The Skincarma® Pod

Healthy skin doesn’t necessarily need more products, stronger actives or the latest trending ingredient. Sometimes, what it needs most is consistency—and a healthy environment in which to function.This week, Carmine sits down with Dr. Brent Ridge, physician and co-founder of Beekman 1802, the goat milk skincare brand he built with his husband, Josh Kilmer-Purcell. Before entering beauty, Dr. Ridge practiced medicine at Mount Sinai and served as Vice President of Healthy Living at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Today, he brings that medical background to a philosophy Beekman has championed for years: supporting skin health rather than constantly trying to correct it.Together, they explore why the skin barrier went from an obscure scientific concept to one of beauty’s biggest conversations—and how over-cleansing, over-exfoliating and simply using too many products can leave otherwise healthy skin sensitized. Dr. Ridge explains why he still considers cleansing the foundation of healthy skin and how the surface microbiome contributes to the remarkable resilience that allows our skin to adapt to changes in its environment.They also go deep on the science of goat milk, including how its oligosaccharides may help nourish microorganisms such as lactobacillus, why Beekman’s Bloom Cream was actually named for the concept of a microbial “bloom,” and the surprising oncology research that first led Dr. Ridge to investigate goat milk-derived exosomes years before exosomes became one of skincare’s buzziest technologies.Carmine and Dr. Ridge also tackle one of beauty’s enduring assumptions: that expensive skincare must work better. Dr. Ridge explains why price and efficacy aren’t directly correlated, when paying more may be worthwhile, and why the texture, sensory experience and pleasure of using a product can still matter if they encourage something far more important—consistency.Finally, they examine the increasingly blurred boundaries between medicine, wellness and beauty; the promise and risks surrounding peptides, supplements and emerging health trends; and why scientific language can empower consumers to understand their bodies while also making it easier to sell them things they may not need.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why Dr. Ridge believes consistency is one of the most important principles in both health and skincare;How over-cleansing, over-exfoliating and using too many products can compromise the skin barrier and contribute to sensitization;Why the skin’s microbiome plays an important role in skin resilience and its ability to respond to a changing environment;How goat milk oligosaccharides may help support microorganisms such as lactobacillus on the skin;The unexpected oncology research that led Dr. Ridge to begin investigating goat milk-derived exosomes years before they became a skincare trend;How Beekman approaches innovation without chasing every trending ingredient;And, where Dr. Ridge sees both opportunity and risk as medicine, wellness and beauty increasingly borrow from one another.Key TakeawayHealthy skin isn’t necessarily the result of doing more to it. Dr. Ridge makes the case that the fundamentals—thoughtful cleansing, protecting the skin barrier, supporting the microbiome and, above all, consistency—may matter more than constantly chasing stronger actives or the newest technology.Innovation still matters. But price, novelty and scientific-sounding claims don’t automatically translate into better results. The best skincare product may ultimately be one that respects the biology of the skin, delivers what it promises and feels good enough that you’ll actually use it consistently.Connect with Dr. Brent Ridge and his husband and Beekman 1802 co-founder Josh Kilmer-Purcell on Instagram at @joshandbrent. Follow Beekman 1802 on Instagram at @beekman1802 and learn more about the brand’s pioneering work in goat milk skincare, skin barrier health and the microbiome at beekman1802.com.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Explore more:Beekman 1802 Bloom CreamBeekman 1802 Milk RX Advanced Better Aging CreamBeekman 1802 Milk RX Advanced Better Aging Wrinkle SerumProduct reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

GLP-1 medications have transformed weight management—and introduced “Ozempic face” into the aesthetic conversation. But are GLP-1s themselves changing the face, or are we seeing the natural effects of significant weight loss unfolding faster than the skin can adapt?This week, Carmine sits down with Dr. Daniel Gould, a board-certified plastic surgeon with a PhD in bioengineering and Section Editor for Regenerative Medicine at Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Dr. Gould has coauthored published research examining both facial changes associated with GLP-1 use and the role facial vectors play in natural-looking face and neck lifts.Together, they unpack what “Ozempic face” really is, including the loss of facial volume and structural support that can leave skin looking deflated, crepey or lax. Dr. Gould explains why nutrition, protein and essential vitamins become especially important when appetite and calorie intake decrease—and why patients may need to give their bodies considerably more time to adjust before pursuing an aesthetic treatment.They also explore why adding filler can sometimes make the face larger without correcting descended tissue; how surgeons decide between filler, fat transfer, energy-based treatments and surgery; and why the direction in which facial tissue is repositioned can mean the difference between restoration and the unnatural, pulled look patients fear.Finally, Carmine and Dr. Gould examine the beauty industry’s rush to turn the visible effects of weight loss into another problem consumers are told they need to fix—and why a healthier body, loose skin and all, should still be recognized as an extraordinary accomplishment.In this episode, you’ll learn:What “Ozempic face” actually is—and whether GLP-1 medications uniquely affect facial fat;Why rapid weight loss can leave the face looking deflated, crepey or lax;How inadequate protein and nutrient intake may affect the skin and the body during weight loss;Why Dr. Gould recommends allowing time for weight and facial tissue to stabilize before considering surgery;Why adding facial volume doesn’t necessarily correct tissue that has shifted or descended;What a facial vector is and why it matters for natural-looking facelift results;Why the aesthetic industry was so quick to market solutions for “Ozempic face”;And, how patients can approach aesthetic changes without diminishing the health achievement that weight loss may represent.Key Takeaway“Ozempic face” is not a single condition with a single solution. Significant weight loss can affect facial volume, structural support, skin quality and nutrition—and those changes may continue evolving long after the weight comes off. Before rushing toward filler, devices or surgery, patients should allow time for their weight to stabilize, protect their nutrition and determine whether the concern is truly lost volume, descended tissue or both.As Dr. Gould emphasizes, the goal should not be to create a different face. It should be to restore the face naturally—if the patient decides anything needs to be corrected at all.Connect with Dr. Gould on Instagram at @faces_by_dr_gould and at dr.gouldplasticsurgery. Discover his groundbreaking work at Gould Aesthetics on YouTube here.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Explore more:Book a ConsultationGood Day LA 2026 Plastic Surgery Results | Dr. Daniel Gould Plastic SurgeryNatural Beauty’s Back for 2026: Looking Human Is in AgainProduct reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

We hear the word innovation constantly in beauty. A new ingredient launches. A familiar technology gets a new name. A product claims to repair, rebuild, strengthen or transform — and consumers are left to figure out which breakthroughs are real and which are simply very good stories.This week, Carmine sits down with Nathan Puksta, founder of Filament Sciences, an R&D company developing proprietary technologies for professional haircare.Nathan brings an unusually broad perspective to the conversation. Before becoming a founder, he spent nearly two decades inside beauty — including leadership roles at L’Oréal and Kiehl’s — and trained as both a stylist and an esthetician. Today, his work at Filament combines molecular development, consumer research and feedback from salon professionals to create technologies designed around measurable hair performance.Together, Carmine and Nathan explore what genuine innovation actually looks like, why large beauty companies often optimize products for the average consumer rather than the outliers, and what smaller companies can learn by looking where the biggest players aren’t.They also unpack how Filament develops proprietary molecular technology, why product format matters as much as the active technology itself, what consumers should ask when a brand claims to “repair” damaged hair, and why testing methodology may be more important than any percentage printed on the packaging.The conversation also gets personal as two former Kiehl’s insiders revisit the brand’s unique approach to education, community and luxury — and consider why human connection may ultimately be one of beauty’s most valuable forms of scarcity.Finally, Nathan shares where he believes haircare is heading next, from scalp health and hair growth to longevity and the changing biology of hair itself.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why Nathan believes luxury is increasingly about knowledge, experience and human connection rather than price;Why Nathan believes beauty has become increasingly commoditized;Why big beauty companies often optimize innovation toward the average consumer;Why the outliers in consumer data may reveal where an entire category is headed next;How Filament Sciences combines molecular research and consumer insight;How consumers can evaluate hair-repair claims more intelligently;Why “How did you test it?” may be the most important question consumers can ask a beauty brand;Why Nathan believes scalp health and hair growth will play an increasingly important role in the future of haircare;And, why “bond repair” may have become one of haircare’s most overused marketing terms.Key TakeawayReal innovation in beauty isn’t defined by how scientific a product sounds. It begins with identifying a meaningful problem, developing something genuinely different to solve it, and being able to clearly answer one deceptively simple question:How did you prove it works?Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @nathaninthelab. Learn more about the trailblazing work he and his team are doing at Filament Science on their IG at @filamentsciences and on the company website at filamentsciences.com.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Explore more:FILAMENT TS.02/Tt : Tensile Strength Hair Treatment MaskThe Power of Tensilyx™Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

One of the biggest blind spots in beauty isn’t a new ingredient, procedure, or technology—it’s what happens after.Every year, millions of people undergo cosmetic procedures, reconstructive surgeries, C-sections, cancer treatments, and other operations that leave lasting scars. Yet despite the emotional and physical impact scars can have, scar care has remained surprisingly overlooked by both the beauty industry and, in many cases, medicine itself.This week, Carmine sits down with Jadis Montijo, founder and CEO of Motivo Scar Care, to explore why recovery deserves a much larger place in the conversation around healthy skin.After undergoing gender-affirming top surgery, Jadis found himself frustrated by the scar-care products he was prescribed. When those products ultimately failed—leading to scar revision surgery—he partnered with renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Keith to rethink an entire category from the ground up.Together, they explore why scars are far more than cosmetic; how they shape confidence, identity, and healing; and why recovery may represent one of beauty’s next major frontiers.Along the way, Jadis shares his personal journey of transitioning, the unexpected path that led him into entrepreneurship, and why building Motivo has become about far more than improving scars—it’s about helping people move forward after some of life’s most significant moments.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why scar care has remained one of beauty’s most overlooked categories;How Jadis’s experience with gender-affirming surgery led to the creation of Motivo Scar Care;Why recovery often falls into the gap between medicine and beauty;How scars can affect confidence, identity, and emotional healing;What differentiates modern scar-care products from traditional approaches;Why nutrition, consistency, and overall health influence how scars heal;How plastic surgeons and dermatologists are beginning to rethink post-procedure care;And, why the future of beauty may be just as focused on recovery as transformation.Key TakeawayScars tell deeply personal stories, but they shouldn’t define how we see ourselves. As cosmetic procedures, reconstructive surgery, and aesthetic treatments continue to grow, recovery deserves far more attention than it has historically received. This conversation reminds us that healing doesn’t end when the procedure is over—and that caring for a scar is ultimately about supporting the person behind it.Connect with Jadis on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @jadismontijo. Explore Motivo Scar Care’s innovative scar-care products and brand ethos at motivoscarcare.com.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Explore more:Motivo Scar Tape RollMotivo Scar Tape SheetsMotivo Intensive Repair Scar CreamMotivo Advanced Early Scar SerumProduct reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

