The Skin Real ®

Topical Estrogen for Your Skin: What Every Midlife Woman Should Know

There comes a point in midlife when you look in the mirror and realize your skin feels different. Maybe it is suddenly drier, more reactive, or simply not bouncing back the way it used to!
In this episode, Dr. Mina explains the powerful role estrogen plays in collagen, hydration, elasticity, and the overall strength of your skin. She walks through what declining estrogen in perimenopause and postmenopause really means, what the research shows about topical estrogen, and how it compares to systemic hormone therapy.
She also shares practical advice on when topical estrogen might be helpful, what to expect from it, and why foundational skin care habits still matter most. 
Key Takeaways:
✓ Estrogen keeps skin firm, hydrated, and resilient, so midlife declines can lead to dryness, sensitivity, and a weakened skin barrier.
✓ Topical estrogen is considered very safe with minimal systemic absorption and does not require progesterone.
✓ Sun protection and retinoids remain the most important steps for healthy, aging skin, and topical estrogen works best as an add-on.
✓ Vaginal estrogen remains essential for pelvic health, but facial estrogen is still an emerging area, so a personalized dermatology conversation is key.
✓ Treating sun damage with peels or lasers may improve how well topical estrogen works on photo-aged skin. 
 Tune in and let Dr. Mina guide you through what topical estrogen can offer, what it cannot, and how to care for your skin in a way that helps you feel more at home in your own reflection again.
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Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

The New Buzz in Skincare: Are Adaptogens Right for You?

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In this episode of The Skin Real, Dr. Mina sits down with returning guest and dermatologist Dr. Jacqueline Watchmaker to explore one of the most talked-about emerging categories in skincare: topical adaptogens.
Together they dive into:
What adaptogens actually are and why dermatologists use them
How they soothe redness, irritation, and “stressed-out” skin
Where they fit into a simple, effective routine
Why they’re beloved in post-procedure care
Whether supplements help and what to avoid
Safe use during pregnancy
The brands doing adaptogens right 
You’ll hear how adaptogens have moved from ancient medicine to modern skincare, why they’re suddenly everywhere, and whether they actually deserve a spot in your routine.
Dr. Watchmaker shares the science behind them, the products backed by real data, and how to know if your skin is asking for something gentler, calmer, and more supportive.
If your skin feels sensitive, reactive, or overwhelmed, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to try something that supports, not strips your skin. Adaptogens might be the gentle reset your complexion has been craving!
About Dr. Jacqueline Watchmaker
Dr. Jacqueline Watchmaker is a fellowship trained, board certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic dermatology. She practices at the Center for Aesthetic and Laser Medicine in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Dr. Watchmaker has led multiple clinical trials, authored numerous book chapters, and published extensively in peer reviewed medical journals. She is also an invited speaker at national and international dermatology conferences, where she shares her expertise on cutting edge treatments and advancements in the field of aesthetic dermatology.
Watch the full episode on YouTube.
Follow Dr. Watchmaker here:
https://www.instagram.com/drjacquelinewatchmaker/?hl=en
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Visit Dr. Mina at The Skin Real Serenbe
Website: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Book a Meet & Greet here.
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Pre-Aging 101: Protecting Your Skin Before You See the Signs

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Think you’re too young to worry about aging and fine lines? I hear this all the time, but here’s the truth: skin aging starts earlier than most people think.
In this episode of The Skin Real Podcast, I’m sharing key takeaways from my conversation with Barbara Green, Head of Global Research in Skin Health & Beauty at Kenvue. I dive into Gen Z skincare trends, what’s helping, what’s hurting, and why prevention is the smartest, most affordable approach to long-term skin health and anti-aging.
This episode is for you if you want evidence-based skincare tips, a realistic plan, and dermatologist guidance on how to build a routine that actually works without wasting time or money.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
• When collagen decline really begins and what it means for long-term skin health• The 3 dermatologist-approved essentials for preventing early skin aging: SPF, antioxidants, and retinoids• How to build an affordable, science-backed skincare routine at any age• The most common Gen Z skincare myths about tanning and sunscreen• Why preventive skincare beats corrective skincare every single time
Tune in now and start protecting your skin with intention!
Watch the full episode on YouTube.
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Visit Dr. Mina at The Skin Real Serenbe
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Book a Meet & Greet here.
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Pre-Aging Explained: How to Protect Your Skin Before It’s Too Late

You know that moment when you start noticing subtle changes in your skin and wonder if it’s too early (or too late) to start 'anti-aging'? This episode of The Skin Real invites you to rethink that narrative. Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with Barbara Green to unpack the science and soul of pre-aging: a proactive, empowering approach to skin longevity that begins in your 20s and 30s.
Together, they explore what’s really happening beneath the surface when collagen starts to dip, why sunscreen is your best anti-aging tool, and how simple, evidence-based routines can keep your skin radiant for decades!
 
Key Takeaways:
✓ Pre-aging isn’t fear-based. it’s future-based: it’s about protecting, preserving, and boosting what you already have.✓ Collagen starts to decline by 1% per year in your mid-20s, making daily sun protection and gentle skincare key to maintaining firmness and glow.✓ Sunscreen is non-negotiable. It’s the single most effective way to prevent premature aging—and it doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.✓ Ingredients that matter: SPF, peptides, vitamin C, niacinamide, and retinol (used appropriately) are the building blocks of youthful, resilient skin.✓ Healthy skin mirrors healthy habits. Hydration, stress management, sleep, and self-kindness are as essential as serums.✓ Prevention is power, and caring for your skin is caring for your future self.
Tune in, take notes, and remember: the best time to start protecting your skin was yesterday. The second-best time is now!
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www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-green-2a11614
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Check out Neutrogena Collagen Bank™ SPF Moisturizer Sunscreen here:
https://www.neutrogena.com/products/skincare/neutrogena-collagen-bank-spf-moisturizer-broad-spectrum-spf-30-2-fl-oz/6806964
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Visit Dr. Mina at The Skin Real Serenbe
Website: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Book a Meet & Greet here.
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Why Your Skin Looks Older Than You Feel (and How to Fix It)

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You’re committed to your skincare routine: the serums, the SPF, even the collagen in your coffee. So why does your skin still look tired?
In this episode of The Skin Real, Dr. Mary Alice Mina dives into one of the most underrated reasons our skin changes in midlife: inflammaging - that low-grade, chronic inflammation that slowly speeds up aging from the inside out.
Reflecting on her powerful conversation with dermatology researcher and wellness expert Dr. Ori Achanwa, Dr. Mina unpacks how everyday stressors like poor sleep, elevated cortisol, and digital overload quietly wear down our skin’s foundation.
The good news? You can turn it around. Dr. Mina shares simple, science-backed habits that calm inflammation, support your skin’s natural repair, and help you get back that healthy, effortless glow!
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Visit Dr. Mina at The Skin Real Serenbe
Website: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Book a Meet & Greet here.
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

The Truth About Inflammaging: How to Stop Daily Habits from Aging Your Skin

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You’ve done all the ‘right’ things: invested in quality skincare, followed the routines, even cleaned up your diet, yet your skin still doesn’t look as vibrant as it used to. What if the culprit isn’t just age, but inflammaging?
In this week’s episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with Dr. Orie Achonwa, a physician and wellness expert, to break down the science and soul of inflammation, aging, and the modern lifestyle that’s accelerating both. Together, they explore how chronic stress, sleep deprivation, processed foods, and our ‘always-on’ digital lives silently inflame the body, and how this shows up on your skin. Dr. Orie blends her background in holistic health and dermatology to reveal how small, intentional changes can restore balance, vitality, and radiance from the inside out.
Key Takeaways:
✓ Inflammaging is real: Chronic, low-grade inflammation accelerates visible signs of aging like fine lines, dullness, and loss of elasticity.
✓ Your skin is an organ of reflection, not just protection. It mirrors your stress, sleep, diet, and emotional well-being.
✓ Sleep is skincare. When cortisol stays high, your barrier weakens and hydration drops, leading to faster aging.
✓ Balanced blood sugar = better collagen. Spikes in glucose cause glycation, which stiffens and weakens skin proteins.
✓ Think beyond “anti-aging.” The goal is to nourish your body with protein, vitamin C, and colorful, whole foods.
✓ You don’t need expensive supplements or extreme routines. Small, consistent lifestyle shifts calm inflammation from the inside out.
Tune in to hear Dr. Mary Alice Mina and Dr. Orie Achonwa discuss the hidden link between inflammation and aging, and how you can nurture your skin through balance, rest, and nourishment!
Dr. Orie Achonwa is a dermatology research-scientist, award-winning skincare formulator, and has been a wellness coach to corporate elite, entertainers, and a diplomat for over a decade.  Named a Healthcare Innovator by UnitedHealthcare and Female Founder to Watch by Thrive Global, she’s presented her original research on anti-inflammatory modalities for improving the skin barrier at national conferences including the Integrative Dermatology Symposium and Florida Academy of Dermatology. 
She’s the founder of PhytoRadiance™ and creator of Radiance Protocol™ — a science-driven, lifestyle-based system that helps people address the root causes of skin aging through nervous system regulation, gut health, and hormonal balance.
Follow Dr. Achonwa here:
https://www.instagram.com/officialdrorie/
Use MINASKIN at TheRadianceSource.com/Masterclass
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Visit Dr. Mina at The Skin Real Serenbe
Website: https://theskinrealserenbe.com/
Book a Meet & Greet here.
Thanks for tuning in. And remember, real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Why Success Isn’t the Cure for Midlife Burnout

