Chemist Confessions

We explore the science of skincare as we review five affordable, drugstore-priced arbutin products. In this episode, we break down everything from texture and clinical claims and ingredient lists of popular brands to help you find the right formula for your skin.

TIMESTAMPS: 
01:27 | Texture Analysis: Why is Arbutin so Sticky?
03:01 | Texture Face-Off: Oily vs. Dry Skin Reactions
04:48 | Is the Beauty of Joseon Serum a Moisturizer?
06:01 | Chemist Notes: Breaking Down the Cosrx Formula
06:57 | Analyzing Clinical Claims: Inner and Outer Melanin?
09:57 | Instrumental Measurements: Reducing Dark Spots
13:01 | Deep Dive: Beauty of Joseon Ingredients
14:56 | The Truth About "Pregnancy Safe" Marketing
16:25 | The Ordinary & Naturium: Simple Serum Breakdown

Product Shoutout: Double Play Retinol Face and Eye Treatment:
https://chemistconfessions.com/products/double-play-retinol-face-eye-treatment

Enrichment Content: Sunscreen Layering Guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ0Dlb0WXvc

Do We Absorb Sunscreen Filters into Our Bloodstreams? https://chemistconfessions.com/blogs/controversy-corner-do-we-absorb-sunscreen-filters-into-our-bloodstreams 

Follow us: IG:   / chemist.confessions   INTERWEB: https://chemistconfessions.com/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@chemistconfes...

Skincare questions for the podcast? Leave your question in the comments and it could be featured in our next episode! #chemistconfessions #skincarescience #chemistconfessionspodcast #skincarehack

We are diving deep into the science of skincare to explore the role of Arbutin in treating hyperpigmentation. In this human conversation, we break down what exactly Arbutin is, analyze the existing data on its efficacy, and provide a comprehensive guide on what you should consider when shopping for these products.

 

 

Product Shoutout: Double Play Retinol Face and Eye Treatment:
https://chemistconfessions.com/products/double-play-retinol-face-eye-treatment

Enrichment Content: Sunscreen Layering Guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ0Dlb0WXvc

Do We Absorb Sunscreen Filters into Our Bloodstreams? https://chemistconfessions.com/blogs/controversy-corner-do-we-absorb-sunscreen-filters-into-our-bloodstreams 

Follow us: IG:   / chemist.confessions   INTERWEB: https://chemistconfessions.com/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@chemistconfes...

Skincare questions for the podcast? Leave your question in the comments and it could be featured in our next episode! #chemistconfessions #skincarescience #chemistconfessionspodcast #skincarehack

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of K-beauty azelaic acid products. We explore the science behind three popular contenders—Anua, Purito, and medicube—while decoding their ingredient lists, analyzing clinical testing data, and discussing the tricky chemistry of azelaic acid solubility.  We provide a chemist’s perspective on how to choose the right formula for your skincare routine.

00:00 | Introducing K-Beauty Azelaic Acid Contenders  
00:02 | The "Ouch" Factor: Testing medicube’s Needle Technology 
00:04 | Sensation vs. Science: Do Spicules Improve Penetration?  
00:05 | Texture Breakdown: Puridose Oil Droplets vs. Anua Watery Serum  
00:08 | Decoding Ingredient Lists: Tea Tree Oil vs. Leaf Water 
 00:13 | Analyzing Anua’s Clinical Studies for Redness Reduction  
00:18 | Is 4-Week Acne Testing Actually Meaningful?  
00:23 | Bacterial Exosomes and the Future of Skincare Sourcing 
 00:29 | Chemist Corner: The Difficulty of Azelaic Acid Solubility  
00:32 | Final Verdict: Choosing Suspensions vs. Soluble Formulas

This week, we're starting our series on hyperpigmentation answering one of the most common questions many of us will encounter which is, "Is azelaic acid better than hydroquinone for my hyperpigmentation

00:00 | Introduction: 2026 Skincare Kickoff
03:45 | Investigating the PNAS Combination Study
08:12 | Deep Dive: Azelaic Acid vs. Hydroquinone
12:50 | The Challenge of Finding Full Research Papers
18:30 | Patient Compliance: The 16-Week Milestone
22:15 | Why Visual Improvements Take Time
27:00 | Analyzing Study Abstracts vs. Full Data
31:10 | Dual Therapy Overkill: 5% Concentration Discussion
31:50 | Motivation and Routine Consistency for Results

Product Shoutout:
Double Play Retinol
https://chemistconfessions.com/products/double-play-retinol-face-eye-treatment

Enrichment Content:
Chemists’ Guide to Choosing an Exfoliating Toner
https://chemistconfessions.com/blogs/how-to-choose-the-right-exfoliating-toner-for-your-skin

Follow us:
IG:   / chemist.confessions  
INTERWEB: https://chemistconfessions.com/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@chemistconfes...

Skincare questions for the podcast?
Leave your question in the comments and it could be featured in our next

The Chemist Confessions podcast year-end review is here!
We blitz through the 103 skincare products tested in 2025! We reveal our favorite and least favorite categories, discuss surprising finds like Hypochlorite Acid, and give our honest takes on individual products, including the Banana Boat Light as Air Sunscreen and the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Sunscreen, and of course, Animal Corner!

Timestamps: 
00:00 | Welcome to Chemist Confessions Podcast & Year-End Review
01:07 | How Many Skincare Products Did We Test in 2025? (103 products!)
03:55 | Favorite Skincare Product Categories We Tested This Year
07:27 | What is Our Least Favorite Skincare Product Category?
10:07 | Why is K-Beauty C-Fu Dupe Testing Boring?
12:21 | Most Surprising Skincare Category: Cleansing Oils & Hypochlorite Acid
18:11 | Best Product of the Year: Banana Boat Light As Air Sunscreen Review
21:48 | Worst Product of the Year: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Sunscreen Pill Test
25:54 | Most Surprising Product: What is A0X or 2X Intense?
28:17 | Are Cushion Foundations Good Sunscreens? Tarte Cushion Review

Products Discussed this 2025 Podcast Season *a small portion of your purchase through these links goes to feeding a chemist. https://shopmy.us/collections/1280514

Recommended 30 for 30 Sunscreens 2025 *a small portion of your purchase through these links goes to feeding a chemist. https://shopmy.us/collections/1766357

Product Shoutout: Blank Slate Gentle Gel Cleanser https://chemistconfessions.com/products/blank-slate-cleanser

Enrichment Content: Sunscreen Layering Guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ0Dlb0WXvc

Do We Absorb Sunscreen Filters into Our Bloodstreams? https://chemistconfessions.com/blogs/controversy-corner-do-we-absorb-sunscreen-filters-into-our-bloodstreams 

Follow us: IG:   / chemist.confessions   INTERWEB: https://chemistconfessions.com/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@chemistconfes...

Skincare questions for the podcast? Leave your question in the comments, and it could be featured in our next episode! #chemistconfessions  #skincarescience  #chemistconfessionspodcast  #skincarehacks