papulopustular rosacea. You’ll mostly find it in creams and gels, at concentrations between …

Read more

Resistance to Botox: What It Is and How to Avoid It

Botulinum toxin (commonly called Botox, although that’s actually a specific brand) injections have been rising as a minimally invasive treatment for wrinkles. They’re quick, relatively painless and have almost no recovery time, and if you have an experienced injector the results look very natural. Since they stop muscle movement, botox injections can also be used to prevent future wrinkles. I’ve …

Read more

Bakuchiol: Better Than Retinol?

Bakuchiol skincare products

Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) are by far the most raved-about ingredients by both dermatologists and skincare junkies. They’re absolutely fantastic for treating both acne and the signs of aging skin. Unfortunately, retinoids tend to be irritating for most people, turning your face into a dry peeling mess if you’re too heavy-handed (me, a lot of the time). That’s why there’s a …

Read more

How Do Bath Bombs Work? The Science

lush-golden-wonder

Bath bombs are awesome balls of fizzy goodness, with some interesting science behind them! They were invented in 1989 by Mo Constantine, one of Lush’s founders. Bath bombs contain the chemical sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, as their key ingredient. This is the text version – scroll down for the video! Some of you might remember that baking …

Read more