What’s in tattoo ink? My team’s chemical analysis found ingredients that aren’t on the label and could cause allergies

Some tattoo inks contain unlabeled materials that can cause allergic reactions.

John Swierk, Assistant Professor, Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York • conversation
March 22, 2024 ~7 min

Don’t let ‘FDA-approved’ or ‘patented’ in ads give you a false sense of security

Most people don’t know what these labels really mean − and advertisers take advantage of that fact.

Michael Mattioli, Professor of Law and Louis F. Niezer Faculty Fellow, Indiana University • conversation
Feb. 14, 2024 ~4 min


The ugly side of beauty: Chemicals in cosmetics threaten college-age women's reproductive health

Finding cosmetics that are free of hormone- disrupting chemicals often means paying more. An epidemiologist explains the risk, particularly for young women.

Leslie Hart, Associate Professor, College of Charleston • conversation
June 7, 2023 ~9 min

Hairdressers of color are exposed to dangerous chemical mix

Black and Hispanic hairdressers are exposed to a mixture of chemicals, many of them potentially hazardous and undisclosed on labels.

Jill Rosen-Johns Hopkins • futurity
Jan. 27, 2023 ~6 min

94% of ‘natural’ skin products contain an allergen

People with skin allergies shouldn't assume that "natural" skin products will spare them pain and itchiness.

Sascha Zubryd-Stanford • futurity
Dec. 14, 2022 ~5 min

New sunscreen component would last longer

Research on cancer drugs shifted course to produce a longer-lasting version of avobenzone, a common ingredient in sunscreen.

Rachel Harrison-NYU • futurity
June 23, 2022 ~6 min

Blue light: what we do and don't know about the damage it causes our skin

What you need to know about blue light protection lotions.

Karl Lawrence, Post Doctoral Researcher, Photobiology, King's College London • conversation
June 20, 2022 ~7 min

Could lead makeup really kill you? A scientist recreated centuries-old skin whitening recipes to find out – podcast

Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.

Gemma Ware, Editor and Co-Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation • conversation
April 7, 2022 ~3 min


Certain hair products may alter hormones in pregnancy

New research links the use of hair products, like hair dyes, relaxers, and mousses, to levels of hormones during pregnancy.

Michelle Edelstein-Rutgers • futurity
Dec. 13, 2021 ~6 min

How palm oil became the world's most hated, most used fat source

Palm oil is responsible for widespread deforestation and labor abuses, but it's also cheap and incredibly useful. That's why many advocates call for reforming the industry, not replacing it.

Jonathan E. Robins, Associate Professor of Global History, Michigan Technological University • conversation
June 24, 2021 ~10 min

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