Dermatologist Talks: Skincare Science

Asian beauty doesn’t revolve around the number of steps—it’s a philosophy. Let me decode that for you. I’ve been on every side of the beauty game. I have studied the science and I’ve lived it. From being the face of Maybelline’s first-ever 'Made for Asian Skin' campaign to becoming the authority in skin science. I’ve seen the trends, the hype, and the truth. Now, I’m cutting through the no...

In this special, quick-hit episode, Dr. TWL breaks down the REAL reason you're fighting a constant battle with oily skin—and it's not what you think. In just 60 seconds, discover the science behind the overstimulated "hormone factory" in your skin and why simply mopping up oil is the worst thing you can do. This is the intelligent path to a truly balanced complexion. LOVE THIS IN...

In this episode, we dive deep into hyperpigmentation—the persistent dark spots and sun-induced marks many struggle with. I explain the intricate biology of pigment formation, revealing how cellular microdamage and oxidative stress drive erratic melanin production deep beneath the skin’s surface. Bust common myths like scrubbing away dark spots or using lemon juice for fading, and trace the evoluti...

Welcome to the inaugural entry of The Derm-Alchemist's Codex. In this episode, we journey into the heart of a humble ingredient with a profound secret: the licorice root. While known for centuries for its soothing properties, its true gift to dermatology is far more technical, and incredibly elegant. Join me, Dr. TWL, as we uncover the science of Glabridin—a special molecule hidden within the...

In a world saturated with images, ideals, and aesthetic aspirations, the power of beauty has never been more significant. From ancient sculptures to social media filters, beauty continues to captivate and influence. But what does beauty truly mean? How does it shape the way we see ourselves? And most importantly, how can we reclaim our self-image from a society that often distorts it? In this epis...

What I love about the new Dior Capture Le Sérum and Day Crème for glowing skin as a dermatologist. The new Ox-C Treatment activates and boosts oxygen delivery to visibly rejuvenate skin and stimulate collagen production. By promoting oxygen transport and skin respiration, it’s been proven to revitalize the skin and multiply by 3 times the presence of a key marker of skin firmness. Through extensiv...

The Dior Capture Le Sérum and Day Crème features the new Ox-C Treatment which activates and boosts oxygen delivery to visibly rejuvenate skin and stimulate collagen production. By promoting oxygen transport and skin respiration, it’s been proven to revitalize the skin and multiply by 3 times the presence of a key marker of skin firmness. This duo has demonstrated through extensive clinical testing...

Did you know that the way you see yourself in the mirror is different from the self in photos? This episode touches on fascinating research on the different pathways involved in what scientists call the mirrored versus the non-mirrored self. Ever wondered what’s actually going on in your mind when you look at yourself in the mirror? According to science, our faces in the mirror versus our faces se...

The Strange-Face-in-the-Mirror Illusion is an unexplained phenomenon where  after staring at your reflection in a dimly lit room your face may begin to morph, distort or even turn into a monstrous creature, leaving you unsettled and questioning what you see. Join me, board-certified dermatologist Dr Teo Wan Lin as I unravel mysterious perceptual phenomena on this brand new season of Dermatologist...

Bonus Flash Tutorial The rise of aesthetic practice in Asia was a phenomenon fuelled by K-beauty. Korean celebrities with impeccable glass skin and even every day men and women on the streets became the envy of all their Asian counterparts. What was their secret? Well, there is indeed a science-backed reason for this phenomenon. Dermatology clinics were highly accessible in South Korea, and profes...

In today’s episode, Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Teo Wan Lin teaches you how to choose the ideal face serum for your skin type. Face serums are essentially lightweight formulations that contain water-soluble active ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid instead of ceramides or lipids which are typically present in cream formulations. What are the advantages of using...

Benzoyl Peroxide: A Dermatologist on Science-splaining Benzoyl peroxide in acne creams generating carcinogenic benzene, is there cause for concern or not? It’s trendy now to defend science, but what is science, when it is practiced to the exclusion of all viewpoints?  Let’s go through the actual paper to better consider the validity of viewpoints that have emerged, namely that the extreme temperat...

In this workshop we will be covering the following - Why skin on the lips is different - Common skin conditions affecting the lips - Step by Step dermatologist designed lip care protocol - How the right lip product can treat lip dryness and aging  The following is a lip care routine I designed, as part of my work on developing lip cosmeceuticals.  Get the full workshop complete with lecture notes...

