Allure: The Science of Beauty

Put down your lunch, because this episode begins with a very, uh,vividdescription of every nook and cranny on Jenny's scalp, as seen through the microscopic lens of consulting trichologist David Adams. (Don't worry, we explain what a trichologist is within the first three minutes.) Then, Michelle and Jenny welcome dermatologist Michelle Henry, who explains the many ways you should care for your scalp (but probably aren't) and the best treatment options for issues like itchiness, oiliness, and — of course — dandruff. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Allure: The Science of Beauty on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This episode of Allure: The Science of Beauty is presented by Pantene. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you have spirals, coils, or waves, you already know that having curly hair isn't just a trait; it's a lifestyle. So we packed this episode with tips, tricks, and techniques, beginning with an easy at-home test that can make a big difference in determining how to care for your hair. After that, Michelle and Jenny call in cosmetic chemist Erica Douglas to explain what curls actually are, debunk some common myths (yes, your curl pattern reallycanchange over time), and a whole lot more. Then, threeAllureeditors stop by to share all the products and tools that put a spring in their curly strands. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Allure: The Science of Beauty on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This episode of Allure: The Science of Beauty is presented by Pantene. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You can't always control a stressful situation, but youcancontrol the way you — and in some ways, even your skin and hair — react to one. During this episode, Belisa Vranich, psychologist and founder of The Breathing Class, walks Michelle and Jenny through simple exercises that use breath to bring peace of mind. Next up is Amy Wechsler, one of very few humans to be board-certified in dermatologyandpsychiatry, who stops by to discuss the cruel and unusual ways stress can impact our skin and hair, and what we can do about it. Now, take a deep breath and press play. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Allure: The Science of Beauty on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This episode of Allure: The Science of Beauty is presented by Pantene. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imagine a world where instead of using shampoo, you relied on the powders and liquids in your pantry to keep your hair looking (and smelling) fresh. That was reality just a little more than 100 years ago; Today, the shampoo aisle has a dizzying number of options. In this episode — our first to focus on hair — Michelle and Jenny try an old-school hair-washing method before cosmetic chemist and longtimeAllurecollaborator Ni'Kita Wilson joins in to share the latest and greatest ways to remove dirt, oil, and product build-up. And before you ask: Dry shampoo isnota replacement for the real stuff. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Allure: The Science of Beauty on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This episode of Allure: The Science of Beauty is presented by Pantene. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the old saying goes: An acid a day (or, uh, every few days if you're sensitive) keeps breakouts, fine lines, and dullness away. And no, we don't mean that kind of acid. In this episode, we're talking about AHAs and BHAs — the acids commonly used in skin care to help slough off dead cells and keep complexions bright. First, Michelle and Jenny try a product that proves how powerful acids can be — and completely gross-out their loved ones in the process. Then, dermatologist Laurel Naversen Geraghty (who — fun fact! — is a formerAllureeditor) stops by to help make sense of when and how to use these powerful skin-care ingredients. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Allure: The Science of Beauty on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This episode of Allure: The Science of Beauty is presented by Olay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You know vitamins as the micronutrients our body needs in order to function, but when applied topically, vitamins can have a profound effect on the health and appearance of our skin. In this episode, Michelle and Jenny learn about the man who first gave these micronutrients a name (he just so happens to have a very cool one himself) and tell the forgotten tale of the lost vitamins.Then, with the help ofDr. Frauke Neuser, PhD, Principal Scientist & Senior Director of Science Communications at Olay,Michelle and Jenny separate the facts from the fluff when it comes to vitamins and your skin. Yes, you should be using a vitamin C serum. And no, patting on vitamin D won't make your body produce more. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Allure: The Science of Beauty on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This episode of Allure: The Science of Beauty is presented by Olay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let's get one thing straight: It's a privilege to have wrinkles. But if you want your skin to look as youthful as you feel, modern medicine has a few tricks up its sleeve, and injectables like Botox are chief among them. Ophthalmologist Jean Carruthers sits down with Michelle and Jenny to tell the truly unbelievable tale of how she "accidentally" discovered that botulinum toxin could smooth brows and erase frown lines. And dermatologist Melissa Levin shares the scoop on the most effective topical ingredients to treat every kind of wrinkle, even those pesky ones between your brows and along your neck. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Allure: The Science of Beauty on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This episode of Allure: The Science of Beauty is presented by Olay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are millions of tiny openings all over your skin — and if you didn't have them, you'd be dead. Ifthatmakes you feel squeamish, then cover your ears, because we've got dermatologist Sandra Lee, also known as Dr. Pimple Popper, in the house. The social media sensation and reality star walks Michelle and Jenny through how she extracted one gigantic blackhead from a single pore. After that, dermatologist Shereene Idriss joins the party to explain the misconceptions surrounding "poreless" skin and the best products to give your pores the TLC they deserve. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Allure: The Science of Beauty on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This episode of Allure: The Science of Beauty is presented by Olay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our skin is home to many tiny factories called melanocytes. They're responsible for producing the pigment that gives skin its color. But certain triggers like UV light can send those factories into overdrive, resulting in dark spots and discoloration known as hyperpigmentation. In this episode, Michelle shares a cautionary tale of some splotchy, unwanted mementos from one magical island vacation in her youth, and dermatologist Mona Gohara breaks down the best ingredients and in-office lasers to make them disappear. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Allure: The Science of Beauty on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This episode of Allure: The Science of Beauty is presented by Olay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Without protection from UV rays, every one of the greatest beauty innovations of the modern age — retinoids, AHAs, hyaluronic acid, lasers — is a big, old waste of time and money. It's fitting then that our debut episode is all about SPF. First, Michelle and Jenny have a frank talk with Shyla Raghav, vice president of climate at Conservation International, about how the state of our environment makes wearing sunscreen more crucial than ever before. Then, dermatologist Caroline Robinson shares everything you'd ever want to know about how to choose and use SPF, including the one place you're definitely not applying it — but should. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Allure: The Science of Beauty on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This episode of Allure: The Science of Beauty is presented by Olay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices