The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 84: Can You Clear Acne from Within? A Dermatologist & Chef Explain How

The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 84: Can You Clear Acne from Within? A Dermatologist & Chef Explain How

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 [https://shine-skin-academy.getlearnworlds.com/course/clear-skin-from-within]. [https://shine-skin-academy.getlearnworlds.com/course/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 Takeaway Healthy 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/company/shine-skin-academy/] and on Instagram at @shineskinacademy. [https://www.instagram.com/shineskinacademy?igsh=b2M0YzA3ajB0Nnpz] Connect with Chef Kimber Dean on LinkedIn here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chef-kimber-dean-5a335a185/] and on Instagram at @chefyoginikimberdean [https://www.instagram.com/chefyoginikimberdean?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] and @happyfoodmeals. [https://www.instagram.com/happyfoodmeals?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] Explore the Clear Skin From Within [https://shine-skin-academy.getlearnworlds.com/course/clear-skin-from-within] program here [https://shine-skin-academy.getlearnworlds.com/course/clear-skin-from-within] and enjoy a complimentary gut-skin lesson here [https://shine-skin-academy.getlearnworlds.com/gut-skin-connection]. — Follow Skincarma on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/skincarma?igsh=d2JmemE3aXo0a3Fw&utm_source=qr] and on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@skincarma?_t=ZT-8ubN2Gvz7xS&_r=1]. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. [http://www.skincarma.com] You can also connect with Carmine on Substack [https://skincarma.substack.com/podcast] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carminemontalto/] – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here [https://www.cminknyc.com]. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-skincarma-pod/id1793186495] Substack [https://skincarma.substack.com/podcast], or Spotify [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7bGZdDAmYChhO1-WsRyu26PVGe9WFToy&si=H9AqKo1fDbAiToeA] to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Explore more: Clear Skin From Within 90-Day Program [https://shine-skin-academy.getlearnworlds.com/course/clear-skin-from-within] Shine Skin Academy Homepage [https://shine-skin-academy.getlearnworlds.com/home] Free Gut-Skin Lesson [https://shine-skin-academy.getlearnworlds.com/gut-skin-connection] Chef Kimber’s Protein Brownie Bites [https://youtu.be/wEGJIo97sI4?is=aih2C2GLImCERMFp] Chef Kimber’s ADHD Smoothie [https://youtu.be/kIx0cKZZWKg?is=uV84x1C0DfYPI-Jq] Eating for Sun Protection [https://youtu.be/Ppe-sciUGTU?is=mGB-emKBGg5q8ylG] Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-sunscreens-for-face]. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-retinol-face-creams-and-serums]. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-vitamin-c-serums-for-face]. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-brightening-serums-for-face-1]. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-acne-treatments]. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-anti-aging-creams-and-serums]. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-face-creams-dry-skin]. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-face-creams-oily-skin]. 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. [https://www.skincarmanyc.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 [https://skincarma.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 83: The Mechanics of Desire: Luxury, Beauty & the Imagery That Makes Us Want More — with Anderson

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 Takeaway Consumers 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/byandersonx/] and on Instagram at @byandersonx. [https://www.instagram.com/byandersonx?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] Discover his work at a—son on IG at @ason.agency [https://www.instagram.com/ason.agency?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] and on his agency website at a-son.agency [https://www.a-son.agency/]. — Follow Skincarma on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/skincarma?igsh=d2JmemE3aXo0a3Fw&utm_source=qr] and on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@skincarma?_t=ZT-8ubN2Gvz7xS&_r=1]. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. [http://www.skincarma.com] You can also connect with Carmine on Substack [https://skincarma.substack.com/podcast] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carminemontalto/] – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here [https://www.cminknyc.com]. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-skincarma-pod/id1793186495] Substack [https://skincarma.substack.com/podcast], or Spotify [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7bGZdDAmYChhO1-WsRyu26PVGe9WFToy&si=H9AqKo1fDbAiToeA] to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Explore more: a—son case studies [https://www.a-son.agency/case-studies] Anderson’s portfolio [https://by-anderson.com] Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-sunscreens-for-face]. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-retinol-face-creams-and-serums]. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-vitamin-c-serums-for-face]. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-brightening-serums-for-face-1]. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-acne-treatments]. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-anti-aging-creams-and-serums]. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-face-creams-dry-skin]. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-face-creams-oily-skin]. 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. [https://www.skincarmanyc.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 [https://skincarma.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 82: The Truth About Filler, Facial Aging & the Future of Aesthetic Medicine with Dr. Kathleen Welsh

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 Takeaway The 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bay-area-cosmetic-dermatology/] and on Instagram @bayareacosmeticdermatology. [https://www.instagram.com/bayareacosmeticdermatology?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] Discover their cutting-edge treatments – including Emface and Exomind – on the Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology website at weloveskin.com [http://weloveskin.com/] (or via the links below). — Follow Skincarma on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/skincarma?igsh=d2JmemE3aXo0a3Fw&utm_source=qr] and on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@skincarma?_t=ZT-8ubN2Gvz7xS&_r=1]. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. [http://www.skincarma.com] You can also connect with Carmine on Substack [https://skincarma.substack.com/podcast] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carminemontalto/] – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here [https://www.cminknyc.com]. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-skincarma-pod/id1793186495] Substack [https://skincarma.substack.com/podcast], or Spotify [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7bGZdDAmYChhO1-WsRyu26PVGe9WFToy&si=H9AqKo1fDbAiToeA] to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Cutting-edge treatment links: Emface [https://weloveskin.com/procedures/body-treatments/emface-san-francisco-ca] Exomind [https://weloveskin.com/procedures/body-treatments/exomind-san-francisco-ca] Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-sunscreens-for-face]. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-retinol-face-creams-and-serums]. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-vitamin-c-serums-for-face]. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-brightening-serums-for-face-1]. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-acne-treatments]. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-anti-aging-creams-and-serums]. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-face-creams-dry-skin]. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-face-creams-oily-skin]. 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. [https://www.skincarmanyc.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 [https://skincarma.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 81: Beauty Doesn't Need More Products. It Needs Better Ones — with Shannaz Schopfer

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 Takeaway The 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannaz/] and on Instagram at @shannazschopfer [https://www.instagram.com/shannazschopfer?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==]. Explore her work with brands and manufacturers through The Beauty Architects at thebeautyarc.com [https://www.thebeautyarc.com/]. — Follow Skincarma on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/skincarma?igsh=d2JmemE3aXo0a3Fw&utm_source=qr] and on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@skincarma?_t=ZT-8ubN2Gvz7xS&_r=1]. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. [http://www.skincarma.com] You can also connect with Carmine on Substack [https://skincarma.substack.com/podcast] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carminemontalto/] – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here [https://www.cminknyc.com]. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-skincarma-pod/id1793186495] Substack [https://skincarma.substack.com/podcast], or Spotify [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7bGZdDAmYChhO1-WsRyu26PVGe9WFToy&si=H9AqKo1fDbAiToeA] to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-sunscreens-for-face]. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-retinol-face-creams-and-serums]. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-vitamin-c-serums-for-face]. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-brightening-serums-for-face-1]. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-acne-treatments]. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-anti-aging-creams-and-serums]. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-face-creams-dry-skin]. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-face-creams-oily-skin]. 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. [https://www.skincarmanyc.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 [https://skincarma.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 80: Beauty Runs on Data: Ingredient Trends, AI & the Truth Behind the Marketing with Monieka Bos

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 [https://skinskoolbeauty.com] and CosmeticIQ [https://cosmetic-iq.com], 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 Takeaway The 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniekabos/] and on Instagram at @moniekamaria [https://www.instagram.com/moniekamaria?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==]. Explore Skinskool on Instagram at @skinskool [https://www.instagram.com/skinskool?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] and discover Skinskool’s Beauty Alternatives Finder at skinskoolbeauty.com [https://skinskoolbeauty.com/] — Follow Skincarma on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/skincarma?igsh=d2JmemE3aXo0a3Fw&utm_source=qr] and on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@skincarma?_t=ZT-8ubN2Gvz7xS&_r=1]. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. [http://www.skincarma.com] You can also connect with Carmine on Substack [https://skincarma.substack.com/podcast] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carminemontalto/] – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here [https://www.cminknyc.com]. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-skincarma-pod/id1793186495] Substack [https://skincarma.substack.com/podcast], or Spotify [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7bGZdDAmYChhO1-WsRyu26PVGe9WFToy&si=H9AqKo1fDbAiToeA] to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Product links: Skinskool Beauty Alternative Finder [https://skinskoolbeauty.com] Skinskool Excellence Award Winners [https://skinskoolbeauty.com/discover/match-excellence] Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-sunscreens-for-face]. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-retinol-face-creams-and-serums]. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-vitamin-c-serums-for-face]. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-brightening-serums-for-face-1]. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-acne-treatments]. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-anti-aging-creams-and-serums]. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-face-creams-dry-skin]. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here [https://www.skincarmanyc.com/best-face-creams-oily-skin]. 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. [https://www.skincarmanyc.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 [https://skincarma.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]