The Beauty Brief: Volume 7
What I'm noticing in skin, hair, and beauty right now.
THE CeraVe CONTROVERSY EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT
If you've been on beauty TikTok lately, you've probably seen headlines about a lawsuit involving certain benzoyl peroxide acne products, including some from CeraVe.
The concern centers around benzene, a known carcinogen, which independent testing suggested may form when benzoyl peroxide products are exposed to elevated temperatures over time. Naturally, this sparked panic online. People started questioning whether they should throw away their acne treatments altogether.
My take? Probably not.
The key detail that gets lost in viral headlines is that these findings were linked to specific testing conditions involving heat exposure. Benzoyl peroxide remains one of the most effective over-the-counter ingredients we have for treating acne and millions of people have used it safely for decades.
Personally, I'll continue using my benzoyl peroxide spot treatment. While I'll be following future developments closely, I don't think this is the skincare emergency social media has made it out to be.
CLINICAL CORNER
Sunscreen oils are having a moment…but are they enough?
Sunscreen oils seem to be everywhere this summer. And while I understand the appeal - they leave a beautiful glow and feel more elegant than traditional sunscreens- they can create a false sense of security.
The reality is that SPF is determined by testing, not texture. Just because something looks shiny doesn't mean it's providing solid protection!
If you're spending significant time outdoors, make sure you're applying enough product and reapplying regularly. Most people already underapply sunscreen, and lightweight oils can make that problem even worse.
The goal isn't glowing skin at the beach. The goal is protected skin at the beach :)
TREND WATCH
People are sleeping in zinc oxide now….
One of the more interesting trends I've seen recently is people applying thick layers of zinc oxide cream overnight as a skin-calming treatment.
Tbh, the idea isn't completely unreasonable. Zinc oxide has anti-inflammatory properties and is often used to help protect compromised skin barriers. It's the same ingredient you'll find in many diaper creams, mineral sunscreens, and barrier-repair products.
That said, more isn't always better. For some people, sleeping with a thick occlusive layer can feel soothing. For others, especially those prone to clogged pores, it’s probably not be the miracle solution social media makes it out to be.
As with most skincare trends, individual skin type matters more than the trend itself.
SPILLING THE CHAI
Traditional Chinese Medicine is having yet another moment.
Every few months, I see a new version of the same conversation: acne isn't really acne…it's your liver, your gut, your hormones, your stress, or your energy pathways.
The truth is a little less exciting.
Can sleep, stress, diet, and overall health influence your skin? Absolutely.
Can we always determine the exact cause of a breakout based on where it appears on your face? Not really.
Face mapping is one of those concepts that sounds incredibly appealing because it offers simple answers to a complicated problem.
But acne is usually multifactorial. Hormones, genetics, inflammation, skincare products, stress, sleep, and environmental factors can all play a role at the same time.
Personally, I think there's value in looking at skin through a whole-body lens. I just don't think every pimple is delivering a secret message from a specific organ.
WHAT I'M PREDICTING NEXT
I think the next status symbol in beauty won't be perfect, glass skin…It'll be healthy skin.
For years, the goal was chasing flawlessness: poreless skin, glass skin, airbrushed skin.
Now I'm noticing a shift. People are becoming more interested in understanding why their skin behaves the way it does rather than simply covering it up.
They're asking about inflammation. Hormones. Pigmentation. Barrier function. Sleep. Stress.
The conversation is becoming less cosmetic and more biological. And as someone who's spent years trying to clear her own skin, I think that's a much more interesting direction for beauty to go!