Clean Beauty School

"You really just have to build a relationship with your hair and listen to it. Learn what your hair needs and give it to yourself," says curly hair expert Sunny, founder of the wellness and hair salon Lumiere Vive. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, host & beauty director Alexandra Engler chats with Sunny about bringing curls back to life, the problem with hot tools, how hormones affect your hair type, and her favorite products for damaged hair.Show notes: -Check out Sunny and her salon Lumiere Vive.-How hormones affect curl & hair types. -Read up on the causes of hair loss. -How to make your hair grow faster. -Using rice water for hair growth. -Research on foods & nutrition for hair growth. -Product recommendations: Mizani True Textures Moroccan Clay Steam Mask, Mizani 25 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner, Davines Oi Oil, Davines Oi Butter, Davines Solu Shampoo, Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse, Olaplex, Aphogee Two-Step Protein Treatment, Denman brush, Image skin care. Comments: podcast@mindbodygreen.comSponsorship inquiries: sales@mindbodygreen.com 

“Beauty seems surface level, but it’s something that once you start talking about you can get really deep on. If someone talks to me about a breakout on their skin, usually we end up talking about something that’s going on in their personal life. So it becomes this thing you can really build relationships around,” says Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli, host of the Naked Beauty Podcast. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director Alexandra Engler and DeVard chat about community building through beauty, how our relationships influence our sense of self, and the best word-of-mouth product recommendations.Show notes:-Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli’s Naked Beauty Podcast & Naked Beauty Planet.-How relationships can influence our self-esteem. -Why people trust word-of-mouth recommendations. -How to be an active listener. -Products mentioned in this episode: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen, Henry Rose Jake’s House, Kriegler No. 12, Odacite Hemp Seed + Seabuckthorn Omega Oil Face Cleanser, Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cleanser, Ranavat Brightening Saffron Serum, Black Girl Sunscreen.Comments: podcast@mindbodygreen.comSponsorship inquiries: sales@mindbodygreen.com

“Like your stomach is not just a tube, your skin is not just a covering. Just because your skin is literally placed superficially, doesn’t mean you can treat it superficially,” says mbg director of scientific affairs Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., R.D. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, she chats with mbg beauty director Alexandra Engler all about the vast world of beauty supplements, common myths, how dietary choices help the complexion, and why her own health journey makes her grateful for her skin.*Show notes:-Listen to Ferira on the mindbodygreen podcast & learn more about her beauty supplement pet peeves. -Check out mindbodygreen’s collagen beauty & gut collagen+ and cellular beauty+. -Astaxanthin dosage study. -How vitamin C & E work together for collagen synthesis and cross-linking. -Learn about CoQ10 and autophagy. -Data on astaxanthin in fish. -Learn about skin barrier function. -Myth busting about collagen supplementation. -Ingredients we discussed: Collagen peptides, vitamin C, vitamin E, biotin, turmeric, broccoli seed extract, L-glutamine, hyaluronic acid, astaxanthin, pomegranate whole fruit extract, ubiquinol coenzyme Q10, and phytoceramides.   Comments: podcast@mindbodygreen.comSponsorship inquiries: sales@mindbodygreen.comDon’t forget to use the code BEAUTYPOD to save 20% off your first month when you subscribe to our beauty bundle+. Visit mindbodygreen.com/glow to learn more.*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

“Now I can finally walk past a mirror, stop, look at myself, and say, ‘I am enough. I am worth it.’ As women, that is sometimes the most difficult thing for us to be able to do. You have to repeat it and repeat it and repeat it until you finally believe it,” says teacher and TedX speaker McKenna Reitz, who has alopecia universalis. For Alopecia Awareness Month, Reitz joins mindbodygreen beauty director & host Alexandra Engler on today’s Clean Beauty School. In this episode, they talk about the emotional toll of hair loss, how to feel comfortable in your skin, and what’s on the horizon for those with the autoimmune condition. Show notes:-Learn about alopecia. -Our episode on hair loss.-The connection between alopecia and other disorders. -Keeping track of hair shedding. -How positive thoughts change brain plasticity. -Learn about microblading your brows. -Reitz’s beauty selects: Cardani Eyelash Glue, Ardell Wispies false eyelashes, John Renau wigs.Comments: podcast@mindbodygreen.comSponsorship inquiries: sales@mindbodygreen.com Don’t forget to use the code VEGGIESPOD to save 25% off your first month when you subscribe to organic veggies+. Visit mindbodygreen.com/veggiespod to learn more. 

“I feel like the beauty industry is failing society by not taking advantage of the opportunity to exhibit really strong leadership in this space. They should be leaders into a world where people can feel the best about themselves—not just for what they're putting on their skin, but the impact that they're making on the environment,” says eco-justice advocate and founder of Brown Girl Green Kristy Drutman. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, host & beauty director Alexandra Engler and Drutman discuss how to spot “greenwashing” in beauty, climate change’s impact on our bodies and skin—as well as how to build a more eco-friendly routine.  Show notes:-Drutman’s Brown Girl Green. -Reports on beauty waste: Stats on cosmetic production & waste and recycling stats.-DIY makeup & beauty, including masks, mascara, lipstick, and remover.-IPCC report & how to turn eco anxiety into action. -The impact of ultraviolet radiation becoming stronger & climate change-induced skin sensitivities. -Some of Drutman’s beauty recs: TerraCycle Loop program, forest bathing, Amika hair care.Comments: podcast@mindbodygreen.comSponsorship inquiries: sales@mindbodygreen.com

“The EU follows the precautionary principle, which means that they are not going to let a chemical onto the market until they have received a certain amount of data that it's safe. In the U.S. it's the reverse—so we have more of a philosophy that we assume something is safe until proven otherwise,” says Melanie Benesh, legislative attorney with the Environmental Working Group (EWG). In this episode of Clean Beauty School, host & beauty director Alexandra Engler discusses the state of the union on cosmetic regulation with Benesh. They discuss what’s holding the FDA back in regulation, what’s being done at the state level (a la California), the major problem with PFAS, and—yes—why the EU is just so much better at this than us. Show notes:-Learn about the Senate's Personal Care Product Safety Act and the House’s FDA Cosmetic Safety and Modernization Act. -Check out regulatory bills and initiatives in California and Maryland. -Read up on the most recent PFAS study. -When to toss your non-stick pans. -Visit the EWG’s Skin Deep database.Comments: podcast@mindbodygreen.comSponsorship inquiries: sales@mindbodygreen.com

“What actually makes you most beautiful is embracing what feels good. I find that the more work you have to put into trying to be something, it sucks the joy out of what it is that you're doing,” says joy expert Erica Lasan. “Especially being a black woman, my journey to beauty has really been a journey to self-love and acceptance.” In this episode of Clean Beauty School, host & beauty director Alexandra Engler and Lasan discuss pulling yourself out of the comparison spiral, doing what feels right, and finding joy in your own skin. Show notes:-Erica’s JOYrney To Purpose.-Erica’s work on mbg about vision boards, parenting, and finding more joy in daily life. -Research on TV exposure and self esteem. -The science of gratitude & motivation, and how to create skin gratitude practice.Comments: podcast@mindbodygreen.comSponsorship inquiries: sales@mindbodygreen.com

“Eating clean really guides my whole self for the day, for the week, for the month. It’s the thing that really runs my life. Eating is really the primary source of energy, skin clarity, and feeling good in my body and self,” says supermodel and Sports Illustrated cover star Kate Bock. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, host and mindbodygreen’s beauty director Alexandra Engler chats with Bock about her favorite foods, how she hydrates her dry skin, and what she does when she’s stressed out. Show notes-Listen to Kevin Love’s episode on the mindbodygreen podcast. -Research connecting water intake and dermal thickness. -Why you should verbalize your stress & anxiety. -Studies on bedtime & quality of sleep: irregular sleeping habits, timing’s effect on emotions.-Resources to improve your sleep hygiene. -Bock’s favorites: Abby’s Better Butter, Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm, RMS Buriti Cream Bronzer, Kosas, Supergoop sunscreen, Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, Fresh lip balms, Merit Beauty, Act+Acre Shampoo and Conditioner, tenoverten Hand Repair Kit, Ora Acupuncturist, Aura Ring, Pompette Hard Sparkling Water.

“There are some rituals that are universal to the human experience. Many of these fall in the intersection of where beauty rituals meet spirituality: In these we're purifying our spirits, but we're also cleansing our skins,” says healer Deborah Hanekamp, (or, Mama Medicine). In this episode of mindbodygreen's beauty podcast Clean Beauty School, host and beauty director Alexandra Engler discusses the profound intersection of spirituality and beauty. In the episode they discuss, healing rituals, ancient traditions, and mindfulness tips—plus a few of Hanekamp's favorite skin care herbs and oils.Show notes:-Notes on the big business of self care and the future.-Read up on ayahuasca and the colonization of the ritual. -Research on the skin-healing properties of clover. -Studies on foot baths in sleep, energy levels, stress, and cortisol levels. -Check out Hanekamp’s Skin Secrets -Hanekamp’s beauty selects: May Lindstrom The Pendulum Potion, Max And Me I Am The Light Oil, Supernal Cosmic Glow Face OilComments: podcast@mindbodygreen.comSponsorship inquiries: sales@mindbodygreen.com

“Holistic plastic surgery is the idea that in plastic surgery, you look at the body as a whole picture—and you want to start with the basics. And the basics aren't Botox or facelift or breast implants. The basics are lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, and reducing the environmental toxins that you're exposed to,” says board-certified plastic surgeon Anthony Youn, M.D. “I really look at surgery as a valid option, but an option we have to consider as that last resort.” In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director & host Alexandra Engler and Youn discuss longevity, the problems with social media and traditional medicine, and preventive aging steps to take before considering going under the knife. Show notes:-Learn about plastic surgery stats and zoom dysmorphia. -Research on body dysmorphia. -Research on L-arginine and wound healing. -Anthony Youn, M.D. 's work on mbg about embracing alternative medicine.Comments: podcast@mindbodygreen.comSponsorship inquiries: sales@mindbodygreen.com