#sciencenotfear

[imabeautygeek]

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Told ya on my personal feed that I’m going to post stuff from @emersonbrophy again. *grin* As I said over there, he’s genius. I wish more of us could communicate as well and in such an engaging fashion. But it really takes all sorts, right? Sometimes a combination of styles is what it takes to get through. . Still more thanks to @skincaresaviour for reminding me about this talent! . #emersonbrophy #dunningkruger #scicomm #sciencenotfear #treatpeoplewithkindness #lovethyneighbour #human #Beautygeeks https://www.instagram.com/p/CFXp0vhhJ9x/?igshid=hslxna7w9hbd

[imabeautygeek]

Only minutes into @carolinehirons USE YOUR SPF FFS igtv vid (swipe left to see grid) and this exchange with @ranellamd was screaming in my head. Cracked me up, but perfectly aligned with what dermatologists have told me over the last decade or more. Why do people still believe this anti-sunscreen-Vitamin-d stuff? #mustamplify . . #WearSunscreen #SunscreenEveryday #Sunscreen #StopSunscreenLies #SunscreenSavesLives #misinformation #disinformation #misinfluencer #fearmongering #sciencenotfear #healthrisk #dermadvice #amplifyscience #amplifyscicomm #amplifymedicine #Beautygeeks https://www.instagram.com/p/CRpSWFBLYBf/?utm_medium=tumblr

[imabeautygeek]

How is this not obvious? If someone uses expertise in one area to claim expertise in another, yet insists on something frighteningly opposite to what all other experts say, AND is selling stuff (usually supplements or something “non-toxic” or “not chemical”) based on that different scary concept — basically I’m repeating myself. It’s because I cannot understand why this is not a more obvious red flag for more people. Make it make sense, please. . . #fearmongering #sciencenotfear #cleanbeauty #misinformation #mythinformation #disinformation #toxicbeauty #misinfluencers #Beautygeeks (at Canada) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRmF0MPrubd/?utm_medium=tumblr

[imabeautygeek]

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IG Live with @chemist.confessions — Gloria Lu and Victoria Fu — Tuesday July 6th at 3 pm EST (noon PST) right here. We’ll talk about their book, “Skincare Decoded,” and lots of cosmetic-chemistry stuff; join us! . . #IGLive #chemistconfessions #skincare #scicomm #sciencenotfear #fightmisinformation #PRcopy #NotSponsored #Beautygeeks (at InstaLive) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQymJuWDgP3/?utm_medium=tumblr

[imabeautygeek]

MISINFOMARKETING hasn’t yet cropped up as a widespread word (nor has misinformarketing), but Google will accept “misinfo marketing” to find stories about the hazards of rampant misinformation. I’m using “misinfomarketing” to highlight problematic concepts including “chemical-free,” “toxic beauty,” “parabens cause cancer” and “clean beauty,” as well as to reference the manipulative marketing strategy outlined in today’s post by @skinperspective. Swipe left to see the grid image for the specific @skinperspective post I mean, but once you’re there you’ll see most of her account is about myth- and misinfo-busting. . I would have gone with MISINFORmarketing, but it works better graphically without the R. I’ll hashtag both. . Do you have thoughts on misinfomarketing and misinformarketing as words and hashtags? . . #misinfomarketing #misinformarketing #misinformation #chemicalfree #toxicbeauty #nontoxic #cleanbeauty #parabenfree #sciencenotfear #factsnotfear #formulaisking #amplifyscicomm #cosmeticchemistry #cosmeticscience #itscomplicated #nuancematters #Beautygeeks https://www.instagram.com/p/CPYSjhKB5Cz/?utm_medium=tumblr

[imabeautygeek]

Because sharing is caring and this slideshow post is too good to live for a mere 24 hours in my stories. Watermarked @charlotteparler so you know who to thank for this info that so many people still need to read, save and share. . . #toxicbeauty #cleanbeauty #misinfluencers #fightmisinformation #amplifyscicomm #sciencenotfear #factsnotfear #cosmeticregulations #Beautygeeks https://www.instagram.com/p/COn6bPaB_3e/?igshid=1pck0flk4kkh2

[imabeautygeek]