One of the most persistent myths in beauty is that aging happens entirely from the outside in. We focus on wrinkles, volume loss, skin laxity, and facial contours—yet rarely consider the structures beneath the surface that help support everything we see in the mirror.This week, Carmine sits down with Beverly Hills cosmetic and neuromuscular dentist Dr. Arthur Glosman to explore what our mouths may reveal about the way we age, feel, and function.Drawing on his background in dentistry, architecture, art, and design, Dr. Glosman approaches the mouth as far more than a collection of teeth. He sees it as part of a larger system involving the jaw, facial muscles, bite, sleep, inflammation, and overall health—and believes dentists may be uniquely positioned to recognize clues that other healthcare providers can miss.Together, they unpack how chronic clenching and an unstable bite may place stress on the jaw, why worn teeth can change the proportions and support of the lower face, and what Dr. Glosman means when he describes restorative dentistry as an “internal facelift through the teeth.”The conversation is also deeply personal. As a chronic migraineur who receives Botox in his masseter muscles and has experienced grinding, cracked teeth, and tooth loss, Carmine examines the possible relationship between jaw tension, TMJ dysfunction, and headache disorders.Along the way, Dr. Glosman shares why he believes dentistry should feel more like hospitality than healthcare, how fear and shame prevent people from seeking treatment, and why simply walking through the door may be the most important first step.In this episode, you’ll learn:What neuromuscular dentistry is—and how it looks beyond the teeth;How bite imbalance, clenching, and overworked facial muscles may affect the jaw, head, and neck;Why worn teeth can change facial proportions and reduce support for the lips and cheeks;What Dr. Glosman means by an “internal facelift through the teeth”;What the gums, tongue, bone, and other oral tissues may reveal about broader health;Why dental anxiety and past trauma can delay essential care;How comfort, listening, and hospitality can improve the patient experience;And, why dental problems rarely become less complicated—or less expensive—with time.Key TakeawayThe mouth does not exist separately from the rest of the face or body. From bite function and facial support to inflammation, pain, and overall health, this conversation is a reminder that caring for our teeth may be one of the most overlooked parts of aging well.Connect with Dr. Glosman on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @dr.arthurglosman. You can also contact his practice for an appointment on their website at arthurglosmandds.com.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

Ingredient savvy isn’t the same thing as ingredient literate.We know to hunt for ceramides. We compare Vitamin C percentages. We scan for peptides, retinoids, and niacinamide. But when we turn over the carton and browse the full ingredient list, can we actually tell whether a product is well formulated—or whether we’re simply responding to clever marketing?In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes back Annie Graham, cosmetic chemist and co-founder of Atomic Pom Labs, for a practical and refreshingly honest guide to reading skincare ingredient lists.Annie explains why an INCI list is first and foremost a regulatory disclosure; what ingredient order can—and cannot—tell us; why effective ingredients may appear surprisingly low on the list; and why percentages, botanical overload, and hero-ingredient marketing can lead even experienced skincare shoppers in the wrong direction.Carmine and Annie also compare different forms of Vitamin C, unpack the anatomy of a thoughtfully formulated moisturizer, and discuss why texture, stability, delivery, and the overall experience of a product cannot be judged from the ingredient list alone.Then they put those ideas to the test by decoding three very different formulas: spa brand EPICUTIS’ Hydrobiome Serum, the $400 La Mer The Concentrate, and rhode Barrier Restore Cream—the best-selling moisturizer at Sephora.The larger lesson is reassuringly simple: start with a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen; choose products that suit your skin, budget, and routine; and stop shopping from a place of skincare FOMO. There is no secret ingredient everyone else knows about—and an impressive ingredient list is never the whole picture.In this episode, you’ll learn:What an INCI list was designed to communicate—and why it is not a complete evaluation of a formula;Why the familiar “top ten ingredients” rule can be misleading;How low-concentration ingredients such as peptides still play a meaningful role;Why two Vitamin C products with dramatically different percentages cannot necessarily be compared at face value;What humectants, emollients, occlusives, emulsifiers, and preservatives contribute to a moisturizer;Why a simple ingredient list can produce an exceptional product—and a very long list can still underwhelm;How texture, stability, packaging, price, and the likelihood that you’ll use a product consistently should influence your decision;How to stop chasing the imaginary ingredient that will supposedly change everything.Products Decoded in the EpisodeEPICUTIS Hydrobiome Serum — a minimalist, water-based formula whose texture and humectant system become part of the analysis.La Mer The Concentrate — a lesson in silicones, sensory elegance, instant cosmetic effects, luxury positioning, and exceptionally cohesive storytelling.rhode Barrier Restore Cream — an ingredient-packed moisturizer that brings humectants, emollients, occlusives, niacinamide, peptides, and barrier marketing into one conversation.Key TakeawayAn ingredient list is a disclosure—not a performance review.It may offer useful clues about a product’s base, structure, preservation system, and featured ingredients. But it cannot fully reveal the formula’s stability, elegance, delivery, tolerability, manufacturing quality, or suitability for your skin.The smarter approach is to begin with four questions:What is this product supposed to do?Does that function match what my skin actually needs?Can I comfortably afford and consistently use it?Does the finished product feel good enough that I will keep using it?That framing captures Annie’s recurring message throughout the episode: learn the basics first, experiment thoughtfully, and do not let ingredient marketing convince you that everyone else has discovered a secret you missed.Follow Annie and Atomic Pom Labs on Instagram at @atomicpomlabs. Learn more about the trailblazing work Annie and Diego are doing at Atomic Pom Labs at atomicpomlabs.ca.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Explore more:EPICUTIS Hydrobiome SerumLa Mer The Concentraterhode Barrier Restore CreamProduct reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

One of the biggest shifts happening in skincare isn’t a new ingredient or breakthrough technology — it’s a growing realization that healthier skin may come from doing less, not more.This week, Carmine sits down with Becca Zook, founder of Happi Rituals, to explore the growing movement toward simpler, barrier-focused skincare. After becoming frustrated with expensive products, complicated routines, and endless anti-aging promises, Becca set out to create something different — formulations built around grass-fed beef tallow, nutrient-rich botanical oils, and the belief that skin doesn’t need to be constantly corrected. It needs to be supported.Together, they unpack the marketing forces that shaped modern skincare, whether consumers are experiencing “skincare fatigue,” why barrier health has become one of beauty’s biggest conversations, and what makes beef tallow one of skincare’s most polarizing ingredients.Along the way, Carmine shares insights from three decades in beauty, including why he believes sunscreen remains the most effective anti-aging product ever created and the secret skincare philosophy he learned from celebrity aesthetician Angela Caglia.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why skincare routines have become increasingly complicated;The science and controversy behind beef tallow skincare;What “bioavailable” ingredients actually mean;Why healthy skin may require fewer products than you think;The difference between fighting aging and supporting healthy skin as we age;And, how beauty marketing has shaped the way we think about skincare for decades.Key TakeawayWhether you’re a minimalist or someone with a ten-step routine, this conversation is a reminder that healthy skin isn’t always about doing more — it may simply be about giving your skin the support it actually needs.Connect with Becca on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @happi.rituals. Explore Happi Ritual’s beef tallow-infused products and brand ethos at happirituals.com.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Explore more:Happi Rituals RENEW + GLOW Face MousseHappi Rituals SOOTHE + HEAL Face MousseHappi Rituals FIRM + MOISTURIZE Body MousseProduct reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

One of the biggest misconceptions in skincare is that clearer skin begins with a better product.While cleansers, serums, and prescriptions certainly have their place, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Katie Varman believes that for many people, lasting skin health starts much deeper — in the gut, on the plate, and in the everyday habits that shape our overall health.In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes back Dr. Katie Varman alongside her collaborator and Skin Skin Academy co-founder, holistic chef, nutrition educator, and Le Cordon Bleu–trained chef Kimber Dean, for a fascinating conversation about their new program, Clear Skin from Within.Together, they’ve created a practical 90-day roadmap that combines functional dermatology, nutrition, cooking, stress management, and lifestyle medicine to help uncover the root causes of acne. Rather than simply treating breakouts, the program helps participants identify the foods, environmental triggers, and daily habits that may be contributing to inflammation and skin imbalance.Throughout the conversation, Dr. Varman explains why education alone often isn’t enough, why functional medicine complements — not replaces — traditional dermatology, and how the gut-skin connection influences everything from acne to overall health.Chef Kimber shares her own remarkable healing journey and explains how cooking can become a powerful form of self-care, making healthier eating realistic, enjoyable, and sustainable — even for busy people.The conversation also expands beyond acne, exploring food sensitivities, migraines, nervous system regulation, processed foods, hospital nutrition, and why both guests believe the future of medicine will increasingly bring healthcare professionals, nutrition, and community together.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why acne is often driven by much more than what’s happening on the surface of the skin;How the Clear Skin from Within 90-day program helps identify individual acne triggers;The surprising connection between gut health, inflammation, and skin;Why elimination diets work — and how foods can be safely reintroduced;The foods most commonly associated with acne and why they affect everyone differently;Why stress, sleep, and nervous system health can influence skin just as much as diet;How Chef Kimber uses food, cooking, yoga, and mindfulness as tools for healing;And, why the future of skincare may depend as much on what’s happening in the kitchen as what’s happening in the bathroom cabinet.Key TakeawayHealthy skin isn't built by a single product or a single ingredient. It's the result of countless daily choices that influence the body's internal environment. Dr. Katie Varman and Chef Kimber Dean remind us that when we nourish the gut, calm the nervous system, and build sustainable habits around food, we’re not simply treating acne — we’re supporting the long-term health of the entire body.Connect with Dr. Katie Varman on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @shineskinacademy. Connect with Chef Kimber Dean on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @chefyoginikimberdean and @happyfoodmeals.Explore the Clear Skin From Within program here and enjoy a complimentary gut-skin lesson here.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Explore more:Clear Skin From Within 90-Day ProgramShine Skin Academy HomepageFree Gut-Skin LessonChef Kimber’s Protein Brownie BitesChef Kimber’s ADHD SmoothieEating for Sun ProtectionProduct reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

One of the most fascinating questions in beauty has nothing to do with ingredients, formulations, or clinical studies. It’s why we want what we want in the first place.Every day we’re surrounded by images designed to capture our attention, shape our perception, and make certain products feel not only desirable, but inevitable. Yet few people ever stop to ask how that process actually works.In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with photographer, director, and a—son founder Anderson for a thought-provoking conversation about luxury, branding, image-making, and what he calls the mechanics of desire.Drawing on a career that spans fashion, beauty, celebrity campaigns, and the landmark launch of Fenty Beauty, Anderson shares how his early artistic training evolved into a deeper understanding of how aspiration is constructed — and why the algorithm may have changed where desire lives, but not how desire works.Together, Carmine and Anderson explore why luxury brands continue to influence modern marketing; the distinct creative strategies behind founder-led, heritage, K-beauty, and science-driven skincare brands; and the unique challenge of creating desire for products whose benefits often take weeks or months to become visible.The conversation also examines the growing tension between clinical proof and emotional storytelling, the role imagery plays in shaping consumer perception, and why building a memorable beauty brand requires far more than simply producing more content.In this episode, you’ll learn:What Anderson means by “the mechanics of desire” and why luxury brands have understood it for decades;Why the algorithm changed where desire lives — not how it works;How founder-led, heritage, K-beauty, and science-driven brands each sell beauty differently;Why skincare presents a unique creative challenge compared to color cosmetics;The relationship between imagery, copywriting, and consumer psychology;Why luxury branding is built through image, symbolism, and repetition;What today’s beauty brands often misunderstand about creating aspiration;And, why producing more content doesn’t necessarily build a stronger brand.Key TakeawayConsumers rarely fall in love with a product because of a single image, headline, or scientific claim. They fall in love with the meaning that brands create over time. Anderson reminds us that while platforms and algorithms will continue to evolve, the psychology of desire remains remarkably constant — and the brands that understand that distinction are the ones that endure.Connect with Anderson on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @byandersonx. Discover his work at a—son on IG at @ason.agency and on his agency website at a-son.agency.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Explore more:a—son case studies Anderson’s portfolioProduct reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

