Building a Skincare Business Rooted in Service with Dr. Mary Alice Mina

mgraziano45
8 hours ago
4 min read

In this episode of Adventures in Business, Amani and Mandi interview Dr. Mary Alice Mina,

a dermatologist based in Atlanta, Georgia, who is passionate about debunking skincare myths and helping people feel confident in their own skin. Not only does she run a thriving dermatology practice, but she’s also the host of The Skin Reel podcast, where she educates listeners on all things skin health in a fun and approachable way.

Meet Dr. Mary Alice Mina

Dr. Mary Alice Mina is a Harvard-trained, double board-certified dermatologist, international speaker, author, and host of The Skin Real, a podcast ranked in the top 2% globally. She is the founder of the CLINIC at Serenbe, a bespoke dermatology practice dedicated to bringing humanity back to medicine through personalized, transparent, and human connection.

Busting Skincare Myths

Dr. Mary Alice Mina knows firsthand how overwhelming skincare advice can be, especially with TikTok trends and viral hacks circulating daily. From beef tallow to snail mucin, there’s no shortage of quick fixes and “natural” products being promoted.

Her advice? Take it all with a grain of salt. Some trends may have a little science behind them, but many are overhyped. Instead of chasing the latest fad, stick to proven basics:

Use products that actually work for your skin, not just what’s trending
Remember that “natural” doesn’t always mean better
Trust expert advice from dermatologists, not influencers

Perimenopause and Skin Changes

Dr. Mary Alice Mina explained that while menopause is technically just one day, perimenopause and post-menopause are the real stages women live in, and those hormonal changes can have a huge impact on skin.

Common issues around perimenopause can include dryness and loss of elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles, chin hairs and increased peach fuzz, and crepey skin on the neck.

Her advice? Don’t ignore these changes or feel embarrassed by them. Dermatologists can be an important part of your support team during this transition. And most importantly, she encourages reframing perimenopause as a new, empowered version of yourself. Think of it as “Version 2.0.”

Skincare Basics That Work

When it comes to routines, Dr. Mina recommends keeping things simple. Forget the 10-step regimen. Three to four products are plenty. Her go-to approach is:

Cleanse gently (or just rinse with water in the morning)
Apply an antioxidant serum
Use a moisturizer if needed
Always finish with sunscreen

And here’s a big myth-buster: drinking water alone won’t hydrate your skin. Yes, hydration is essential, but you also need to lock in moisture with topical products like moisturizers.

Additionally, Dr. Mina reminds us that skincare isn’t just for women. It’s about health, which applies to men, too! Washing your face, moisturizing (especially after shaving), and wearing sunscreen are the absolute minimum for both men and women.

Building a Thriving Dermatology Practice

Beyond skin health, Dr. Mina opened up about growing her business in a competitive field. Between other dermatologists and influencers handing out questionable advice, standing out isn’t easy.

Her secret? Building relationships. At her Atlanta practice, she and her team focus on small but meaningful touches: answering the phone with a real person, calling surgery patients at night to check in, and treating people like more than just a number.

She credits this kind of “unreasonable hospitality” for her success. While she can’t change the challenges of the healthcare system, she can choose to make her patients feel seen, heard, and cared for… and that’s what keeps them coming back.

Why All Professionals Need a Personal Brand

For years, Dr. Mina and her colleagues felt like showing up in public spaces, creating content, or even starting a podcast was “beneath them.” But here’s the reality: in a world overflowing with information (and misinformation), doctors (and experts in any field) can’t afford to sit quietly in the background.

People are searching for answers online, and if physicians don’t show up, someone else will… sometimes without the right knowledge or training.

Working with Brand Builders helped her realize something important: everyone has a personal brand. Whether you’re a doctor, a business owner, or even a stay-at-home parent, people are forming opinions about you all the time.

If you’re not intentionally shaping your brand, someone else is doing it for you through reviews, customer feedback, or even word of mouth.

Modeling Behavior in Business and Life

For Dr. Mina, leadership in her practice is a lot like parenting. You can tell people what to do, but they’ll notice how you actually behave. Whether it’s setting the tone for her staff or being an example to her kids, she knows that modeling the right behavior matters more than words.

Her biggest piece of advice to other medical professionals (and really, anyone running a business): Focus on mindset. Don’t get stuck in negativity or bureaucracy. Remember why you love what you do. Then, find your people. Surround yourself with peers who inspire you to push past limitations.

What’s Next for Dr. Mary Alice Mina

As if she wasn’t busy enough, Dr. Mina is launching a new micro practice south of Atlanta focused on preventive care, longevity, and skin health. This concierge style allows her to spend more time with patients, helping them create long-term strategies for healthier skin.

She’s also continuing her work through her podcast, The Skin Real, and recently launched an app to bring all her content together in one place.