The Eco Well podcast

This week's episode featured plant scientist, Professor Monique Simmonds from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. She is my literal idol in this space, and it was such a treat to pick her brain on the topic of botanical safety and sustainability. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! This week's episode is sponsored by Herbal Essences, who works closely with KEW to confirm the species and chemical composition of all the botanicals in Herbal Essences bio:renew. Thank you Herbal Essences for making this podcast possible!

There are some potentially big changes coming in the EU regarding chemical management under the new Green Deal which will directly impact the cosmetics industry. Joining us for this episode is regulatory toxicologist, Fred Lebreux Ph.D., CEO at BIORIUS. What's happening, how might it impact the cosmetics sector, and how can brands best prepare for these changes? One of the biggest suggestions for the final question is trying to stay on top of what's happening, and this episode is a great start! Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

Gabriella Baki, Ph.D., is a cosmetics researcher and professor at the University of Toledo, specializing in the topical delivery of skincare actives. She discusses effective methods for ingredient penetration and the importance of formulation strategies to overcome skin barriers. The conversation also highlights misconceptions about ingredient concentration and the impact of skin conditions on absorption. Gabriella emphasizes the need for reliable skincare information and recommends readings to better understand cosmetic science.

This one featured Michelle Wong, Lalita Iyer and Esther Olu. Our take on Not So Pretty. Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

New podcast alert! A deep dive into ethoxylated ingredients, breaking down the facts, and fiction, with Prof Ricardo Diez. We covered how ethoxylation has allowed for better-performing products, end of life, 1,4-dioxane, PEGs and so much more. This episode was a little in the weeds, but if you want a thorough (and factual) take on the topic, this is the episode for you. Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! Interested in supporting the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

Unless you live under a rock, I am sure you have seen some scary headlines about PFAS. This episode featured analytical chemist and PFAS researcher, KC Hyland, Ph.D. We explored what they are, where they are, the major issues and challenges, and key things everyone should know. This conversation was more of a general one on PFAS rather than specific to cosmetics, albeit cosmetics certainly came up. While it may not be a comfortable conversation for everyone, if there's anything I can leave you with; don't let people scare you about this topic, and there's no need to stress. Hope you find this episode as informative as I did! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This week we take a look at the deceptively complicated world of product sensory. Featuring cosmetic chemist and formulation aesthetics expert, Mark Chandler. Disclaimer - this episode is on the technical side. But if you want answers on what people really enjoy about skincare products, this is the right episode for you. Enjoy! Want to support the show? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

In this episode, Annalisa @skinperspective and I set out to answer some specific questions about slept-on ingredients and ended up answering all of your formulation and ingredient inquiries. This one starts in the weeds and trudges through it for most of the conversation, so if you're looking for something a wee bit more technical, you're in the right place. Hope you enjoy the discussion as much as I did! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

Entrepreneurship in Beauty, with the most badass entrepreneur I know, Jasmina Agonovic. Previously a founder at Mother Dirt, her new company Arcaea was born out of her entrepreneur in residence journey with Ginkgo Bioworks. We talked about entrepreneurship and biotech. Disclaimer, at some point I seemed to have forgotten who was interviewing who, but I think the conversation turned out pretty well! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell

This was the closing panel at our Sustainable Beauty E-Summit last week, in conversation with Dr. Rene Van Acker, Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College, Dr Akemi Ooka, Head of Global Supply Chain Resources at the IBA, and Dr Iain Davies, Director of the Environmental Sciences Program at the PCPC. How does misinformation about sustainability impact sustainable development in the cosmetics sector? Hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! Interested in supporting the podcast? Find us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theecowell