One of the biggest misconceptions in aesthetics right now is that filler is a problem — the problem.Spend a few minutes online and you’ll find countless videos blaming filler for everything from facial puffiness to “filler migration.” But according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kathleen Welsh, the real issue isn’t filler — it’s how filler has been used.In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Dr. Kathleen Welsh, founder of Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology, alongside Roxanne Krempa, Director of Bay Area Body & Wellness, for a fascinating conversation about how aesthetic medicine is evolving beyond volume alone.Drawing on nearly three decades of clinical experience, Dr. Welsh explains why she believes the backlash against filler is actually a backlash against overfilling, how social media has distorted public perception of injectables, and why today’s most natural results come from treating aging as a multi-layered process involving skin, fat, muscle, and structure.Together, Carmine, Dr. Welsh, and Roxanne explore the rise of Emface, the role muscle loss plays in facial aging, the importance of prevention, and why sunscreen remains the single most powerful anti-aging intervention available.The conversation then shifts into one of the most intriguing developments in aesthetics today: Exomind. Dr. Welsh and Roxanne explain how this neurotechnology is helping patients address stress, anxiety, focus, and emotional well-being — and why caring for the whole person may be becoming just as important as treating the face itself.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why Dr. Welsh believes people aren’t moving away from filler — they’re moving away from being overfilled;What “filler migration” actually is and why it may be widely misunderstood;How facial aging involves changes to skin, fat, muscle, and even bone structure;What Emface is and how it helps support the underlying architecture of the face;Why prevention remains the most effective anti-aging strategy;The surprising role sunscreen plays in long-term facial aging;What Exomind is and how it supports neuroplasticity, focus, and emotional well-being;How stress, anxiety, and mental wellness increasingly intersect with aesthetic medicine;And, why the future of beauty may be less about chasing perfection and more about supporting overall health.Key TakeawayThe future of aesthetic medicine isn’t about finding a single miracle treatment. It’s about understanding aging as a structural, biological, and even emotional process. Dr. Welsh reminds us that the best outcomes come from prevention, thoughtful intervention, and treating the whole person — not simply chasing volume, trends, or quick fixes.Connect with Dr. Welsh and Roxanne at Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology on LinkedIn here and on Instagram @bayareacosmeticdermatology. Discover their cutting-edge treatments – including Emface and Exomind – on the Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology website at weloveskin.com (or via the links below).—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Cutting-edge treatment links:EmfaceExomind Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

One of the biggest misconceptions in beauty is that innovation and newness are the same thing.The industry launches thousands of products every year. New ingredients dominate social media feeds. New brands appear almost daily. But according to beauty industry veteran Shannaz Schopfer, more products don’t necessarily mean better products — and in many cases, they simply create more noise.In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Shannaz Schopfer, founder of The Beauty Architects and a beauty industry insider with more than 40 years of experience spanning product development, manufacturing, formulation, and brand building.Drawing on decades of experience — from growing up in her father’s skincare business in Switzerland to launching her own brand and advising manufacturers and founders around the world — Shannaz offers a candid look at what happens behind the scenes of modern beauty.Together, Carmine and Shannaz explore why some ingredients lose effectiveness before they ever reach the skin, how social media and low barriers to entry have transformed the industry, what founders consistently underestimate about launching a brand, and why genuine innovation has become increasingly difficult to find.They also discuss sustainability, packaging waste, ingredient trends, alcohol-free fragrance, the rise of Korean beauty, and the growing tension between experience and disruption in an industry obsessed with what’s next.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why having an ingredient on an INCI list doesn’t guarantee efficacy;What most founders misunderstand about launching a beauty brand;How social media transformed the pace of beauty innovation;Why Shannaz believes the industry is producing too many similar products;The hidden challenges of sustainable packaging;What excites her most about the future of fragrance;And, why experience remains one of the most undervalued assets in beauty.Key TakeawayThe future of beauty isn’t about launching more products. It’s about creating products that genuinely solve problems, earn loyalty, and stand the test of time. In an industry increasingly driven by speed and novelty, Shannaz reminds us that quality, integrity, and experience still matter.Connect with Shannaz on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @shannazschopfer. Explore her work with brands and manufacturers through The Beauty Architects at thebeautyarc.com.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

One of the most interesting questions in beauty right now isn’t which ingredient is trending — it’s who decides what becomes a trend in the first place.In an industry flooded with marketing claims, ingredient buzzwords, social media hype, and now AI-generated content, separating signal from noise has never been more difficult. But beneath every launch, every trend, and every positioning strategy lies something much less glamorous — data.In this episode of this Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Monieka Bos, co-founder of SKINSKOOL Beauty and CosmeticIQ, to explore the growing role of data intelligence in modern beauty. Drawing from a proprietary database of more than 60,000 beauty products and years of human-verified ingredient tracking, Monieka offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how brands monitor competitors, identify opportunities, track ingredient adoption, and navigate an increasingly crowded marketplace.Together, they discuss the difference between clean data and AI, why ingredient trends like exosomes, PDRN, and NAD+ often become more complicated than their marketing suggests, and how brands balance innovation, positioning, and transparency in a market where thousands of products launch every year. Along the way, they explore what consumers actually care about, why some ingredients become enduring successes while others quickly disappear, and whether greater transparency is truly improving the beauty industry.In this episode, you’ll learn:How Monieka Bos went from practicing law to building SKINSKOOL Beauty and CosmeticIQ; Why AI is only as powerful as the quality of the data behind it;How brands use data to identify ingredient trends, benchmark competitors, and refine product positioning;Why ingredients like exosomes, PDRN, and NAD+ are generating so much attention right now;The difference between marketing ingredients and meaningful formulation choices;How beauty companies track competitors — and why many still rely on surprisingly manual methods;Why transparency remains one of beauty’s most complicated and misunderstood topics;And, what separates brands that succeed from those that quickly disappear.Key TakeawayThe future of beauty won’t belong to the brands with the loudest marketing claims — it will belong to the brands that can combine data, insight, creativity, and trust. As AI accelerates the pace of information, clean data and human judgment may become more valuable than ever.Connect with Monieka on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @moniekamaria. Explore Skinskool on Instagram at @skinskool and discover Skinskool’s Beauty Alternatives Finder at skinskoolbeauty.com—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links:Skinskool Beauty Alternative FinderSkinskool Excellence Award WinnersProduct reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

One of modern medicine’s greatest strengths is its ability to intervene. We can replace joints, bypass blocked arteries, remove tumors, resurface skin, and perform procedures that would have seemed impossible just a generation ago.But what happens after the intervention?In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes board-certified oculoplastic surgeon and Mendora Health founder Dr. Kami Parsa for a conversation about a question that rarely gets the attention it deserves: how does the body actually heal?What begins as a discussion about skin health quickly expands into a much broader exploration of recovery, nutrition, inflammation, and the remarkable biological intelligence of the human body. Dr. Parsa shares how a seemingly minor finger injury sent him down a years-long rabbit hole into wound healing research, nutritional science, and the protocols used in burn units and intensive care settings to support recovery.That research ultimately transformed not only his approach to patient care, but also his understanding of medicine itself.Then life delivered an unexpected twist.While preparing to publish his book Heal, Dr. Parsa discovered he had a 100% blockage in a major coronary artery and would require open-heart surgery. Suddenly, the surgeon became the patient, forcing him to apply the very principles he had spent years studying.Together, Carmine and Dr. Parsa explore why nutrition remains one of the most overlooked aspects of modern healthcare, what critical care medicine can teach us about healing, the relationship between inflammation and recovery, and why supporting the body’s internal repair systems may be just as important as any procedure, treatment, or topical product.At its core, this is a conversation about what happens when we stop viewing healing as something medicine does to us — and start recognizing it as something the body is designed to do for itself.In this episode, you’ll learn:How a finger injury unexpectedly transformed Dr. Parsa’s approach to medicine and patient care; What burn units and ICU teams understand about recovery that much of healthcare overlooks;Why nutrition plays a critical role in wound healing, tissue repair, and surgical recovery;How inflammation influences both skin health and overall health outcomes;Why many physicians receive surprisingly little nutrition education during medical training;How Dr. Parsa’s own open-heart surgery reshaped his perspective as a surgeon;The connection between skin repair, collagen production, and nutritional support;And, why the future of skin health may depend as much on supporting biology from within as treating skin from the outside.Key TakeawayHealing is not a passive process.As Dr. Kami Parsa explains, the body is constantly working to repair, regenerate, and restore itself — but that process depends on having the resources it needs to do so. While modern medicine excels at intervention, recovery is often treated as an afterthought.His journey — from surgeon, to researcher, to patient — offers a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t begin when symptoms disappear or a procedure ends. It begins when we create the conditions that allow the body to do what it has been designed to do all along.Sometimes the most important question isn’t how we treat the problem. It’s how well we support the body’s ability to heal from it.Connect with Dr. Parsa on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @kamiparsamd. Explore Mendora Health on Instagram at @mendorahealth and discover Mendora’s products and brand ethos at mendorahealth.com.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links:Mendora - The Skin Repair FormulaMendora - The 7-Day Skin Reset Cleanse - Download for FreeHEAL: Your Recovery Blueprint with 100+ Healing Recipes for Surgery and Injury by Kami Parsa MD (Author)Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