Did you know that the best foam cleanser for oily skin is one that actually shouldn’t dry out your skin? In this week’s podcast I’m going to spill the beans on how to harmonize oily skin from the outside in. We’ll cover my top criteria for choosing a face wash for oily skin, the science behind sebaceous gland activity and the dangers behind drugstore foam cleansers that may in fact harm the skin b...

On-Demand Workshop on Skincare Routine Steps Welcome to The Slide Show with Dr. TWL Episode 2, where we present skin science in bite-sized formats. Today we will be covering the first, fundamental step in skincare routines, makeup removal. Makeup removal What are the two main formulation options for makeup removers? The first is a micellar formulation. The second, an oil-based cleanser or an emuls...

How does cleansing affect the skin microbiome? Cleansing is an important part of the skin microbiome because it helps to restore the natural balance of good and bad bacteria. In acne prone individuals, we consider propionibacterium acnes as a pathogenic bacteria. P acnes otherwise doesn’t cause problems in other individuals. The reason is because excessive growth of p acnes occurs in individuals w...

Our skin’s source of water comes from the deeper layers of the skin. When the skin is initially exposed to a dry environment, our skin reacts by delivering more water to the skin surface. The surge of water supply eventually plateaus (given there is only so much that the deeper skin layers can delivery), and this ultimately leads to dry skin. A facial mist delivers water content to the skin surfac...

Seasons greetings from all of us at Dr. TWL, thank you to all of our supporters for another magnificent year! Want more of our podcast? Episode Recaps and Notes: ⁠⁠ https://www.scienceofbeauty.net/ ⁠⁠; Instagram: ⁠⁠@drteowanlin⁠⁠ Subscribe to Skincare Blueprint: Glow Up From Within Newsletter  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtwl.substack.com/ ⁠⁠⁠ Skincare Bible ⁠ https://a.co/d/d1XWBme⁠ Asian Beauty Secrets ⁠⁠https...

Skin Anatomy & Physiology at the Heart of Barrier Function & Hydration You may already be aware of the importance of skin barrier function—how it can affect the condition of the skin, but how exactly?  Skin hydration and the stratum corneum barrier have been active areas of dermatologic research for a good decade. Alongside these developments, consumers are beginning to find their interest...

What is the best skincare routine for acne? How do you choose the ideal regimen to prevent acne breakouts? Join me in this masterclass as we dive deep into the science of acne and the art of skincare routines.   Eucerin’s ProACNE Solution is a dermatologist recommended holistic approach addressing the underlying causes of acne from the outside-in. Available at https://bit.ly/eucerinsgacne Want mor...

Hair fall is a condition that can affect both men and women. While it most commonly begins in mid-life, there are steps we can take to prevent and treat it. Hair loss is a condition that can be influenced by hormonal factors, genetics and especially scalp health. In this episode, I’m going to be sharing my top tips on building an ideal hair and scalp care routine that focuses on strengthening and...

The Dior Prestige Le Nectar Premier encapsulates the earliest blooms of the beloved Rose de Granville—a serum derived from patented solvent-free eco-extraction techniques. Backed by an international team of over 600 Dior Science researchers at the LVMH institute, the serum concentrates the purest extracts for maximal efficacy—targeting fine lines, volume loss and skin dullness in a single step, ad...

The Slide Show is a series of mini workshops designed for learning on the go, with easily digestible bullet point slides and helpful visual aides. You'll get my pdf notes sent to your inbox plus an accompanying lecture. In this week's installment, we'll be covering the essentials of skin barrier function—must know skin science for skin experts. Imagine the skin like a brick wall that s...

Hyperpigmentation is a key feature of photoaging, along with the development of wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity and facial volume. Pigmentation isn’t just a cosmetic concern—it can be a sign of underlying inflammation. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation for instance arises from conditions such as eczema or other forms of dermatitis, all of which are part of what is widely referred to as sensiti...

Skincare Techniques for Advanced Practitioners The second in a series in collaboration with Skin Masters Academy, this episode delves into the management of hyperpigmentation disorders in the context of sensitive skin.  The Skincare Formulation Series is an online course created for advanced skincare practitioners. Access tutorials created by board certified dermatologist Dr. TWL as she imparts he...