Jessica DeFino is a beauty reporter covering supportive, sustainable skincare based in science and spirituality. She has made a serious name for herself as a beauty reporter firstly specializing in clean beauty, which is a niche, and furthermore as a beauty reporter than does not actively participate in beauty routines and products. Her work aims to break down the mystery of products and brands and beauty trends by discussing ingredient efficacy and skin science – she gives you the research to say whether or not something is really going to work, or if it’s just nice packaging. Her can be found in The New York Times, Vogue, Teen Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, Allure, New York Magazine’s The Cut, ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Glamour, SELF, Coveteur, Man Repeller, HelloGiggles, Business Insider, The Zoe Report, Fashionista.com, and more. 

Today Jessica and I are talking about her career, and finding this very specific, stand-out in beauty reporting, it’s a fascinating path from music videos to the Kardashians, and then we start discussing some of those myths that we’ve heard as beauty consumers (“Drink more water! Use hyaluronic acid!“). We talk product dependency and the sustainability side of beauty, single-use products, waste and supply chains. We talk about regulation and greenwashing, some of our favorite topics on the show.

Jessica is an expert in the industry and that can really sift through the data and research behind all of these claims, and really allow consumers like myself to say yes or no, I support this or I don’t. It also helps put boundaries on this need to try everything – I only need one moisturizer, one eye cream, one whatever. I don’t need shelves full of tiny bottles. Overall today’s conversation with Jessica is an empowering, educational discussion about the science of skin, and when you should or should not accept what the beauty industry is telling you (or selling you). 

Other episodes mentioned:

* 96: Regulating The Cosmetics Industry; Influencing Better Beauty Policy | Lindsay Dahl, SVP of Social Mission at Beautycounter* 99: Food for Skin; Natural Health Tips; Holistic Wellness | Dr. Mona Vand episode        

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