A PhD Cosmetic Chemist Breaks Down The WORST and BEST “Viral” Skincare Products

Why the Skincare Industry Is Failing Melanin-Rich Skin

The skincare industry has been leaving melanin-rich skin out of the conversation for too long. A board-certified dermatologist is here to change that. In this episode of Face It, Bari sits down with Dr. Adeline Kikam — board-certified dermatologist, founder of Skin Inclusive Dermatology, and the leading voice behind Brown Skin Derm — to cut through the misinformation around melanin-rich skin and explore what inclusive dermatology actually looks like in practice. From the sunscreen myth that refuses to die to the real dangers of the wrong laser on darker skin tones, Dr. Kikam brings clinical expertise and lived experience to a conversation that's equal parts educational and deeply personal. We cover: •⁠  ⁠What melanin actually is — and why we all have the same number of melanocytes •⁠  ⁠The key differences between darker and lighter skin tones that change everything about how you treat your skin •⁠  ⁠Why the belief that melanin-rich skin does not require sun protection is not only a misconception but a genuinely harmful one •⁠  ⁠How to choose the right sunscreen for melanin-rich skin — and why tinted mineral sunscreen is the most effective choice •⁠  ⁠Why hyperpigmentation is so persistent in skin of color and how to actually treat it •⁠  ⁠The difference between hyperpigmentation and scarring — and why confusing them leads to the wrong treatment •⁠  ⁠How to build a basic dermatologist-approved skincare routine for melanin-rich skin •⁠  ⁠Why chemical exfoliation beats physical exfoliation — and how to pick the right one for your skin type •⁠  ⁠What to know before getting a chemical peel or laser treatment if you have darker skin •⁠  ⁠What microneedling actually does and why it's one of the safest and most effective procedures for skin of color •⁠  ⁠The Black-owned and melanin-focused brands Dr. Kikam has on her radar right now •⁠  ⁠A full product lightning round — love it, leave it, or be cautious — on the most popular hyperpigmentation treatments •⁠  ⁠Why skin cancer in melanin-rich skin is often caught too late — and what you can do about it •⁠  ⁠What inspired Dr. Kikam to start Brown Skin Derm and build a practice centered on inclusive care •⁠  ⁠What she wishes the beauty and skincare industry would change about how it approaches skin of color Watch now and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

What a Miami Injector Actually Thinks About Botox and Filler

What does an injector with over a decade of experience actually think about Botox and filler? More than the internet is telling you. In this episode of Face It, Bari sits down with Pamela Weinberger — a certified aesthetic medicine practitioner and founder of Juné Esthetics in Miami — to separate injectable fact from fiction and explore what it really means to approach injectables the right way. From the rise of preventative Botox to the dangers of going to the wrong injector, Pamela brings real clinical expertise to a conversation that's equal parts eye-opening and refreshingly honest. This is injectables without the hype — just real knowledge from someone who's in the trenches every single day. We cover: * How injectables have evolved — and whether the industry has gotten better or just more crowded * Why Botox and filler are completely different treatments and should never be confused * The real reason so many people end up with results they hate * How to tell the difference between a static line and a dynamic line — and why it changes everything * The biggest mistake people make when they start getting Botox too young * Why filler is not the enemy — and why it's actually the most transformative treatment available * The worst injectable trends on social media right now — and which ones can cause real damage * Why the "no tox" movement's biggest claims don't hold up to the science * What celebrities' skin actually looks like behind the scenes * Why pillow face and frozen face happen — and how the right injector avoids both * How skincare and injectables work together — and which one should always come first * What lifestyle factors are quietly affecting how your results look and how long they last * What "natural aesthetic" actually means — and what it doesn't * Pamela's approach to turning away clients — and why she does it every single day * Her biggest advice for anyone just starting to explore injectables * What Pamela hopes the future of aesthetic medicine looks like Watch now and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

100,000 Facials Later: What Doctors Aren't Telling You

What 47 years of facials actually teaches you about skin. In this episode of Face It, Bari sits down with Nerida Joy — a globally renowned esthetician with over 47 years of experience and 100,000 facials performed — to separate skincare fact from fiction, and explore what it really means to care for your skin long term. From the rise of adult acne to the dangers of at-home peels, Nerida brings decades of hands-on wisdom to a conversation that's equal parts eye-opening and refreshingly honest. This is skincare without the hype — just real knowledge from someone who helped shape the industry. We cover: - How skincare has changed over 47 years — and whether it's gotten better or just busier - Why so many people are dealing with compromised skin barriers right now - The real causes of adult acne (and why it's more common than ever) - How to tell the difference between hormonal acne and food-related acne - The biggest mistake people with acne make when trying to heal their skin - Why moisturizer is not the enemy for oily, acne-prone skin - The worst TikTok skincare trends Nerida has seen — and why some can cause permanent damage - Why red LED lights can actually make certain skin conditions worse - What celebrities' skin actually looks like behind the scenes - Why facelifts in your 20s are a growing trend — and the long-term consequences no one talks about - How massage and movement can transform your skin without a single device - What lifestyle factors (alcohol, smoking, stress) are quietly doing to your skin - What "holistic skincare" actually means — and what it doesn't - The Five Star Method and what's missing from esthetic training today - Nerida's biggest advice for aspiring estheticians just starting out - What Nerida hopes the future of skincare looks like

A PhD Cosmetic Chemist Breaks Down The WORST and BEST “Viral” Skincare Products

The real reason your skincare routine might not be working. In this episode of Face It, Bari sits down with Dr. Julian Sass — a cosmetic chemist and PhD known for breaking down skincare formulas online and reviewing hundreds of sunscreens — to separate what's actually effective from what's simply viral marketing. Julian translates ingredient lists into real-world outcomes so you can finally shop smarter, cut through the noise, and stop wasting money on products that don't deliver. This is an honest, no-fluff breakdown of skincare science — without the overwhelm. We cover: "Sass or Suss" — Julian reacts to the internet's most-hyped products in real time What standout (and questionable) ingredients are actually doing to your skin Whether "more ingredients" actually means a better product What truly makes a formula bad for your skin How to think about products that start with water The truth about fragrance on labels and what it really means The difference between "no fragrance" and "fragrance-free." Why "clean beauty" claims can still be misleading or irritating How to read an ingredient list without getting overwhelmed Chemical vs. mineral SPF — the practical differences that actually matter Why some sunscreens cause breakouts (and how to avoid them) Whether higher SPF always matters The truth about white cast, "clear/transparent" SPF claims, and combo products The best SPF options for deeper skin tones with minimal to no white cast Drugstore vs. luxury skincare — is there actually a difference? Whether TikTok skincare hacks are helping or hurting most people Julian's closing advice for anyone trying to shop smarter

Esthetician of the Year on Why 85 Million Americans Can't Clear Their Acne

Everyone talks about clearing their skin. No one talks about how confusing the journey actually is. In this episode of Face It, licensed aesthetician and acne specialist Michael Razzano breaks down the truth about breakouts, acne scars, and the treatments people keep trying when they feel like nothing is working. We’re cutting through the noise around acne advice, from what actually causes breakouts to the habits that make the biggest difference to the tools and trends worth paying attention to. This is honest, expert-backed, and the kind of episode that makes acne feel a little less overwhelming. We cover: Why acne is never one-size-fits-all The biggest misconceptions about breakouts What actually helps when you’re dealing with active acne Microneedling, LED masks, and hypochlorous acid When to start treating acne scars How diet, stress, sleep, and consistency impact your skin The routine mistakes acne-prone skin should avoid.