Does rosemary oil work for hair growth? The science

rosemary oil hair loss

Is rosemary oil a natural, science-backed treatment for hair growth?  According to a lot of doctors, scientists and trichologists across the internet, yes – there’s “scientific proof” that it works as well as minoxidil. But unfortunately, that isn’t true. It all seems to be a misunderstanding of a single study: Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic …

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DMDM hydantoin and formaldehyde in haircare

Tony Youn dmdm hydantoin

DMDM hydantoin is a preservative commonly found in shampoos. It started getting a lot of attention in 2021, thanks to a number of lawsuits surrounding hair loss – so let’s talk about the science behind it and whether it’s safe. (This post is partly based off a longer video about haircare misinformation on TikTok, which also covers sulfates, silicones, testing …

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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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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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