Queen City Skin
Welcome to Queen City Skin, the podcast where skincare meets science. Hosted by board-certified dermatologists Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, Founder of Charlotte Skin & Laser; and Dr. Emily O. McLean, a physician at Charlotte Skin & Laser. We're here to cut through the noise — from social media myths to marketing hype — and bring you clear, evidence-based advice on caring for your skin at every stage of life.
Queen City Skin
27. The Truth About “Natural” Skincare | Dermatologists’ Take on Clean Beauty
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Clean. Natural. Non-toxic. Those words sound comforting, but in skincare, they often mean more about marketing than medicine. In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Rostan and Dr. Emily O. McLean unpack what labels like “clean,” “natural,” “organic,” and even “medical grade” really mean. They explore why these terms are largely unregulated, how trusted brands test products for safety and efficacy, and why natural does not automatically equal safe. From parabens and essential oils to natural deodorants and DIY scrubs, they address the myths driving today’s skincare fears and offer science-based clarity you can trust.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your “clean beauty” routine is helping or harming your skin, this conversation will help you think critically, choose wisely, and feel confident in your decisions.
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3 Ways to Think Smarter About “Natural” Skincare:
- Stop assuming “natural” means safer. Poison ivy is natural. Arsenic is natural. In skincare, those words are marketing terms, not medical standards. Safety comes from testing, not trendiness.
- Remember that dose and exposure matter. Ingredients like parabens and aluminum have decades of safety data when used topically in small amounts. Fear often spreads faster than science, and removing well-studied ingredients can actually increase irritation.
- Protect your barrier first. Essential oils, heavily fragranced deodorants, and DIY scrubs are common triggers for dermatitis. When in doubt, patch test on the inner arm for a few days before applying something new to your face or underarms.
Welcome to Queen City Skin, the podcast where skincare meets science. Hosted by board-certified dermatologists Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, Founder of Charlotte Skin & Laser; and Dr. Emily O. McLean, a physician at Charlotte Skin & Laser. We're here to cut through the noise — from social media myths to marketing hype — and bring you clear, evidence-based advice on caring for your skin at every stage of life.
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