Lessons in Chemistry

Our favourite skincare sleuth Dr Michelle Wong - aka social media's Lab Muffin Beauty Science on challenging some of the most popular product myths and TikTok crazes in her new book

- CHARLOTTE JOLLY

Regarded by some as a scientific backwater, the beauty industry is starting to stand up to scrutiny.

In her new book The Science of Beauty: Debunk the Myths and Discover What Goes into Your Beauty Routine, Australian chemist Dr Michelle Wong tackles some of the common questions she gets asked, such as: “Why do I need to wear sunscreen?” and: “Are expensive products better?”

Backed by the latest evidence-based research, Michelle aims to cut through any misinformation to help readers – and her followers on social media, where she posts as @labmuffinbeautyscience – understand the science behind their favourite beauty buys.

“When I started my blog back in 2011, it was mostly because I was looking for products for myself and I just kept coming across really weird information,” she tells hello!. “I had this medicinal chemistry background so I ended up deep-diving into my textbooks.”

We caught up with Michelle to find out more about her new beauty bible…

Michelle, who is The Science of Beauty for?

“The format is basically a whole bunch of questions that I answer, so some people might read it cover to cover, others will dip in and out and use it more as a reference book.

“It’s broad because I wanted it to stand the test of time. I don’t cover trending topics, like ‘glass skin’, for example.”

Do beauty brands court you to try and get you onside?