Opposing views have been tearing the world apart for as long as people have walked the Earth or, at least, as long as they’ve sat around a fire for some heated discussion. This month, Happi is doing its part to stoke that fire. A few months ago, Dr. Sharleen St. Surin-Lord, a dermatologist and our Hair’s The Thing columnist, wrote a controversial piece condemning many of the ingredients that are beauty industry mainstays.

I hastily sent out an email insisting, “Sharleen, I can’t publish this!”

Dr. Surin-Lord pushed back. After some thought, I ran it by a hair care formulating expert who advised me to publish it—provided it was balanced with another point of view by someone in the cosmetics industry. For that viewpoint, I turned to David Steinberg, who most know as an authority on a range of cosmetic ingredients. To read St. Surin-Lord’s column, click here. Steinberg’s opinion can be found here. Whatever side of the argument you fall, we’re sure it will stoke some flames.

For more, but less controversial, insights, Lambros Kromidas, PhD, looks at the latest regulations impacting Hawaii’s sun care business.

Also this month, we’re expanding our roster of columnists. Valerie George, former VP-R&D at John Paul Mitchell Systems, and now a cosmetic industry consultant, begins her Dear Valerie column. Click here to read George’s advice on formulating all types of cosmetics products. And check out Managing Your Career. Dave Jensen is CEO and founder of CTI Executive Search. He provides useful insights for employers and employees.

Of course, our regular columns, like EuroTrends, Notes from China, Out of Africa and Efficacy Challenges are here, too. This issue of Happi also includes articles on the professional and spa skin care markets, hair styling and beauty technology.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Happi. We truly welcome your comments and suggestions—even the disagreeable ones!

Tom Branna
Editorial Director
[email protected]