“We can choose to be happy or to be grumpy—if I show up somewhere with a certain emotion, that was a choice. If we can choose those things, surely we can choose to feel beautiful. I choose to behold myself as beautiful,” says U.K.-based facialist and wellness expert Abigail James, author of The Glow Plan and Love Your Skin. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director and host Alexandra Engler chats with James about the benefits of facial massages, psychodermatology, and the gut-skin-stress connection. 

Show notes:

-Follow our guest on Instagram: @abigailjames1

-Follow her YouTube page: @abigailjames1

-Learn more about Abigail James’ practice

-Learn more about Rejuvology 

-Read her books The Glow Plan and Love Your Skin

-Research on the gut-skin-brain connection

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: Facial massage, lymphatic drainage massage, psychodermatology, gut-skin connection, vitamin C serum, retinol, retinol serums 

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: iS Clinical Cleansing Complex, iS Clinical Super Serum, Revision C+ Correcting Complex, Ignae Skin Care

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

Follow the host: @alex_blair_

Call in: sayhi.chat/cleanbeautyschool

Comments: [email protected]

Sponsorship inquiries: [email protected] 

“I use hair as an entry point into mental health conversations. It’s about educating people to have a good grasp of their own emotional world, but even thinking about how it connects their sense of self and beauty,” says board-certified psychologist, hair stylist, and hair historian Afiya Mbilishaka, Ph.D., founder of PsychoHairapy. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director and host Alexandra Engler chats with Mbilishaka about the intersection of mental health and hair, how beauty routines can help identify signs of a depressive episode, and how beauty spaces can serve as places of emotional support. 

Show notes:

-Follow Afiya Mbilishaka, Ph.D.: @dr_afiya

-Check out PsychoHairapy

-Research in the Journal Of Exercise And Nutrition about hair, sweat, exercise, and self care

-Study about early memories of chemical hair relaxers 

-Chemical relaxers connected to adverse outcomes 

-Maui Moisture partnership with PsychoHairapy 

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: psychodermatology, ice baths benefits, breathwork, meditation   

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Mist, Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Weightless Oil Mist

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.

Follow the host: @alex_blair_

Call in: sayhi.chat/cleanbeautyschool

Comments: [email protected]

Sponsorship inquiries: [email protected] 

“It takes time and energy and money to do all of these wellness things, and we only have a certain amount of hours during the day. So know your why, do your research behind the practice, and try one thing at a time. If it resonates with you, then great, continue it. If not, then don't keep doing it—don't waste money on it,” says natural wellness & beauty expert Mona Vand, PhD. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director and host Alexandra Engler chats with Vand about her four pillars of health, how to prioritize your time, and setting boundaries.

Show notes:

-Follow Mona Vand, PharmD: @monavand

-Learn more about Mona: https://www.monavand.com/

-More information about how mindset affects how the body digests & metabolizes food

-Study on the beneficial placebo effect of exercise 

-Social media and mental health systematic review

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: Red light therapy, LED masks, cold plunge tubs, ice bath benefits, epsom salt baths, sunscreen, meditation benefits, nutrition and the skin

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.

Follow the host: @alex_blair_

Call in: sayhi.chat/cleanbeautyschool

Comments: [email protected]

Sponsorship inquiries: [email protected] 

“If you're using a strong serum, you need to be using a gentle cleanser and you need to make sure your moisturizer is also gentle and doesn't also have a retinol in it. You have to be very careful with the other products that you're using,” says celebrity esthetician Shani Darden, whose clients include Jessica Alba, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Shay Mitchell. She’s the founder of her eponymous skin care and facial tool device brand, Shani Darden Skin Care. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, host and mindbodygreen beauty director Alexandra Engler chats with Darden about how she curates and creates high-quality products, retinol usage tips, and the best spa treatments. 

