“People ask me, what’s the microbiome? It’s you. It’s as much part of you as your arms, heart, or lungs—you just can’t see it or feel it," says skin microbiome expert Larry Weiss, M.D. "We are constantly dancing into the unknown, and we shouldn’t get too attached to our preconceived notions because historically they always get surrendered to the ideas that we can’t yet imagine.” And nowhere is this more true than when studying the skin microbiome, an area of research we’ve only just scratched the surface of. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director and host Alexandra Engler chats with Weiss about the future of skin care, how we can learn about ourselves through the microbiome, and why skin care is health care. 

Show notes:

-Learn more about Symbiome

-Inflammatory conditions are on the rise 

-Rise of eczema and asthma in children

-Research on the skin microbiome

-The engrafted microbiome vs. the biofilm  

-Read more about the yanomami tribe

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: Skin microbiome, new and emerging research on the skin microbiome, skin barrier function, compromised skin barrier, prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, oxidative stress. 

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Symbiome The Renewal Cleanser, The One Cream  

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“I think traditionally with fragrance, it has always been about this fantasy, right? It’s all about being unattainable and creating this false sense of what a fantasy life could look like. I approach it as expressing something I’m currently going through—because if I’m dealing with it, someone else probably is too,” says OG beauty & style influencer Chriselle Lim, who founded the blog The Chriselle Factor and is the Creative Director and co-owner of the clean fragrance brand PHLUR. “The emotion of heartbreak, of missing someone, of joy, of wanting to feel sexy and attractive when you don't feel sexy and attractive and confident. These emotions are all universally shared.” In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director and host Alexandra Engler chats with Lim about the viral sensation that is the fragrance Missing Person, how mindful fragrance can feel like therapy, and how beauty is a means of connection. Plus, her top beauty recommendations. 

Show notes:

-Follow Chriselle Lim & PHLUR

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: how to apply fragrance, how to make perfume last longer, how Gen-Z consumes fragrance, natural vs synthetic fragrance. 

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Sofwave, p50.html">Biologique Recherche p50 toner, serum.html">iS CLINICAL Active Serum, A313 Vitamin A Pommade, Clé de Peau Beauté Synactif Cream, MAKE Beauty Hydrating Lip Treatment Serum Balm, Nars Radiant Cream Concealer, usa.com/makeup/foundation-makeup/liquid-foundation/luminous-silk-foundation/A041.html">Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Blush, PHLUR Apricot Privee Eau De Parfum, PHLUR Missing Person Eau de Parfum, PHLUR Tangerine Boy Eau de Parfum, PHLUR Solar Power Eau de Parfum, Oura Ring

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“In the West, there are celebrated one-size-fits-all ingredients. With Ayurveda, there’s an emphasis on exploring what works for you. Ayurveda is a deeply personal science that celebrates your individuality,” says Ayurvedic beauty expert Shrankhla Holecek, founder of Uma Oils. In this episode of Clean Beauty School school, mindbodygreen beauty director and host Alexandra Engler chats with Holecek about the core principles of Ayurvedic beauty, skin care tips based on doshas, and how to find balance. Plus, her all-time favorite oils.

Show notes:

-Follow Uma Oil

-Read more about Shrankhla Holecek’s story

-Read more about Ayurvedic medicine 

-International Journal of Ayurvedic Research 

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: Ayurveda 101, ayurvedic skin care, ayurvedic herbs, balancing the doshas, doshas, vata dosha, pitta dosha, kapha, acne, sensitive skin, sleep hygiene, stress management practices, meditation, dry brushing, abhyanga self massage benefits, scalp massage, rose water, pomegranate seed oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, coconut oil, honey, gommage, oil cleanser, double cleansing, ice for skin,      

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: UMA Absolute Anti Aging Rose Honey Cleanser, UMA Deeply Clarifying Neem Charcoal Cleanser, UMA face masks, UMA Lymphatic Detox Dry Brush, UMA Kansa Wand, Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara, usa.com/makeup/lips/lipstick/">Giorgio Armani lipsticks

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“We know inflammation does bad things to our body. When our skin is in contact with substances that it does not want to be, its reaction is inflammation. And sometimes you can’t see it, it’s microscopic inflammation. But you can feel it: The skin is tight or we feel oily and have blemishes,” says Erin Yuet Tjam, Ph.D., known as The Beauty Obsessed Science and author of Skin Sobering: 99% of Products Are Harming Your Skin. “If we don’t stop that acute inflammation, the worst thing happens and it becomes chronic. Inflammation goes around the body. When you have inflamed skin, your body doesn’t feel good.” In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director and host Alexandra Engler and Tjam discuss the concept of “skin sobering,” why skin inflammation shouldn’t be ignored, and why skin health is a public health crisis. 

