In 1933, a shocking exhibit toured America, displaying products that had blinded women, caused permanent hair loss, and even killed unsuspecting consumers. The "American Chamber of Horrors," as it came to be known, featured genuinely toxic cosmetic products, that contrast sharply with how remarkably safe modern products actually are.

Yet somehow, in our era cosmetic safety and regulation, we've developed an irrational fear of "chemicals" and "toxins" in beauty products. The irony is striking: we've never been safer from cosmetic harm, yet we've never been more frightened of our makeup bags.

Let's explore how the real horrors of unregulated cosmetics led to the robust safety framework we have today - and why most modern "clean beauty" fears fundamentally misunderstand how cosmetic regulation actually works.

In the colourful history of cosmetics, few stories have taken on such a life of their own as the so-called Lipstick Ban of 1770. Allegedly passed by the British Parliament, this infamous “act” decreed that any woman who used makeup to deceive a man into marriage could be tried for witchcraft, and that the marriage would be rendered null and void.

Over a century ago, one fascinating case marked the dawn of cosmetic intervention as we know it today — and it involved paraffin wax.

In 1904, Dr. Benjamin T. Burley published a case report in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal detailing the use of paraffin injections to restore facial volume in a young woman suffering from bilateral facial atrophy.

This is more than just a curious footnote in the history of injectables — it’s a reminder of the human drive for aesthetic restoration, the early efforts to balance safety with innovation, and the long road we’ve walked from paraffin to the safe use of hyaluronic acid fillers today.

Exosomes and other regenerative medical techniques are all the rage in aesthetics at the moment. But there are so many different types of exosomes out there, and it can be difficult to know which ones are best! While there is a lot of positive early data on quite a few different options, a new contender has entered the scene: bovine milk-derived exosomes.

Yes - that’s right - milk exosomes!

But can milk really offer a genuine solution for anti-ageing?

Let’s dive in.

When it comes to skincare, acids have long been the stars of the show—think glycolic, salicylic, and hyaluronic acids. These tried-and-tested ingredients have earned their reputation for addressing common skin concerns such as acne, wrinkles, and dryness.

But did you know there are lesser-known acids that are starting to make their mark in the skincare world? While some have been used for centuries, others are still emerging in research. In this blog, we’ll introduce you to some skincare acids you may have never heard of, discuss their potential benefits, and help you decide whether they should make their way into your routine.

Discover the fascinating history of cosmetics in the ancient world, from the protective oils and dramatic kohl eyeliner of ancient Egypt to the henna artistry of India and the lead-based beauty trends of Greece and Rome.

Explore how these early beauty practices shaped cultural identity, social status, and spiritual rituals, laying the foundation for modern beauty standards.

Galderma has unveiled Relfydess™ (RelabotulinumtoxinA), the world’s first ready-to-use liquid neuromodulator developed with proprietary PEARL™ Technology. This groundbreaking product has recently received approval for use in Europe. So what is it, and what sets it apart from the other toxins?.

You might have seen it all over the media recently - the EU is apparently banning retinol?! What is going on?

Well don't panic - retinol isn't disappearing completely! Instead, there are new rules that are going to regulate its percentages in cosmetic, over-the-counter products - and this does not apply to the use of these vitamin A derivatives (prescription retinoids) by healthcare professionals.

So let’s explore what’s happening.

Hair loss affects millions of people worldwide, leading to a search for effective treatments that are both safe and minimally invasive. Among the emerging solutions, polynucleotides have gained significant attention for their potential in hair restoration. These little fragments of DNA are used extensively in regenerative medicine, and they are taking the aesthetics world by storm!

But what are polynucleotides, and how do they work?