In this edition’s Juicy Beauty News, The Ordinary is back in the sunscreen game with a serum-style SPF, scientists unveil 3D-printed living skin that could finally end cosmetic animal testing, and we take a closer look at what really happened to the infamous "Sephora Kids" a year later. Plus, we’re talking hedge fund skincare picks and what “vegan” actually means on your favorite labels.

This week’s Winner of the Week is Hinokitiol—an underrated skincare ingredient that checks nearly every box for sensitive, acne-prone, and irritated skin types. And in Loser of the Week, we’re throwing shade at… your car windows. Yes, really. Turns out they’re sneakily aging the left side of your face and we’re breaking down how to protect yourself. We’ve also got What Did I Buy This Week?, a new segment Comment of the Week, and of course, About the Dogs, featuring Ike’s flair for melodrama and Gabby’s new dinner strategy.

Huge congrats to this week’s giveaway winner Erika M. 🎉—we’ve got some great goodies heading your way! Keep reading for all the details and links 💕

Made Me Laugh - Ike want Cameraman to get rollerblades!

Juicy Beauty News

• The Ordinary breaks back into sun care with new serum-textured SPF
  The Estee Lauder owned brand is returning to the sunscreen arena with UV Filters SPF 45 Serum – a “new and improved” SPF offering years after discontinuing its first sunscreen in 2023 due to consumer issues.

• New 3D-printed skin could end cosmetic testing on animals, scientists say
  Scientists have developed a 3D-printed imitation of human skin with living cells, an advance they say could enable cosmetic testing without the use of animals.

• e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (NYSE:ELF) Among the Best Skincare Stock to Buy According to Hedge Funds
  we are going to take a look at where e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (NYSE:ELF) stands against the other skincare stocks.

• What happened to the ‘Sephora Kids’ one year on?

  A year after the scandal of Gen A beauty fans using skin care products designed for ageing skin, we explored what’s happening with the ‘Sephora Kids’ who dominated headlines.

• Brands that said ‘vegan’ and built consumer trust with third-party certification
  With terms like ‘vegan’ and ‘cruelty-free’ gaining popularity, the true meaning of these words has been blurred and is often incorrectly used and interchanged. What do these terms really mean?

• Influencer loses vision after juvelook treatment in Korea

👀 What did I buy this week?👀

Don’t tell Cameraman!

• Cosrx Ceramide Barrier Moisturizer

  At Yesstyle: Use Rewards Code NOBSBEAUTY for an additional discount!
  

• Tarte Tartelette Mascara Tubing Primer at Ulta 
  

• Tarte Tarteless XL Tubing Mascara at Ulta 
  

• Stila Stay All Day Chroma-Flash Liquid Eyeliner at Ulta 

About the Dogs

Ike has been a little mopey this week—clearly missing Cameraman and spending way too much time just staring at his favorite seat like it’s a tragic love story. (Ike is so dramatic.) Lincoln, on the other hand, is his usual sunshine self, totally unbothered and living in the moment. And Gabby? She’s picked up a brand new habit: begging at dinner right next to Ike. Guess an old dog can learn new tricks—especially if those tricks come with a bite of chicken.

Winner of the Week - Hinokitiol  

Recently I started testing a skincare product that features Hinokitol.   Hinokitiol is a naturally occurring compound derived from the wood of trees in the cypress family, especially the Taiwanese hinoki tree (Chamaecyparis taiwanensis). Long used in traditional Japanese and Taiwanese medicine, Hinokitiol has recently become known for its skin benefits.   Many brands are selling products containing Hinokitiol including Clinique, Mediheal, Shiseido, and Neutrogena.  

Hinokitiol, also known as β-thujaplicin, is a type of tropolone (a tropolone is an organic plant compound that functions as a preservative/antioxidant) known for its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.  This makes it a nice option for acne prone and fungal acne prone skin types.  

Hinokitiol is particularly effective against acne-causing bacteria like P. acnes and various fungal strains that contribute to skin infections. Unlike harsh antibiotics, Hinokitiol targets microbes gently without significantly disturbing the skin's natural flora, making it ideal for sensitive or acne-prone skin.  Hinokitiol has been shown to suppress inflammation helping calm irritated skin and reduce redness.

This star ingredient also works as an antioxidant, wound healing, and potentially brightening ingredient.  Some research suggests that even in small amounts it can help with dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and melasma.  In addition to all of that, studies also show it may also have regeneration properties.  

The product with Hinokitiol I’ve recently been testing is the Cos de Baha Azelaic Acid Hinokitiol Clear Skin Serum.

At IHerb:  https://rstyle.me/+tjmylsYqRLZ9w2YCXoJdZQ

Loser of the Week -
Car Windows & Windshields 

While I know this is a random topic, it surprises me how much time some people spend in their vehicle each year.  Recently I came across a Reddit post from someone who was concerned about the fact that their left side was rapidly aging much faster than their right.  It dawned on me that it was likely someone who spent a good amount of time commuting each day. 

Surprisingly, car windshields and side windows can be a major source of UV exposure, leading to sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles—especially on the left side of the face, arms, and hands in countries where the driver sits on the left.

Windshields block most UVB rays but not All UVA rays.  UVB rays (which cause sunburn) are largely blocked by laminated glass, typically used in front windshields.  However, UVA rays (the ones that cause deep skin aging and DNA damage) can still penetrate side and rear windows, which are usually made of tempered glass and offer minimal UVA protection.

This means that, even if you’re not getting sunburned behind the wheel, your skin is still being damaged at a cellular level and you probably won’t be able to notice it until years of exposure add up.  By then you will likely have to spend a good amount of money, time, and resources to try to fix the skin.  Prevention of damage is always better than trying to correct it.  The effects of UVA damage can be shown in forms of sagginess, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer.  

The best ways to protect yourself from the damage is wearing at a minimum SPF 30 on a daily basis, consider a UV blocking film for your cars windows and windshield.  Installing UV-protective window film (especially on side and rear windows) can block up to 99% of UVA and UVB rays. It’s legal in many regions and doesn’t necessarily darken your windows if you choose clear options.  I have just spent time getting quotes for my windows and it was on average around $150 per window.  It may seem expensive at first but think about all the anti-aging treatments and procedures you may be able to put off!

Last but not least, UV protective clothing is worth considering.  Sunglasses are a must.  If you are prone to hyperpigmentation a wide brimmed hat is also great to keep with you.  Many people also wear driving gloves for summer.  I purchased these from Prequel and am enjoying them: https://rstyle.me/+JmciJ8r_7PKsSz1NPnbzBA

If you still aren’t convinced, take a look at photos of a truck driver from 28 years of driving for a career:  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trucker-accumulates-skin-damage-on-left-side-of-his-face-after-28-years-on-the-road/

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Comment of the Week:

Keep your comments and thoughts about my videos and content coming!  Now I am featuring a favorite, helpful, or funny comment each week.  I decided to start this new feature off with a comment about my current “looks” that made me chuckle… and not sure when I would have had time to do this procedure, and anyway, if I had I would have reported it to everyone! My biggest effort with skincare has always been to be transparent about any work, treatments, injections, or procedures I’ve had done.    

Giveaway - The winner is Erika M.