Show notes:

-Follow Shani Darden: @ShaniDarden

-Check out Shani Darden Skin Care

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: Retinol usage tips, sunscreens, LED masks, LED therapy benefits, Microcurrent

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Shani Darden Facial Sculpting Wand, Shani Darden Retinol Reform Serum, Shani Darden Triple Acid Signature Peel, Shani Darden Cleansing Serum, Shani Darden Sake Toning Essence, Shani Darden Hydration Peptide Cream, Shani Darden Lactic Acid Serum, NuFAce Microcurrent Facial Toning Device, Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads, iS CLINICAL SUPER SERUM ADVANCE+, Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion, Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer 

Take 25% off vitamin C potency+ with code VITAMINCPOD. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes. Apply code at checkout.

Follow the host: @alex_blair_

Call in: sayhi.chat/cleanbeautyschool

Comments: [email protected]

Sponsorship inquiries: [email protected] 

“Textural aging—like wrinkles and fine lines—is something you expect when people age, but pigment is optional. If you protect your skin with sunscreen, care for your skin, and you treat it with certain chemical peels and lasers, you don't have to have the discoloration,” says esthetician Candace Marino, known as The L.A. Facialist. On this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director & host Alexandra Engler chats with Marino about dark spot treatments, exfoliation tips, and why it's so important to wash your face nightly. Plus, her morning and night skin care routine.

Show notes:

-Follow Candace Marino: @thelafacialist 

-Study showing the differences in sun damage on twins

-Research shows that acne triggers depression in teens 

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: Vitamin D benefits, melasma and dark spot treatments, dark spot correctors, antioxidant serum, retinol, sunscreen, peptide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C 

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Cream, Fresh Vitamin Nectar Antioxidant Glow Water, IS Clinical Super Serum Advance +, iS CLINICAL PRO-HEAL SERUM ADVANCE+, iS Clinical Copper Firming Mist, Body Complex iS Clinical, Jan Marini Skin Zyme Mask, Furtuna Skin Acqua Serena Micellar Cleansing Essence, Fortuna Skin Visione Di Luce Revitalizing Eye Cream, DMK Melanotech Drops, Skin Better Science Alto Advanced Defence and Repair, 

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.

Follow the host: @alex_blair_

Call in: sayhi.chat/cleanbeautyschool

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“Everything is internal. I almost feel like it's irresponsible of me to not offer that information when somebody asks me what product they should use on their face. I feel like I can't answer it until I have the other answers of what else is happening with you,” says celebrity makeup artist & certified health coach Lisa Aharon. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director and host Alexandra Engler chats with Aharon about calming sensitive skin, skin care detoxes, and how she preps her celebrity clients for the red carpet. Plus, what’s in her personal makeup bag. 

Show notes:

-Follow Lisa Aharon: @lisaaharon

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: sleep hygiene practices, brain-skin connection, gut-skin connection, protein benefits for the skin, how much protein do you need, no makeup makeup, ice rolling, red light mask, microcurrent devices, probiotics, vitamin C, vitamin D 

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Joanna Vargas Magic Glow Wand, Jillian Dempsey Gold Bar, Doctor Rogers Restore Healing Balm, Chanel La Solution 10 De Chanel, Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask, Doré La Micellaire, Ursa Major Mountain Glow Serum, The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum, MERIT The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick, MERIT Flush Balm Cream Blush, Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops, Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick, Jillian Dempsey Lid Tint, Kjaer Weis Mascara, SOSHE Ceramide Refillable Lip Silks, Sakara Metabolism Super Powder, AG1 By Athletic Greens

Take 25% off vitamin C potency+ with code VITAMINCPOD. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes. Apply code at checkout.

Follow the host: @alex_blair_

Call in: sayhi.chat/cleanbeautyschool

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“When we think of the skin as an organ, we can better understand how it’s connected to our whole body and how it influences the whole system. You can't just isolate one part of your body and try to tackle that without thinking about everything holistically,” says esthetician, product formulator, and product curator Alicia Yoon, founder of Peach & Lily. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director and host Alexandra Engler chats with Yoon about the basics of skin care, how to use retinol, and her favorite ingredients for all types of skin concerns. 

