PODCAST · arts
ASCP Esty Talk
by Associated Skin Care Professionals
Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP), ASCP Esty Talk and The Rogue Pharmacist is specifically created for estheticians. Where no topic is off limits, we share all kinds of great information on this podcast from ingredients and the science of the skin, to business, and beauty diversity. We hope you come away having learned more about your career, the industry, and maybe even life in general!
Episodes
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Ep 423 – The Anti-Social Algorithm
Using Lush's decision to walk away from millions of social media followers as a jumping-off point, Maggie and Ella explore the power of referrals, relationships, reputation, and word-of-mouth marketing. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care...
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Ep 422 – The Trouble with Looking Trendy
What happens when a trend can't be washed off? In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella explore how quickly beauty trends can shape our perception of what looks good. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for...
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Ep 421 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Natural Does Not Equal Better
Does a natural ingredient automatically mean it's better? In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben challenges the idea that natural and botanical ingredients are automatically safer or more effective than synthetic ones while also giving insight to help clients look beyond an overused…
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Ep 420 – Getting to the Root of Stem Cells in Skin Care
In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella are joined by molecular biologist Dr. David Stachura to break down the science behind stem cells in skincare. Dr. David breaks down the differences between mammalian and plant stem cells, growth factors, exosomes, and why understanding these...
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Ep 419 – Shady Science
Why is finding the perfect foundation shade still so difficult, even with more shades and better technology? In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella explore new research into the science of shade matching, including the difference between how skin color is measured and how it's truly...
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Ep 418 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Vitamin D—More Than a Vitamin
In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben explores the important role vitamin D plays throughout the body and how it functions as more than just a vitamin. Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue Pharmacist with Benjamin Knight Fuchs, R.Ph. This podcast takes an…
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Ep 417 – Are We Really Done with Anti-Aging?
The esthetics industry has largely traded the term "anti-aging" for language like healthy aging, longevity, and pro-aging, but has the goal actually changed? In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella examine how attitudes toward aging are evolving and whether the shift represents a new...
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Ep 416 – The Emotional Side to Esthetics
Estheticians often become trusted confidants. But where's the line between listening and carrying a client's emotional weight? In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella explore the emotional side of the treatment room, including the unique relationships estheticians build with their...
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Ep 415 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Perioral Dermatitis
Perioral dermatitis can easily be confused with acne, rosacea, or general skin irritation, making accurate recognition especially important. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben Fuchs explains what perioral dermatitis is, why it is frequently misidentified, and which skin care habits or...
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Ep 414 – Korean Skin Care: Fact, Fiction and Room to Learn
Korean skincare is far more than a viral trend or a multi-step routine. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella explore the philosophy behind Korean skin care, examining its barrier-first approach, emphasis on prevention, and the cultural practices that have shaped one of the world's...
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Ep 413 – Spicules and Sponges: The Liquid Microneedling Craze
Liquid microneedling has quickly become one of the hottest trends in professional skin care, but what exactly happens beneath the surface? In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella take a deep dive into Spongilla lacustris—the freshwater sponge behind spicules—exploring how these...
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Ep 412 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Petrolatum – Friend or Foe?
Petrolatum is one of the most debated ingredients in skin care, praised by some professionals while avoided by others. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben Fuchs separates fact from fiction, exploring why petrolatum has earned such a controversial reputation and whether common claims…
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Ep 411 – Do No Harm: What Esthetics Schools Need to Know
The Department of Education's "Do No Harm" rules have sparked important conversations throughout the esthetics industry. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie is joined by ASCP Government Relations Director Laura Puryear and higher education attorney Aaron Lacey to explain what these…
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Ep 410 – What the Deck: MicroRNAs
What if your skin could just . . . remember how to act young again? That's essentially the pitch behind Biocogent's new RNActivate W, a next-generation active that doesn't add collagen or push it as peptides do. Instead, it goes upstream and silences a tiny piece of regulatory RNA (the so-called...
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Ep 409 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Why Healing Slows with Age
As clients age, they often notice that cuts, irritation, and post-treatment recovery take longer than they once did. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben Fuchs explains the changes that occur within aging skin, the factors that influence the healing process, and the ingredients and...
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Ep 408 – Esty Talk Mailbag: Early Career Experience
Sometimes one client can shape the way you practice for the rest of your career. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella open the ASCP mailbag to share a listener's story about an early career experience that sparked a lifelong commitment to learning and professional growth. ASCP Esty...
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Ep 407 – ASCP's Esty of the Year
In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella are joined by Armenthia Carr, the 2026 ASCP Esty of the Year, to discuss her journey through the industry and what has shaped her success as a professional esthetician. They explore her perspective on growth, education, and what it means to stand...
