Skincare often gets dismissed as “just cosmetic”, overlooking the captivating science underlying it.

But what if it’s actually chemistry, microbiology, and equity all in action?

In this episode of season 2 of Across STEM with YSI, Amirali Banani speaks with Reindy Faith Sanon, a high school senior from New Jersey who is an aspiring dermatologist with huge dreams, and a 2025 Junior Fellow with the Harvard Undergraduate Microbiology Society. Following her STEM Quest 3.0 talk, From Molecules to Moisturizers: The Chemistry of Skincare and Inclusive Dermatology, Reindy unpacks why skin health is a rigorous scientific field and why inclusivity should be so foundational to modern dermatology.

Reindy reflects on how her early curiosity and a lot of hands-on experimentation shaped her interest in skincare science from a young age. She shares how navigating self-care and health during the COVID era deepened her commitment to medicine, and how misinformation on social media can deeply distort public understanding of science and healthcare—including the myth that skincare is just cosmetic.

The conversation also explores youth leadership in STEM and the incredibly important role of interdisciplinary learning, diving deep into how young scientists can challenge outdated assumptions in medicine. From busting the myth that skincare “isn’t real science” to advocating for equitable dermatological education and patient care, Reindy offers a powerful reminder that innovation in healthcare starts with curiosity, and a serious willingness to learn.

The episode also zooms out to examine how curiosity itself becomes a powerful tool for scientific growth. Reindy speaks about learning through trial, through reflection, and even through uncertainty, describing how asking “why” at an early stage can be just as valuable as having formal credentials. She reflects on how moments of confusion, of experimentation, and of self-directed learning shaped her confidence as a young scientist and why embracing uncertainty is essential in fields where knowledge is in a constant state of evolution.

This powerful perspective from Reindy reframes science not as a linear path, but as an iterative process that consistently changes.