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There’s a moment many women in midlife recognize, when the reflection in the mirror feels slightly unfamiliar, when the pace of life feels impossible, and when joy feels like something that belongs to another version of you!
Between shifting hormones, growing kids, aging parents, and endless to-do lists, even the most put-together woman can start to feel stretched thin and unseen. In this episode of The Skin Real Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Tiffany Moon, anesthesiologist, mom, entrepreneur, and author of Joy Prescriptions, to talk about what it really takes to find yourself again when life feels like too much.
Dr. Moon opens up about the “midlife lull” so many women face, the collision of career, caregiving, and perimenopause, and how she’s learned to reclaim joy and authenticity in the process. From being labeled “unprofessional” for dancing on social media to hosting her own women’s leadership summit, Dr. Moon reminds us that joy isn’t something we earn after success; it’s something we choose every day, even in chaos. Together, she and Dr. Mina share a refreshingly honest and affirming conversation about aging, self-image, and letting go of the pressure to be everything to everyone.
Key Takeaways:✓ Midlife isn’t a crisis, it’s a turning point.✓ The joy you’re looking for is already within reach.✓ Perimenopause changes more than your skin. It shifts how you see yourself.✓ Boundaries protect your peace and your purpose.✓ Confidence grows when you stop performing and start being real.✓ Your personal brand is your story, not your status.✓ Letting go of perfection makes space for peace.
If you’ve been feeling off balance or worn thin, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone and that you don’t need to have it all figured out to feel like yourself again. 
Follow Dr. Moon here:
https://www.instagram.com/tiffanymoonmd/?hl=en
https://www.leadhersummit.com/
https://www.tiffanymoonmd.com/
Sign Up for the LeadHer Summit 2025:
https://www.leadhersummit.com/registratio
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https://geni.us/joyprescriptions
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Visit Dr. Mina at Baucom & Mina Derm SurgeryWebsite: atlantadermsurgery.comEmail: scheduling@atlantadermsurgery.comCall: (404) 844-0496Instagram: @baucomminamd
Thanks for tuning in. And remember—real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Midlife, Menopause, and the Skin No One Talks About (But Should)

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If you’ve ever stood in the drugstore aisle wondering if “feminine hygiene” products actually help or secretly feeling something must be wrong with you if things don’t feel fresh enough, you’re not alone. In this week’s recap episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina unpacks her empowering conversation with urogynecologist Dr. Nabila Noor, where they discussed one of the most misunderstood topics in women’s health: vulva skincare.
Dr. Mina talks about why the skin “down there” deserves gentleness, not guilt; how postpartum and menopausal changes affect our most intimate skin; and why confidence begins when we replace shame with science. This short but powerful recap distills everything you need to know to care for your vulva with respect, knowledge, and compassion.
Key Takeaways:
✓ Your vulva is skin—and it deserves thoughtful, gentle care just like the rest of your body.✓ Most “feminine hygiene” products cause more harm than good by stripping your skin barrier and disrupting its natural microbiome.✓ Plain water is often the best cleanser; avoid fragrance, scrubbing, and douching.✓ Hormonal shifts from postpartum to menopause can cause dryness and discomfort that are normal, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of.✓ Vaginal estrogen can safely restore hydration and protect against infections. Speak to your doctor about whether it’s right for you.✓ Breathable fabrics like cotton and looser fits can help prevent irritation and keep your skin healthy.✓ Knowledge is power: your vulva isn’t meant to be hairless, odorless, or flawless—it’s meant to be yours.
If this recap made you rethink how you care for your vulva or simply reminded you that self-care starts with self-understanding, share it with a friend. Let’s keep the conversation going and help every woman feel informed, unashamed, and at home in her own body. 
Follow Dr. Mina here:- 
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Visit Dr. Mina at Baucom & Mina Derm SurgeryWebsite: atlantadermsurgery.comEmail: scheduling@atlantadermsurgery.comCall: (404) 844-0496Instagram: @baucomminamd
Thanks for tuning in. And remember—real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Postpartum to Perimenopause: The Truth About the Skin No One Talks About

