“I think the essence of what biotech brings to beauty is the analytical, comprehensive look at the root causes. What are the receptors in the skin? What are the pathways? Why is this happening, and how can we intervene? It requires a knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of what’s going on in the skin,” says biotech scientist Lauren Otsuki, who is joined by beauty vet Vimla Black-Gupta, co-founders of the subtopical and biotech skin care brand Ourself. “One of the biggest fundamental differences between the way traditional skincare has approached using ingredients and the way biotech people approach things, is that we want to be able to make sure that they can get to where they need to go in the skin. We evaluate whether the ingredient or compound can actually engage the target.” In this episode of Clean Beauty School, host and mindbodygreen beauty director Alexandra Engler chats with Otsuki and Black-Gupta about why one of the biggest hurdles in skin care is the delivery method, what to look for in a hyaluronic acid product, and more.

Show notes:

-Shop Ourself products with the code MBG20 for 20% off orders at Ourself.com

-Follow Ourself & learn more about the brand

-Learn more about skin structure

-Research on hyaluronic acid

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: Biotech beauty, skin barrier, compromised skin barrier, hyaluronic acid, peptide, exercise and skin care, how to plump lips, how to make lips appear bigger

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Ourself Lip Filler, Daily Dark Spot Intercept, HA+ Replenishing Serum

Take 15% off our postbiotic hand wash with code HANDWASHPOD. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes. Apply code at checkout.

Follow the host: @alex_blair_

Call in: sayhi.chat/cleanbeautyschool

Comments: podcast@mindbodygreen.com

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108: Can topicals actually mimic injectables? | biotech scientist Lauren Otsuki & beauty vet Vimla Black-Gupta