Demystifying Cosmetics

Recent Videos

Why Supply Chain Is Quietly Deciding the Future of Beauty with John Morgan
May 22, 2026

Why Supply Chain Is Quietly Deciding the Future of Beauty with John Morgan

In this episode of Demystifying Cosmetics, Jennifer speaks with John Morgan, founder of Pelagic, about the invisible infrastructure behind beauty brands and why supply chain may now be the biggest constraint on innovation, sustainability, and scale. From raw material sourcing and formulation flexib…
Skincare Ingredient Hype Cycles: Peptides, Ceramides, Exosomes with Gloria Lu
May 1, 2026

Skincare Ingredient Hype Cycles: Peptides, Ceramides, Exosomes with Gloria Lu

In this episode of Demystifying Cosmetics, Jennifer speaks with Gloria Lu, cosmetic chemist and co-founder of Chemist Confessions, about how skincare ingredient trends actually move through the beauty industry, and why some ingredients keep resurfacing while others burn hot and fade fast. From niac…
Can Sustainability Outperform Traditional Formulation? with Kailey Brandt
April 14, 2026

Can Sustainability Outperform Traditional Formulation? with Kailey Brandt

In this episode of Demystifying Cosmetics, Jennifer speaks with Kailey Brandt — chemical engineer and CEO of Sonsie — about what sustainability actually looks like when you move beyond marketing claims and into the real constraints of formulation, sourcing, packaging, cost, and consumer education. …
Building on Clinical Science and Kindness with Dr. Brent Ridge
March 12, 2026

Building on Clinical Science and Kindness with Dr. Brent Ridge

In this episode of Demystifying Cosmetics, Jennifer speaks with Dr. Brent Ridge — physician, co-founder of Beekman 1802, and Chairman of Kindness.org — about building a clinically grounded skincare brand rooted in kindness.What began as goat milk soap made during the 2008 recession evolved into a…
Eczema Isn’t “Sensitive Skin” - It’s a Barrier Disease with Jemila Alharazim
Feb. 26, 2026

Eczema Isn’t “Sensitive Skin” - It’s a Barrier Disease with Jemila Alharazim

In this episode, host Jennifer Cookson sits down with Dr. Brent Ridge—physician, public health graduate, MBA, co-founder of Beekman 1802, and chairman of kindness.org. The conversation explores how Beekman started not as a beauty brand but from a chance farmhouse purchase, recession job loss, and a…
The Microbiome: What We Think We Know, and What We Don't Know
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…

About the Host

Jennifer Cookson Profile Photo
Jennifer Cookson

Host

A senior R&D professional with a broad base of experience in technical innovation and project management. I'm passionate about bringing scientific discoveries to market.

Sponsors

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