Videos
Feb. 5, 2026
The Microbiome: What We Think We Know, and What We Don't Know
paper on the Yanomami skin microbiome reveals—and what it challenges about "healthy skin." Using the Yanomami as an evolutionary reference point, Larry explains how industrialized life has dramatically reduced microbial diversity and function, why the missing piece may be a protective environmental…
Jan. 28, 2026
Ethics, Consumer Power, and Supporting From Afar
In this special episode of Demystifying Cosmetics, host Jennifer Cookson steps away from formulation talk to address what many are asking right now: what are we supposed to do? With recent events in Minneapolis and the broader climate around immigration and civil rights, people are feeling overwhel…
Jan. 21, 2026
From L'Oréal Labs to Indie Beauty: The Real Cost of Formulation with Alec Batis
In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Alec Batis, whose 30+ year career in beauty spans R&D, marketing, and brand ownership. Alec shares his journey from L'Oréal chemist to founder of Sweet Chemistry, a science-backed skincare brand developed with SUNY Downstate Medical Center. The conversation …
Dec. 31, 2025
Between the Headlines: Navigating Beauty, Science, and Integrity with Becki Murray
In this 30-minute conversation, Becki pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to write responsibly in beauty media. We talk about the pressures of maintaining editorial independence in a world of brand partnerships, and the blurred lines between transparency, trust, and truth.
From navigatin…
Dec. 18, 2025
Small Batch, Big Stakes — Andrea Cid on U.S. Beauty Manufacturing
Manufacturing is where beauty dreams are either built or broken. In this episode of Demystifying Cosmetics, we go past the mood boards and into the factory with Andrea Cid—founder of Miami Growth Machine and owner of Concept II Cosmetics. With a global background spanning Chile, the U.S., the U.K.,…
Dec. 2, 2025
Framing the Formula: How Visual Storytelling Shapes Cosmetic Brands
What do your products look like to the world? Beyond INCI lists and claims, beauty brands are built—visually. In this episode of Demystifying Cosmetics, Jennifer Cookson is joined by Anderson, the creative mind behind A-Son Agency and By-Anderson, whose photography brings brand philosophies to life…
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