Show notes:

-Learn more about Erin Yuet Tjam, Ph.D.

-Read Skin Sobering: 99% of Products Are Harming Your Skin by Erin Yuet Tjam, Ph.D. and Ryuichi Utsugi, MD

-Occurance of Acne according the American Academy of Dermatology

-Eczema statistics according to the National Eczema Association

-Research about eczema in babies and children

-About skin allergies 

-Developing skin allergies and related diseases 

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: skin barrier, damaged skin barrier, inflammation of the skin, skin inflammation’s effect on the heart. 

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“I take a holistic approach grounded in science. The skin is an exterior organ that is a communicator. It’s connected to billions of cells and nerves, and becomes an extension of our whole health,” says holistic esthetician Lesley Thornton, founder of KLUR. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mbg beauty director and host Alexandra Engler chats with Thornton about why we should look to our skin for ingredient inspiration, functional fragrance, and her sunscreen hot take. Plus, why a good face wash is the backbone of your routine (and deserves more respect!)

Show notes:

-Follow Lesley and KLUR

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, jojoba oil, tea tree oil, compromised skin barrier, skin pH, retinol, CoQ10 for skin, skin microbiome, tinted sunscreen, green tea, vitamin C, vitamin E, sensitive skin.

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Klur Gentle Matter, Brilliant Light Serum, Stellar Restoration, Unseasonal Kind Oil, MARA Chia + Moringa Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil, Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick.

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Did you know that the FDA never had the authority for beauty product recalls? Or that beauty brands didn't have to disclose potential fragrance allergens on ingredient lists? Or that beauty companies didn't have to report adverse events to the FDA?

All of that is about to change.

In late December of last year, a bill passed in Congress implementing a massive and long-overdo update to the FDA’s regulatory oversight for the beauty industry: Thanks to the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulations Act (MoCRA), the beauty industry will better align itself with supplement manufacturers—and even closer to the EU, which is often held up as the standard for cosmetic regulation.

In this bonus solo episode, mbg beauty director Alexandra Engler walks through the exciting changes, what we now know, and what it all means for you, the beauty consumer.

Show notes:

- Read the mbg article about MoCRA.

- Read the full MoCRA PDF.

- Check out the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices.

- Read more about Mia Davis.

- Read more about Krupa Koestline & listen to her CBS episode.

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“I'm all about low key maintenance, like how can I wake up, not do much, still look wonderful?” says esthetician, brow and lash specialist Jasmine Imani, founder of her eponymous salon Jasmine Imani Beauty. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, host and mindbodygreen beauty director Alexandra Engler chats with Imani about all things brow and lash care. Here, they get into how to regrow brows, how to get the most natural looking, full brow, and why lashes thin over time. Plus, her favorite clean mascaras—and why waterproof mascara is off limits. 

Show notes:

-Follow Jasmine Imani and check out her salon, Jasmine Imani Beauty

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: threading, brow regrowth, how to grow brows, brow shapes, how to make brows thicker, castor oil, coconut oil, brow lamination, microblading, brow gels, brow pencils, peptide, pumpkin seed extract, retinol, AHA, oil cleanser, gua sha, regular trims, cream blush, clean mascara.

