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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How to find transfer-proof eyeliner pencils

smudgeproof eyeliner seal

Something that made a big difference to me in 2023: I worked out how to find eyeliner pencils that were transfer-proof even on my oily skin!  My eyelids are super oily, so eyeliners always smudge or start transferring after a few hours. Transfer-proof pencils aren’t really that new an innovation, but for the longest time I didn’t really know what …

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How do colour-changing lipsticks and blushes work? The science

Red 21 Red 27 colour changing

Have you seen colour-changing lipsticks and blushes online? A lot of these claim to “adjust” to your skin’s pH to give a personalised shade… but is it just a gimmick? Here’s the chemistry behind these products. Colour-changing ingredients Red 27 Most colour-changing products – whether lipsticks or blushes – contain an ingredient called Red 27, also listed as CI 45410 …

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Ultimate Guide to Drug Retinoids

drug retinoids thumbnail

Drug retinoids – tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene and trifarotene – are some of the most powerful ingredients in skincare. They can help with issues like acne, uneven texture and hyperpigmentation. But what are the differences between them? Here’s the guide for you! My PhD is in medicinal chemistry, so I’m going to be diving into the differences at a drug structure …

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Vitamin C doesn’t work? Debunking Science Vs Skin Care Podcast

Science Vs Skincare Podcast

The Science Vs podcast episode on Skin Care: Is Anti-Aging a Scam? in part inspired my recent post on whether retinol in cosmetic skincare products worked. I’ve had some questions about some of the other parts of the podcast, especially about vitamin C and whether it actually penetrates skin. As I’ve discussed before, vitamin C in L-ascorbic acid form is …

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Is Retinol a Scam? The Science

Retinol Scam thumbnail

If there’s one skincare ingredient that works, it’s retinol. Pretty much everyone agrees – whatever skin concern you have, it’s one of your best bets. But is it all a scam? Let’s dive into the science behind retinol, and the bigger question of why skincare science looks so different from what academic scientists are used to. The video is here, …

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Haruharu Black Rice Airyfit and Mineral Sunscreen Reviews

Haruharu sunscreens

Haruharu is a Korean brand who have recently released a couple of sunscreens with a lot of hype around them: Moisture Airyfit and Pure Mineral Relief. I recently reviewed these in a sponsored video. Note: Neither of these are approved as sunscreens in Australia. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Sunscreen SPF 50+, PA++++ Filters: TDSA (Mexoryl SX), octyl triazone, …

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