Breaking Beauty Podcast

The first FDA-approved UV filter in 20+ years is finally here! This week we're breaking down everything you need to know about bemotrizinol (a.k.a. BEMT), the buzzy sunscreen filter that’s hitting vanities this month, with Ava Matthews, co-founder of Ultra Violette.

The cult Aussie brand’s Supreme Screen SPF 50 sells somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, but last year, they had to pull one product from the market after Choice testing showed that the SPF protection did not measure up to the amount on the label. Listen in as Ava takes us behind the scenes behind this shocking and costly event, and the steps they've taken to regain customer trust.
In this episode you'll discover:
What BEMT actually is — and what makes it different than other UV filters on the market
Why BEMT is a god-send for acne-prone girlies, like the brand’s first-to-Sephora BEMT drop, Unblock Screen
The truth about “100% mineral” sunscreens vs. sneaky hybrid formulas — and the boosters to be on the lookout for on the label
The real talk on "Sunscreen Gate" — the recall that made headlines around the world, what actually happened behind the scenes, and how Ultra Violette overhauled its testing
Ava's own sunscreen routine: the formula she trusts after “crazy” CO2 laser, the one she relies on for mid-day touch-ups and the glassy new formula she’s testing for a 2027 launch!

Shop everything in this episode:
ULTRA VIOLETTE | Unblock Screen SPF 50 Breakout-Friendly Skinscreen: (use code: BEAUTY20 for 20% off)
ULTRA VIOLETTE - Spf 40 Velvet Screen Blurring Mineral Skinscreen: (use code: BEAUTY20 for 20% off)
ULTRA VIOLETTE | Fave Screen SPF 50 Lightweight Milky Face Sunscreen with Bemotrizinol: (use code: BEAUTY20 for 20% off)
ULTRA VIOLETTE - Supreme Screen SPF 50 One-and-Done SKINSCREEN 50ml: (use code: BEAUTY20 for 20% off)
ULTRA VIOLETTE - Future Screen SPF 50 Modern Mineral Skinscreen: (use code: BEAUTY20 for 20% off)
ULTRA VIOLETTE - Sheen Screen SPF 50 Hydrating Lip Balm (use code: BEAUTY20 for 20% off)
ULTRA VIOLETTE - Preen Screen SPF 50 Reapplication Mist Skinscreen (use code: BEAUTY20 for 20% off)

Shop more of my favorite products here: https://shopmy.us/shop/breakingbeautypodcast

💄 JOIN THE BREAKING BEAUTY COMMUNITY 💄
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbeautypodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1401081996684767
Newsletter Signup: https://breakingbeautypodcast.substack.com/
Podcast Hotline: 1-844-227-0302

🎙️ MEET THE HOSTS
Carlene Higgins: https://www.instagram.com/carlenehiggins/
Jill Dunn: https://www.instagram.com/jilldunnbeauty/

🎙️ For more related conversations like this, check out these episodes:
Sunscreen Dos and Don'ts With Dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry. Plus! Myth-Busting SPF Headlines
How to Fix Your Skincare Routine: Expert Advice from Facialist Gina Mari Jensen
Acne Secrets, Accutane Myths & More with Dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler

PROMO CODES: When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!

Jones Road Beauty
Jones Road Beauty is modern-day makeup that's clean, strategic, and multifunctional for effortless routines. For a limited time our listeners are getting a FREE full sized Mascara on their first purchase. Just head to Jonesroadbeauty.com and use code BEAUTY at checkout. After you purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them our show sent you.

OneSkin
Born from over 10 years of longevity research, OneSkin is helping you unlock your healthiest skin now and as you age. For a limited time, try OneSkin with 15% off using code BREAKINGBEAUTY at oneskin.co/BREAKINGBEAUTY. After you purchase, they’ll ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them we sent you.

Goodr
Ready to upgrade your eyewear to something functional, fashionable, fun, and affordable? Head to goodr.com/BEAUTY to claim $10 off your first order.

Quince
Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/BREAKINGBEAUTY. Get free shipping on OK and thing cause I did have to Frankenstein something so that sounded OK. OK OK fine. OK great I justyour order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

HERS
Ready to reach your goals? Visit forhers.com/breakingbeauty to get personalized, affordable care that gets you. Please note that Weight Loss by Hers is not available in all 50 states. Wegovy® is the registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. To get started and learn more, including important safety information, Wegovy® clinical study information, and restrictions, visit forhers.com.

*Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*

Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn
Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya

Produced by Dear Media Studio
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oiling your ears? That’s right, this week we get a crash course in the wonders of Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old “science of life” Indian tradition that's quietly behind many of TikTok’s viral beauty moments.

To break it all down, we’re joined by Lisa Mattam, founder and CEO of the beloved Ayurvedic-inspired brand Sahajan — which is now Sephora-stocked *and* the official amenities partner of Air Canada. We’re also joined by Ananta Ripa Ajmera, an award-winning author, Ayurvedic advisor at The Well in Miami and host of the True To Yourself podcast.
In this episode you'll discover:
Demystifying the doshas — Vata, Pitta and Kapha — and why yours can shift from season to season, and even day to day
Why, according to this duo, everything (and we mean everything!) comes back to digestion
How Lisa combined her passion for data and science with ancient wisdom to build Sahajan — now at Sephora Canada
The story behind Sahajan’s Sacred Flower Oil, which takes days instead of hours to make (Plus, a juicy new-product scoop!)
The ancient oiling rituals going TikTok-viral — including why you should oil your ears, feet, and even your navel?!
Kansa wands vs. gua sha, what you should know
Finally, stay tuned to the end for three pro tips to glow from the inside out!
Shop everything in this episode here:
PROMO CODES: When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!

AG1
For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Next Gen or AG1 Pro at DRINKAG1.com/BEAUTY

OneSkin
Born from over 10 years of longevity research, OneSkin is helping you unlock your healthiest skin now and as you age. For a limited time, try OneSkin with 15% off using code BREAKINGBEAUTY at oneskin.co/BREAKINGBEAUTY. After you purchase, they’ll ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them we sent you.

Bombas
Bombas makes basics for every moment, from supportive comfy socks, to buttery soft underwear and tees, to luxuriously cushy slippers and shoes. With every purchase powering a donation to someone who needs it and backed with a 100% Happiness Guarantee. To try out Bombas for yourself, head to bombas.com. First buyers get an automatic 20% discount applied at checkout.


*Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*

🎙️ For more related conversations like this, check out these episodes:

Best Canadian Beauty Brands: Our Personal Holy Grails 🇨🇦
The 7 Virtues Fragrance Story: From Dragons’ Den To Sephora Viral With Founder Barb Stegeman
The Exact K-Beauty Skincare and Treatments That are Worth Your Money with Dermatologist Dr. David Kim

💄 JOIN THE BREAKING BEAUTY COMMUNITY 💄

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbeautypodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1401081996684767
Newsletter Signup: https://breakingbeautypodcast.substack.com/
Podcast Hotline: 1-844-227-0302

🎙️ MEET THE HOSTS
Carlene Higgins: https://www.instagram.com/carlenehiggins/
Jill Dunn: https://www.instagram.com/jilldunnbeauty/

Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn
Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya

Produced by Dear Media Studio
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before gracing the shelves at New York’s Printemps store and being found in the hands of makeup artist Hung Vanngo on the red carpet, Kat Burki skincare has long been a quiet luxury favourite. Today, founder Kat Burki explains how she managed to evolve the brand beyond its “raw” beauty roots, coming into its own as a biochemistry-backed company that’s bringing microbiome know-how to post-procedure care this fall. *Special thank you to the team at Kat Burki for including us on this brand discovery trip!
Tune in to hear about:
Kat Burki’s hero product: The story behind the best-selling Vitamin C Intensive Face Cream, featuring stabilized Stay-C, reishi mushroom, and colloidal silver.
The microbiome truth: Why live probiotics in skincare are often “dead on arrival” according to Kat—and why prebiotics, postbiotics, and bio-fermentation are the real keys to balancing your skin barrier.
Rethinking inflammation: Why some acute inflammation after a procedure can be a good thing (?!) for skin recovery—and why occlusives might not be the boon for wound care that you think it is.
Post-procedure promise: A sneak peek at her brand-new innovation, Regenesis, designed for post-procedure use
🛍️Shop everything in this episode here
💄 JOIN THE BREAKING BEAUTY COMMUNITY 💄