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You care for your face, your body, your mind, but when was the last time you cared for the skin down there? In this candid episode of The Skin Real, Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with urogynecologist Dr. Nabila Noor to talk about one of the most overlooked parts of women’s wellness: vulvar skin. Together, they unpack the myths, shame, and silence surrounding “the skin where the sun doesn’t shine,” reminding women that caring for this area isn’t taboo, it’s essential.
Dr. Noor brings her expertise and empathy to every question, explaining how vulvar and vaginal skin differ, what products are safe (and which to skip), and why issues like irritation, dryness, and incontinence are common, but never normal. From postpartum recovery to perimenopause, this episode is a masterclass in reclaiming body literacy. It’s an honest, empowering reminder that your body deserves care, curiosity, and compassion
Key Takeaways:
✓ The vulva is external skin—distinct from the internal vagina, and requires gentle, fragrance-free care.✓ “Less is more”: water is the best cleanser; avoid douching and scented wipes that disrupt your natural balance.✓ Postpartum changes like dryness, laxity, or leakage are common and reversible with support and pelvic floor therapy.✓ Estrogen loss in breastfeeding and menopause can cause dryness, discomfort, and incontinence, but these can be treated.✓ Simple, safe moisturizers like petroleum jelly, coconut oil, or zinc-based creams often outperform marketed “feminine care” products.✓ Shame and misinformation keep women silent—knowing your anatomy and seeking help early can prevent long-term issues.✓ Women’s health is whole-body health: caring for your vulva is an act of confidence, not vanity.
This is the conversation we’ve all needed, but rarely had. Whether you’re navigating postpartum healing, perimenopause, or simply curious about how to better care for yourself, this episode will leave you informed, affirmed, and empowered. 
Dr. Nabila Noor is a nationally recognized Urogynecologist, Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeon, and Assistant Professor with advanced fellowship training from Harvard Medical School. As a double board-certified expert and high-volume surgeon, she is a thought leader in women’s pelvic health, surgical innovation, and patient education. Through her global digital platforms, she empowers thousands of women to take charge of their pelvic and sexual health without shame.
Follow Dr. Noor here:
www.drnabilanoor.com
https://www.instagram.com/drnabilanoor/
https://www.youtube.com/@drnabilanoor
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Subscribe to The Skin Real Podcast wherever you listen, and visit www.theskinreal.com for dermatologist-backed tips to help you feel confident in your skin—at every age.
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Visit Dr. Mina at Baucom & Mina Derm SurgeryWebsite: atlantadermsurgery.comEmail: scheduling@atlantadermsurgery.comCall: (404) 844-0496Instagram: @baucomminamd
Thanks for tuning in. And remember—real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

The Real Story Behind Skincare Misinformation (and How to Protect Your Skin)

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Are you tired of scrolling past “miracle” before-and-after photos that seem too good to be true, only to feel disappointed when your skin doesn’t magically transform overnight? You’re not alone.
In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down her top takeaways from her interview with Dr. Rey Hamidi, diving deep into the world of skincare misinformation on social media. Learn how to spot red flags, identify credible experts, and protect yourself from misleading product claims.
You’ll discover:
🚩 How to identify skincare misinformation and avoid viral myths like “sunscreen causes cancer.”
🧠 Why we’re so vulnerable to bad advice (and how social media exploits our trust).
🔍 How to become your own skincare detective by verifying credentials and motives.
🌿 The real foundation of healthy skin — from nutrition and movement to mindset and smart procedures.
💡 Why strategy matters in skincare, not quick fixes or impulse buys.
This episode is all about empowering you to make informed, science-based decisions about your skin health — no filters, no gimmicks.
If this episode helped you rethink how you approach skincare, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs a skincare reality check.
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Visit Dr. Mina at Baucom & Mina Derm SurgeryWebsite: atlantadermsurgery.comEmail: scheduling@atlantadermsurgery.comCall: (404) 844-0496Instagram: @baucomminamd
Thanks for tuning in. And remember—real skin care is real simple when you know who to trust.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.