We tend to think about innovation in beauty as adding more — more actives, more steps, more complexity. But what if the next frontier in formulation is actually about removing something fundamental instead?In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Small Wonder Co-Founder and CEO Stephanie Farsht to explore one deceptively simple question:What if water — the foundation of most beauty products — is actually making them less effective?Drawing from her background in strategy and innovation at Target, along with years teaching entrepreneurship and innovation at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, Stephanie explains how she approached beauty not as a traditional founder, but as a systems-level problem solver.The conversation explores the hidden trade-offs inherent to conventional water-based formulations — from ingredient degradation and oxidation to the need for preservatives — and why powder-based products offer a fundamentally different approach to potency, stability, and performance.Together, Carmine and Stephanie unpack the science and philosophy behind Small Wonder’s powder-to-lather haircare system, including the challenge of preserving active ingredients in their most stable form, redesigning packaging from the ground up, and rethinking how consumers interact with products in the shower.But the episode also goes beyond formulation science into broader questions around innovation itself: why truly disruptive ideas often require rethinking the entire user experience, why sustainability should be a byproduct of smart design rather than a marketing headline, and how failure became one of Stephanie’s most important tools as a founder.At its core, this is a conversation about challenging assumptions — and reconsidering whether beauty products are being designed primarily for convenience, tradition, or actual performance.In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why water-based beauty products may compromise ingredient potency over time;• How oxidation, degradation, and preservatives impact formulation performance;• Why powder formulations help preserve active ingredients in their most stable form;• How Small Wonder redesigned not just the formula, but the entire shower experience;• Why packaging can function as part of the efficacy system — not just the aesthetic experience;• Why consumer behavior change is often the biggest hurdle in product innovation;• Why sustainability alone rarely drives consumer adoption in beauty;• And, how the future of beauty may increasingly center on intentional, systems-level design rather than endless product launches.Key TakeawaySometimes the most meaningful innovation doesn’t come from adding more — it comes from questioning assumptions that no one else thinks to challenge.As Stephanie Farsht explains, Small Wonder wasn’t built simply to create a more sustainable product. It was built around a deeper question: what if the conventional way beauty products are formulated is inherently limiting their performance?That shift in thinking led not only to a new type of haircare formula, but to a complete reimagining of packaging, user experience, and ingredient stability itself.The result is a broader reminder that true innovation rarely happens by optimizing the existing system. More often, it happens when someone is willing to redesign the system entirely.Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @sfarsht. Explore Small Wonder on Instagram at @smallwonder.world and discover Small Wonder’s products and brand ethos at smallwonder.world.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links:Small Wonder Signature Shampoo & Conditioner SetSmall Wonder Signature ShampooSmall Wonder Signature ConditionerSmall Wonder Magic Perfecting SerumSURI 2.0 Electric ToothbrushProduct reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

We tend to think about aging in beauty as a biological process — wrinkles, collagen loss, hormonal change. But what if part of the issue isn’t just what’s happening to the skin but how women are being seen in the first place?In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with beauty industry veteran and founder of Skyn Iceland and All Golden, Sarah Kugelman, for a wide-ranging conversation about aging, identity, stress, menopause — and the evolving relationship between women and the beauty industry.Drawing from decades of experience in beauty — from her early years at L’Oréal to pioneering the concept of “stressed skin” with Skyn Iceland — Sarah reflects on how internal wellness has increasingly shaped the way we think about skin health. She also shares the personal health crisis that ultimately inspired Skyn Iceland and helped introduce the idea that psychological stress could manifest physiologically in the skin.The conversation then shifts to All Golden, Sarah’s newest venture focused on the needs of Gen X women navigating hormonal change, thinning skin, collagen loss, and shifting identity during perimenopause and beyond. But rather than centering menopause as a problem to “fix,” Sarah makes the case for a more expansive vision of “well-aging” — one rooted in vitality, relevance, authenticity, and self-perception.Along the way, Carmine and Sarah unpack the beauty industry’s longstanding blind spot around women over 40, the disconnect between marketing and lived experience, and why today’s consumers are demanding products — and narratives — that better reflect how they actually feel.Whether you’re interested in longevity, hormonal skin changes, or simply the future of beauty itself, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how the conversation around aging is finally beginning to evolve.In this episode, you’ll learn:• How Sarah Kugelman’s personal health crisis led to the creation of Skyn Iceland and the concept of “stressed skin”;• How perceptions of aging — especially for women over 40 — have shifted culturally over the last several decades;• Why many women feel unseen or misrepresented by the modern beauty industry;• How hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause impact skin thickness, barrier function, collagen, and hydration;• Why menopause skincare is about more than dryness — and why the conversation is still evolving;• How All Golden approaches well-aging through both product innovation and cultural positioning;• Why Gen X consumers represent one of the beauty industry’s greatest overlooked opportunities;• And, how the future of beauty may increasingly center on longevity, vitality, and authenticity rather than “anti-aging.”Key TakeawayBeauty doesn’t stop mattering as we age — but the way we want to be seen often changes.As Sarah Kugelman explains, today’s women over 40 aren’t looking to “turn back time” so much as they’re looking for alignment: between how they feel internally and how they’re reflected externally. That shift has implications not just for skincare products, but for the language, imagery, and assumptions that have historically defined beauty marketing.The result is a broader rethinking of what aging in beauty can look like — less about decline or invisibility, and more about vitality, relevance, and continuing evolution.Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @sarahskyn. Explore All Golden on Instagram at @allgoldenbeauty and discover All Golden products and brand ethos at allgolden.com.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links:STAMINA INTENTION MOISTURIZERSTAMINA MISTSTAMINA MASK Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

We tend to think of skincare as something topical — ingredients, routines, products. But what if one of the biggest drivers of skin health isn’t what we put on our skin at all?In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with board-certified dermatologist and founder of Stamina Cosmetics Dr. Marianna Blyumin-Karasik (Dr. MBK) to explore the growing concept of “stress skin” — and how chronic psychological stress may be reshaping the way our skin functions, heals, and ages.Drawing on her clinical experience, Dr. MBK explains how stress signals travel from the brain to the skin through what’s known as the mind–skin axis — triggering inflammation, disrupting the barrier, accelerating collagen breakdown, and even altering how skin responds to treatments.From the surge in stress-related skin conditions she observed during COVID to the development of her adaptogen-based skincare line, this conversation explores a more integrative view of dermatology — one that connects biology, psychology, and skincare in a way that feels increasingly relevant.Along the way, Carmine and Dr. MBK unpack the science behind adaptogens, the emerging category of neurocosmetics, and the role of the skin not just as a surface — but as a signaling organ in constant communication with the nervous system.Whether you’re dealing with breakouts, sensitivity, or simply noticing changes in your skin during stressful periods, this episode offers a deeper look at what might really be going on beneath the surface.In this episode, you’ll learn:• How chronic stress impacts the skin through the mind–skin axis and hormonal signaling;• Why dermatologists are seeing more “stressed skin” — from acne and rosacea to dullness and accelerated aging;• How inflammation, barrier disruption, and collagen breakdown are linked to psychological stress;• What adaptogens are — and how they may help regulate skin responses through multiple biological pathways;• What neurocosmetics are and how they aim to influence both the skin and the nervous system;• How hypochlorous acid functions as a multi-purpose, clinically backed ingredient for stressed or reactive skin;• Why post-procedure skin can serve as a model for understanding stress-induced skin vulnerability;• How skincare rituals — including texture, scent, and repetition — may influence the nervous system;• And, why a more holistic view of dermatology may be necessary to fully understand skin health today.Key TakeawayStress isn’t just something we feel — it’s something the skin responds to in real time.As Dr. MBK explains, the skin is not an isolated organ, but part of a larger communication network involving the brain, immune system, and hormones. When stress becomes chronic, that signaling loop can drive inflammation, disrupt the barrier, and accelerate visible aging.The implication is clear: skincare alone isn’t enough — but it can play a role. By focusing on resilience, regulation, and recovery — both topically and systemically — we may be able to support the skin not just in reacting to stress, but in adapting to it.Connect with Dr. MBK on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @dermwithstamina. Explore Stamina on Instagram at @staminacosmetics and discover Stamina products and brand ethos at staminacosmetics.com.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links:STAMINA INTENTION MOISTURIZERSTAMINA MISTSTAMINA MASK Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

We’ve been taught that skin needs damage to regenerate — that the path to better skin runs through controlled injury. But what if that entire premise is flawed?In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with physician, formulator, and founder of Osmosis Beauty Dr. Ben Johnson to challenge one of the most foundational assumptions in skincare: that inflammation and injury are necessary to stimulate repair.Drawing on decades of clinical experience and formulation work, Dr. Johnson makes the case for a radically different model — one centered on dermal repair, cellular signaling, and systemic health, rather than exfoliation, resurfacing, and inflammation.From his critique of retinoids and lasers to his emphasis on vascular supply, fat pad loss, and ingredient delivery, this conversation explores a more holistic — and at times controversial — view of how skin actually ages and regenerates.Along the way, Carmine and Dr. Johnson unpack the limits of ingredient penetration, the rise of growth factors and exosomes, and the growing conversation around the gut-skin connection.Whether you agree with all of his conclusions or not, this episode challenges the conventional playbook — and asks a bigger question:Are we trying to repair skin the wrong way?In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why Dr. Johnson believes skin does not need controlled damage to regenerate;• His argument that retinoids may deliver short-term benefits with long-term tradeoffs;• Why collagen loss alone doesn’t explain visible aging — and how vascular decline plays a role;• The emerging importance of facial fat pads in structural aging and volume loss;• How GLP-1 medications (“Ozempic face”) may accelerate fat pad depletion;• Where growth factors, cytokines, and exosomes fit into regenerative skincare;• How signaling molecules may work through receptor activation and follicular pathways, not just direct penetration;• Why many popular ingredients — including hyaluronic acid and peptides — may function primarily as “plumpers”;• Dr. Johnson’s perspective on the gut-skin connection, including links between acne, rosacea, and digestion;• Why he believes Candida, toxins, and microbiome imbalance may be driving common skin conditions;• And, where marketing continues to outpace science in skincare — from lasers to longevity claims.Key TakeawayThe skincare industry has long relied on a “damage-to-repair” model — but Dr. Ben Johnson argues that true skin regeneration may come not from injury, but from supporting the skin’s biology: improving circulation, preserving structural volume, optimizing signaling, and addressing root causes beneath the surface.Whether or not you agree, one thing is clear:The future of skincare may depend less on forcing the skin to react — and more on understanding how to help it function.Connect with Dr. Ben Johnson on LinkedIn here and on Instagram here. Follow Osmosis Beauty on IG at @osmosisbeauty— and explore Osmosis products and brand ethos on their website at osmosisbeauty.com.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links:Osmosis STEMFACTOROsmosis RESCUEOsmosis PURIFYProduct reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

We’ve been taught to trust SPF as the gold standard of sun protection—but what if that number isn’t as precise, or as reliable, as we think?In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with BeautyMatter journalist Janna Mandell to unpack one of the most unsettling questions in skincare today: can we actually trust SPF claims?Following her deeply reported investigation into sunscreen testing, Janna reveals a system shaped by human variability, lab inconsistencies, commercial pressure—and in some cases, outright manipulation. At the center of it all is a surprising truth: there is no such thing as a perfectly precise SPF number.From labs being given “target” results to brands unknowingly relying on flawed testing, this conversation explores the structural issues behind one of the beauty industry’s most trusted categories—and why accountability is far more complicated than it seems.This is not an anti-sunscreen conversation. It’s a reality check on how sunscreen works—and what it can (and can’t) promise.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why SPF is an estimate—not an exact number;How in vivo testing introduces variability—and opportunity for manipulation;What “too perfect” results reveal about faulty data;How brands, manufacturers, and labs share (and blur) responsibility;Why many brands and founders may not fully understand their own testing reports;Why lawsuits—not regulators—may be the real enforcement mechanism;Why SPF 30 vs. 50 differences are often less meaningful than consumers think;And, what actually matters: application, reapplication, and behavior—not just the number.Key takeaway: SPF isn’t a lie—but it’s far less precise, far more variable, and far more vulnerable to manipulation than most people realize. And while the system behind sunscreen may be flawed, the answer isn’t to stop using it—it’s to use it smarter.Connect with Janna on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @janna_mandell_writer. Explore her deeply sourced and insightful journalism for BeautyMatter here.Publications in BeautyMatter by Janna Mandell:Is Everyone Lying About Their Spf Claims? It’s Complicated (Published April 7, 2026)The Real Sunscreen Scandal Isn’t In Australia. It’s In The Lab (Published October 3, 2025)“Big Sunscreen”: When Misinformation Fuels Extremist Conspiracy Theories (Published June 22, 2025)—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

Everyone is talking about boosting NAD⁺.Almost no one is measuring it.In the world of longevity, NAD⁺ has become one of the most talked-about — and most aggressively marketed — molecules.From supplements to IV drips, the focus is on increasing NAD levels in the body. But there’s a fundamental question that rarely gets asked:How do you know if your NAD actually needs to be boosted in the first place?In this episode, Carmine sits down with Jari Närhi, CEO of NADMED, a Finnish health technology company developing one of the first clinical blood tests designed to measure NAD levels accurately and at scale.Together, they explore the science behind NAD — what it is, what it does in the body, and why it has become central to the longevity conversation. But more importantly, they unpack the measurement gap that has shaped the entire category.For decades, NAD has been notoriously difficult to measure due to its instability outside of cells — meaning much of the conversation around boosting NAD has been built on assumptions, not data.That’s where NADMED comes in.By developing a laboratory assay capable of measuring multiple forms of NAD in whole blood, they’re opening the door to something that has long been missing in the space: objective insight.This episode reframes the NAD conversation — not as something to blindly optimize, but as something to first understand.You’ll learn:• What NAD⁺ is and why it’s essential for cellular energy and metabolic function;• Why NAD exists in multiple forms — and why that matters for measurement;• The role NAD plays in processes like DNA repair, cell signaling, and aging;• Why NAD has been historically difficult to measure in blood;• How instability and degradation have limited real-world testing;• What NADMED’s breakthrough assay does differently;• How and when NAD testing is being introduced into clinical settings and the U.S. market;• And, what it could mean to finally bring data and accountability to the longevity space.Key takeaway:The conversation around NAD has been driven by the desire to optimize — but without measurement, optimization is just guesswork.Before you try to boost your biology, it may be worth asking a simpler question:What are you actually working with to begin with?Connect with Jari Närhi, Co-founder and CEO of NADMED, on LinkedIn here. Learn more about NADMED and their breakthrough NAD+ testing protocols and where to get tested at nadmed.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

Acne is often treated as a surface-level problem — something to be managed with cleansers, serums, and spot treatments.But what if acne isn’t primarily a skincare issue at all?What if it’s a signal of deeper imbalances happening inside the body?In this episode, Carmine sits down with returning guest Dr. Katie Varman, a board-certified dermatologist who combines conventional dermatology with a functional, root-cause approach to skin health.Together, they explore the gut–skin connection — and how diet, the microbiome, inflammation, hormones, and even environmental exposures can influence the development and persistence of acne.At the center of the conversation is Dr. Varman’s new program, Clear Skin From Within — a three-month course designed to guide participants through elimination, reintroduction, and optimization phases to better understand what’s driving their breakouts.Rather than focusing on topical solutions, this episode reframes acne as a systemic condition — and offers a more comprehensive, inside-out approach to healing.You’ll learn:• Why acne is more complex than oil, bacteria, and clogged pores;• How diet and high-glycemic foods influence inflammation and hormone pathways;• The role of the gut microbiome — and how “good” bacteria support skin health;• What chronic, low-grade inflammation is — and how it shows up on the skin;• Why eliminating dairy, sugar, and processed foods can make a measurable difference;• How environmental factors like plastics, BPA, and artificial fragrance may contribute to acne;• The importance of fiber, spices, and fermented foods in restoring gut balance;• Why skincare alone often isn’t enough — especially for deeper, more persistent breakouts;• And, how estheticians can play a critical role in bridging internal and external care.Key takeaway:Acne isn’t just a product problem — it’s a systems problem.And while topical skincare has its place, lasting change often requires looking inward — at the gut, the diet, the environment, and the underlying drivers that the skin is trying to reveal.Connect with Dr. Katie Varman on LinkedIn at Shine Skin Academy and on Instagram and TikTok. Explore the Clear Skin From Within program here and enjoy a complimentary Gut-Skin Lesson here.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

Superoxide dismutase — or SOD — is one of the most important antioxidant enzymes in the body, yet it’s rarely discussed in modern skincare.Often referred to as the “enzyme of life,” SOD plays a critical role as the body’s first line of defense against oxidative stress — a key driver of skin aging, inflammation, and cellular damage.For decades, however, SOD has been considered ineffective as an oral supplement due to its instability in the digestive system.So what happens when that problem is solved?In this episode, Carmine sits down with François Vix, former L’Oréal executive and CEO of IsoCell, to explore the science behind GliSODin — a stabilized, orally bioavailable form of SOD supported by more than 40 published studies.Together, they go beyond topical skincare to unpack how oxidative stress impacts the skin at a biological level — and why the future of beauty may lie in combining internal and external approaches.You’ll learn:• What superoxide dismutase (SOD) actually does in the body;• Why oxidative stress is central to skin aging and inflammation;• The difference between antioxidant enzymes and traditional antioxidants like vitamin C;• Why SOD has historically been considered non-bioavailable — and what changed;• Clinical insights on UV resistance, recovery, and skin health;• How combining oral supplements with retinoids and procedures may enhance results;• And, the growing shift toward “inside-out” beauty and skin longevity.Key takeaway:Topical skincare can only go so far. Supporting the body’s internal antioxidant systems may be the missing layer in how we approach skin aging — and skin longevity more broadly.Connect with François Vix on LinkedIn at @François Vix. Explore GliSODin on Instagram at @glisodin_skin and discovery GliSODin products and science at glisodin.com. You can browse the research studies and publications at glisodin.org.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links:Glisodin V-SODGlisodin Anti-Aging / DermalGlisodin Skin BrighteningGlisodin The Antioxidant Enzyme—Publications and research:A review of the science and health benefits for GliSODinImmunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of an orally bioavailable sod-gliadin complexEffects of 6-Week Supplementation with GliSODin on Parameters of Muscle Damages, Metabolic, and Work Performance at International Level Rowers after Specific Maximal Effort—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down once again with cosmetic chemist and regulatory expert Mark Broussard to revisit one of the most significant shifts in the beauty industry: the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) — and why it’s only the beginning.Mark, founder and Managing Director of Desert In Bloom Cosmetics Lab, works directly with brands to formulate, test, and bring products to market — giving him a front-row view into how cosmetic regulation actually functions in practice. In this conversation, he breaks down what MoCRA truly changed, and where critical gaps still exist when it comes to product safety, transparency, and enforcement.Together, Carmine and Mark explore the real-world implications of modern beauty regulation — from microbial contamination risks to misleading ingredient labels — and why retailers, not just regulators, may hold the key to protecting consumers.You’ll learn:• What MoCRA actually changed for brands, labs, and the FDA;• Why “safety substantiation” remains one of the biggest unresolved issues in the law;• The three essential tests that should define product safety — and why they matter;• How small, unregistered brands can still bypass key regulatory oversight;• Why Amazon and other retailers could play a critical role in preventing unsafe or counterfeit products;• The truth about microbial contamination in water-based skincare;• Why fragrance allergens are one of the most common causes of skin reactions;• How the “1% rule” in ingredient labeling can mislead consumers;• And, what most people misunderstand about how cosmetics are actually regulated in the U.S.The episode also explores the growing gap between consumer perception and regulatory reality — and why many people assume the beauty industry is far more tightly controlled than it actually is.This is a conversation about science, safety, transparency, and accountability — and a reminder that when it comes to skincare, what’s not regulated can matter just as much as what is.Follow Mark and Desert in Bloom Cosmetics Lab on Instagram here and on Linkedin here. Are you a brand founder wading through the complexity of MoCRA compliance? Learn more about Mark’s regulatory expertise at desertinbloomcosmeticslab.com/#MoCRA.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Angela Jia Kim, founder of Savor Beauty, to explore the deeper philosophy behind K-beauty – beyond the trends, sheet masks, and viral routines.Angela shares the piece of skincare wisdom passed down from her mother that shaped her entire approach to skin health: “Treat your skin like the most expensive silk on Earth.” Together, Carmine and Angela unpack what that metaphor really means in practice – and how a gentler, barrier-respecting approach to skincare contrasts with the more aggressive, results-driven mindset often seen in Western beauty.The conversation dives into the real meaning of glass skin, the historical roots of Korean beauty rituals, and the influence of hanbang herbal ingredients in traditional Korean skincare. Angela also shares insights from years spent working directly with clients, revealing why consistency, ritual, and respect for the skin barrier may be the true secret to healthy, luminous skin.If you’re curious about the philosophy behind K-beauty – or wondering what “glass skin” actually means – this episode offers a thoughtful look at how ancient beauty traditions continue to shape modern skincare.Connect with Angela on Instagram at @angelajiakim and on LinkedIn here. Explore Savor Beauty on Instagram at @savorbeauty and learn more about the products and brand ethos at savorbeauty.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links:Coconut Jasmine Cleansing OilToning MistCaviar Collagen Eye CreamTruffle Face CreamPumpkin Seed Serum—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

The beauty industry sells aspiration, transformation, and perfection. But what does that culture do to the people building it from the inside?On this episode of The Skincarma Pod, host Carmine Montalto sits down with executive coach and former beauty industry leader Elyse Conroy, founder of Soul Makeup and creator of Beauty Career Lab. After more than a decade working inside the corporate beauty world, Elyse now helps high-performing women navigate leadership, burnout, and reinvention.Together, Carmine and Elyse unpack the emotional architecture of the beauty industry — and why so many successful professionals quietly struggle behind the scenes.They explore how perfectionism shapes corporate culture in beauty, the growing conversation around executive burnout, and the difficult reality of ageism and salary compression facing women in mid-career leadership roles. Elyse also shares insights from her coaching practice, including the psychological patterns she sees in founders, executives, and high achievers who feel trapped between success and exhaustion.This candid conversation looks at the human side of an industry built on image — and what it really takes to reclaim identity, confidence, and purpose after stepping away from corporate life.If you’ve ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of beauty leadership, this episode offers an honest and deeply relatable perspective.Connect with Elyse on Instagram at @elyseconroyxo and on LinkedIn here. Catch her podcast The Confidence Lounge with Elyse Conroy on Apple Podcasts here and explore her executive coaching programs and events at soulmakeup.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with materials scientist and inventor Eric Pressly and to explore the science of repair — and why rebuilding beauty from the inside out matters more than ever.Eric is the inventor behind some of the most influential bond-repair technologies in modern beauty, and the founder of Epres haircare and ePhD nail treatment. In this conversation, he explains the molecular science behind repairing broken keratin bonds in hair and nails — and why most beauty products focus on coating damage rather than truly fixing it.Together, Eric and his wife and COO Natalie share the origin story behind their newest brands, the creative process behind scientific innovation, and what it’s like building a company as partners in life and business.You’ll learn:• What “bond repair” actually means at the molecular level;• Why most nail and hair products only provide surface-level fixes;• How Eric developed new repair technologies during the pandemic;• The surprising connection between materials science, chemistry, and creativity;• Why the beauty industry often prioritizes marketing over innovation;• And, what Eric and Natalie believe the future of beauty should focus on: health first, youth second.The episode also explores sustainability in beauty, the challenge of proving scientific claims in an era of AI-generated marketing, and why true innovation often happens outside of large corporations.This is a conversation about chemistry, creativity, entrepreneurship, and rebuilding — both scientifically and personally.Connect with Eric on Instagram at @ericpressly and on LinkedIn here. Explore Epres on Instagram at @epresbeauty and learn more about the products and brand ethos at epres.com. Explore ePhD on Instagram at @ephdnail and learn more about the products and brand ethos at ephd.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links: epres Bond Repair Treatment Starter Kitepres Healthy Hair 3-Step System Starter KitePhD Bond Repair Nail Treatment—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Angel Olavarria — chemist, founder, and formulator behind Strive Skin — for a candid, deeply nerdy conversation about what actually makes skincare work.Angel didn’t enter beauty as a marketer chasing trends. He started as a DIY enthusiast reverse-engineering expensive vitamin C serums in his kitchen, eventually turning thousands of hours of experimentation into a science-led brand built on restraint, transparency, and real-world performance.Together, Carmine and Angel unpack:Why many men’s skincare brands underdose actives — or avoid listing concentrations altogether;The truth about retinaldehyde vs. retinol (and why Angel built a formula around it);Why niacinamide, alpha arbutin, and urea deserve more respect;The myth of “collagen serums” and what actually stimulates collagen;Whether glycolic acid is overrated for anti-aging;Why sensory experience can “buy time” for results-driven actives to work;The psychological — not just biological — differences in how men approach skincare;And, what it’s really like to launch and bootstrap a science-driven skincare brand in today’s volatile market.Angel also shares the unfiltered reality of being an early-stage founder: Reddit traffic disappearing overnight, Amazon algorithm chaos, and the emotional rollercoaster of building something from scratch.If you care about ingredient transparency, concentration levels, formulation philosophy, and skincare without the marketing spin — this episode is for you.Connect with Angel Olavarria on Instagram at @themodernman_ig and on LinkedIn here. Explore Strive Skin on Instagram at @striveskin and learn more about the products and brand ethos at striveskin.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links: Strive Miracle Face MoisturizerStrive Deep Clean Men’s Face WashStrive Apex Anti-aging Retinal Serum—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Evelyn Wang, founder and CEO of The Silverist, to talk about gray hair, ageism in beauty, and what it really takes to build a brand from scratch.After years inside major beauty companies like L’Oréal and Estée Lauder, Evelyn saw something hiding in plain sight: women embracing their natural silver and gray hair were being treated as an afterthought. Instead of formulas designed specifically for natural gray hair — which loses melanin and behaves differently than color-treated blonde hair — brands were simply relabeling purple shampoos and calling it a day.In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Carmine and Evelyn explore:Why gray hair is fundamentally different from color-treated blonde hair;How big beauty brands miss nuance when marketing to women over 40;The tension between corporate marketing polish and founder survival mode;What it really means to speak to Gen X consumers authentically;Why “pro-aging” messaging can feel patronizing instead of empowering;and, the reality of building a lean, profitable beauty brand without bloated overhead.They also revisit their shared L’Oréal experience, debate the lost art of the focus group, and unpack the decision paralysis that comes with spending your own money as a founder.Smart, funny, and refreshingly honest, this episode is for anyone interested in beauty marketing, entrepreneurship, and the cultural conversation around aging — especially if you believe women over 40 deserve more than being lumped into a single “mature” category.Connect with Evelyn Wang on Instagram at @the.evelynwang and on LinkedIn here. Explore The Silverist on Instagram at @the.silverist and learn more about the products and brand ethos at silverist.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links: Silverist Lustrous Rituals Buildable Tone ShampooSilverist Holistic Benefits Leave-In Hair SerumSilverist 3-Step System: Shampoo, Conditioner & Leave-In—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

What if “that’s just how it is” wasn’t good enough when it comes to childhood eczema?In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Jemila Alharazim, a Physician’s Assistant in asthma and allergy care and the founder of Ocean Olive, to explore how personal experience and clinical insight led to the creation of a new kind of eczema treatment for kids.For years, Jemila prescribed topical steroids to eczema patients while hearing the same question from parents: Is there a gentler alternative? When her own son developed eczema, that question became personal. What followed was a three-year journey to develop Ocean Olive’s Whipped Gel Nourishing Eczema Spot Treatment — a microbiome-friendly, fragrance-free, OTC product designed for babies and children three months and up.In this conversation, Carmine and Jemila discuss:What topical steroids actually do — and why some families hesitate to use them long-term;Why eczema is far more than “just a rash,” impacting sleep, school, confidence, and family life;The science behind Ocean Olive’s pink-hued formula (yes, it’s vitamin B12 — and no, it doesn’t stain);The role of the skin microbiome and Staphylococcus aureus in eczema flare-ups;Why “less is best” when formulating for sensitive, eczema-prone skin;What it really takes to bring an OTC product to market — from FDA requirements to clinical safety testing.Beyond the science, Jemila opens up about how building a brand reshaped her identity — challenging her belief system, strengthening her persistence, and giving her what she describes as “another level of consciousness.”The episode closes with a lighthearted lightning round — from salsa dancing and Spanish fluency to the Real Housewives of Potomac — and a simple but powerful reflection: “Joy to me looks like being with my loved ones and having the freedom to be whoever and do whatever.”If you care about responsible skincare, children’s skin health, or the intersection of clinical practice and entrepreneurship, this episode is not to be missed.Connect with Jemila and Ocean Olive on Instagram at @ocean_olive_ and on LinkedIn here. Explore Ocean Olive and learn more about the products and brand ethos at ocean-olive.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links: Ocean Olive Whipped Gel Nourishing Eczema Spot Treatment—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

For more than 25 years, the U.S. sunscreen market has been frozen in time – while the rest of the world moved on to newer, more advanced UV filters. In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Carl D’Ruiz, one of the key figures behind the FDA’s proposed order to add a new UV filter to the U.S. sunscreen monograph – the first in more than a generation.Carl is a regulatory and scientific affairs leader at dsm-firmenich, and has spent nearly two decades navigating shifting regulations, Congressional mandates, clinical trials, and evolving FDA requirements to bring bemotrizinol (PARSOL® Shield) to the brink of U.S. approval. When finalized, it would become only the third UV filter considered GRASE (Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective) under modern FDA standards.In this wide-ranging conversation, Carmine and Carl unpack:Why sunscreen is regulated as a drug in the U.S. – and how that stalled innovation;What Category III really means (and why it doesn’t equal “unsafe”);The impact of systemic absorption studies and the 2019 JAMA sunscreen headlines;Why Americans have access to far fewer UV filters than Europe, S. Korea, or Australia;How bemotrizinol could enable better broad-spectrum protection and more wearable formulas, especially for melanated skin;What it actually takes – in time, data, and money – to shepherd a new sunscreen active through the FDA;And why this milestone could open the door to a new era of sunscreen innovation in the U.S.The episode also explores Carl’s unconventional career path – from the EPA to tobacco harm reduction to sunscreen regulation – along with the signature lightning round that touches on cycling, risk-taking, mentorship, and what it really means to play the long game in public health.This is a must-listen for anyone curious about sunscreen safety, FDA regulation, ingredient innovation, or why the products Americans use every day have lagged so far behind the rest of the world – and what finally might change.—Follow Carl D’Ruiz on Instagram here and on LinkedIn here. And, you can learn more about Carl’s decades-long work to get PARSOL® Shield over the finish line in the BeautyMatter article, The Great Sunscreen Odyssey: The 25-Year Road to a “New” UV Filter.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

What if one of the most beneficial skincare molecules was already living on your skin?In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Ann Marie Simpson-Einziger and Mike Einziger, the husband-and-wife founders of Mother Science – and self-described citizen scientists whose curiosity-led research reshaped how we think about skin biology, antioxidants, and aging.Their journey began not in a traditional lab, but on tour, when Ann Marie noticed a strange, brightened pattern on her skin. That question sparked six years of rigorous scientific investigation into the skin microbiome, oxidative stress, and a naturally occurring, microbiome-derived molecule called Malassezin.In this conversation, Ann Marie and Mike explain:what it means to be citizen scientists – scientifically literate, deeply curious, and guided by data rather than dogma;how Malassezin functions as a next-generation antioxidant and interacts with the skin’s own defense systems;why oxidative stress is a major driver of visible skin aging, and how they use the term “oxidaging” to reframe the conversation;what it means to be “a science company that expresses itself through skincare”;and, how regulatory boundaries shape the way skincare science is communicated responsibly.They also break down Mother Science’s three core products – the Molecular Hero Serum, Retinol Synergist, and Molecular Genesis Moisturizer – and discuss how backgrounds in music, pattern recognition, and systems thinking influence their scientific approach.This is a thoughtful, science-forward conversation about skin biology, antioxidants, education-first brand building, and the power of approaching beauty through curiosity, rigor, and respect for the scientific process.Connect with Ann Marie on Instagram at @annmariesimpsoneinziger and on LinkedIn here; and connect with Michael on Instagram at @michaeleinziger and his LinkedIn page here. Explore Mother Science on Instagram at @motherscience and learn more about the products and brand ethos at motherscience.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links: Mother Science has graciously extended an offer of 20% off their products for the Skincarma community. Simply enter code SKINCARMA at motherscience.com. N.B. Excludes sets and subscriptions.Mother Science Molecular Hero SerumMother Science Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair MoisturizerMother Science Retinol Synergist—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