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Saie Beauty Mascara 101, MERIT Clean Lash Lengthening Tubing Mascara, Ami COLÉ Lash-Amplifying Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara, Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara, Borboleta Lash Serum, epi.logic Double Feature, U Beauty, Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer, Ami Colé Skin-Enhancing Tinted Moisturizer, Ami COLÉ Lip Treatment Oil 

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“Instead of seeing beauty rituals as a treat or privilege, view it as taking care of yourself is your rite of passage of being in your human form,” says intuitive energy reader & stylist Susanna Merrick, founder of Aura Wear. “I had always associated beauty with self care, but it’s really self maintenance. This is just what I do to honor myself, because I am worth it. And I am worth it every day.” In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director and host Alexandra Engler chats with Merrick about the connection between spirituality, beauty, and self expression. In the episode, they dive into what various aura colors mean, why beauty practices can fuel your creativity, and why being seen can be so vulnerable. Plus, what good and bad aura readings look and feel like. 

Show notes:

-Follow Susanna Merrik 

-Learn more about Aura Wear 

-Read more about topics discussed in this episode: auras, red auras, green auras, blue auras, pink auras, yellow auras, orange auras, indigo auras, purple auras, undertones, personal color palette, makeup to match your aura.

Take 20% off glow from the inside out bundle+ with code BEAUTYPOD. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes. Apply code at checkout.

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“Laser hair removal is the most advanced it's ever been. We have new lasers that are faster, less painful, and work for more skin tones,” says laser hair removal specialists Christian Karavolas, VP of the Society of Clinical and Medical Hair Removal and founder of Romeo & Juliette. “Many types of people can benefit from laser hair removal: Someone who is prone to in-growns and scarring. Athletes—both male and female—who feel hair bothers them. People who have hormonal imbalances and want to treat unwanted growth.” In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen’s beauty director & host Alexandra Engler chats with Karavolas about pre- and post-care for laser hair removal, how to find a good practitioner, and what you can expect about the pain level. 

Show notes:

-About Christian Karavolas

-Check out Romeo & Juliette hair removal

-Info on the types of lasers

-Society of Clinical and Medical Hair Removal 

-Read more about topics discussed in this episode: Laser hair removal, shaving & waxing, retinol, in-growns, razor bumps, hyperpigmentation, body acne.  

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Clé De Peau 

Take 15% off dry body oil with code BODYOILPOD. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes. Apply code at checkout.

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“You can always change your habits—you can always improve. You can stop smoking, eat more vegetables, sleep more, and stop tanning. But you still may have damage, and fixing it takes time. Quite frankly, nothing happens overnight,” says board-certified dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen’s beauty director Alexandra Engler chats with Downie about how to take care of your skin as you age—from product recs and sunscreen faves, to tips for managing pore size. Plus, we get into several non-invasive procedures that can help rejuvenate skin. 

Show notes:

-Follow Jeanine Downie, M.D.

-Learn more about her practice Image Dermatology

-Information about how skin cancer rates are on the rise

-Read about topics mentioned in the episode: pore size, sunscreen, vitamin C, AHAs/BHAs, humidifier for skin, collagen decline in the skin, menopause skin, retinol, hair growth supplements, vitamin C supplements, hair growth tips, mediterranean diet benefits

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Bipolle Emepelle Serum, SkinMedica Total Defense + Repair Sunscreen, Senté Even Tone Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40, Senté Invisible Shield Tinted, emulsion-sunscreen-spf-50-eryfotona-actinica-8429420149335.html">ISDIN Eryfotona Acticina, SkinBetter sunbetter TONE SMART SPF 75 Sunscreen Lotion, Revision Skincare Intellishade SPF 45, SunBun Sun Care, Aveeno sun protection products, Neutrogena Sun Care, cleanser.html">Restorsea Reviving Cleanser, SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, Sente Daily Soothing Cleanser, Aveeno gentle cleansers, SkinBetter AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads, SkinMedica Replenish Hydrating Cream, Sente Dermal Repair Cream, Sente Dermal Contour Pressed Serum, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, in-1-night-serum-isdinceutics-melatonik-8429420114609.html">ISDIN Melatonik, Sente Bio Complete Serum, Nutrafol, Obagi Nu-Cil Eyelash Enhancing Serum, Latise, Sente Illuminé Eye Cream, SkinBetter InterFuse Treatment Cream EYE 

-Learn about treatments mentioned in this episode: IntraGen, IntraCel, us.com/zaffiro/">Zaffiro, Sofwave, EmSclupt Neo, Fraxel laser, Kybella, Sclerotherapy

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