How Hair Care is an Extension of Skin Care, According to Iris Rubin, MD

In the second part of this Dermatology Times interview, Iris Rubin, MD, the founder and Chief Medical Officer of SEEN Hair Care, dove deeper into the clinical efficacy and broader dermatological impact of her science-backed hair care brand that was developed with sensitive and acne-prone skin in mind.

“We really consider SEEN to be a science beauty crossover and more of a confidence brand,” Rubin said. “We're not a marketing story. We're about science.”

SEEN is recommended by over 5,000 dermatologists and estheticians and has been clinically tested in multiple studies published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. One study evaluated SEEN in patients with mild to moderate dry, flaky scalp, showing that 93% experienced improvement after four weeks of use, despite SEEN not being medicated. Another six-month trial conducted by the head of the Harvard Hair Loss Clinic found a 44% reduction in hair shedding among women with female pattern hair loss using fragrance-free SEEN. Rubin attributes these outcomes to the removal of pore-clogging ingredients and common irritants, which can impact scalp and follicle health.

Rubin emphasizes that hair care is an extension of skin care, especially during Acne Awareness Month. She advised dermatologists to educate patients about how shampoos, conditioners, and styling products can exacerbate acne, even if a patient is diligent with their facial skincare. Non-comedogenic, clinically tested formulations are critical, and SEEN is one of the few brands that conducts finished-product testing to validate this. Further boosting patient accessibility, it is the first dermatologist-recommended hair care brand at Ulta.

“I wish it were as simple as I give you a list of 5 to 10 ingredients to avoid in hair care...But it actually turns out that there's a whole list of ingredients that can be comedogenic, and the amount of the ingredients and the way they combine also matter. So testing finished formulas is really essential to make sure that they're not pore-clogging,” Rubin said.

Looking ahead, SEEN plans to expand its offerings beyond hair care, with recent launches including a tear-free baby wash free of common irritants, along with a growing body care line. SEEN remains focused on addressing the unmet need for products that are both effective and skin-friendly, especially for individuals with acne, eczema, sensitive skin, and scalp concerns.