Harvard-Derm Designed: How Dr. Iris Rubin Is Changing The Haircare Game (Win!)

When luxury meets dermatology, the results speak for themselves. In this exclusive Q&A, we chat with Harvard-trained dermatologist and founder of SEEN, Dr. Iris Rubin, about her breakthrough line of non-comedogenic, skin-caring haircare. Inspired by her own struggles with breakouts caused by beauty products, Dr. Rubin set out to create clinically backed formulas that don’t just nourish your hair—they respect your skin, too. From the multitasking Magic Serum to the self-care staple Restore Scalp Serum, SEEN is raising the bar for haircare that’s as good for your glow as it is for your strands. —Noa Nichol

You founded SEEN out of personal experience with breakouts caused by hair products. Can you share that “aha” moment when you realized the need for skin-caring haircare?

I am a Harvard-trained dermatologist, and I began my career as a pediatric laser surgeon treating kids with disfiguring birthmarks and scars. I never intended to create my own line of products–until I noticed I would break out after getting my hair done at the salon. 

Acne is not just a teenage issue, and so many adult women (like me!) experience acne. I knew I was doing all the right things with my skincare for acne, but came to realize that haircare was a missing piece of the puzzle in my journey to clear skin.

To be sure hair products were in fact contributing to breakouts, I kept a lab notebook and noted any new skin or haircare products, and how my skin was doing with respect to breakouts. I was careful to only change one variable at a time, so if I was going to the hair salon I wouldn’t change any skincare products, and I monitored my skin for days after. I discovered that even if I only used rinse-out products like shampoo and conditioner, I’d still experience breakouts.

Then it was time to take a closer look at why. I suspected that haircare may be leaving a residue on her hair, that then made its way onto the skin. I initiated a clinical study and found that both rinse-out and leave-in hair products can leave a residue on the scalp, face and back for hours.

With this information, I started developing SEEN. My goal was to create a line of skin-safe, salon-grade hair products that are clinically proven to be safe for sensitive skin, non-comedogenic (acne-safe), non-irritating, and deliver the hair benefits of stronger, smoother, healthier-looking hair. This initial formulation process took four years, and during this time I reviewed more than 400 ingredients and the data available about their comedogenicity and potential to cause irritation. This also allowed me to identify and avoid many common irritants and pore-clogging ingredients in SEEN’s clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formulas.

Many people don’t realize how much hair products can impact their skin. Why is it so important to bridge the gap between dermatology and haircare?

SEEN is redefining haircare as an extension of skincare. Our mission is to elevate the standard for what hair products can and should be: deliver salon-quality hair benefits, skin safe, and rooted in science. Too often, beauty products are driven by trends, but we’re focused on clinical results. By bringing a dermatological lens to haircare, we’re changing the way consumers think about their routines—helping them understand that great hair shouldn’t come with compromising healthy skin.

We have proven in a clinical study that both leave-in and rinse-out haircare products can leave a residue that can linger on the skin for hours. This residue can contribute to skin issues, including acne, eczema, sensitive skin, and dry scalp. SEEN’s skin-safe formulas deliver stronger, smoother, healthier looking hair, and are safe for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin.

SEEN’s products are all non-comedogenic, clinically tested, and safe for sensitive skin. What goes into ensuring that a haircare product meets these standards?

At SEEN, we consider haircare to be skincare as well, since haircare products get on the scalp and skin, and can actually stay on the skin for hours. However clinical skin testing is not required for haircare products. We conduct comedogenicity and RIPT testing on all our products to be sure they are clinically proven to be non-comedogenic and safe for sensitive skin. As a result, fragrance free SEEN products have the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance, while Fragrance Free Shampoo and Fragrance Free Conditioner have received the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Seal of Recognition.

The SEEN Magic Serum is powered by just three ingredients—yet delivers serious results. What was the inspiration behind this minimalist, multitasking formula?

I’ve always believed that less is more, especially when it comes to maintaining healthy skin. That’s why I took this approach with Magic Serum. After testing many formulations, I loved the results after testing the lab sample that contained just hemisqualane (plant-derived C13-15 alkane), plant-derived squalane and ethylhexyl olivate (derived from olives), so there was no need to include additional ingredients. Once we tested the final formulation, we were able to prove its frizz-fighting, heat-protective, and anti-breakage benefits—all without clogging pores or irritating sensitive skin.

A repeated grooming study showed SEEN Magic Serum reduces hair breakage by up to 81% after a single use.*

*Repeated grooming study with 10 bleached hair tresses, compared to control.

Fragrance-free options are still rare in luxury haircare. Why is it important to you to develop fragrance-free versions?

Fragrance is one of the most common allergens, and may cause some people to experience skin allergies, or contact dermatitis. Some people also experience headaches, or itchy, watery eyes from fragrance.

With SEEN, those with fragrance sensitivity or allergies can experience salon-quality haircare that is safe for their skin. From our shampoo and conditioners to styling products and more, all our formulas are available fragrance free. SEEN’s fragrance-free products are also clinically proven to be safe for acne-prone and sensitive skin, and have received the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance.

Let’s talk about the Restore Scalp Serum. Scalp care is having a major moment—what makes this serum different from others on the market?

SEEN’s award-winning Restore Scalp Serum optimizes and resets the scalp with balanced hydration while relieving dry scalp and reducing the appearance of flakes and irritation. It features these scalp-friendly ingredients:

• Plant-derived squalane and olive-derived ethylhexyl olivate keep the scalp hydrated.
• Bisabolol is a naturally derived skin-soothing ingredient.
• Propanediol caprylate is a naturally derived active ingredient that helps reduce the appearance of flakes and supports the scalp microbiome. Sarcosine, an amino acid that helps rebalance the scalp microbiome and fights against the effects of stress, pollution, and product buildup.

How does SEEN approach the formulating process differently when designing for those with eczema-prone or acne-prone skin?

At SEEN, we take a skincare-first formulation approach that takes those with eczema-prone skin, acne-prone-skin, and sensitive skin into consideration from the very beginning. By avoiding many common allergens, harsh ingredients, and pore-clogging ingredients as a baseline “rule” (and providing fragrance-free options), we develop and test skin- safe SEEN formulas that are safe for all skin types, including acne prone and sensitive skin, and in the case of fragrance free SEEN, eczema prone skin.

You’ve earned impressive certifications like the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and SkinSAFE’s “Best for Sensitive Skin” Trusted Choice badge. What does that kind of third-party validation mean to you as a dermatologist?

These recognitions confirm we are meeting our objectives as a brand and help assure the 6,600+ dermatologists and healthcare practices who distribute samples to patients in the United States and Canada that our products are safe for those with eczema-prone (fragrance free SEEN), acne-prone, and sensitive skin.

What role does skin barrier health play in both the scalp and the face—and how does SEEN support it?

We know that the skin barrier plays a role in many skin issues, concerns, and conditions. At SEEN, we avoid many common irritants as well as potentially harsh ingredients like sulfates that have the potential to compromise the skin barrier on the scalp, face, and body.

How do you hope your line inspires women to treat themselves to self-care—without having to compromise on skin health or hair performance?

We should not have to choose between healthy skin and beautiful, healthy hair—and with SEEN you can have both. The goal of self-care is to improve overall well-being. SEEN’s mission is to help people shine their brightest light and be seen for their best self.

Win! A $190 SEEN Haircare Prize Pack!

One lucky Canadian winner will receive a $190 SEEN Haircare Prize Pack including SEEN’s fragrance free Shampoo, Conditioner, Leave-In Conditioner, Restore Scalp Serum and Magic Serum! To enter, head over to Vita Daily on Instagram, follow @seenskinandhair and @vitadailymedia and make sure to fulfil all the entry rules in the caption of the corresponding contest post. Contest opens July 2, 2025 and closes July 9, 2025. Complete contest rules and regulations here. Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.