The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a strange but unfortunately common phenomenon in which humans get a little bit of info then think they know everything about it — and are willing to argue as if they do. (That’s how we get anti-vaxxers, covidiots and people who think sunscreen is poison.) Swipe left for additional posts to check out from @emersonbrophy, @theecowell and @waltermasterson that explain in other excellent ways. . Real experts in any given complex field understand that although they know some things, there’s a lot they still don’t know and have to learn. They understand that definitive statements aren’t always possible, that sometimes nuance needs to be taken into account to get to an acceptable answer. And they are willing to consider new evidence and their own biases to adjust their beliefs as they acquire new information. . #dunningkruger #cognitivebias #misinformation #cleanbeauty #toxicbeauty #toxicingredients #misinfluencers #fearmongering #sciencenotfear #factsnotfear #experts #scicomm #wearamask #stayhome #staysafe #Beautygeeks https://www.instagram.com/p/CN2pnG9rPps/?igshid=15zxq4b32e163

[imabeautygeek]

In the beauty industry, success does not come from poisoning your customer base. Despite what one biased, misinformed opinion film says, “toxic beauty” is not a thing. Putting unsafe products on the market is illegal, and ingredients are in fact regulated. Find more information through following @thecosmeticregulator, @regulatorysaysso and @dr.ginza (swipe left to see images for related posts to look for in their grids), accounts I found through @theecowell. Search @dr.ginza’s grid for other great CLAIMS posts as well, for info on what beauty companies can and cannot claim about ingredients and formulas. . Actually, there is one thing we can all do about “toxic beauty” claims. Inform misinfluencers (kindly!) and unfollow misinfluencers who can’t or won’t stop spreading misinformation. . #toxicbeauty #mythbusting #misinformation #misinfluence #misinfluencers #cosmeticregulations #cosmeticregulation #stopfearmongering #sciencenotfear #scicomm #Beautygeeks https://www.instagram.com/p/CNvO69KhMmb/?igshid=pymfrejs78e8

[imabeautygeek]

Information without context is just words. Indeed, lack of context could get an innocent person convicted in court (if TV crime dramas are anything to go by). And it could result in all manner of other harm when — say it with me — THE DOSE MAKES THE POISON. . Thinking the EWG is the gospel on ingredients is one of the hallmarks of misinfluencers, celebrity types and otherwise. . But don’t take my word for it. Ask any of the following scientists, chemists, derms and estheticians who know how crucial context is when it comes to formulation: @theecowell @brains.in.beauty @carolinehirons @cindyjlabs @dermatologydemystified @dermdeets_med @draegeanchan @dr.ginza @charlotteparler @foodsciencebabe @labmuffinbeautyscience @lepamperedpig @maximumskin @ranellamd @samfarmer_co @skinbyresearch @skinchemy @skinperspective @thebeautychemist @thecharismaticchemist @theformulatorsdiary @themelaninchemist @theskincaresaviour @the.skin.scientist . More people need to know this. Please share this post, and any others that call the EWG out. . #misinfluencers #theEWG #EWG #misinformation #fearmongering #cleanbeauty #sciencenotfear #scicomm #factsnotfear #Beautygeeks https://www.instagram.com/p/CNknxwwh_PO/?igshid=1cn34qsdzzays

[imabeautygeek]

I am as horrified by Gwyneth Paltrow‘s recent application demo of sunscreen as every dermatologist and skin expert who posted outrage about it – indeed I shared much of it in my stories. But earlier today @britbeautyblog and @featuresjourno presented interesting perspectives on the subject. Jane (posted in stories) feels most of us on social media are well enough educated on the subject by now (plus, instructions are on every sunscreen bottle), and Claire (in her background IGTV for her @dailymail article in my stories) cautions about finding oneself in an echo chamber. Are we all “preaching to the choir” or did anyone here learn something new about sunscreen application that they didn’t already know? Serious question! . #gwynethgate #sunscreenapplication #cleanbeauty #fightmisinformation #sciencenotfear #stopfearmongering #britishbeautyblogger #janecunningham #clairecoleman #Beautygeeks https://www.instagram.com/p/CNaUgZALL13/?igshid=pj1tfjktjt1s

[imabeautygeek]

“Natural” does not mean safe. Dr. Roohi Qureshi, founder of @leavesoftreesto, once told me that. Indeed, dermatologist and author @drsandyskotnicki includes in her list of top skin irritants feverfew, tea tree, lavender, sandalwood, ylang ylang and peppermint. . Poison ivy is often the example of choice when reminding people that nature can be really mean, but no one puts that on skin hoping for a healthy glow. However mentioning poison ivy does stop a person in their tracks when trying to get a point across. . The point, however, is NOT that all natural products are irritating — in fact, although I prefer the anti-wetness function of an antiperspirant, I think @leavesoftreesto makes great deodorants that banish odour without issue, for instance. . The point is that botanicals should be on your suspect list if something you’re using irritates your skin. As for synthetic ingredients born in a lab, they’re deliberately designed to be friendly to as many humans as possible, to avoid reactions (and refunds). Nature just isn’t that accommodating. . I’m not saying that synthetics can’t ever cause a reaction, just that botanicals should be at the top of your list if your skin is mad about something you’re using. Don’t let the silly “clean beauty” label make you forget that. . #naturaldoesntmeansafe #skin #cleanbeauty #skinirritation #skincare #naturalingredients #stopfearmongering #sciencenotfear #Beautygeeks https://www.instagram.com/p/CNAaM6YB_oZ/?igshid=f6nta45dn9pt

[imabeautygeek]

Further to yesterday’s post that declared “natural fragrance” is no better than synthetic: synthetic fragrance in fact has the upper hand because chemists and formulators can remove potential allergens from them. That’s a science fact, brought to you by dermatologist @ranellamd who added that note to my post via stories 💪🏻😄 . So please, “clean beauty” marketers and supporters, please stop highlighting “natural fragrance only” as a superior formula detail. Like most claims against synthetics, it just isn’t true. . #syntheticfragrance #naturalfragrance #cleanbeauty #sciencenotfear #stopmisinformation #stopfearmongering #askachemist #askacosmeticscientist #Beautygeeks https://www.instagram.com/p/CMz_i_Yhl7r/?igshid=127wbn7jrypc8

[imabeautygeek]

Today's post is in response to legal threats levelled at some of the science-smart accounts I follow on Instagram. When one person called out a natural brand marketing an uncoated-zinc oxide powder as a "sun reflector" to mix into skincare, the company threatened to sue. Another person called a different brand out for suspect claims, such as "broccoli sprout extract" as a defense against sun exposure, and was notified that a lawsuit has been filed. . But what about freedom of speech? And truth? Turns out that both are damned tricky because lawyers. In prep for this post, a group of us (#cantsuescience) checked in with someone with enough legal background to offer basic advice (see slideshow). It's not the same as consulting a lawyer if someone's threatening to sue, but it should help. . Most high-profile companies, especially legacy types with a heritage and massive profile, do tend to follow the rules and regulations because it's in their best interests to do no cosmetic harm. But some make unwitting mistakes and slip through the regulation cracks, perhaps due to lack of experience or inadequate research etc. Either way, we have to feel safe enough to share honest reviews and opinions. The best advice I can offer as someone who is NOT a lawyer, is BE CAREFUL. . Our work is also only as good as our sources of information. A brand that says everyone else is wrong and then tries to sell us something isn't a great source of unbiased info and/or facts. . The following is my own list of credible experts – scientists, chemists, doctors, estheticians – on Insta, and I’ve tagged 15 more favourites; it's a start. . @theecowell @dr.ginza @labmuffinbeautyscience @skinperspective @thecosmeticregulator @cyrille_laurent @carolinehirons @charlotteparler @lepamperedpig @annikacoherent @vetcosmetic @ranellamd @theskincaresaviour @drsomaskin @draegeanchan @theformulatorsdiary @28dayskin @sciencemeetscosmetics @foodsciencebabe @dermatology_demystified @maximumskin . #cantsuescience #misniformation #slappsuit #formulation #sciencenotfear #skincare #cosmeticscience #cosmeticchemistry #chemistry #cosmeticclaims #cosmeticregulations #scicomm #beautyscicomm #Beautygeeks (at Canada) https://www.instagram.com/p/CG2i6iMBz-T/?igshid=1qftkn9np7gnn