The Eco Well podcast

This podcast features a conversation about the current state, and future, of indie beauty, in conversation with Kelly Kovack from BeautyMatter, Rob Akridge PhD from OPULUS Beauty Labs, and Akemi Ooka PhD from Independent Beauty Association. This was the closing panel for our So, You Want to Start a Beauty Brand? E-Summit - find the full replay on our blog! Interested in supporting the podcast? Please share, subscribe and consider writing a review. If it's accessible, we also have a Patreon page that you can find at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This episodes features a deep dive conversation into silicones in cosmetics; what are they, why are they so useful, and what are some of the environmental draw backs we're currently contending with. To help me tackle the topic, this week I was joined by Mike Fevola PhD. Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! Interested in supporting the podcast? Please share, write a review and subscribe! If it's accessible, we also have a Patreon page that you can find at patreon.com/theecowell

This pocast features a 101 on the current state of animal testing in cosmetics featuring toxicologist Barae Jomaa PhD. We cover why animal testing testing started in the first place and what prompted all the animal testing bans we see today, the history of animal testing bans globally, alternative test methods, misconceptions, the REACH vs EC conflict we're seeing today, and lots more! Interested in supporting the show? Please leave us a review wherever you listening, subscribe and share! If it's accessible to you, we also have a Patreon page which you can find at patreon.com/theecowell

This week's episode is a 101 on cosmetics formulations; what are the ingredient types that make your products work and why? What's up with surfactant and preservative systems? What's the difference between skin and hair care, what's an emulsion, and what do you need to know about pH? o help me cover the topic, this week featured Ava Perkins, PhD student at the University of Cincinnati in their cosmetic science program. Interested in supporting the podcast? Please share and give us a review! If it's accessible, we also have a Patreon page that you can find at patreon.com/theecowell

This podcast features an acne 101 conversation with dermatologist Dr Mara Evanglista-Huber MD, otherwise known as @dermomtology. Interested in supporting the podcast? Please subscribe, review and share! If it's accessible, we also have a Patreon page which you can find www.patreon.com/theecowell

This podcast was about false balance; what it is, how to spot it and what the greater issue with it is. What's wrong with public form debates on science? Particularly on topics that have a lot of evidence to support one POV vs a fringe viewpoint. For example, sunscreens aren't the cause of coral bleaching, widely supported by the evidence, vs it is, supported by outlier data. This episode features Canadian sci-comm treasure, Tim Caulfield for our 2023 finale!

This week's episode is a cosmetic chemists reaction episode, featuring the POV of cosmetic science PhD student Lanesa Mahon @raya.faces and myself. Topic: beauty trends. Trends we reacted to include: microbiome skincare, biotech beauty, menopausal skincare, dermatologist brands, green beauty and more! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This podcast episode is a 101 on microplastics in beauty. What do we mean when we say "plastic" and "microplastic"? What's the microplastic issue like in beauty? To help me cover the topic, this week I was joined with microplastic researcher, Laura Markley PhD. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on patreon at www.patreon.com/theeecowell

This is a replay of a panel I moderated at the SCC California Suppliers Day, presented by Independent Beauty Association. The conversation was broadly about the impacts of misinformation in beauty, and opportunities for course correction. Panelists included some of my favorite LA based sci-commers; Allison Kent-Gunn @allisonturquoise, Javon Ford @javonford16, Jane Tsui @janethechemist and Valerie George @cosmetic_chemist. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

What is the current state of animal testing in cosmetics? Why has it happened, does it still happen - if so, where and why? And where are we at with alternatives? New podcast alert! Our latest episode featured Dr. Carol Treasure from XCellR8, an animal-free in-vitro safety testing lab. There's so much complexity to this topic, and I think there have been some seriously missed opportunities from the cosmetics industry for communicating what's happening and has happened. I hope the episode does the topic justice. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

A deep dive into claims with claims expert, Craig Weiss of Consumer Product Testing. What do the claims you see on labels actually mean? What's a strong claim and what's just puffery? And how can you as a consumer more effectively read labels? This podcast explored all this and more! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This podcast features a 101 episode on toxicology, featuring toxicologist Dr Pushpa Rao. With all the noise and confusion about product safety out in the zeitgeist, I thought this was an important topic to cover. We covered the basics of what toxicology is, how it's applied to cosmetics, fundamental toxicology themes like hazard and risk, safety substantiation, misconceptions, and more! Interested in supporting the podcast on Patreon? Find us at www.patreon.com/theecowell

