#5: Debunking haircare misinfo, supplements, packaging

January update.

It’s a new year! Here’s the first Lab Muffin update for 2024 - the whole archive is here.

Shorter content

My latest posts on Instagram and TikTok:

• Does collagen work in oral supplements or topical skincare?

• Why is there less foam on the second shampoo?

• Are vitamin C supplements more effective than skincare?

• The best packaging for vitamin C, featuring Poems From the Lab. I didn’t plan on talking about the packaging so soon, but their nifty packaging ties in really well with all the talk about “airless” pumps being superior at the moment! Full review is still to come, but in the meantime, if you plan to purchase, I have an affiliate code for 10% off (I get a small commission): LABMUFFIN

Debunking the worst haircare misinformation on TikTok

A longer video this time - debunking haircare misinformation from TikTok, where myths multiply like microbes in preservative-free face cream.

Some topics covered:

• DMDM hydantoin, formaldehyde, neurotoxins, benzene

• Hair loss lawsuits

• The cotton bud “fire” test for heat protectants

• Head & Shoulders, Tresemme, OGX, Batiste, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle

• “Insoluble silicones”

• US versus EU and UK regulations

• Why medical doctors and scientists should be held to a higher standard when it comes to accuracy

I’ve talked about a lot of these before in my shorter-form content before, but I never have enough time to say everything I want! Watch it on YouTube and Nebula.

The first part discussing misinformation from experts, DMDM hydantoin, class action lawsuits and clean beauty’s overlap with the antivax movement has also been turned into a blog post, with the rest to follow. It always takes me ages to convert these unfortunately - I never have as much time as I’d like to do everything!

Random recommendations

• READING: I’ve had a few questions about whether heat from chemical sunscreens is bad for skin - check out this post/video where I did some experiments with a thermal camera!

• LEARNING: If you want to take university-level classes in lots of different topics, Coursera is fantastic. I’m currently using it to brush up on statistics! Lots of courses are free to join (you can pay extra for a certificate).

• CRAFTING: I’m getting married in a week (my partner made an appearance in this video with his frankly disturbing skincare routine), and we made our own wedding rings at Ilhen Atelier in Sydney. It was a really fun experience, and learning about the science behind the process was fascinating! I’ll make a short video out of the footage at some point. For now I’m desperately trying to finish crocheting my wedding dress…

Polls

I’ve been thinking about disclosures, and how clear they are to people who aren’t as familiar with influencer marketing. There’s a lot of shorthand used in social media posts for brevity, which could be confusing.

Here’s what some phrases are commonly used by influencers to describe (I’m leaving my commentary til later, so I don’t sway the results):

• Gifted - given by the brand or a company associated with them (e.g. a retailer), usually (but not always) without expectation of review

• PR - given by the brand or a company associated with them (e.g. a retailer), usually (but not always) without expectation of review

• Affiliate code/link - a code or link which gives the influencer a commission if you make a purchase

A reminder - the next BeautySciComm online camp is being planned, on beauty myths and misinformation. Please leave any topic suggestions on this post!

If you missed our first camp, you can watch the replay here.