The Midlife Skincare Wake-Up Call - Stevie Smilas

Send us Fan MailYou deserve skin that thrives without a daily dose of hidden chemicals.In this conversation with Zero Zero Founder, Stevie Smilas, we pull back the curtain on “clean” beauty and uncover what’s hiding in plain sight: fragrance loopholes that can contain hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, palm-derived glycerin quietly slipping into formulas, and label theatre that sells a hero oil in name only.If your hormones feel off, your skin looks irritated, or midlife has you questioning what you put on your body, this episode offers a practical reset.We share the origin story of Zero Zero Skincare — born from one beloved moisturiser and a four-month deep dive into formulation. The result? A radically simple routine: cleanser, nutrient-dense face oil, and moisturiser — built on seven ingredients that all earn their place.We explore how natural ingredients can support a plump, glowy look without retinol’s irritation cycle, how prickly pear seed oil delivers vitamin C from a whole-plant source, and why seabuckthorn is a quiet workhorse for barrier health. We also make the case for transparent labels with common names, single-origin oils for consistency, and a firm stance against undisclosed fragrance.Beyond skin, we talk impact. With skill-based, teachable manufacturing and flexible shifts, a beauty brand can open doors for people returning after illness, caregiving, incarceration, or career gaps. It’s proof that a product can be gentle on your skin and strong in its values.If you’re tired of bathroom overwhelm, start with subtraction: drop the perfume, skip the gimmicks, and lean on fewer, better ingredients.Visit our website to find out more about this week's guest.All of our guests, including this one, are included in our Guest Directory so that you can find out more about them and the work that they do.https://midliferebelpodcast.com/guest-directoryIf you'd like to support the show you can buy me a coffee!https://buymeacoffee.com/midliferebelpodcast