PODCAST · science
The Eco Well podcast
by Jen@theecowell
Weekly discussions with scientists to get into the weeds of beauty science. Interviews faciliated by cosmetic scientist and scicommer, Jen Novakovich. If you really want to know about the science behind cosmetics, this is the spot!
Episodes
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Formaldehyde in Cosmetics!? Roundtable with Gabrielle Dwyer and Joe Zagorski PhD
Is formaldehyde in cosmetics something everyday consumers actually have to be worried about? What does the science actually have to say about this? To help me unpack the topic, this week's episode features the POVs of toxicologist, Dr Joe Zagorski, and cosmetic chemist, Gabrielle Dwyer. The right...
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Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Beauty: What you need to know
This podcast features another roundtable discussion, this time on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which is becoming increasingly important to the beauty industry. If you are a beauty brand that hasn't heard of EPR yet, you need to change that ASAP, trust me! Some of the potential fines of...
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A Skin Cancer 101. Roundtable with Ade Adamson MD and David Whiteman PhD
There is a lot to unpack when it comes to skin cancer and preventative measures against it. It's a huge and complicated topic that I think has sometimes been oversimplified to the point where the messages have become problematic... This podcast will give you a 101 on skin cancer, to hopefully…
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Expert Misinformation Online/Experts Correcting Experts? ROUNDTABLE
If you're not aware, you probably should be - expert led misinformation is a really big problem that is supercharging some of the misinformation that's out there. So, this is a problem, but… should other experts be correcting them? Is that more damaging because it sows more doubt in science?...
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Animal Testing in Beauty, a 2026 update. W/ Jonathan Reynolds and Barae Jomaa PhD ERT
This episode is a 2026 update on where things are at with animal testing in beauty. A roundtable discussion featuring the POV of regulatory expert from the brand side of things, Jonathan Reynolds & regulatory toxicologist from the ingredient supply side, Barae Jomaa PhD ERT. What has happened, is...
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Women in Science Communication Roundtable. w/ Jen Gunter MD, Emily Graslie and Michelle Wong PhD
A roundtable on women in science communication - and some of the often unspoken barriers in this space. Featuring Dr Jen Gunter, Dr Michelle Wong and Emily Graslie. There's a lot here, I think the points raised in the discussion are really important for everyone to be aware of. Interested in...
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Influencer/brand relationships: what everyone needs to know. With Jennifer Santos and Meredith Petillo
This week's episode is all about influencer marketing, and what everyone needs to know. There are rules, and very real potential repercussions, for brands AND influencers for not getting them right. This podcast features a roundtable discussion with Jennifer Santos from BBB National Programs, now...
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"Skin Longevity" as a trend in beauty. Roundtable w/ Rania Ibrahim PhD, Omer Ibrahim MD and Kailey Bradt
This week's episode covers skin aging and skin longevity as a trend in beauty. How much can cosmetic regulated products really do, how do skin longevity claims fit within what cosmetics are allowed to say, from testing to ingredients to formulas - what innovation is happening in this space and...
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Talc in Beauty: An Update/WTF is Happening? w/ Lyle Burgoon PhD ATS
There has been A LOT happening with talc - from class action lawsuits, regulatory action, a testing proposed rule and its subsequent withdrawal, and so on. There's also been a huge amount of incorrect or misleading reporting on what's been happening, making everything extra confusing... This...
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Exosomes in Beauty are Bunk Science. Change our minds. With Ryan Kudla PhD and Lanesa Mahon
Last year, in our deep dive into the research available, Lanesa Mahon (PhD candidate/cosmetic scientist) came to the conclusion that exosomes are quack science. In this episode, Ryan Kudla PhD will try to change our minds. We covered a lot of ground in this episode - from what exosomes are, the...
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Dodgy Hair Growth Claims VS Science with Dr Leona Yip MD PhD
This episode digs deep into hair growth and scalp care - specifically, the dodgy advice online VS the science. What actually works, what doesn't, why so much dodgy advice, and what's the greater issue with it. This episode features Dr Leona Yip MD PhD, dermatologist and alopecia specialist. If…
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Is microplastic misinformation harming environmental outcomes and science literacy? Roundtable with Oli Jones PhD and Rick Stafford PhD
Is microplastic misinformation harming environmental outcomes and science literacy? This episode features a roundtable in response to the responses the Guardian got for their recent article highlighting the uncertain science of microplastics. Turns out a lot of the headlines that went viral…
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A hair research deep dive: hair bond repair. Roundtable with Jennifer Marsh PhD and Ernesta Malinauskyte PhD
This episode is a deep dive into hair research - how it works, where it's done and why, its interdisciplinary nature and how the moving pieces all come together. The first part of the episode focuses on the wider picture, with the second half digging in on the specifics of hair bond related...