There have been so many class action lawsuits in beauty over the last few years. What does it all mean? Are products on the market unsafe? Have these lawsuits become a cost of business in the USA? Are they making products safer? To help me unpack the topic, this weeks episode featured Avril Love, counsel at K&L Gates. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us at Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This episode featured hair scientist, Dr Crystal Porter from Mane Insights, in a deep dive into curly hair. We dove into the nitty gritty of the structure of curly hair, and the science behind keeping it in good shape. Hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did! Quick edit - in this episode, Crystal mentioned "consumer scientist." She meant "citizen scientist" :). Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This episode features a deep dive into state law, featuring Dr. Simone Swafford, regulatory consultant at Vogue Regulatory. What's happening at the state level in terms of cosmetic regulations, and how does that impact both industry as well as consumers? We specifically dive into how misinformation is driving some of the recent legislative developments. Big thanks to Essential Labs for sponsoring this episode. Use the code ELABSPOD for 15% off! Interested in supporting the podcast on Patreon? Find us at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This week's episode featured Bart Maxon - cosmetic scientist, creator of 20 patents, and recent recipient of the SCC Merit Award. Important to this conversation, he's achieved all of this as a 4'6" achondroplasia dwarf who's had several spinal surgeries, operating in an industry where accessibility has been an ongoing improvement for those with disabilities. I'm really inspired by Bart's story. From being told that he'd never work in a lab, to becoming a Senior Development Scientist at Dow. In this conversation, we talked about diversity and inclusion, through the lens of individuals with disabilities. What are we doing right as an industry, and where do we need to improve? Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This episode featured the closing panel from Michelle @labmuffinbeautyscience and my Sunscreen E-Summit, which happened a few weeks ago. On the topic of Challenges and Opportunities for the Suncare Sector. In conversation with Meredith Petillo, Senior Director of Technical & Regulatory Services at IBA, Stan Krus, Senior Technology Manager Sun Care at BASF, Carl D'Ruiz, Head of Personal Care and Pharma Regulatory and Scientific Affairs at DSM, and Michelle Wong, PhD. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This episode was about beauty science communication, from the perspectives of Michelle @labmuffinbeautyscience and me. What is sci-comm, why is it important, what are some of the challenges, and importantly, why are there so few sci-commers able to make sci-com a full-time, long-lasting endeavor? In this episode, Michelle and I announce the social enterprise we've been working on together: Beauty Sci-Comm Group. Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us at Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Massive thank you to all of our Patreon supporters for helping make this show possible!

New podcast! This week, we tried something a little different with a Toxicologist Reacts episode, featuring Tony Simion, Ph.D. Industry veteran and adjunct professor. You guys sent in media headlines and posts, and we responded. Disclaimer, before I go on here; all the views expressed in this post and podcast are all in our honestly held opinions. I hope by the end of this episode, it's clear who that is for when it comes to cosmetic product safety. Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon.com/theecowell

This week's episode took a look at MoCRA - What's happening? What do we know? How is going to impact industry, and also consumers? There has been a lot of noise about MoCRA, what does it all mean? To help me do this topic justice, for this podcast I was joined by Kerry Tassopoulos, Of Counsel and a corporate, regulatory and compliance attorney with Platt Cheema Richmond PLLC. Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This episode featured the closing panel for our Sustainable Beauty E-Summit that happened back in January on Sustainability Challenges and Opportunities for the Cosmetics Sector. We came at the topic of sustainability challenges and opportunities from a wide scope of expertise. Featuring Akemi Ooka, Ph.D., Head of Global Supply Chain and Sustainability Resources at the Independent Beauty Association, Mike Fevola, Ph.D., Vice President of R&D at Inolex, and Mark Trexler, Ph.D., director at The Climatographers. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This week, we covered the topic of corporate sustainability management and reporting through the lens of… is this actually going to help combat climate change? From measuring greenhouse gases to carbon offsetting, is current corporate sustainability and policy pointing us in the right direction? Or is there potential for it to do more harm than good? Joining me for this conversation is Dr. Mark Trexler from The Climatographers. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the podcast? Please subscribe and write a review. If it's accessible, we also have a Patreon page. Find us at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Massive thank you to all of our Patreon supporters for helping make this podcast possible!

This episode featured a conversation with Tim Caulfield, Canadian sci-comm treasure, prof at the University of Alberta, and author of books like Is Gwenyth Paltrow Wrong about everything? A few months ago Tim participated in a "clean" beauty debate - he was anti-clean, against someone else who was pro-clean… In this episode, Tim and I talked about his experience in the debate, his thoughts on why misinformation gains the traction it does, and tips to decipher fact from fiction. Interested in supporting the podcast? Please subscribe and write a review. If it's accessible, we also have a Patreon page. Find us at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Massive thank you to all of our Patreon supporters for helping make this podcast possible!

Our latest episode featured Javon Ford - fellow cosmetic chemist and beauty scicommer - in an AMA style interview. You guys sent in questions, we tried our best to answer! From bunk marketing claims to how to become a cosmetic chemist, we covered a lot! Hope you enjoy the convo as much as I did. Interested in supporting the podcast? Please subscribe and write a review. If it's accessible, we also have a Patreon page. Find us at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Massive thank you to all of our Patreon supporters for helping make this podcast possible!

For this week's episode, we take a deep dive into regulations that impact the cosmetics industry, with a focus on the USA market and the many misconceptions people have about it. Are products sold in the EU actually safer than those in the USA? Spoiler alert, the answer is no, and in this conversation, we dive into the why that's the case. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER - THIS PODCAST WAS RECORDED BEFORE MOCRA. THE FDA NOW HAS RECALL AUTHORITY. Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This was a live panel discussion in LA, hosted by the Independent Beauty Association and moderated by yours truly, about science communication in the cosmetics space. In conversation with Esther Olu (@themelaninchemist), Gloria Lu and Victoria Fu (@chemist.confessions), and Valerie George (Co-host of The Beauty Brains Podcast, @cosmetic_chemist). Extra shout out to the Gold sponsor for this event, Federal Package, Silver sponsors, Prestige Testing, CIS (insurance), NYSCC Suppliers Day, and other event sponsors, Gordon Labs, Coptis, Croda, and Beauty Matter. Interested in supporting The Eco Well Podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

Kicking off our first episode back for 2023 with a deep dive into intimate care and hygiene - a space gaining a lot of traction in the beauty industry. There are so many products launching of late to purportedly address all of your sexual wellness needs - from vulvar washes to enlargening breast creams. To give us a lay of the land, I was joined by Dr. Tanaya, aka Dr. Cuterus. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the podcast? Please subscribe and write a review. If it's accessible, we also have a Patreon page. Find us at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Massive thank you to all of our Patreon supporters for helping make this podcast possible!

This week, we dive into the nitty gritty of INCI. Perhaps one of those topics that don't seem like there's anything to it, but scratch the surface just a little? There absolutely is. From how the INCI standard got started, the process of getting an INCI name to common misconceptions. How much can an ingredient list really tell you? Does getting an INCI designation mean that an ingredient has been approved as safe? Joining me to unpack the topic is Dr. Mindy Goldstein, previous president of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, recent recipient of the Florence Wall Women in Cosmetic Chemistry Award & member of the INCI nomenclature committee - the group responsible for giving ingredients INCI's. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the podcast? Please subscribe and write a review. If it's accessible, we also have a Patreon page. Find us at www.patreon.com/theecowell. Massive thank you to all of our Patreon supporters for helping make this podcast possible!

Is 'clean' beauty actually making cosmetics safer? This was the closing panel of our latest e-conference, the 'Safe' Beauty E-Summit. Topic: How is misinformation in the beauty world impacting cosmetics product safety, and how can we start to course correct? Panelists included Michelle Wong Ph.D. AKA @labmuffinbeautyscience, Esther Olu AKA @themelaninchemist, and Lalita Iyer AKA @skinchemy. Main take home: If we want to pull ourselves out of the BS Bandwagon we've ended up in the cosmetics industry, good science communication needs support. Hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

Closing out season 7 of the podcast featuring a conversation with Jess Stokesparish, Ph.D. about the science of science communication. A deep dive into what it is, why it's important, what the evidence shows in terms of effective science communication, the emotional toll to scicommers, misinformation online and more. Hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This was a curly hair AMA episode, featuring Heleen Kibbelaar, the brains behind @sciencemeetscosmetics - one of my favorite hair science accounts on IG. Hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This episode was a cosmetics contract manufacturing 101 featuring Richie Rubin, Executive Vice President at Garcoa. What it looks like, what brand founders should know as they navigate the space and common challenges. If you're considering launching a cosmetic brand, or are interested in learning about the behind-the-scenes of getting products onto the market, this conversation was information packed. Hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This week I talked with Dr. Andrea Love and Dr. Jess Steier, immunologist, and public health scientist, respectively, and hosts of the Unbiased Science Podcast. We dove into the weeds about health and wellness misinformation online. What's the problem, how did we get here and why does it matter? Hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This week we look at the tumultuous world of supply chains. How did we get here? And when are things going to go back to normal? Are things ever going to go back to the way they were pre-pandemic? Joining me this week is Tony Hoth, supply chain expert and General Manager of Global Distribution at SharkNinja. Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

ESGs are one of those topics that, IMO, everyone should understand. And what they do and do not mean. For better or worse, ESG ratings will, and already are, have a profound impact on how business is done, on emerging regulations, and in the world of corporate investment. There's a lot to unpack. For this week's episode, I was joined by Gracee Shorter, who is a sustainability solutions provider at Ecovadis to help break it down. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

An honest conversation about the body of evidence related to sunscreen, and it's benefits, for skin of color. In conversation with dermatologist and skin cancer researcher, Dr Ade Adamson. Want to support the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This episode featured fellow cosmetic chemist, Lalita Iyer, otherwise known as @skinchemy. A 101 on cosmetic regulations in the US. We broke down myths and misconceptions, and also have some general tips for brands in navigating the space. Hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

And we're back! Kicking off season 7 with a convo feat Dr Rohin Francis, otherwise known as MedLife Crisis, about (medical) experts behaving badly online. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

Featuring Lalita Iyer @skinchemy, Esther Olu @themelaninchemist & Michelle Wong @labmuffinbeautyscience. A few weeks ago you guys sent in questions via IG, in this episode we tried to answer them all! This is our last podcast before we take a summer break to record more for the next season. We'll be back with our podcast in September! Thanks to everyone who tuned in to season 6! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This episode featured Adam Ford, Ph.D. Canada Research Chair in Wildlife Restoration Ecology at UBC, on the topic of misplaced conservation. What it is, how it happens and why we should care. While misplaced conservation may seem like something far removed from cosmetics, as you'll hear once we get started, it really isn't. The misinformation in our space has a tremendously negative impact, including potentially on conservation efforts. With that, I'll leave you with the episode. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

Hope you enjoy the convo as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

A few weeks ago, Michelle @labmuffinbeautyscience and I launched the Sunscreen E-Summit. As part of the conference, we hosted this e-panel about how misinformation is impacting the sunscreen sector, featuring Michelle Wong, Ph.D., Thomas Myers from the PCPC, and Myriam Sohn, Ph.D. from BASF. So many important insights, hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! If you would like to catch up on the full e-summit, you can find a conference replay on our blog! Interested in supporting our work? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This week's episode featured plant scientist, Professor Monique Simmonds from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. She is my literal idol in this space, and it was such a treat to pick her brain on the topic of botanical safety and sustainability. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! This week's episode is sponsored by Herbal Essences, who works closely with KEW to confirm the species and chemical composition of all the botanicals in Herbal Essences bio:renew. Thank you Herbal Essences for making this podcast possible!

There are some potentially big changes coming in the EU regarding chemical management under the new Green Deal which will directly impact the cosmetics industry. Joining us for this episode is regulatory toxicologist, Fred Lebreux Ph.D., CEO at BIORIUS. What's happening, how might it impact the cosmetics sector, and how can brands best prepare for these changes? One of the biggest suggestions for the final question is trying to stay on top of what's happening, and this episode is a great start! Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This was a 101 episode on the Topical Delivery of Skincare Actives, with Gabriella Baki, Ph.D., cosmetics researcher and prof in the University of Toledo Cosmetic Science program. Enjoy! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This one featured Michelle Wong, Lalita Iyer and Esther Olu. Our take on Not So Pretty. Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

New podcast alert! A deep dive into ethoxylated ingredients, breaking down the facts, and fiction, with Prof Ricardo Diez. We covered how ethoxylation has allowed for better-performing products, end of life, 1,4-dioxane, PEGs and so much more. This episode was a little in the weeds, but if you want a thorough (and factual) take on the topic, this is the episode for you. Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

Unless you live under a rock, I am sure you have seen some scary headlines about PFAS. This episode featured analytical chemist and PFAS researcher, KC Hyland, Ph.D. We explored what they are, where they are, the major issues and challenges, and key things everyone should know. This conversation was more of a general one on PFAS rather than specific to cosmetics, albeit cosmetics certainly came up. While it may not be a comfortable conversation for everyone, if there's anything I can leave you with; don't let people scare you about this topic, and there's no need to stress. Hope you find this episode as informative as I did! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This week we take a look at the deceptively complicated world of product sensory. Featuring cosmetic chemist and formulation aesthetics expert, Mark Chandler. Disclaimer - this episode is on the technical side. But if you want answers on what people really enjoy about skincare products, this is the right episode for you. Enjoy! Want to support the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

In this episode, Annalisa @skinperspective and I set out to answer some specific questions about slept-on ingredients and ended up answering all of your formulation and ingredient inquiries. This one starts in the weeds and trudges through it for most of the conversation, so if you're looking for something a wee bit more technical, you're in the right place. Hope you enjoy the discussion as much as I did! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell