This post is sponsored by Ulike. I did a deep dive into the science behind red light a little while back. Since then, I’ve been trying out more products and the Ulike ReGlow LED mask (use code MUFFIN for $100 off) has been one of my favourites so far. It has great specs, along with really user-friendly design features that …
Does retinyl palmitate in sunscreens increase skin cancer? This is a myth that’s been promoted a lot by clean beauty organisations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG), especially in their annual sunscreen guide. More recently, this was included as the first point in toxicologist Dr Yvonne Burkart’s video: “You’ve been lied to about sunscreen: Toxicologist reveals 6 things you should …
Since my post on the science behind red light treatments, many people have asked me if light treatments make hyperpigmentation worse. This is a bit complicated to untangle, given the relative lack of data and the huge diversity of red light products. So this post is somewhat speculative – but I hope it’s helpful if you’ve been wondering! Note: I’m …
I don’t know about you, but over the last few years with existential pandemic and climate change stress, working from home and an ADHD diagnosis, my daily life routine has kind of gone out the window. I keep losing track of when I last changed my sheets, when lunchtime is, when I should go to sleep and whether I’ve taken …
Red light is everywhere – you’ll see it used by celebrities, skincare influencers, and biohackers (not sure why male wellness influencers get their own special name). What does it do, and which products actually work? Let’s dig into the science behind red light therapy, or photobiomodulation. The video version of this post was part of a 3-way collaboration with Becky …
There’s been a few viral posts about how harmful chemical sunscreens are. The latest one is a post about “Sunscreen Swaps” from @a.glimpse.of.amelia (an Australian “low-tox” consultant) and @jordiepieface (a nutritionist from New Zealand), claiming that “some conventional sunscreens can do more harm than good”. Unfortunately, most of the post is inaccurate, and it’s likely scaring people away from using …
There’s been a lot of stories about benzene contamination in personal care products over the last 4 years. This year, benzene was discovered in benzoyl peroxide, a staple acne treatment. How concerned should we be? Petition and original paper I’ve written about the background behind Valisure’s benzene analyses before, as well as questions about the accuracy of their data and …
There’s been increasing talk about how blue light from phones and computer screens could be a potential cause of skin damage. Is it worth worrying about, or is it just marketing? This topic is going to be a two-parter. In this installment we’re going to talk about visible light damage, and how you can protect your skin; in part 2, …