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbeautypodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1401081996684767
Newsletter Signup: https://breakingbeautypodcast.substack.com/
Podcast Hotline: 1-844-227-0302

🎙️ MEET THE HOSTS
Carlene Higgins: https://www.instagram.com/carlenehiggins/
Jill Dunn: https://www.instagram.com/jilldunnbeauty/

🎙️ For more related conversations like this, check out these episodes:
Hung Vanngo: Celebrity Makeup Artist's Eyeshadow Secrets, Wedding Glam Musts and Best Eyeliner Tips
What is The Gut and Skin Connection? With Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Nigma Talib
A Derm Explains: The Science-Backed Ingredients That Will Help You Achieve Healthy-Looking Skin For Life


PROMO CODES: When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!

Cowboy Colustrum
Try the new Cookies & Cream flavor for yourself! For a limited time, our listeners get up to 25% off their entire order. Just head to cowboycolostrum.com/beauty and use code BEAUTY at checkout.

Wacoal
Support for every you. Underneath it all, lies Wacoal. Visit WACOAL.com and use code BEAUTY at checkout for 10% off your first purchase. Offer valid for new customers only. Limit one code per customer.

For Hers
Ready to reach your goals? Visit forhers.com/breakingbeauty to get personalized, affordable care that gets you. Weight Loss by Hers is not available in all 50 states. Wegovy® is the registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. To get started and learn more, including important safety information, Wegovy® clinical study information, and restrictions, visit forhers.com.

Goodr
Ready to upgrade your eyewear to something functional, fashionable, fun, and affordable? Head to goodr.com/BEAUTY to claim $10 off your first order.

CashApp
Download Cash App Today! New Cash App customers can earn $10 if they use code FAMILY10 in their profile at signup and send $5 to a friend within 14 days. Terms apply. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Savings provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.



*Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*

Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn
Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya

Produced by Dear Media Studio
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we’re catching up on everything we’ve been using, loving and doing this summer. From Carlene’s hair colour saga that feels as long as the blockbuster summer flick “The Odyssey,” to the sunscreen formulas that we’ve used to the last drop (and one beloved version that we’re saying goodbye to against our will!) Plus, the beauty brand news that we’re still scratching our heads over.

In this episode you’ll hear about:
The hair mask that both Carlene and her daughter would stock up on for next summer because it’s that #damngood
A brilliant-under-makeup SPF that Jill used right to the last drop
A gentler version of an iconic toner for sensitive and oily-skin types
“We’ve come too far to stop” — how Carlene’s hair colourist is helping her stay the course in her grey-blending journey
The tubing mascaras that delivered and stayed put this summer
Dupe drama: The Charlotte Tilbury soundbite that lit up Tiktok, plus the clever Aussie brand that pulled off a genius chess move against Urban Decay

💄 JOIN THE BREAKING BEAUTY COMMUNITY 💄

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbeautypodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1401081996684767
Newsletter Signup: https://breakingbeautypodcast.substack.com/
Podcast Hotline: 1-844-227-0302

🎙️ MEET THE HOSTS
Carlene Higgins: https://www.instagram.com/carlenehiggins/
Jill Dunn: https://www.instagram.com/jilldunnbeauty/

🎙️ For more related conversations like this, check out these episodes:

Olive Young Is Finally in the US! Our K-Beauty Guide to What to Buy (and Skip)
Drop Everything: Our 2026 #DamnGood Budget Beauty (Under $30!) Guide is Here
2026 Beauty Haul of Fame: Best Foundations, K-Beauty & the $10 Drugstore Hair Steal


PROMO CODES: When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!

Medik8
Meet Medik8 — a clinically proven, dermatologist-loved British skincare brand, known for age-defying results without compromise. Every Medik8 product is backed by rigorous testing and real science, so you can feel confident choosing what's best for your skin. Visit Medik8.us and use code Breaking20 for 20% off your first order.

Wacoal
Support for every you. Underneath it all, lies Wacoal. Visit WACOAL.com and use code BEAUTY at checkout for 10% off your first purchase. Offer valid for new customers only. Limit one code per customer.

Cowboy Colostrum
Cowboy Colostrum offers the highest quality bovine colostrum available in the US. It’s 100% made in America from 100% American grass-fed cows. Try the new Cookies & Cream flavor for yourself — for a limited time, our listeners get up to 25% off their entire
order, just head to https://cowboycolostrum.com/beauty and use code BEAUTY at checkout.
Quince:
Upgrade your everyday. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/BREAKINGBEAUTY. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.
HERS
Ready to reach your goals? Visit forhers.com/breakingbeauty to get personalized, affordable care that gets you. Weight Loss by Hers is not available in all 50 states. Wegovy® is the registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. To get started and learn more, including important safety information, Wegovy® clinical study information, and restrictions, visit forhers.com


*Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*


Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn
Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya

Produced by Dear Media Studio
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if true skincare “anti-aging” happens deep below the surface? This week we’re exploring everything to do with what we’re dubbing “cell care” — the shift toward cellular longevity, skin health span and managing aging cells. Joined by Dr. Alessandra Zonari, chief scientific officer at OneSkin, we’re breaking down DNA repair, senescent “zombie" cells, red light therapy, exosomes vs. peptides and why skin collagen is like gluten in bread. This conversation is brought to you in part by OneSkin.

In this episode we cover:

Genetics vs. habits: Why science shows that only 10 to 25 per cent of skin aging is genetic, leaving up to 90 per cent in your hands.
Quiet saboteurs: The everyday habits—like cutting sleep repair windows short and switching products too fast—that sabotage long-term skin health span.
DNA clocking: Surface skin scanners like VISIA don't tell the whole story; meet MolClock, with an algorithm that reads your DNA to reveal true cellular age.
Is “collagen banking” legit? Why (contrary to TikTok belief) you cannot stock up on collagen inside your skin, and what to focus on if you really want to protect your collagen for longer.
Is red light therapy worth it? The cell biologist weighs in.
UV radiation and tanning: What sun damage looks like under a cell biologist’s microscope, and how UV rays accelerate dreaded “zombie” cells.
Exosomes vs. peptides: Dr. Zonari breaks down the difference between targeted, single-message peptides and the complex delivery systems of topical exosomes.
Sneak peek: Coming in September, hear the scoop on OneSkin’s next innovation, a new, richer version of its iconic Face Moisturizer, two years in development.
.
PROMO CODES: When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!
One Skin
Born from over a decade of longevity research, OneSkin’s OS-01 Peptide™ is proven to target the visible signs of aging, helping you unlock your healthiest skin now and as you age. For a limited time, try OneSkin with 15% off using code BREAKINGBEAUTY at oneskin.co/BREAKINGBEAUTY. After you purchase, they’ll ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them we sent you.
Sarah Creal
Exclusively for Breaking Beauty listeners, Sarah Creal Beauty is offering 15% off your first order of luxurious, high-performance beauty that actually makes your routine simpler and works better for you now. Visit www.Sarahcrealbeauty.com/breakingbeauty for more information.

Wacoal
Support for every you. Underneath it all, lies Wacoal. Visit WACOAL.com and use code BEAUTY at checkout for 10% off your first purchase. Offer valid for new customers only. Limit one code per customer.

Nutrafol
Let your hair be one less thing to worry about. See visibly thicker, stronger, faster growing hair in 3–6 months with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and enter promo code BREAKING.

HERS
Ready to reach your goals? Visit forhers.com/breakingbeauty to get personalized, affordable care that gets you. Weight Loss by Hers is not available in all 50 states. Wegovy® is the registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. To get started and learn more, including important safety information, Wegovy® clinical study information, and restrictions, visit forhers.com.


💄 JOIN THE BREAKING BEAUTY COMMUNITY 💄

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbeautypodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1401081996684767
Newsletter Signup: https://breakingbeautypodcast.substack.com/
Podcast Hotline: 1-844-227-0302

🎙️ MEET THE HOSTS
Carlene Higgins: https://www.instagram.com/carlenehiggins/
Jill Dunn: https://www.instagram.com/jilldunnbeauty/

🎙️ For more related conversations like this, check out these episodes:

What is “Longevity Skincare?” OneSkin Co-Founder Carolina Reis Oliveira
Are LED Skin Therapy Devices As Revolutionary as Retinol?
Meet the Buzzy Skincare Brand That Wants You to Use Human-Derived Exosomes On Your Face

*Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*

Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn
Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya

Produced by Dear Media Studio
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.