Men track their workouts, optimize their supplements, and obsess over performance — yet mention moisturizer (especially one with SPF!) and the conversation suddenly gets weird. Why?In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Bob “Beauty Bob” Gearing, a men’s health and lifestyle writer and contributor to Men’s Health magazine, to unpack the quiet contradiction at the heart of men’s skincare — and why language, simplicity, and habit matter more than products.Bob shares his personal skincare journey — from severe teenage acne to building a routine in adulthood that actually sticks. He’s become an influential voice and advocate in the men’s grooming space. Together, Carmine and Bob explore how men discover skincare through their partners, why “grooming” can feel more accessible than “skincare,” and how most men are overwhelmed not by a lack of interest, but by an overwhelming flood of choices.The conversation digs into Bob’s popular “two-minute drill”: a no-nonsense daily routine built around three non-negotiables — cleansing, lightweight hydration, and daily SPF. They discuss why sunscreen remains the hardest sell for men (despite being the most effective anti-aging step), why texture and feel matter more than ingredient lists for most guys, and how consistency beats complexity every time.Carmine brings his de-influencer lens to the discussion, calling out ingredient overload, questionable devices, and marketing that talks at men instead of meeting them where they are. They also touch on Bob’s writing for Men’s Health, including topics like SPF, sweat-friendly routines, golf and sun exposure, and the cultural silence that keeps men secretly asking skincare questions in DMs instead of out in the open.This is an honest, practical conversation about men’s skincare habits — without the noise, the stigma, or the outrageous 12-step routines.—Follow Bob on Instagram at @beautybob and on LinkedIn here. And, catch his articles in Men’s Health magazine, including “Fellas, It’s Time to Take Care of Your Skin” and “How I Get Rid of My Back Hair Without Asking My Wife or Buddies for Help”.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Men’s Health articles by Bob Gearing:How I Get Rid of My Back Hair Without Asking My Wife or Buddies for HelpYeah, I Still Get Pimples at 43 Years Old. Here’s How I Clear ‘Em Up.Fellas, It’s Time to Take Care of Your SkinThe Post-Sweat Grooming Routine for Dudes on the Go—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

