Skin Leaf Talks

Some brands are built for a market. Some are built for a moment. And then there are the ones built for a person. Chrissy Naro built Celeste Naturals for her daughter Gabriella — whose eczema reacted to everything on the market. So Chrissy did what any determined mother would do: she learned to make something herself. She took courses, she formulated, she tested, she refined — until she found somet...

Look at the back of your moisturizer. What's the first ingredient? If it's water — and it almost certainly is — you're paying for something your tap provides for free. Most skincare products are between 60 and 90 percent water. Which means most of what's in your routine is diluted before it even reaches your skin. Leila Haj Nassar, cosmetic chemist and founder of 100and1 Cosmetics,...

Every cosmetic ingredient on the market was declared "safe" based on a test that never accounted for the other ingredients sitting next to it on your skin — or the thirty years you'll spend using it. In this episode, Lia Cardoso breaks down the real math behind toxic exposure in the beauty industry: the cocktail effect, where chemicals that are "safe" in isolation become ac...

We obsess over our faces. We build routines around them, spend fortunes on them, and treat every new ingredient like a revelation. And then we completely ignore the rest of our bodies. Aïda Touré saw that gap and decided to build in it. Texture is the brand pioneering somatic skincare — intentional, zone-based care that starts where most beauty ends. The underarm. The bikini line. The inner thigh....

That's how Sarina Pilaroscia's father described living with psoriasis — 45 years of twice-daily steroids and a condition his doctors called lifelong and inevitable. Sarina didn't accept that. She spent two years educating herself, opened her own R&D lab, and led one of the first Health Canada clinical trials for CBD in cosmetics — all to build Phoilex, a steroid-free, barrier-supportive skinca...

Season 7 is here — and before we dive into everything coming this season, Lia sits down alone to catch you up on everything that happened while you were waiting. First: Skin Leaf Cosmetics stepped onto the floor of the Be+Well Show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — our first major trade show in the United States. Five years after starting a brand in a kitchen in Portugal, we showed up. In person. With...

Sunscreen fraud. Lab samples sold as luxury. Celebrity brands collapsing. Children on retinol. The skincare industry is going through it — and most brands are staying silent. Not us. In this solo episode, Lia breaks down the four biggest scandals shaking the beauty world right now, separates fact from fear, and gives you practical tools to protect yourself as a consumer. Because transparency isn't...

Most people don't have a skincare problem. They have a consistency problem. In this episode of Skin Leaf Talks, host Lia Cardoso sits down with Marlee Bruno — PA-C, aesthetic injector, and founder of Mind Body & Soul Medical in Pensacola, FL — for a conversation that cuts through the noise of trend-driven beauty culture. Together they unpack why 10-step routines are sabotaging your skin, what...

Have you ever wondered why your makeup looks completely different when a professional does it? The secret isn't in the products they use — it's in what happens before the first brush stroke. In this episode of Skin Leaf Talks, founder Lia Cardoso sits down with Heather Spadaro, a professional makeup artist and founder of two beauty companies — The Makeup Hair Co and The Beauty Circle — to have an...

Is slugging the ultimate glow hack—or a skincare mistake? In this episode of Skin Leaf Talks , Lia Cardoso breaks down the viral slugging trend: what it is, how it works, and whether it’s actually right for your skin type. Learn how to lock in hydration, protect your skin barrier, and avoid common mistakes that could lead to breakouts. ✨ Discover a better, skin-friendly alternative using facial o...

In this episode of Skin Leaf Talks , Lia Cardoso sits down with Kim Laudati , a New York City–based medical aesthetician and the visionary founder of SomaCell® . With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kim is a leading advocate for natural beauty and a pioneer in the field of regenerative aesthetics . Together, they explore a philosophy that aligns perfectly with the Skin Leaf mission: t...

In a beauty industry obsessed with more — more products, more steps, more actives — what if the real power move is doing less? In this episode of Skin Leaf Talks , host Lia Cardoso sits down with Skin Expert Kimberley Verdin to unpack the rise of minimalist skincare and why balanced beauty treatments are the future of skin health. This is not about cutting corners. It’s about being strategic. Inte...

They looked cute on TikTok—cupcake and donut-shaped pimple patches promising to make acne treatment “fun.” But what started as a viral skincare trend turned into a nightmare ⚠️ when users reported scary reactions that made skin look worse, not better. In this episode, Lia reveals: 👩‍🔬 Why hydrocolloid patches really work. 🚫 The dangers of glitter, dyes, and gimmicky adhesives. 💡 How to choose...

Dark spots, acne scars, melasma… hyperpigmentation is one of the most frustrating skin struggles. But could natural actives be the answer? In this episode, Lia explores the latest research on botanical ingredients that fade discoloration without harsh bleaching agents. 🌼 Highlights include: 🌹 Rosehip oil for regeneration. 🍇 Grape seed & evening primrose oils for antioxidant + hormone balanc...

Glowing skin isn’t about buying more products—it’s about avoiding the small mistakes that sabotage your results. In this episode, Lia shares the 7 most common skincare mistakes (and yes, even skincare lovers are guilty of them!). We’ll cover: ❌ Over-exfoliating & mixing too many actives. ❌ Forgetting SPF. ❌ Skipping hydration, diet, and sleep. And of course—what to do instead! 💧🍎 If you’v...

Sunscreen is supposed to protect your skin… so why are some headlines suggesting it could be dangerous? In this season’s premiere, Lia Cardoso unpacks the sunscreen controversy—from chemical filters like oxybenzone and octinoxate, to recalls linked with benzene contamination. 🌊⚠️ You’ll learn: ✅ The difference between chemical vs. mineral sunscreens. ✅ Why SPF itself doesn’t cause cancer—but mi...

In this thought-provoking season finale of Skin Leaf Talks , host Lia Cardoso explores our modern-day obsession with skincare. Has the pursuit of perfect skin crossed the line from self-care into compulsion? Are we still in control of our routines—or are the routines controlling us? Lia draws parallels between the cultural glamorization of cigarettes in the 20th century and today’s booming skincar...

Could your favorite skincare and beauty products be doing more harm than good? In this eye-opening episode, host Lia Cardoso breaks down the hidden toxic ingredients found in everyday cosmetics — from hormone-disrupting parabens and phthalates to the “cocktail effect” of daily chemical exposure. You’ll learn how your skin absorbs up to 60% of what you apply, why even “small” doses add up over time...

In this powerful episode of Skin Leaf Cosmetics Podcast, we uncover the hidden dangers found in everyday makeup products—especially powders—and explore how toxic ingredients like talc, silica, and microplastics can impact your health. Lia Cardoso shares real case studies, scientific insights, and highlights trusted clean beauty alternatives. Tune in to learn why clean, conscious beauty isn’t just...

Think you’re safe with that SPF 15 in your foundation? Think again. 😱 In this no-nonsense episode, Lia Cardoso, founder of Skin Leaf Cosmetics, exposes the truth about SPF — what the numbers really mean, why makeup with SPF isn’t enough, and how skipping sunscreen could be sabotaging your skin (and your glow). Get the facts on UVA vs UVB, the best SPF ingredients to look for, and how to build rea...

Are seed oils really destroying your skin — or is that just another viral myth? In this fiery episode, Skin Leaf Cosmetics founder Lia Cardoso breaks down the truth behind one of skincare’s most controversial topics. From rosehip to hemp seed, Lia unpacks why seed oils are actually skin saviors (not villains), and why fear-based marketing is doing more harm than good. Tune in for myth-busting, ing...

🎙 Hormonal Acne – Natural and Effective Solutions | Skin Leaf Cosmetics Podcast Struggling with hormonal acne? You’re not alone! In this episode, we dive deep into the causes of hormonal breakouts and share natural and effective ways to manage and treat them. Join Lia Cardoso , host of the Skin Leaf Cosmetics Podcast , as she breaks down holistic skincare solutions, key ingredients , and lifestyle...

Your skin is home to a thriving ecosystem of beneficial microorganisms that play a crucial role in maintaining its health, balance, and glow. In this episode of the Skin Leaf Cosmetics Podcast , founder Lia Cardoso dives into the fascinating world of the skin microbiome. Learn what it is, how to protect it, and the common skincare mistakes that can disrupt its delicate balance. Discover science-ba...

As the seasons shift, so should your skincare routine! In this episode of the Skin Leaf Cosmetics Podcast , Lia Cardoso shares expert tips for transitioning your routine from winter to spring. Learn how to adjust your products and habits to keep your skin radiant, hydrated, and balanced as the weather warms up. From swapping heavy moisturizers for lightweight options like the Anti-Acne Aqua Gel to...

In this episode of the Skin Leaf Cosmetics Podcast , Lia Cardoso explores the lasting buzz around antioxidants in skincare. Spoiler alert: they’re still trending in 2025—and for good reason! From fighting free radicals to brightening and protecting your skin, antioxidants are an essential ingredient in any skincare routine. Learn what makes antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and rosehip oil s...