On this episode of Demystifying Cosmetics, we’re going deep with Victoria Fu—former L'Oréal chemist and one half of the dynamic duo behind Chemist Confessions. Known for blending scientific rigor with internet-savvy wit, Victoria shares how she and co-founder Gloria Lu built a platform that busts skincare myths, translates chemistry into everyday language, and formulates products that actually deliver.
From navigating the hype cycles of “clean beauty” to defending misunderstood ingredients and simplifying tough concepts for TikTok, we explore what it takes to be both a science educator and a brand founder in today’s beauty landscape. Plus, we unpack their approach to product development, testing on a startup budget, and what they wish the industry would finally get right.
Key Takeaways:
• Science & Education Go Hand-in-Hand: Chemist Confessions began as an educational platform before it became a brand, prioritizing consumer knowledge over hype.
• DIY Sunscreen Is Dangerous: Victoria warns against this persistent skincare myth—some risks aren’t worth the experiment.
• The Myth of “Oil-Free”: This label causes more confusion than clarity; not all oils are bad, especially for oily skin types.
• Real Testing Matters: The brand invests in meaningful clinical testing, even simulating real-life retinol onboarding to reflect how consumers use products.
• Innovation ≠ More SKUs: With only nine full products, they demonstrate how thoughtful formulation and consumer testing can reduce bloat.
• Education That Evolves: From hand-drawn posts to TikTok strategy, Victoria reflects on how the brand’s voice matured while remaining rooted in integrity.
• Formulators Are Consumers Too: Victoria and her co-founder Gloria approach product creation from three angles: chemist, user, and brand owner—balancing innovation, practicality, and joy.
Timestamps
00:00 – Start
00:26 – Meet Victoria Fu and the mission of transparency in skincare
01:20 – Founding the brand: education first, products second
03:09 – Balancing content creation and running a product brand
05:30 – Lessons from working at L'Oréal and team expertise
08:47 – Chemist specialties: why formulating makeup ≠ skincare
09:46 – Picking the right skincare myths to bust
11:36 – Parabens and other misunderstood ingredients
13:28 – Why the “oil-free” label is problematic
15:16 – The challenge of simplifying science for consumers
17:40 – Speaking the truth without alienating consumers
19:57 – Adjusting content across platforms: podcast vs. TikTok
22:40 – How their content and tone has evolved over the years
24:59 – TikTok vs. Instagram: goals and storytelling differences
26:25 – From research to product: bridging innovation and need
28:17 – Using their Chemist Crew to validate formulations
30:12 – Moisturizer market confusion and redefining categories
33:15 – Educating consumers for better product adoption
35:11 – Avoiding SKU overload while meeting diverse skin needs
36:39 – Eye + face in one product: innovating smartly
39:25 – Retooling Mr. Reliable: better formula, lower price
41:21 – Testing protocols, onboarding periods, and real use cases
43:43 – Placebo effects and managing consumer perception
46:56 – Trends: consumers are open to new science again
48:52 – Dealing with scrutiny and clean beauty misconceptions
50:19 – Clean ≠ Safe: how marketing hijacked a helpful concept
51:43 – The industry wants better, safer formulations too
52:08 – Rapid fire: underrated ingredients, dream product, IG faves
55:56 – Hobbies beyond beauty: cocktails and watches
57:23 – Closing thoughts and where to follow Chemist Confessions
If you’ve ever wondered how real chemists think about skincare, this episode is for you. Tune in for smart takes, honest reflections, and a few laughs along the way.