The Skin Real ®

Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down the top five tretinoin mistakes she sees her patients make — and admits she's made herself. From the dreaded purge to layering too many actives, she explains why so many people quit this powerhouse ingredient right before it starts working, and exactly how to use it correctly. She covers the difference between purging and irritation, the right amount to apply, how often to use it, why it's not a spot...

In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down everything you need to know about your skin barrier — what it is, how you know it's damaged, and exactly what's causing the damage. She then walks through eight practical, zero-cost steps to repair it fast. From doing a hard skincare reset to applying moisturizer the right way, Dr. Mina cuts through the noise and reminds listeners that when it comes to a damaged skin barrier, less is...

In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down one of her most frequently asked questions: should you be putting topical estrogen on your face? She explains what estrogen loss actually does to the skin during perimenopause and menopause — from collagen collapse to barrier breakdown — and why these changes are hormonal, not just "normal aging." Dr. Mina walks through the two main forms of topical estrogen (estriol and estradiol), ...

LED face masks are having a major moment — but are they actually worth the hype?

In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down the real science behind LED light therapy and why so many people are spending hundreds of dollars on devices that simply don't work.

She explains the concept of photobiomodulation, which wavelengths of light actually have clinical evidence behind them (blue, red, and near-infrared), and which colors are ...

Bed bugs. Just the phrase is enough to make your skin crawl — but Dr. Mary Alice Mina is breaking down everything you actually need to know about these tiny, relentless pests. In this episode of The Skin Real, she covers what bed bugs are, how they spread, why not everyone reacts to bites the same way, and — most importantly — how to protect yourself before, during, and after travel. You'll learn exactly how to inspect a hotel room...

You've probably Googled "how to remove a skin tag at home" at least once. Before you reach for the dental floss, you need to hear this. In this episode of The Skin Real, Dr. Mary Alice Mina covers everything you need to know about skin tags — from what they actually are and why you get them, to what they might be revealing about your metabolic health, and how she safely removes them in her office.

In This Episode:

0:00 — Is That De...

Think you know what's causing your under-eye bags? You might be wrong — and that's exactly why nothing you've tried has worked. In this solo episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down the four distinct types of under-eye concerns: puffiness, fat pad herniation, volume loss/hollowing, and dark circles from pigment or vascularity. She explains how to identify which type you're dealing with, because the biggest mistake most people make ...

***Apple audio issue fixed!

NAD is having a major moment — from IV drips and supplements to wellness clinics and now skincare. But is the science real, or is it just the next CBD? In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with Melisse Shaban, CEO of Aramore and veteran beauty executive (Revlon, Aveda, The Beauty Shop), to break down exactly what NAD is, why your skin cells need it, and whether the new wave of NAD skincare prod...

If you are using a GLP-1 medication and noticing hair shedding, brittle nails, or dull, dry skin, your body is signaling a nutrient gap. In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down what is really happening beneath the surface and why these changes often appear before lab results do. She explains how appetite suppression can lead to low protein, vitamin deficiencies, and dehydration, all of which directly impact your skin, hair...

📲 Download The Skin Real app for science backed routines, dermatologist guidance, and product recommendations you can trust. https://linktr.ee/theskinreal

TikTok and Instagram may have made Slugging famous, but dermatologists have relied on this technique for decades. In this episode, board certified dermatologist Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down what slugging really is, how it works, and why most people do it wrong.

Slugging uses ...

📲 Download The Skin Real app for science backed routines, dermatologist guidance, and product recommendations you can trust. https://linktr.ee/theskinreal

Botox is one of the most misunderstood tools in aesthetics. In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down what Botox really is, how it works, and why so many people confuse it with filler. She explains the difference between basic injection patterns and advanced Botox placeme...

📲 Download The Skin Real app for science backed routines, dermatologist guidance, and product recommendations you can trust. https://linktr.ee/theskinreal

If you use Tretinoin, get chemical peels, or are planning on a laser treatment, you are already doing skin cancer prevention. In this episode of The Skin Real, Dr. Mary Alice Mina sits down with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman, founder of Radiant Dermatology Asso...

📲 Download The Skin Real app for science backed routines, dermatologist guidance, and product recommendations you can trust. https://linktr.ee/theskinreal

Radio frequency treatments are everywhere. Med spas, dermatology offices, social feeds. But do they work and are they worth your money?

In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down exactly how radio frequency works at the cellular level. She explains how electrical energy he...

Lip lines. Barcode lines. Smoker’s lines.

They frustrate patients more than almost any other wrinkle because they can age the face fast and they are not simple to fix.

In this episode of The Skin Real, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down why upper lip lines form, why they are harder to treat than frown lines, and why there is no single magic solution. She explains the role of the orbicularis oris muscle, repetitive motion, collagen los...

Testosterone is known as THE male hormone, yet women carry more of it than estrogen across their lifespan. In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down why testosterone matters for women and how imbalances show up in skin, hair, and nails. You learn the visible signs of low and high testosterone, how aging differs from menopause-related hormone shifts, and why blood work alone misses the full picture. The episode also covers ri...

Injectables can feel intimidating for many people. This episode of The Skin Real removes the fear. Dr. Mary Alice Mina walks you through the exact injectables she uses on her own face and why. You hear how her approach shifted in midlife and perimenopause. You learn how she thinks about balance, harmony, and long term skin health. She explains toxins, fillers, and biostimulants in plain language. She also shares where subtle treatm...

📲 Download The Skin Real app for science backed routines, dermatologist guidance, and product recommendations you can trust. https://linktr.ee/theskinreal

Hair loss in women feels frightening and personal. You see it in the shower. On your pillow. In the mirror. In this episode of The Skin Real, Dr. Mary Alice Mina explains why female hair loss happens and what truly helps.

You learn how dermatologists classify hair loss. Scarrin...

Retinoids confuse a lot of people. This episode removes the guesswork. Dr. Mary Alice Mina breaks down every form of retinoid in clear terms. You learn the difference between retinol, retinaldehyde, Adapalene, Tretinoin, Tazarotene, and oral isotretinoin. She explains who should start slow, who should go straight to prescription strength, and why skin type matters more than age. The episode walks through acne treatment, pigment con...

Sagging jowls tend to sneak up on you. One day your jawline feels sharp and familiar. Then slowly, definition softens and the lower face starts to feel heavier. 

In this episode, Dr. Mina breaks down what is really happening when jowls form. She explains how bone changes, fat pad movement, muscle pull, collagen loss, genetics, and how daily habits can shape the lower face over time. She walks through what supports skin health at ho...