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BENZENE IN BEAUTY!? w/ Michelle Wong PhD and Lyle Burgoon PhD ATS
Kicking our new season off with a conversation about BENZENE IN BEAUTY!??? This convo features the POVs of chemist, Michelle Wong, PhD (AKA Labmuffinbeautyscience), and toxicologist, Lyle Burgoon, PhD, ATS. Is benzene in cosmetic products actually something people should be worried about? Long...
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When Beauty Testing Goes Wrong, Who's Responsible? ROUNDTABLE with Avril Love and Rania Ibrahim PhD
A roundtable discussion follow up on the CHOICE SPF testing scandal - a response to some bad takes I've seen circulating on social media about how the brands involved aren't responsible, and that the responsibility lies entirely with the testing lab that was committing fraud. Unfortunate and...
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Where Beauty Trends Are Really Going, with Jonathan Reynolds
This week's episode features Jonathan Reynolds, Director of Scientific Development at Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, on product development to meet future beauty trends. We get into what actually goes into forecasting claims, where claims and ingredient trends are headed as consumer expectations and...
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The Hidden Crisis of Bad Science, featuring James Heathers PhD
How does bad science get published, and why does it matter? This week's conversation with Dr. James Heathers PhD dives into the cracks in our scientific publishing system, the rise of research fraud, and the ripple effects of flawed evidence. If you've ever wondered how misinformation travels...
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Inside Cosmetic Manufacturing, with Richie Rubin
In this episode, we're continuing our "need-to-know" series for indie beauty founders with a deep dive into one of the most crucial parts of building a beauty brand: manufacturing. Featuring Richie Rubin from the contract manufacturer Garcoa for a "Contract Manufacturing 101", unpacking how…
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Quality Control in Beauty Explained: Safety, Testing, and Responsibility, with Geoff Waby
Quality control might not be the flashiest topic in beauty, but it is one of the most important. In this episode, I'm joined by industry expert Geoff Waby for a deep dive into what really goes on behind the scenes to make sure products are safe, stable, and consistent. We unpack what happens when...
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Cosmetics Regulations 101 with Meredith Petillo
A rapid fire cosmetics regulatory 101 with Meredith Petillo, VP of Technical Regulatory Affairs at Independent Beauty Association. We covered as much as we could - if you're have a indie brand, this episode will be super helpful to you. It will also be helpful for anyone else wanting to get a…
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IS MAKEUP DISRUPTING YOUR HORMONES!? (no) with Chris Borgert PhD
In this episode, we dive deep into the complex and often misunderstood world of endocrine disruption with toxicologist, pharmacologist and endocrine disruption researcher, Chris Borgert PhD. We unpack how the science has evolved, what we actually know about real-world risks, and how public fear…
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Sunscreen Gate 2025 Roundtable, with Michelle Wong PhD, Hannah English and Brian Ecclefield
By now you have probably heard about the sunscreen testing scandal. Earlier this year in June, CHOICE tested a bunch of sunscreen products in the Australian market, and many came back well under their marketed SPF. The one that really caught everyone's attention was from Ultraviolet, with a…
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Trending Ingredients VS Science with Lanesa Mahon
There are so many new trendy ingredients - from exosomes to PDMR, peptides to tranexamic acid… But do they actually work? In my first episode of the season, I thought it would be fun to kick things off with an ingredient trends vs science conversation, featuring PhD candidate and cosmetic...
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Beauty's Issue with Snowballing Misinformation with Michelle Niedziela PhD
Beauty has a misinformation problem. In my latest podcast, we take a look at the issue from a behavioural science POV with behavioural neuroscientist and consumer researcher, Michelle Niedziela, PhD. How is misinformation influencing consumer AND brand behaviour, why has misinfomation snowballing...
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Truth in Beauty - Surfactants Edition! World Surfactants Conference Panel Replay
Last week I moderated the Truth in Beauty Panel, Surfactants Edition, at the 15th ICIS World Surfactants Conference, brought to you by the Independent Beauty Association. This episode features that conversation! How has misinformation impacted the surfactants sector? Disclaimer - surfactants are...
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Copy Cats, Counterfeit and Culture; the Ethics of Perfume. Roundtable with Christophe Laudamiel & Pia Long
This conversation featured perfumers Christophe Laudamiel & Pia Long. We talked about some of the structural challenges that the fragrance sector currently faces; from intellectual protection, perfumery education, issues of plagiarism, duping culture and more. Interested in supporting the…
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A 101 on greenwashing with Wren Montgomery PhD
This episode features a deep dive into the topic of greenwashing, featuring greenwashing researcher, Dr Wren Montgomery PhD. We get into the different forms of greenwashing, greenwashing specific to cosmetics, its impacts, how brands can avoid making greenwashed claims, how consumers can navigate...
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A deep dive into the problem of research fraud, with Mu Yang PhD
This episode features behavioural neuroscientist and academic sleuth with a seriously impressive resume spotting research fraud, Dr Mu Yang, PhD. The topic - research fraud and it's many flavors. What's the problem, why does it appear to be on the rise, what are the science factors driving it…
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Multiplying Beauty Myths, featuring Michelle Wong PhD AKA @labmuffinbeautyscience
Beauty myths multiply! My latest podcast episode features OG beauty myth buster, Michelle Wong PhD, aka @labmuffinbeautyscience. What's the latest trending beauty misinformation, where is it coming from, how is it growing and how does it impact both consumers and the beauty sector writ large....
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Cosmetics safety misconceptions with Mo Kanadil PharmD AKA @Moskinlab
This episode features safety assessor Mo Kanadil PharmD, otherwise known as @Moskinlab, in a conversation about safety misconceptions. What are common safety misconceptions amongst consumers, where is the misinformation coming from, what are the challenges in addressing it, and more. Interested…
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The War on Science, a roundtable with Jessica Knurick RD PhD, Melody Schreiber and Elisabeth Anderson
There is currently a war on science. What's happening, what are the impacts, and what can we do about it? This week I was joined by 3 POVs to try to do the topic justice, coming at it from the public health and independent scicomm POV, with registered dietitian Dr Jessica Knurick, the science...
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A 101 on skincare efficacy claims with Omer Ibrahim MD and Rania Ibrahim PhD
This episode is a 101 on skincare efficacy claims, brother and sister duo, dermatologist Dr Omer Ibrahim MD, and skin scientist, Dr Rania Ibrahim PhD. What's the landscape of claims, what makes a claim stronger or weaker, what are common deceptive practices, what should brands know and also, what...
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A 101 on PFAS and Microplastics, with Oliver Jones PhD
This conversation dove into the topic of environmental contaminants related to cosmetics, in conversation with Prof Oliver Jones PhD. We focused on microplastic and PFAS, with an emphasis on the misinformation that surrounds these two groups of chemicals. What is the impact of misinformation…
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Nutrition Misinformation: The Problem. With Danielle Shine RD
This episode dives into the topic of nutrition misinformation - what is the problem and how did we get here? From the algorithm forces online to our human biases that make misinformation so attractive, the impacts nutrition misinformation has on individuals, to its greater impacts on society....
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A deep dive into cosmetics preservatives with Dr Sabrina Behnke
This episode features a deep dive into the world of preservatives, featuring microbiologist Dr Sabrina Behnke. What are they, how and why are they used, how are they made, what are their supply chains like, what are formulation considerations we need to think about? And while a product may now be...
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The "Sephora Kids" Phenomenon - what parents AND brands need to know. Roundtable with Aegean Chan MD and Claire Bing.
This episode digs into the new trend of tweens and teens reaching for anti-aging skincare, and the "Sephora Kids" phenomenon. Coming at the topic from the derm POV with Dr. Aegean Chan - what are some of the skin concerns with this trend, and what should skincare regimes look like for this age...
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WTF is up with dermfluencers? Roundtable feat. Ade Ade Adamson MD & Avril Love
A roundtable conversation covering: the rise of dermfluencers, misinformation, undisclosed ads, exploitation and the impact on dermatology as a field. Featuring the POVs of dermatologist and researcher, Dr Ade Adamson and lawyer specializing in cosmetics regulations, Avril Love. Interested in...
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How EWG actively harms public health & the environment, with Andrea Love PhD
This episode features Immunologist & Microbiologist, and fellow science communicator, Dr. Andrea Love, in a deep dive into the EWG. Views expressed in this episode are in our honestly held opinions. Interested in supporting the podcast? Please share, subscribe and write a review! If it's...
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Huberman x Shanna Swan Toxicologist Reacts Episode, feat Lyle Burgoon PhD
There was a lot wrong in the recent Huberman podcast featuring Shanna Swan - the misinformation was rapid fire. This episode features Lyle Burgoon PhD in a toxicologist reacts episode to break down some of the things that came up. From phthalates = endocrine disruptors? to feminization and the...
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Conspiracy Theories with Derek Beres
This episode is about conspiracy thinking, featuring Derek Beres from Conspirituality. What are the dangers of conspiracy theories, how does fear and uncertainty play into them, how are conspiracy theories and thinking being capitalized on, from a company and individual POV, and more. Interested…
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A Deep Dive on Surfactants Production & Supply with Neil Burns
This episode features Neil Burns in a deep dive into surfactants. Previously on the show we've covered the topic in the context of formulation, this time I thought it would be interesting to take a different angle - what is the history of surfactants, how are they made, what are their supply...
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A Contract Manufacturing in Beauty 101 with Erica Douglas
This episode features Erica Douglas, otherwise known as @sisterscientist, cofounder of the contract manufacturing business mSEED, in a deep dive on contract manufacturing. We covered the contract manufacturing landscape - who works with them and why? what's up with minimum quantity orders? What…
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What's wrong with corporate sustainability? With Mark Trexler PhD
This week's episode goes on a deep dive into corporate sustainability - specifically, why isn't it working? Over the last few decades, we've seen lots of new reporting requirements for companies. On the flip side, during that same time frame where sustainability has become fashionable, things…
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The Science News Media Cycle with Gideon M-K PhD
Why is the media so rife with inaccurate reporting on epidemiological studies? To help guide us through this topic, I was joined with Gideon M-K PhD, epidemiologist, fact checker and content creator. We go through what epidemiology research looks like and some of the inherent challenges, research...
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The Science News Media Cycle with Gideon M-K PhD
Why is the media so rife with inaccurate reporting on epidemiological studies? To help guide us through this topic, I was joined with Dr Gidion MK, epidemiologist, fact checker and content creator. We go through what epidemiology research looks like and some of the inherent challenges, research...
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Biodegradation and Persistence with Chris Hughes
With the press around "forever chemicals" and the moving regulations related to biodegradation, the topics of biodegradation and persistence are increasingly important to understand. This episode is a deep dive into the topic, featuring Chris Hughes from Embark Chemical Consulting. Disclaimer…
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The Skin Microbiome, featuring Kirstin Neumann PhD
The skin microbiome and products geared to supporting it have been a hot topic in beauty for the last decade.Where are we at with the science? What is the skin microbiome, how do cosmetics interact with it, what are common misconceptions, and what does a healthy skin microbiome look like… or do…
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Endocrine disruption in beauty? Feat Lyle Burgoon PhD
What is up with endocrine disruption in beauty? There is so much about this topic in the media, seemingly disproportionately focused on cosmetics. What does it all mean, where is the science and are the concerns actually relevant? This week, Dr Lyle Burgoon is back for a deep dive into the topic....
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Science integrity with Lyle Burgoon PhD
What do we mean when we say science integrity? What is good evidence, and how is evidence incorporated at a policy level? This was the topic of this podcast, which featured toxicologist Lyle Burgoon PhD. Interested in supporting the podcast? Please share, subscribe and write a review! If it's...
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Experts Behaving Badly Roundtable
This episode focused on the issue of misinformation and bad behaviour in the science and medical influencer space. Disclaimer, special attention was given to the rise of dermfluencers. This episode featured a roundtable discussion between dermatologist Anjali Mahto MD, cardiologist Rohin Francis...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Weekly discussions with scientists to get into the weeds of beauty science. Interviews faciliated by cosmetic scientist and scicommer, Jen Novakovich. If you really want to know about the science behind cosmetics, this is the spot!
HOSTED BY
Jen@theecowell
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Eco Well podcast have?
The Eco Well podcast currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Eco Well podcast about?
Weekly discussions with scientists to get into the weeds of beauty science. Interviews faciliated by cosmetic scientist and scicommer, Jen Novakovich. If you really want to know about the science behind cosmetics, this is the spot!
How often does The Eco Well podcast release new episodes?
The Eco Well podcast has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Eco Well podcast?
You can listen to The Eco Well podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Eco Well podcast?
The Eco Well podcast is created and hosted by Jen@theecowell.
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