Show notes:

-Follow Alicia Yoon: @aliciayoon212 

-Follow Peach & Lily: @peachandlily 

-Shop at Peach & Lily

-Read more about topics discussed in this episode: Retinol, how to use retinol, skin barrier function, layering skin care, peptides, azelaic acid, niacinamide, skin microbiome  

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Peach & Lily Retinal For All Renewal Serum, Lazy Day All in One Moisture Pads, Ginger Melt Oil Cleanser, Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser, Wild Dew Treatment Essence, Glass Skin Veil Mist, Glass Skin Serum, Overnight Star Night Cream, Glass Skin Face Polisher, Snail Rescue All-In-One Oil Free Moisturizer

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.

Follow the host: @alex_blair_

Call in: sayhi.chat/cleanbeautyschool

Comments: [email protected]

Sponsorship inquiries: [email protected] 

“Your health can handle the truth, but it can’t handle lies. That basically means that no matter what you tell yourself, your body knows the truth,” says fitness expert Tracy Anderson, founder of the TA Method. “I'd like to think that we all come into this world primed for wellness and wellbeing. It’s the highly commercialized world that is what largely makes us unwell.” In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director and host Alexandra Engler chats with Anderson about how she gets ready for a workout, why boredom is a good thing, and the dangers of living for social media validation. 

Show notes:

-Follow Tracy Anderson 

-Learn more about TA Method and MYMODE

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: RMS Beauty, Tata Harper Skincare, REL Beauty, Oway Haircare

Take 25% off vitamin C potency+ with code VITAMINCPOD. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes. Apply code at checkout.

Follow the host: @alex_blair_

Call in: sayhi.chat/cleanbeautyschool

Comments: [email protected]

Sponsorship inquiries: [email protected] 

“It’s very hard to translate this message of, ‘You need to be healthy because that’s how you become your best self.’ That’s a very vague concept. But it’s very easy to help people understand that your hormones are driving your behavior, and if we get your hormones on track, then the rest will unfold the way it’s supposed to unfold in your life,” says board-certified integrative medicine physician Taz Bhatia, M.D., author of the new book The Hormone Shift. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director Alexandra Engler chats with Bhatia about how to embark on your hormone journey, how hormone health changes your skin and hair, and signs you may have unbalanced hormones. 

Show notes:

-Follow Taz Bhatia, M.D. and learn more about her work

-Visit her practice 

-Read The Hormone Shift

-Learn more about topics mentioned in this episode: hormones influence on the skin, hormones balance, gut and skin connection, how to detox your body, stress and skin, skin and sleep, sleep hygiene practices, stress management practices

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Veracity Selfcare

Take 25% off vitamin C potency+ with code VITAMINCPOD. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes. Apply code at checkout.

Follow the host: @alex_blair_

Call in: sayhi.chat/cleanbeautyschool

Comments: [email protected]

Sponsorship inquiries: [email protected] 

“Sometimes people want the most aggressive drug that can clear up [their skin condition] in three days. But other times people really want advice about the lifestyle choices that can impact their chronic condition,” says board-certified integrative dermatologist Apple Bodemer, M.D. “Looking at the skin as separate from every other organ is one of the biggest mistakes from a medical standpoint. The skin is a reflection of what’s going on inside. Compartmentalizing doesn't help patients.” In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen beauty director and host Alexandra Engler chats with Bodemer about how loneliness impacts your overall health, the importance of sleep for skin, and how to heal your skin through gut. Plus, if you really need to only use clean beauty products. 

Show notes:

-Learn more about Apple Bodemer, M.D.

-Read Molecules Of Emotion: The Science Behind Mind-Body Medicine

-Study comparing fermented food & fiber for gut flora 

-Research on the gut-skin connection

-Information on the gut-skin-brain axis

-Studies on rosacea and gut dysbiosis 

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: stress’s impact on the skin, stress acne, sleep’s impact on the skin, sleep hygiene practices, nutritions’ impact on the skin, fiber intake, turmeric benefits, breathwork, natural sunscreen

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.

Follow the host: @alex_blair_

Call in: sayhi.chat/cleanbeautyschool

Comments: [email protected]

Sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]