Summer isn’t over yet! We have stressed the importance of sunscreen, but how does the sun affect your hair? In this episode we are breaking down the science of UV damage, visible light, melanin, and why some hair fades or weakens faster in the sun. Have you ever wondered if your hair needs sunscreen? Tune in, this episode is for you.

Welcome to Beauty by the Beaker, the podcast where Sciences Gets a Hot New Makeover! We're two cosmetic chemists who want to reveal what really goes into your favorite products. Join us in the Science Salon! Whether you’re a skincare enthusiast, a curious consumer, or just tired of being told coconut oil cures everything, you’re in the right place. Let's gossip about all things beauty together! Pull up a chair, your appointment's about to start.

Visit our website to read more about this episode and check out our blog post with more sources.

www.beautyxbeaker.com

Join us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube!

@beautyxbeaker

@natbxb

@sadiebxb

Contact us at info@beautyxbeaker.com

Special thanks to Flip Twogood for our photos and music and Hailey Romero for our branding.

In this episode we cover:

How UV light damages hair structure

Why visible light affects hair color

The difference between eumelanin and pheomelanin

Why blonde, bleached, and damaged hair is more vulnerable

Hair protection tips, including hats, scarves, and leave-on products

What to look for in hair UV protectants

Whether you’re looking for science-backed hair care tips, summer hair protection advice, or a deeper understanding of UV and visible light damage, this episode has you covered.

Timestamps

00:00 - Why nobody talks about sun damage to hair

01:40 - Summer, UV index, and the episode’s main question

02:40 - Valerie George’s UV damage lecture as the key reference

04:37 - Hair structure refresher: cuticle, cortex, and medulla

05:42 - Why disulfide bonds matter for hair strength

06:38 - UV light and visible light as the two main forms of damage

07:19 - How melanin protects hair from sunlight

08:41 - Eumelanin vs pheomelanin and why hair color varies

09:33 - Why lighter hair usually fades and damages faster

11:59 - Why eumelanin protects better from UV than pheomelanin

13:09 - Study findings: blonde hair vs dark hair in sunlight

15:45 - UV damage vs visible light damage in hair

17:39 - The chocolate chip cookie analogy for melanin damage

18:07 - Why humidity accelerates sun damage

19:09 - Leave-on products vs rinse-off protection

19:31 - Why hair SPF is not regulated like skin SPF

20:55 - How hair protection is tested and why it is hard to prove

21:15 - Why formulators need special ingredients to help filters stick

22:20 - Why hats and scarves are the best protection

23:37 - Where to find the hosts’ product recommendations and episode notes

25:14 - Closing advice: protect your hair from the sun

#HairCare #UVDamage #SunscreenForHair #HairProtection #BeautyScience #CosmeticChemistry #SunDamage #BlondeHair #HairScience #BeautyByTheBeaker

It’s about time we give you another peak into our vanity shelves!

This week we are spilling the details on our favorite skin and hair care products under $30 (well almost, we need to make one exception for Sadie). As cosmetic formulation chemists we have tried a lot of different products, and are very familiar with all types of ingredients.

Join us in the Science Salon for 10 products we are currently obsessed with. And we know how hard it can be to trust ‘influencers’ but don’t worry, we are scientists. We have no affiliation with any of the brands or products that we are talking about in today’s episode. These are just products that we are actually buying, using and liking.

Remember, we are talking about PERSONAL care, so even though we like these products, they might not be the best options for you. We are cosmetic formulation chemists, so our suggestions are coming from the sensory experience and wearability of skincare products. We do not necessarily support any efficacy claims that the brands are making.

Let us know if you have tried any of these products, or have any products you want our opinions on! We are here to pull back the curtain and expose all your favorite cosmetics.

Nat’s Picks

e.l.f Holy Hydration Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm

Panoxyl Acne Foaming Wash

Thayer’s Hydrating Milky Toner

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Eucerin Age Defense SPF 50 Face Sunscreen

Sadie’s Picks

Reale Actives Pore Power Exfoliating Cleanser

Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer

Experiment Beauty Super Saturated Serum

Regimen Labs Glycolide Lipid Repair

Amika Flash Instant Shine Mask for Shiny Hair

Welcome to Beauty by the Beaker, the podcast where Science Gets a Hot New Makeover! We're two cosmetic chemists who want to reveal what really goes into your favorite products. Join us in the Science Salon! Whether you’re a skincare enthusiast, a curious consumer, or just tired of being told coconut oil cures everything, you’re in the right place. Let's gossip about all things beauty together! Pull up a chair, your appointment's about to start.

Visit our website to read more about this episode and check out our blog post with more sources!

Join us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube!

@beautyxbeaker

@natbxb

@sadiebxb

Contact us at info@beautyxbeaker.com

Special thanks to Flip Twogood for our photos and music, and Hailey Romero for our branding.

Are you ready for perfect hair?

Good, because this episode is your scientifically proven guide to perfect hair! .. well… sort of.

As it turns out, hair isn’t super vital, and for that reason, there hasn’t been a very strong push for rigorous scientific evaluation. But today we have the closest thing we are going to get to a hair expert, Sadie!

Sadie performs microscopic hair analysis, and writes up a customized report, detailing everything you could need to know about your hair. She has looked at thousands of hairs under a microscope, and through this research has seen common hair issues, and today she is sharing the solutions.

This week we are back in the science salon, and we are here to solve your hair horrors. First we are covering the basics and talking all about the hair structure. Then we dive into the most frequent issues when it comes to hair. The solution may be more simple than you think!

Want your hair analyzed under a microscope? Use code BXB10 for $10 a custom Hair Analysis from Sadie's business, Strandprint!

Welcome to Beauty by the Beaker, the podcast where Science Gets a Hot New Makeover! We're two cosmetic chemists who want to reveal what really goes into your favorite products. Join us in the Science Salon! Whether you’re a skincare enthusiast, a curious consumer, or just tired of being told coconut oil cures everything, you’re in the right place. Let's gossip about all things beauty together! Pull up a chair, your appointment's about to start.

Visit our website to read more about this episode and check out our blog post with more sources.

Join us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube!

@beautyxbeaker

@natbxb

@sadiebxb

Contact us at info@beautyxbeaker.com

Special thanks to Flip Twogood for our photos and music and Hailey Romero for our branding.