The Dark Side of the Skincare Industry | Ella Cressman

On this episode of Nourify & Beautify, we get to sit down with certified international skincare educator, licensed esthetician, and co-host of the Esty Talk Podcast, Ella Cressman! As you can tell, she’s got some stories to share. She’s here today to talk about the dark side of the industry and what you can do right now to make sure your skin care regimen isn’t causing more problems than it’s solving. Ella Cressman’s Journey Before Ella began working in skincare, she did other jobs. Her interest in anatomy and physiology led her towards cosmetology or nursing, but nursing was hard on her emotionally. She worked in the world of cold hard business for a while, but soon felt that she wasn’t living her dream and decided to pursue a career in esthetics. After she finished school, she started her business right away and has become a knowledgeable industry leader ever since! The Dark Side of the Skin Care Industry Ella began to notice unethical practices when she was still in school. The types of messaging she was taught to use were concerning to her. Marketing tactics are sometimes placed above informing consumers accurately about products. Even the tools we have to help us, like apps we can use to scan products that tell us their ‘safety rating’ can have problems, so it’s important to do your research. How to Choose Safe Skincare Products Ella recommends that people who use the apps do so with care. Choose apps that will show you the research that backs up their claims and look at those papers. Work with a professional to build up your literacy when it comes to different types of ingredients so that you can choose products that work for you. Do a Yearly Skincare Audit One way that Ella helps her clients is by working with them to create a good skincare routine that isn’t too extensive and works within their budget. Our needs change seasonally and over time, so finding a professional like an esthetician that you trust is critical. Let them get to know you and your skin so they can give you tailored advice. “It's unfortunate that some manufacturers will bend, they will bend messaging… They're preying on vulnerabilities. On the flip side of that, we have this other opportunity for truth fighters to come forward and fight for the honest things that are happening.” – Ella Cressman Resources Check out Ella Cress Skincare! Hear more from Ella on the ASCP Esty Talk Podcast