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Ep 406 – The Rogue Pharmacist: How Chronic Stress Accelerates Aging
In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben explores how chronic stress impacts the body and how those physiological changes present in the skin. He breaks down how stress can influence collagen breakdown, barrier function, and the skin's ability to repair itself, plus common misunderstandings…
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Ep 405 – The First Facial
Through a surprising story about a prison barber who offered facials, Maggie and Ella explore how a first experience with skin care can completely reshape a client's perspective. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, they discuss "The First Facial" and why clients often don't reject skin care, they...
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Ep 404 – Gray Market Peptides
Peptides in skin care span everything from well-researched cosmetic ingredients to highly unregulated compounds circulating in the "research" market. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella break down a quick peptide primer, explore the difference between cosmetic and bioactive…
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Ep 403 – The Invisible Revenue Stream with Shannon Erley
In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella are joined by Shannon Erley, CEO and founder of Pomp, to talk about the invisible revenue stream many estheticians overlook in their businesses. They explore where missed opportunities arise in the client journey, why retail and home care often…
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Ep 402 – Command Prompting for AI
In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella talk about command prompting and how the way you communicate with AI shapes the results you get. They break down why vague prompts fall flat, how specificity changes outcomes, and how best to use it in your esthetics practice. ASCP Esty Talk with...
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Ep 401 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Allergies, Histamine, and Mast Cells
In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben discusses how histamine, mast cells, and allergic responses impact the skin beyond sinus symptoms. With allergy season in full swing, Ben breaks down what mast cells are doing during an allergic response, why histamine can visibly affect the skin, and...
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Ep 400 – The Wellness Split
In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella discuss how wellness is splitting in two directions: hyper-optimization and a return to nervous system care. Your hosts also explore what this shift means for estheticians, who are often expected to balance both technical expertise and a more...
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Ep 399 – The Proof Problem
Right now, it feels like there's more pressure than ever for skin care to be proven. But what the proof actually means isn't always clear. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella talk about how proof shows up in skin care today, from clinical data to consumer perception and visual...
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Ep 398 – The Rogue Pharmacist: The Barbie Drug
In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben discusses Melanotan II, often referred to online as the "Barbie Drug," and its rise within biohacking and social media culture. He explores what the compound is, why people use it to artificially stimulate tanning, and the potential risks and concerns...
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Ep 397 – The Summer Slowdown: What Hot Dogs Can Teach Us About Business Seasonality
Summer brings sunshine, ballparks, and hot dogs. But in the treatment room, it often brings a noticeable shift in business rhythm. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella explore seasonality in the esthetics industry, asking whether summer is truly a slowdown or just a shift in client...
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Ep 396 – Favorite Things
"Favorite Things" is back! In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Ella and Maggie share the treatment-room staples they're currently loving. From multitasking skin care and collagen-supporting formulas to pro-level devices and regenerative innovations, they break down what's working, why it stands…
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Ep 395 – The Rogue Pharmacist: The Science of SPF and Skin Protection
SPF looks like a simple number on a bottle, but it's actually based on specific lab testing conditions that don't always translate to real-world use. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben Fuchs breaks down what SPF actually measures, what it doesn't cover (including ultraviolet A...
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Ep 394 – Be the Driver of the Appointment with Claudia Wyatt
Being the driver of the appointment is about shifting from simply performing services to intentionally guiding the client experience with confidence, clarity, and presence. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella are joined by guest Claudia Wyatt, an "enthusiasm igniter" and…
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Ep 393 – BEMT: The New Sunscreen Ingredient
Big news in sunscreen regulation: For the first time since 1999, the US is seeing a new active ingredient approved, BEMT (Bemotrizinol), signaling an important shift in how sunscreens are formulated. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella discuss what FDA regulation of OTC sunscreens...
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Ep 392 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Why Skin Scent Changes with Age
Skin carries a natural, individual scent signature that can subtly shift over time. Research is beginning to explore how much of that shift is driven by biology versus perception. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben Fuchs breaks down the science behind age-related changes in skin scent,...
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Ep 391 – Niacinamide and Cellular Energy
The skin doesn't just need hydration and protection—it needs energy to repair, regulate, and function optimally. At the center of that energy system is NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme essential for cellular metabolism, which naturally declines with age and stress. In this...
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Ep 390 – Japanese Skin Care
Japanese skin care is often associated with minimalism, ritual, and a skin-first philosophy. But what's commonly marketed today is often a simplified Western interpretation of a much deeper cultural approach. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella explore what Japanese skin care truly...
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Ep 389 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Urea
Urea is one of the most misunderstood ingredients in skin care. Is it a hydrator, an exfoliant, or both? In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben Fuchs talks about how urea functions at different concentrations, why it's critical for barrier health, and how to use it strategically for...
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Ep 388 – Resilient Beauty
Beauty consumer behavior is shifting, and what happens in mass and prestige retail impacts your treatment room and retail shelves. Trends in 2026 include skin care's rebound, fragrance growth, and how clients are spending strategically rather than abandoning professional services. In this episode...
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Ep 387 – Esthetics and Cosmetology Compacts
The esthetics and cosmetology compacts are key legislation shaping how professionals practice across state lines. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Laura Puryear, ASCP's government relations director, breaks down what the compacts are, how they impact estheticians, and why advocacy for your...
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Ep 386 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Do Actives Cancel Each Other Out?
Layering skin care products can feel confusing, especially with so many warnings about mixing actives. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben Fuchs breaks down when ingredients truly interfere with each other, when it's a misconception, and how factors like pH, formulation, and application...
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Ep 385 – Men's Beauty Market
From reactive visits to proactive, results-driven routines, the male client is evolving. Gen Z and younger Millennials approach skin care with education, efficiency, and a focus on performance, giving estheticians a real opportunity to serve this growing market. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk,...
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Ep 384 – Coulda Fooled Me
In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella play a game called "Coulda Fooled Me," exploring the beliefs and assumptions that have tripped up estheticians over the years. From business myths about pricing and product lines to industry trends and "professional-only" claims, Maggie and Ella...
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Ep 383 - The Rogue Pharmacist: Skin Purging
Is your client's skin really "purging," or is it something else? In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben Fuchs breaks down what skin purging actually is, when it occurs, and why it's often misunderstood. Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue Pharmacist with Benjamin...
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Ep 382 – Perimenopause in the Treatment Room
Perimenopause is no longer a niche topic; it's a multibillion-dollar conversation in beauty, wellness, and health care. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella explore how hormonal shifts present with clients and what estheticians can do to support them. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella...
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Ep 381 – The Immune Authority Report with Kiarra Smith
Drawing on her own experience navigating allergies and immune misfunction, Kiarra Smith, founder of Rooted Serenity, shares how she began recognizing immune-related patterns in her clients, from reactive skin and chronic inflammation to slow healing and recurring concerns that don't respond to...
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Ep 380 – Emerging Trends from IMCAS Paris with Jenni Nagle
Each year, IMCAS Paris, the premier cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery conference, sets the tone for what's next in global esthetics, from innovative treatments to shifting patient expectations. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie sits down with Jenni Nagle of Lip Gloss and Aftershave...
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Ep 379 – Generation Gaps: Same License, Different Starting Lines with Kiarra Smith
The esthetics license may be the same, but the path into the industry looks very different depending on when you started. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella welcome Kiarra Smith, founder of Rooted Serenity, to explore how Gen X and Gen Z estheticians entered the industry from...
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Ep 378 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Why Soothing Ingredients Backfire
Soothing ingredients are often the first line of defense for red, reactive skin. But what if those soothing ingredients are part of the problem? In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben Fuchs talks about why certain calming ingredients can backfire, what is happening at the inflammatory and...
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Ep 377 – Drugstore Dupes
Dupes are everywhere in skin care right now, but similar ingredients do not always mean similar performance. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella break down the real differences between drugstore dupes and professional products and what that means for results, safety, and trust in…
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Ep 376 – Beauty on Their Terms: The DIY Boom
From cutting their own bangs to spacing out appointments, clients are changing how they engage with beauty. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Ella and Maggie unpack the DIY beauty boom and what it means for estheticians in the treatment room. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie...
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Ep 375 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Clean Beauty from a Pharmacist's Perspective
The term clean beauty has been trending for several years and means many different things, depending on who you ask. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben Fuchs defines clean beauty from a pharmacist and formulator's point of view in a way that's actually rooted in science. Associated Skin...
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Ep 374 - Brand-boozled
Being brand-boozled"happens when trust, loyalty, and transparency get misaligned in your professional relationships with skin care brands. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella break down how to spot the quiet shifts in brands, protect your backbar and business, and turn industry...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP), ASCP Esty Talk and The Rogue Pharmacist is specifically created for estheticians. Where no topic is off limits, we share all kinds of great information on this podcast from ingredients and the science of the skin, to business, and beauty diversity. We hope you come away having learned more about your career, the industry, and maybe even life in general!
HOSTED BY
Associated Skin Care Professionals
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does ASCP Esty Talk have?
ASCP Esty Talk currently has 421 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is ASCP Esty Talk about?
Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP), ASCP Esty Talk and The Rogue Pharmacist is specifically created for estheticians. Where no topic is off limits, we share all kinds of great information on this podcast from ingredients and the science of the skin, to business, and beauty...
How often does ASCP Esty Talk release new episodes?
ASCP Esty Talk publishes regularly with 421 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to ASCP Esty Talk?
You can listen to ASCP Esty Talk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts ASCP Esty Talk?
ASCP Esty Talk is created and hosted by Associated Skin Care Professionals.
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