The Frustration That Sparked a Movement

Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Lauren Payne never planned to become the “myth busting dermatologist”. However, after years of watching patients struggle with misinformation, inconsistency, and spending thousands of dollars on trendy products that promised miracles but delivered rashes instead- she knew things had to change.

“The spark was lit when back to back patients came into the clinic using the same products they spent over $200 for on TikTok, which were filled with simply water and fragrance, but no notable ingredients that would actually improve their skin concern of hyperpigmentation. That moment hit me: “Skincare shouldn’t be this confusing – or time-wasting.”

As a Board Certified Dermatologist trained at Howard University Hospital, Dr. Payne had all the expertise, but wanted to do more than treat patients one-on-one in the clinic. She envisioned a resource that would bridge the gap between clinical science and real life skincare- a place where evidence-based guidance felt as engaging as social media, but without the hype and misinformation.

Dr. Payne’s approach resonated. Her podcast with her co-host Dr. Deniece Johnson, Symptoms and Side Eyes, became a hit thanks to its no-nonsense advice (and hilarious takedowns of wellness fads). Her SKINspired Skincare Tracking app helps empower users to stay consistent in their daily skincare routine and track progress beyond just “good skin days”. Lastly, Dr. Payne’s Doc to Provider Consulting Service “DermaGuidance” provides healthcare professionals in underserved areas deliver expert-level dermatologic care to their patients.