ASCP Esty Talk

Does the location of a breakout really tell us what's happening beneath the surface? In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben takes a closer look at so-called hormonal acne and explains why acne can appear hormonal even without a hormone imbalance. Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue Pharmacist with Benjamin Knight Fuchs, R.Ph. This podcast takes an enlightening approa...

Using Lush's decision to walk away from millions of social media followers as a jumping-off point, Maggie and Ella e xplore the power of referrals, relationships, reputation, and word-of-mouth marketing. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by license...

What happens when a trend can't be washed off? In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella explore how quickly beauty trends can shape our perception of what looks good. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cress...

Does a natural ingredient automatically mean it's better? In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist , Ben challenges the idea that natural and botanical ingredients are automatically safer or more effective than synthetic ones while also giving insight to help clients look beyond an overused marketing message. Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue Pharmacist with Benjamin Knig...

In this episode of  ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella are joined by molecular biologist Dr. David Stachura to break down the science behind stem cells in skincare. Dr. David breaks down the differences between mammalian and plant stem cells, growth factors, exosomes, and why understanding these distinctions matters. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Produced by Associate...

Why is finding the perfect foundation shade still so difficult, even with more shades and better technology? In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella explore new research into the science of shade matching, including the difference between how skin color is measured and how it's truly perceived. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Produced by Associated Skin Ca...

In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist , Ben explores the important role vitamin D plays throughout the body and how it functions as more than just a vitamin.  Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue Pharmacist with Benjamin Knight Fuchs, R.Ph. This podcast takes an enlightening approach to supporting licensed estheticians in their pursuit to achieve results-driven skin care...

The esthetics industry has largely traded the term "anti-aging" for language like healthy aging, longevity, and pro-aging, but has the goal actually changed? In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella examine how attitudes toward aging are evolving and whether the shift represents a new philosophy or simply new vocabulary. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Prod...

Estheticians often become trusted confidants. But where's the line between listening and carrying a client's emotional weight? In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella explore the emotional side of the treatment room, including the unique relationships estheticians build with their clients and the importance of healthy professional boundaries. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and...

Perioral dermatitis can easily be confused with acne, rosacea, or general skin irritation, making accurate recognition especially important. In this episode of  The Rogue Pharmacist , Ben Fuchs explains what perioral dermatitis is, why it is frequently misidentified, and which skin care habits or products may unintentionally make the condition worse. Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) prese...

Korean skincare is far more than a viral trend or a multi-step routine. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella explore the philosophy behind Korean skin care, examining its barrier-first approach, emphasis on prevention, and the cultural practices that have shaped one of the world's most innovative cosmetic industries. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Produ...

Liquid microneedling has quickly become one of the hottest trends in professional skin care, but what exactly happens beneath the surface? In this episode of  ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella take a deep dive into Spongilla lacustris—the freshwater sponge behind spicules—exploring how these microscopic silica structures interact with the skin, why they're generating so much buzz, and where the sci...

Petrolatum is one of the most debated ingredients in skin care, praised by some professionals while avoided by others. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist , Ben Fuchs separates fact from fiction, exploring why petrolatum has earned such a controversial reputation and whether common claims about clogged pores, trapped toxins, and "suffocating" the skin hold up. Associated Skin Care Professional...

The Department of Education's "Do No Harm" rules have sparked important conversations throughout the esthetics industry. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie is joined by ASCP Government Relations Director Laura Puryear and higher education attorney Aaron Lacey to explain what these regulatory changes mean for esthetics schools, Title IV funding, and the future of professional education. ASCP...

What if your skin could just . . . remember how to act young again? That's essentially the pitch behind Biocogent's new RNActivate W, a next-generation active that doesn't add collagen or push it as peptides do. Instead, it goes upstream and silences a tiny piece of regulatory RNA (the so-called "wrinkle miRNA") that tells your skin cells to stop  making collagen and elastin. Join Ella and Maggie...

As clients age, they often notice that cuts, irritation, and post-treatment recovery take longer than they once did. In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist, Ben Fuchs explains the changes that occur within aging skin, the factors that influence the healing process, and the ingredients and lifestyle habits that can help support recovery. Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue...

Sometimes one client can shape the way you practice for the rest of your career. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella open the ASCP mailbag to share a listener's story about an early career experience that sparked a lifelong commitment to learning and professional growth. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (AS...

In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella are joined by Armenthia Carr, the 2026 ASCP Esty of the Year, to discuss her journey through the industry and what has shaped her success as a professional esthetician. They explore her perspective on growth, education, and what it means to stand out in today's evolving esthetics landscape. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Stasz...

In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist , Ben explores how chronic stress impacts the body and how those physiological changes present in the skin. He breaks down how stress can influence collagen breakdown, barrier function, and the skin's ability to repair itself, plus common misunderstandings in skin care conversations around stress.  Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) presents The Rogue...

Through a surprising story about a prison barber who offered facials, Maggie and Ella explore how a first experience with skin care can completely reshape a client's perspective. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , they discuss "The First Facial" and why clients often don't reject skin care, they simply don't have a reference point for its value until they experience it. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts ...

Peptides in skin care span everything from well-researched cosmetic ingredients to highly unregulated compounds circulating in the "research" market.  In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella break down a quick peptide primer, explore the difference between cosmetic and bioactive peptides, and unpack the legal and regulatory gray areas behind "research only" compounds, including how the...

In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella are joined by Shannon Erley, CEO and founder of Pomp, to talk about the invisible revenue stream many estheticians overlook in their businesses. They explore where missed opportunities arise in the client journey, why retail and home care often get deprioritized, and small shifts that can help estheticians better support both results and revenue....

In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella talk about command prompting and how the way you communicate with AI shapes the results you get. They break down why vague prompts fall flat, how specificity changes outcomes, and how best to use it in your esthetics practice. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for l...

In this episode of The Rogue Pharmacist , Ben discusses how histamine, mast cells, and allergic responses impact the skin beyond sinus symptoms. With allergy season in full swing, Ben breaks down what mast cells are doing during an allergic response, why histamine can visibly affect the skin, and why some people experience skin flares even without classic respiratory allergies.  Associated Skin Ca...

In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk , Maggie and Ella discuss how wellness is splitting in two directions: hyper-optimization and a return to nervous system care. Your hosts also explore what this shift means for estheticians, who are often expected to balance both technical expertise and a more therapeutic role in practice. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk   Produced by A...