The Skincarma® Pod

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Dr. Rohan Shah, a dermatology resident, to discuss his journey into dermatology, the skin concerns he encounters with his patients most, and the importance of education and authenticity in skincare. The conversation goes on to explore the balance between dermatology and social media – where Dr. Shah promotes education on skin, skincare and pro...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Dr. Mark Menning, a pharmaceutical scientist and visionary founder of MARK Los Angeles. They discuss Dr. Menning's unique approach to skincare, which combines pharmaceutical science with a patented and innovative ingredient delivery system. The conversation covers the evolution of antiviral drugs, the under-appreciated power of flavonoids in s...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Ian Michael Crumm, a prominent aesthetician, skincare influencer and consummate sun safety advocate. The conversation delves into the nature of skincare, the essentials of a pro-skin health routine, and the vital importance that sunscreen plays in skin health. Ian shares about his role as spokesperson of the Melanoma Research Foundation’s 2025...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Frank Freeman, Vice President of Digital Disruption at Dermalogica. The conversation begins with Frank's journey from music to Harvard to skincare and culminates in the transformative impact of AI – and particularly chatbots like ChatGPT – on the beauty industry. Frank shares insights into how AI is being optimized at Dermalogica to enhance pr...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Divya Gugnani, a prominent figure in the beauty industry known for her entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas. They discuss Divya’s journey from investment banking to founding multiple beauty brands, including Wander Beauty, and her latest venture, the clean fragrance brand 5SENS. The conversation delves into the inherent challenges of th...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes clean beauty pioneer Indie Lee, who shares her inspiring journey as both brain tumor survivor and brand founder. Indie espouses the importance of clean, toxin-free products and how her personal health challenges shaped her advocacy for wellness and longevity. The conversation explores the evolution of the clean beauty movement, the significanc...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes back Dr. Jen Haley, a board-certified dermatologist and his OG guest, to discuss essential skincare practices from the perspective of a dermatologist and debunk common myths about skincare and the basic needs of your skin. They explore the importance of sunscreen, must-have skincare ingredients, and budget-friendly product options. Dr. Jen sha...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Theresa Plavoukis, a seasoned beauty expert and founder of Fat Mermaid, the breakthrough beauty supplement brand that has reimagined your morning collagen. They delve into Theresa's extensive background in the beauty industry, her innovative approach to collagen supplements, and the science behind her inaugural product – bioavailable liquid ma...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Roger Ignon, co-founder of Hydrafacial, the skincare technology that revolutionized aesthetics. They explore Roger’s journey from a childhood interest in invention to becoming a key player in the beauty industry and beyond. The conversation explores the importance of collaboration in innovation, the lessons learned from early entrepreneurial e...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Deanna Kangas, a beauty industry trailblazer with a rich history of brand management and mentorship. The conversation explores Deanna's journey from her small-town roots in South Dakota to the fashion capital of New York City and ultimately her influential roles in major beauty brands, including Mattel and Ouai haircare. They discuss the impor...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Alec Batis, a cosmetic chemist and founder of Sweet Chemistry. They discuss Alec’s extensive background in the beauty industry, the innovative technology behind Sweet Chemistry’s products, and the intersection of medical science and skincare. The conversation delves into the science of matrikine peptides and the original approach Alec has take...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Madhu Punjabi, co-founder and CEO of Lion Pose. They discuss the brand’s innovative Unspotted 4X Acid Jelly Night Serum and explore the challenges of creating reliably effective skincare products. Madhu shares her journey from a tech background to founding Lion Pose, highlighting the significance of consumer trust and effective marketing in th...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Dr. Martin Smith, a double board-certified Allergist and Immunologist, staff physician at the Cleveland Clinic in the Department of Allergy, and co-founder of Untoxicated. They discuss his journey in creating Untoxicated, a range of allergen-free skincare designed specifically for very sensitive skin. They delve into the common allergens found...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Annie Meyer, co-founder of Untoxicated, the best allergen-free skincare on the market today. They discuss the challenges of launching a skincare brand in a crowded marketplace, particularly for sensitive skin. Annie shares her journey from a consumer brand builder to an accidental founder, driven by her own experiences with skin sensitivity. T...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Mark Curry, co-founder and CEO of the INKEY List. They discuss Mark's journey from a science enthusiast to entrepreneur, the founding principles of INKEY, and the brand's mission to provide affordable, high-quality skincare to everyone. The conversation delves into the importance of ingredient innovation, the challenges of product development,...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Natacha Bonjout, a French pharmacist and founder of Bonjout Beauty. They discuss Natacha's unique background in skincare formulation, the innovative approach behind her product Le Balm, and the benefits of waterless formulas for highly sensitive skin. In the conversation, Natacha discusses her innovative approach to skincare, focusing on susta...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Smitha Rao, the founding scientist of Parëva Beauty. They discuss Smitha's extensive experience in the beauty industry, the inspiration behind Parëva, and the innovative technologies that power its products – including the proprietary Molecur 3 stem cell complex. The conversation delves into the specifics of Parëva's product line, including th...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Stephanie DePisa, founder of Solara Suncare, to discuss her journey in creating a clean, mineral-based sunscreen brand designed for sensitive skin. Stephanie shares her personal story as a mother whose children had adverse reactions to existing sunscreens, leading her to develop her own products. The conversation explores the challenges of bui...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine engages with Dr. Katie Varman, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in photoimmunology. They explore the complex relationship between sunlight and skin health, emphasizing the importance of antioxidants, particularly niacinamide, in skincare. Dr. Varman discusses the benefits and risks of sun exposure, the science behind UVA and UVB light, and...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine Montalto and Dr. Jen Haley delve into the fascinating world of exosomes, a cutting-edge ingredient trend in skincare. Dr. Haley, a board-certified dermatologist and host of the Radiance Revealed podcast, explains the science behind exosomes, their applications in dermatology, and their benefits for skin health. The conversation covers the practical use...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine shares insights on skincare routines, focusing on the best order for applying products and the importance of creating good skincare habits. He discusses the evolution of skincare routines, the role of serums, and the significance of understanding ingredient penetration using the 500 Dalton rule – a measure of molecular weight. Carmine emphasizes the ne...

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine dives deep into the complexities of peptides, exploring their significance in skincare and their role in boosting skin’s vital collagen. He discusses the various types of peptides, their benefits, and how they contribute to youthful skin. The conversation also covers the importance of consistency in skincare routines, debunks common myths about collage...

Product links: The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + Ceramides Murad Cellular Hydration Repair Serum Untoxicated Moisture Boost Hydrating Cream The INKEY List’s Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer Skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream — Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream with B-L3 Complex product...

Product links: Lion Pose Unspotted 4X Acid Jelly Night Serum Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Vitamin C Serum Paula's Choice Clinical Pro Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Dew Balm Sunscreen Stick SPF 45 Remedy for Dark Spots Nightly All in One Treatment   Untoxicated Moisture Boost Hydrating Cream — Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: 2024 | Skincarma Product O...

Product links: A really good cleanser: The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm A really good toner: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant A really good corrector for imperfections: Lion Pose Unspotted 4X Acid Jelly Night Serum A really good peptide serum: Schaf Restore A really good beginner Retinol: Glow Recipe Blackberry Retinol Serum A really good advanced Retinol: Paula’s Choice Cli...