On today’s episode of The Skincarma Pod, host Carmine Montalto is joined by Shelley Hancock – a licensed esthetician, educator of educators, mentor, and author of Esthetic Success: A Seasoned Esthetician’s JourneyShelley’s career didn’t follow a straight line – and it wasn’t polished in hindsight. Before finding her calling in esthetics, she moved through multiple jobs, industries, and identities, searching for work that truly fit. Along the way, she faced doubt, generational expectations, and a defining moment when her father expressed a fear that she might never find her passion.That moment – and the many “leaps” that followed – shaped Shelley’s confidence-first philosophy. As she puts it in their conversation, “Leap even though you’re fearful.”In this deeply human conversation, Carmine and Shelley explore:Why confidence often comes before competenceThe career detours that quietly prepare us for successHow connection, not credentials, builds lasting client relationshipsThe difference between knowing everything and trusting yourselfWhat today’s estheticians need to both learn and unlearn to build long, fulfilling careersShelley shares stories from her early days as a cosmetic counter associate, medical-office assistant, spa owner, and eventually an “esthetician’s esthetician,” revealing how curiosity, courage, and self-confidence shaped a decades-long career in skin health and education.This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating a nonlinear career path, questioning their next step, or learning how to move forward even when fear is present.🎧 Listen now – and discover why leaping before you feel ready might be the most powerful career move of all.—Follow Shelley on Instagram here and on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Shelley and her work in aesthetics, and even schedule a consultation with her, at shelleyhancock.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links: Esthetic Success: A Seasoned Esthetician’s JourneyCan You Relate?: Personal Stories with Universal MessagesHow to Become a Skincare Expert—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this special mic-flip episode of The Skincarma Pod, roles are reversed. After a standout conversation on skin microbiome health, Dahlia Devkota – former Allure beauty editor and founder of Editrix – returns to the podcast to interview Carmine, the creator of The Skincarma Pod and Skincarma Blog.What follows is a free-flowing, unfiltered conversation that traces Carmine’s more than 25-year career in beauty – from department store counters and legacy brands to his time as the first-ever in-house copywriter at Kiehl’s, and ultimately to creating Skincarma.With no script and no guardrails, Dahlia asks the questions editors always want to ask – and Carmine answers them with honesty and his trademark wry wit.Together, they dig into how the beauty industry has changed (and where it hasn’t), why marketing often outruns science, and what actually matters when it comes to skin health today. From niacinamide, ectoin, growth factors, and the exosome hype cycle to sunscreen skepticism, personalization myths, and the difference between beauty culture in New York and Los Angeles, this episode is equal parts industry history, cultural commentary, and skincare truth-telling.Catch Carmine and Dahlia in their first episode together: Ep. 54: “Healthy Skin Is Left Alone” – Editing the Microbiome with Dahlia Devkota, Founder of Editrix—Connect with Dahlia on Instagram at @dahlia.devkota and on LinkedIn here. Discover Editrix on Instagram here and learn more about the products and brand ethos at editrixwellness.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links: Editrix I. Demigod Ayurvedic Cleansing OilEditrix II. Deuxième Postbiotic Fermented CleanserEditrix III. Superare Microflora Barrier FilmEditrix IV. Bakterium Delirium Skin Education SerumPaula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Alisa Lask, CEO of Rion Aesthetics and the medical-grade skincare line Plated Skin Science. Together, they unpack what’s real – and what’s hype – in the fast-emerging world of exosomes in skincare.Alisa shares her path from Midwest beginnings and a career across Eli Lilly, Allergan, and Galderma, to leading a regenerative aesthetics company built on platelet-derived exosome technology – a category Plated helped bring into the skincare conversation.Carmine and Alisa dive into:What exosomes are (Alisa’s simple “text messaging system” explanation);Why platelet-derived exosomes are fundamentally different from plant-based “exosome” claims;Plated’s origin story rooted in the Mayo Clinic’s Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program;How Plated sources material from FDA-compliant platelet banks (and why transparency matters);Why Plated is provider-dispensed, not built for big-box beauty retail;Plus: murder-mystery comfort TV, safari travel, dog rescue, and the lightning-round line you won’t forget: “I feel most like myself when…I’m in the barn.”Curious about exosomes? Explore Carmine’s article 2025 Ingredient Trends: Exosomes Are One Part Science, One Part Story on Substack here.Connect with Alisa on Instagram at @alisa.lask_rion and on LinkedIn here. Explore Plated Skin Science on Instagram at @platedskinscience and learn more about the products, exosome science and brand ethos at platedskinscience.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links: Plated Intense SerumPlated Daily SerumPlated Hair Serum—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, celebrity facialist and master aesthetician Angela Caglia joins Carmine to break down the truth behind stem cell skincare, growth factors, and what “regenerative skincare” really means. Angela begins by sharing her origin story – from Visalia, California to Paris and New York, and a pivotal moment with Barbra Streisand that sparked the launch of her namesake brand. She goes on to share how her cult-favorite Cell Forté Serum helped propel Angela Caglia Skincare into the luxury biotech spotlight.Together, they demystify human-derived stem cell conditioned media, explain how it differs from plant extracts and synthetic exosomes, and why biocompatible, barrier-first formulas matter for real anti-aging results. They also discuss common skincare myths, the problem with overusing exfoliating acids, why many “toners” are actually at-home peels, and Angela’s approach to product integrity as a founder who still works hands-on with clients.Plus: a lightning round on overhyped trends (OTC retinol), skincare rules Angela breaks, and her definition of healthy skin. (Psst…it’s rooted in consistency and self-care!)Connect with Angela Caglia on Instagram at @angelacagliaskincare and on LinkedIn here. Explore Angela Caglia Skincare products and brand ethos at angelacaglia.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links: Angela Caglia Cell Forté SerumAngela Caglia Soufflé MoisturizerAngela Caglia Cell Forté Eye Crème—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine is joined once again by Mark Broussard, an industry expert who sits at the exact intersection of cosmetic chemistry and regulatory compliance – two distinct disciplines at the heart of brand building.Mark is the founder and managing director of Bloom Cosmetic Test Lab, where he guides brands through MoCRA compliance. And, if you caught their last episode together (episode 45), you know that he’s also the founder and master chemist of Desert In Bloom Cosmetics Lab, where he’s developed more than 600 products over his career.With his extensive background spanning a number of disciplines, Mark is one of the beauty industry’s most trusted voices on the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act — better known as MoCRA. MoCRA represents the first major update to U.S. cosmetics law in over 80 years, leaving brands to navigate an entirely new regulatory landscape.Mark and Carmine break down what every beauty executive, founder, copywriter and product developer needs to know right now — from facility and product registration to labeling, safety substantiation, adverse event reporting, and what MoCRA actually means for innovation moving forward.If you’ve been confused, overwhelmed, or just looking to keep up with the new federal requirements, this episode should be your blueprint.Follow Mark and Desert in Bloom Cosmetics Lab on Instagram here. Are you a brand founder wading through the complexity of MoCRA compliance? Learn more about Mark’s regulatory expertise at desertinbloomcosmeticslab.com/#MoCRA.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Clara Cárdenas, co-founder of Pipa Skin Care, a breakout brand committed to providing age-appropriate skincare for pre-teens.Clara shares her journey from her early career in Venezuela to her experience at Facebook, and how her passion for skincare led her to create Pipa with two childhood friends – Kristina Kubler, an esthetician with two decades of hands-on experience, and Corina Pfeffer, a mathematician turned designer turned logistics savant.Pipa was born of a simple but universally relatable moment: Kristi’s daughter, Pipa, hit that age where she wanted real skincare – but everything on the market was either too childish, too harsh, or just too grown-up.The conversation delves into the challenges of building a brand targeting two distinct audiences – moms and their young daughters – as well as the importance of clean ingredients and the unique needs of young skin. Clara emphasizes the responsibility she and her co-founders feel in creating products that not only appeal to kids but also meet the trust of parents. The episode also highlights the brand’s marketing strategies, retail launch plans, and aspirations for the future.Connect with Clara on Instagram at @claricardenas and on LinkedIn here. Explore Pipa Skincare on Instagram at @pipa_skincare and learn more about the products and brand ethos at pipastics.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links: Pipa Skin Care Squeaky CleanPipa Skin Care Smooth OperatorPipa Skin Care Sun-SationalPipa Skin Care Skin Saver—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine is joined by Dahlia Devkota, founder of Editrix, a trailblazing skincare brand that emphasizes the importance of the skin’s microbiome to overall skin health. Dahlia shares her journey from beauty editor to entrepreneur, highlighting the innovative scientific research behind her products, which utilize post-biotics to promote healthy skin. The conversation delves into the Editrix brand’s unique four-step system and the significance of maintaining a balanced surface microbiome. In their engaging conversation, Dahlia and Carmine explore the evolving landscape of beauty standards, the science behind truly effective skincare, and the importance of understanding the fundamentals of the skin barrier. Dahlia shares her insights on product development and the significance of treating skin as a living ecosystem, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to beauty and wellness.Follow Dahlia on Instagram at @dahlia.devkota and on LinkedIn here. Discover Editrix on Instagram here and learn more about the products and brand ethos at editrixwellness.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.—Product links: Editrix I. Demigod Ayurvedic Cleansing OilEditrix II. Deuxième Postbiotic Fermented CleanserEditrix III. Superare Microflora Barrier FilmEditrix IV. Bakterium Delirium Skin Education Serum—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine is joined by Brian Ecclefield, Founder and Managing Director of Validated Claim Support, the clinical testing lab setting new standards for ethics, accuracy, and transparency in cosmetic claims.Few topics have shaken the beauty world this year quite like SunscreenGate – the scandalous revelation that the SPF validation tests behind many popular sunscreens may have been manipulated, falsified or simply fallen short, leading to careless, even dangerous mislabeling – and haphazard sunscreen product recalls.There’s nobody more uniquely qualified to explain how we got here and where we’re headed than Brian Ecclefield. For more than 16 years, Brian has designed and overseen clinical studies for skincare, haircare, personal care, and OTC products like sunscreens. He specializes in the rigorous evaluation of claims, including the complex world of SPF validation.Before launching VCS, Brian spent time inside two of the industry’s most relied upon (and infamous!) labs – AMA and Princeton Consumer Research – giving him rare, insider insights into how testing can go wrong, how numbers can be massaged, and what red flags brands should never ignore. Find out how the scandal happened – and how Brian believes it doesn’t ever have to happen again.Follow Brian on Instagram at @​​eccleburgers and on LinkedIn here. Learn more about the independent and unbiased work of Validated Claim Support on the company’s website here.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Blair Lancer, CMO of the groundbreaking clinical brand Lancer Skincare.For nearly four decades, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer has defined what healthy, glowing skin means – powered by his iconic Lancer Method. What began as a spark in Dr. Lancer’s Beverly Hills practice – where the world’s most recognizable faces have lined up for The Lancer Glow – has become a global skincare brand rooted in the science of simplicity.Today, his legacy continues through his daughter Blair, who serves as Chief Marketing Officer and the bridge between heritage and innovation at Lancer Skincare.Their conversation explores the influence of social media on beauty standards, particularly how individuals often emulate the skincare routines of influencers without understanding their unique skin types or needs.Carmine and blair talk legacy, leadership, and what’s next for The Method that started it all. Follow Blair on Instagram at @blairlancer and on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Dr. Lancer’s products, brand ethos, and The Lancer Method   at lancerskincare.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links:Lancer Skincare The Method: CleanseLancer Skincare The Method: PolishLancer Skincare The Method: NourishLancer Skincare Caviar Lime Acid Peel—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™The Skincarma® Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Maya Myers and Tzvi Ginzburg, husband-and-wife dynamic duo and co-founders of All Moringa. From farm to family, Ghana’s rich soil to your morning smoothie, Maya and Tzvi are spreading the power of the Miracle Tree. They’ve turned a shared passion for wellness, sustainability, and family into a thriving wellness brand built around one extraordinary plant: the Moringa oleifera. Indeed, they’re growing wellness from the ground up.Listen in as Carmine digs into their story, delves into the science, and draws out the soul of the Miracle Tree – and this miraculous brand.Follow Maya on Instagram at @mayamyersphoto and on LinkedIn here. Explore All Moringa’s range of holistic wellness products and brand ethos at @allmoringa and on the brand’s website here.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links:All Moringa Leaf + Seed Whole-Plant Synergy OilAll Moringa Moisturizing Face CreamAll Moringa Premium Organic Moringa Oleifera Leaf PowderAll Moringa Organic Moringa and Ginger Herbal TeaAll Moringa Organic Moringa, Mint & Chamomile Herbal Tea—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™The Skincarma® Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Allison Taylor, co-founder of Le Prunier, the California-born organic beauty brand redefining what luxury skincare can – and maybe should – be. From a fourth-generation plum orchard in Northern California to the curated collections of Credo, Neiman Marcus and Goop, Le Prunier is proof that beauty can grow from the ground up. Carmine and Allison explore the magnificent journey of transforming their family farm into a range of luxury skincare, the exceptional benefits of the brand’s proprietary plum oil, and the reimagining of sustainability rooted in the farm’s decades-long practices. Their conversation also delves into the dynamics of working with family, the brand’s future product launches, and the ethos of clean beauty.Follow Allison on Instagram at @allisontay and on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Le Prunier’s products and brand ethos at @leprunier and on the brand’s website here.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links:Le Prunier PLUMSCREEN®Le Prunier PLUM BEAUTY OILLe Prunier PLUMTOX™ Clarifying Enzyme MaskLe Prunier PLUMBODY™ Body Cream—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™The Skincarma® Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Alicia Lindner, co-CEO of Annemarie Börlind, the pioneering natural skincare brand founded by her grandmother in Germany’s Black Forest in 1959. Representing the third generation of a visionary family business, Alicia is carrying forward her grandmother’s mission to merge nature and science to create high-performing, natural skincare that’s both ethical and effective. Under her leadership, Annemarie Börlind is positioned as a global benchmark for natural beauty — rooted in sustainability, powered by cutting-edge botanical research, and guided by her grandmother’s timeless philosophy: “If I can’t eat it, I won’t put it on my skin.”Follow Alicia on Instagram at @aliciaboerlindner and on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Annemarie Börlind products and brand ethos at @annemarieborlind_usa and on the brand’s website here.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.Product links:Annemarie Börlind NATUROYALE Eye and Lip CareAnnemarie Börlind 2-PHASE ALOE VERA SHAKEAnnemarie Börlind NATUROYALE Firming Day CreamAnnemarie Börlind NATUROYALE Lifting Serum—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™The Skincarma® Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Arielle Moody, CEO and co-founder of Mama Sol, the California-born suncare brand that’s reimagining how sunscreen can and should feel. They discuss Arielle’s journey in the beauty industry, the challenges of formulating effective and enjoyable sunscreens, and the importance of transparency in beauty products. Arielle goes on to share insights (and news!) on the future of Mama Sol, including upcoming innovations and the significance of passion in entrepreneurship.Follow Arielle on her Instagram page here and on LinkedIn here. Learn more about the Mama Sol brand at @shopmamasol and explore their amazingly pleasurable sunscreens for face, lips and body at shopmamasol.com. Use code skincarma15 to save 15%. (Thank you, Arielle!!)Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.Product links:FACEBRELLA™ 100% Mineral Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30BODYBRELLA™ 100% Mineral Hydrating Milk SPF 40LIPBRELLA™ 100% Mineral Tinted Lip Oil SPF 20Enter code skincarma15 to save 15%.—Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™The Skincarma® Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Dr. Lamees Hamdan, an integrative medical doctor, naturopathic practitioner, longevity expert – and the visionary founder of Timebeam skincare. They explore the concept of skin longevity, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to skin health and wellness that includes both topical and ingestible solutions. Dr. Lamees discusses the role of NAD+ in skin health, the significance of sleep and stress management, and the future of beauty products that prioritize longevity. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of body and mind in achieving optimal skin health and the need for a shift in the skincare industry towards more integrative practices.If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.Follow Dr. Lamees on her Instagram at @drlameeshamdan and on LinkedIn here. Learn more about the Timebeam brand at @timebeambeauty and shop for Timebeam’s innovative longevity care at timebeam.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.Product links:Timebeam Skinbeam Milky SerumTimebeam Moisture Melt Serum BalmTimebeam Bounce Mode Healthy PixieTimebeam Reset Mode Healthy Pixie—Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™The Skincarma® Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine reconnects with Julie Lindh, a licensed medical aesthetician and founder of her namesake brand. They explore Julie’s unique approach to skincare, which integrates advanced aesthetics with holistic wellness practices. Julie shares her journey into holistic wellness, the four pillars of her Ageless Skin Method, and the importance of emotional well-being in achieving truly ageless beauty. The conversation also delves into advanced technologies (like exosomes!) and the significance of maintaining a connection between mind, body and spirit for your skin health.If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.Follow Julie on Instagram at @julielindhskinexpert and on LinkedIn here. Learn more about the Julie Lindh Skin Expert products and services at julielindh.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.Product links:Julie Lindh 24H Dewy Face CremeJulie Lindh GLOW Skin PotionLearn More about the JL Method here.Book an Appointment with JulieVibrant Health Green Vibrance Powder—Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™The Skincarma® Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes cosmetic chemist and MoCRA compliance expert Mark Broussard, who has developed over 600 products across every beauty category. They discuss the 1% rule in skincare formulation and its implications for transparency and product efficacy. Intriguingly, this overlooked regulatory loophole is helping to drive dupe culture. Mark also shares insights about his work leading Desert in Bloom Cosmetics Lab and his new role with Skin Angels – a dermatologist-driven angel network dedicated to the future of skin health innovation. The conversation concludes with the Skincarma signature lightning round, revealing Mark’s thoughts on overhyped ingredients and his passion for formulation.If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.Follow Mark and Desert in Bloom Cosmetics Lab on Instagram here. Are you a brand founder wading through the complexity of MoCRA compliance? Learn more about Mark’s regulatory expertise at desertinbloomcosmeticslab.com/#MoCRA.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.—Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™The Skincarma® Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Karen Ballou, founder of Immunocologie Skincare, to explore the powerful connection between skin health and overall wellbeing. An oncology-trained esthetician with more than 30 years in the beauty industry, Karen shares the deeply personal journey that inspired her to create a skincare line rooted in immune support and natural resilience.Together, they unpack the science behind Immunocologie’s bioavailable mineral formulations, the importance of ingredient transparency, and why hydration and plant-based actives are essential for healthy, radiant skin. Karen also highlights the urgent need for consumer awareness around harmful ingredients, the value of a consistent skincare regimen, and how Immunocologie’s philosophy has earned recognition from the Blue Zones for its alignment with holistic living.It’s an inspiring conversation that reframes beauty as a reflection of balance, healing, and vitality.If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.Follow @immunocologie on Instagram here and learn more about the brand and product innovation at immunocologie.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.Product links:Immunocologie Vital Ionic MistImmunocologie Vital Clay MaskImmunocologie Super 7 Elixir SerumLearn more about the Blue Zones and the Immunocologie Blue Zones Retreat here.—Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™The Skincarma® Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine presents the product innovation winners across seven categories in the 2025 BeautyMatter Awards. As a judge in the BeautyMatter Awards for the third year running, Carmine evaluated more than 200 products over the course of two months. In today’s episode, he shares the finalists in each category: treatments, moisturizers, scrubs and cleansers, acne, men’s and sun care – his favorite of all. As he presents the winners, he breaks each product down, sharing why he finds it exceptional and worthy of this year’s award as the most innovative skincare product in its class. Find product links to each of the winners below.If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.Product links: EltaMD - UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 Red Color Correcting SunscreenRAAIE - The Golden Nectar Mānuka Honey Enzyme CleanserBeekman 1802 - Milk RX Advanced Better Aging CreamAllies of Skin - The Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair SerumKat Burki - VitaBiome Active Skin OptimizerENHANSE - Mattifying Milk Anti-Shine SprayBeauty of Joseon - Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen—Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you're obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™The Skincarma® Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes John Kressaty, co-founder of the Skin Bar – and one of the industry’s leading experts in sunscreens – to explore the history, nuances and complexities of sunscreen formulation. Carmine and John discuss the importance of sunscreen in skin health, the evolution of sunscreen technologies, and the differences between mineral and chemical UV filters. They shares insights on FDA regulations affecting sunscreen products and the impact of social media trends on consumer behavior. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of sunscreen for longterm skin health and offers practical advice for effective usage. After all, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation, up to 90% of the visible signs of aging is due to the photoaging that results from unprotected sun exposure. Please wear sunscreen daily – even on cloudy, seemingly sunless days.If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.Connect with John on his LinkedIn page here.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.Product links: EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Spectrum SPF 50EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46TiZO Tinted Moisturizing Serum SPF 30 Sunscreen—Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you're obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™The Skincarma® Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe