How to Shop Like a Cosmetic Chemist: Skincare Ingredients & SPF Secrets with Glow by Ramón

@GlowByRamon is in the house! This week, we’re getting nerdy with NYC-based cosmetic chemist, product developer and aesthetician, Ramón Pagán https://www.instagram.com/glowbyramon. His nearly 350,000 social media fans tune in to Ramón’s all-revealing videos, whether he’s pulling back the curtain on mystery ingredients, sharing the secrets to viral skincare formulations or personally whipping up something to achieve glass skin. Today, Ramón delivers his beauty cheat sheet to think (and shop!) just like a cosmetic chemist. But first, tune in for a rapid fire round of The Traitors – *skincare edition* – in partnership with our friends at Sephora, where Carlene is on the hot seat to prove which skincare habits are trustworthy, or traitorous lol. And a message from today’s show sponsor: Sephora has quality skincare for every skin type, and knowledgeable Beauty Advisors who you can trust for recommendations. You’ll find top brands like Summer Fridays, Rhode, Laneige and Caudalie. Shop Skincare at Sephora! https://www.sephora.com/ In our conversation with Ramón, you’ll learn about: [11:17] The real difference between a product formulator and a cosmetic chemist. [13:22] The truth about alcohol in setting sprays—is it actually drying out your skin? [16:16] Where new beauty tech comes from (and how the industry "borrows" from food and paint science). [21:06] Red flags and green flags to look for when reading an INCI list. [22:42] Luxury vs. Drugstore: Is a $230 moisturizer ever actually worth it? [24:51] Functional vs. Active ingredients—what’s really doing the work on your face? [32:50] Why Hyaluronic Acid might be overrated and what ingredients (like Ectoin) you should use instead. [34:41] The deep dive into Sunscreen: SPF drama, mineral vs. chemical filters, and the safety of Avobenzone. [49:30] Save or splurge? A cosmetic chemist’s rapid-fire verdict on cleansers, serums, eye creams, and more. #CosmeticChemist #SkincareScience #BeautyTips #BreakingBeauty #GlowByRamon #SunscreenSafety #SkincareRoutine #AffordableBeauty #sephorahaul Shop this episode: Shop everything mentioned in this video here: https://shopmy.us/collections/3980994 Links & Social Media: Get all product and episode details: https://breakingbeautypodcast.com/episode-recaps/ 🇺🇸Shop, and follow, our USA Amazon storefront for even more deals! https://www.amazon.com/shop/breakingbeautypodcast 🇨🇦Shop, and follow, our Canadian Amazon storefront for even more deals! https://www.amazon.ca/shop/breakingbeautypodcast Join the Breaking Beauty community: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbeautypodcast/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingbeautypodcast Hosts: Carlene Higgins: https://www.instagram.com/carlenehiggins/?hl=en and Jill Dunn: https://www.instagram.com/jilldunnbeauty/ Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5M60ox9b9C4RSPOYYQLTae?si=5fTy2nnTSCS-VsPrBl4hpg Produced by Dear Media Studio: https://dearmedia.com/ More about our podcast: “If you're going to trust anyone's beauty expertise, make it Breaking Beauty's founders, Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins” - ELLE.com Get ready with us! We’re Jill and Carlene, two longtime beauty editors who have seen it all and swatched it all, and now we’re here to tell you what’s good every single Wednesday. Whether you’re searching for the latest insider-fave foundation, building a gimmick-free skincare routine, or interested in learning tips from the absolute best talent in the beauty biz, tune for epic guests like Makeup By Mario, skincare guru Dr. Shereene Idriss and breakthrough people who are moving the needle in beauty today: everyone from celebs like Hailey Bieber and Tracee Ellis Ross to creators like Jackie Aina and Mikayla Nogueira. Plus, don’t miss our monthly #DamnGood reviews of trending drugstore and spendy finds that are worth the $$$ – you’re glowing already!