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Episode 48: The Clean Beauty Industry: What You Need to Know with Jennifer Novakovich
One topic I didn’t know much about and wanted to educate myself on more was the “clean beauty” concept. Much like the food industry, the cosmetic industry is constantly marketing products based on their excluded ingredients. I’m sure you’ve heard “sulfate-free” and “paraben-free” before, but I wanted to know what that truly meant. Jennifer Novakovich joined me on this episode to debunk some beauty myths and enlighten us about what we really need to know about product safety.
Jennifer is a Canadian cosmetic chemist, science communicator, and podcaster at The Eco Well. For the first few years of her career, she worked as a science writer in the wellness and cosmetic space, and as a biochemistry tutor before she went back to school to study cosmetic chemistry. She has been working as a cosmetic formulator and consultant since 2016, where she helps brands develop formulations, navigate North American regulations, with fact checking for content and in developing science communication strategies.
Jennifer and I dive deep into understanding the clean beauty industry. We talk about the misconceptions around the safety, regulations, and sustainability of cosmetic products. We also cover the burning question of, what makes a beauty product ‘clean’?
In this episode we discuss:
- What “clean beauty” really means and how it can be unethical
- Facts behind the safety of commonly known cosmetic ingredients
- The difference between cosmetic safety standards in the EU and US
- How to know which companies or products you can trust
- The affect consumers have on the cosmetic industry
Resources:
- Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
- Read Jennifer’s blog post on A Case Against the EWG
- The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe
- The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Podcast
Connect with Jennifer:
- Twitter: @jennifernovako3
- Facebook: @theecowell
- Podcast: The Eco Well Podcast
- Website: The Eco Well
- Blog: The Eco Well Blog
Connect with Lynzy:
- Join the Motherhood Meets Medicine community at patreon.com/motherhoodmeetsmedicine
- Instagram: @motherhoodmeetsmedicine
- Sign up for the weekly newsletter here
Questions Asked In The Episode:
- Where did the term “clean beauty” come from and what are your thoughts on it?
- Is everything BeautyCounter is claiming all smoke and mirrors?
- What are your thoughts on the EWG (Environmental Working Group)?
- Are there any reputable websites you recommend to look at product safety or should we not be worrying about that?
- What are your thoughts on Biossance?
- Are there any products that you really like how they market their products?
- Which products do you use?
- Are there any products you would without a doubt say to avoid?
- Are there any products you would tell pregnant or nursing mothers to avoid?
Hey, loved this episode, very informational. Also wanted to say I appreciate your willingness to go back and reassess your beliefs on certain products when presented with new information. I think it’s a good example promoting continuing learning over sticking to our previous statements just because we said something in the past. Thanks for this episode!
To hear a qualified cosmetic scientist tell the listening audience to relax and enjoy the products we like is refreshing. I started down the path of “clean” and “detoxifying” my home, including beauty products. I can honestly say I did not even know the difference between what was clean or “dirty” about these products other than what influencers, random holistic nutritionists/specialists were telling people like me.
If covid has taught me anything, it is the power of misinformation and has largely shone a light on my own misguided assumptions based on unethical marketing anecdotal research rather than ethical scientifically researched proven facts.