Our latest Beauty Boss is Dr. Nicole Hayre, Board-Certified Dermatologist and Founder of Cutocin—a science-based skincare line that mimics the effects of the hormone oxytocin with a patent-pending ingredient to address skin rejuvenation and ensure a youthful glow. The anti-aging skincare products are cruelty-free and don’t contain any fragrance, parabens or gluten to ensure healthy skin with unmatched results.

Dr. Hayre studied at MIT and received her medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. While working in the lab at Merck Pharmaceuticals, she mapped an important gene (iNOS), and later brought her expertise to the National Institutes of Health where she was part of the Hyman Genome Project.

In 2003, she founded her own practice, Cosmetic Dermatology Center in McLean, VA. Over the years it has been consistently named the best dermatology practice in Northern Virginia. Her state-of-the-art practice offers a variety of cutting-edge treatments ranging from injectables and lasers to hair rejuvenation and feminine health, among others. Since 2021, she has also been an editor of the International Journal of Clinical Dermatology.

We chatted with Dr. Hayre who shared the inspiration behind her brand, secrets for success, beauty tips, and much more.

When was Cutocin founded and what does the name mean?

I created the Cutocin Line in 2021 after my award-winning research linking oxytocin (the love hormone) to the health and youthfulness of skin was published in the peer-reviewed journal, “The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.” Since my product line is based on work showing the cutaneous effects of oxytocin, I felt it fitting to merge the two words to form Cutocin.

What inspired the creation of the brand?

My work behind the brand was inspired by my patients. Over my 20 years in practice I have been fortunate enough to have many long-term patients who I get to know very well. On occasion some will come in with a sudden change in the quality of their skin. I began to realize that the skin looked plumper and more youthful when my patients had a new love and that the skin looked depleted, sallow and lifeless when they had lost a love. One day I had an epiphany: this is due to oxytocin, the love hormone! 

Since my days at MIT, I have always remained a scientist and researcher at heart, so I performed a pilot study in my office and was able to prove a clinical connection between oxytocin levels and how well one looks for their age based off of a standardized skin age score. In other words, the higher one’s Oxytocin level was, the better they looked for their age! The oxytocin effect was so powerful that even the women who had a strong sun exposure history had a positive effect from higher oxytocin levels. 

This ground-breaking research was eventually named one of the top stories in dermatology of 2021 by “Dermatology Times,” who had published a follow-up article focusing on my research early in 2021. So really the line is inspired not only by my relationship with my patients, but by relationships and human connection in general.

Does Cutocin have a hero product?

Cutocin has a hero patent-pending botanical ingredient which mimics the effect of oxytocin in the skin. This ingredient is in each product in the Cutocin line. This ingredient appears to have an oxytocin-like effect on the skin and protects it from natural inflammatory damage caused by the Senescence-associated Secretory Phenotype, SASP, which is something that causes damage and ages the skin when oxytocin is not present.

What are your favorite products from your brand?

My favorite product is the Social Exchange Balancing Cream because it was the first in the line and it is the product that first showed me how powerful and effective my botanical ingredient is. The cream contains anti-oxidants, peptides, a gentle retinol and emollients…really everything you want in a nighttime cream. Adding my botanical in it seems to make everything work even better! 

Over my 20 years in practice I have sold similar formulations in the past, but none have come close to the effectiveness or brand enthusiasm like Cutocin. Adding the botanical in seems to make all of the ingredients work better. Having the oxytocin effect along with this has led to amazing results, which can be seen here.

Where are your products sold?

Cutocin is sold both in my practice and on our website.

Future plans for the brand?

The demand from Cutocin users for me to expand the line has been very exciting and flattering. I am currently launching a sunscreen and have plans for a gentle cleanser. After that I plan to launch a body product.

Who inspires you?

My mother has always inspired me. She was a beautiful, intelligent, and business-savvy woman who was also very brave. In addition, I find stories of people like Thomas Edison and Milton Hershey inspiring. I am so impressed by how they turned their ideas and hard work into lasting legacies.

Secret to success?

It’s cliché, but work hard, stay focused, and keep working towards your goals. There will definitely be bumps in the road along the way, but these will help you to appreciate your achievements even more.

Beauty secrets?

Of course I use Cutocin! I also make sure that I wear sunblock every day and a huge hat if I am out in the sun. 

Wellness tips?

I am a big proponent of taking vitamins and probiotics.  Eating a low-carb diet and exercising five days weekly helps to keep me fit. Also, I basically only drink water. I will rarely drink something sweet or with alcohol, and I do not drink caffeine.  

Best advice?

Take time out to enjoy being with your friends and family. By this I mean with real person-to-person connections, not via social media. It is so important for us mentally and physically. Life is much better when you have solid connections with others.

Favorite way to relax?

Although I do love to go to dinner with friends, my favorite way to relax is to play a board game with my family or to sit around together and watch a movie.

For more information about Cutocin, visit their website and follow on Instagram: @cutocinskincare

[Images courtesy of Cutocin]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk