The Functional Aesthetician

Samantha Dench
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Join licensed esthetician and student of functional medicine, Samantha Dench, to explore the deeper connection between your skin, gut, and hormones. The mission is to help you get to the root cause of your skin problems so you understand what your skin is trying to tell you.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Skin Barrier Damage: The Truth about Barrier Disruption and Skincare Products

    In this episode of The Functional Aesthetician Podcast, we sit down with licensed esthetician and founder of LBH Skincare, Heather Reay, to break down the truth about the skin barrier. We discuss signs of barrier disruption. Heather explains the difference between clinical skincare and over-the-counter formulations, how low pH and proper exfoliation support skin regulation, and why layering multiple actives may be dysregulating your skin. We also address the growing trend of tweens using corrective skincare and why young skin does not need aggressive active ingredients. If you’re overwhelmed by skincare trends or struggling with persistent skin issues, this episode brings the focus back to simplicity, barrier health, and long-term skin function. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: What the skin barrier actually doesWhy low pH cleansing mattersThe difference between professional-grade and over-the-counter skincareHow active percentages impact resultsProper exfoliation techniquesThe danger of layering multiple serumsSocial media influencer misinformationWhy tweens and children don’t need corrective skincareHeather explains her philosophy behind simplified routines: gentle cleansing, proper exfoliation, appropriate lipid support, and sun protection. If you’ve been “attacking” your skin hoping for results, this episode will help you rethink your approach. ➡️ Connect with Heather Website Instagram LinkedIN

    34 min

  2. 17 FEB

    Eczema Isn’t a Skin Problem (Here’s What It Really Is)

    If you’ve been treating your eczema with creams, prescriptions, and elimination diets, but it keeps coming back, this episode will change how you see your skin.  Eczema isn’t just a surface issue. It’s a signal from your gut, nervous system, and immune system that something deeper needs attention. In this episode, I’m joined by functional nutritionist Krista Harcus to unpack the root causes of eczema and why true healing starts inside the body. We talk about the gut-skin connection, microbiome health, nervous system regulation, stress, hormones, and why steroid creams and restrictive diets often miss the bigger picture.  If you’ve tried every topical product and still feel frustrated, this episode will help you understand how to calm inflammation, heal leaky gut, and support your skin naturally, from the inside out. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: Why eczema is not just a skin condition but a systemic issueThe gut–skin connection and how leaky gut drives inflammationHow the microbiome impacts eczema and psoriasis flaresWhy restrictive diets can increase stress and worsen symptomsThe placebo vs. nocebo effect and how mindset influences healingThe Hierarchy of Healing: Nervous System → Gut → Hormones → SkinHow cortisol, stress, and trauma affect chronic skin conditionsSimple first steps: dairy, gluten, sugar, and processed food swapsWhy steroid creams may suppress symptoms but delay true healing➡️ Connect with Krysta Instagram  YouTube  5 Step Emergency Flareup Protocol

    27 min

  3. 10 FEB

    Breathwork: The Missing Link to Regulate Your Nervous System

    If your body feels stuck in stress mode, it could be a nervous system issue. In this episode, our special guest, Brenda Mundt, talks about how breathwork regulates the nervous system, influences cortisol, and helps bring the body back into balance. She explains why most people have shallow breathing, which keeps you in a state of stress, and how intentional breathing can signal calm and safety to the body. We also discuss how trauma, sometimes passed down through generations, can live in the nervous system and shape how the body responds today.  This conversation is about understanding stress at its root and learning how to support real regulation, not just temporary relief. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: How breathing directly impact nervous system regulationThe connection between breath, cortisol, and chronic stressHow breathwork helps restore balance and releaseHow trauma and generational stress are stored in the nervous systemWhy regulation starts with the body, not more effortConnect wtih Brenda: Website Instagram Facebook Podcast

    23 min

  4. 3 FEB

    Why Starting Feels So Hard (It’s Not a Motivation Problem)

    Starting a new diet, lifestyle, or skincare routine shouldn’t feel this hard, but for many women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, it does. If you feel stuck, overwhelmed before you begin, or disconnected from your body, this episode explains why starting feels so difficult, and why it’s not a motivation or discipline problem. In this episode, Samantha breaks down how nervous system overload, hormonal shifts, burnout, and loss of body trust make change feel exhausting.  Learn why self-sabotage is often self-protection, why forcing change backfires, and what the real starting point should be when you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work. This episode is for women who are tired of starting over and ready to begin again in a way that actually feels sustainable. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: Why starting feels hard when your nervous system is overwhelmed, not because you’re lazy or unmotivatedHow hormonal changes and chronic stress block motivation and consistencyWhy many women stop trusting their body, and how that affects changeThe difference between self-sabotage and self-protectionWhy discipline and restriction stop working in your 30s, 40s, and 50sWhat the real starting point is when nothing has worked beforeResources Mentioned in Episode 17  Visit our Website Instagram

    11 min

  5. 27 JAN

    You’re Not Hormone Resistant: You’re Insulin Resistant

    If your hormones feel out of control but your labs are “normal,” this episode is for you. Weight gain, fatigue, acne, gut issues, and skin changes during perimenopause and menopause are often blamed on hormones, but the real issue is insulin resistance. We talk about why so many women struggle to lose weight, feel worse when dieting or exercising, and develop skin and gut issues in their 30s and 40s, even when they’re “doing everything right.” This episode connects the dots between insulin resistance, perimenopause, menopause, gut health, metabolism, and aging skin, without blame or extreme restriction. This is to help you understand your body during this stage of life, and learn how to work with it instead of fight it. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: Why hormone tests can look normal while feeling terribleHow insulin resistance mimics hormone imbalance during perimenopauseWhy weight gain isn’t caused by the wrong exercise plan or lack of disciplineThe gut–skin–hormone feedback loop driving inflammationWhy acne, rosacea, melasma, and premature aging often appear togetherHow insulin resistance accelerates aging Why dieting, fasting, and intense exercise can make symptoms worseSmall, realistic lifestyle changes that support metabolic healing➡️ Resources Mentioned in Episode #16 Website to book a functional consultation Connect with me on Instagram

    19 min

  6. 20 JAN

    Why You Can’t Lose Weight in Perimenopause (Even With Diet + Exercise)

    If you’re in your 30s or 40s thinking, “I’m eating well, I’m working out, so why am I gaining weight and feeling puffy, tired, and off?” Samantha sits down with Kelsey Ale, functional nutritionist and women’s hormone health expert, to unpack what most women are not being told about perimenopause, insulin resistance, blood sugar, inflammation, and the skin changes that show up on your face first. You’ll learn why the “calories in / calories out” approach often fails in midlife, how fluctuating estrogen impacts insulin sensitivity, and what simple nutrition shifts can help you feel leaner, steadier, and more like yourself again, without extreme restriction. We also talk gut health, why blood sugar dysregulation can present as “hangry” crashes, and how small changes (including Kelsey’s not-so-glamorous but highly effective favorite) can create visible, whole-body results. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: Why perimenopause can feel like a “second puberty” and what’s actually changing in your physiologyHow fluctuating estrogen impacts insulin sensitivityWhy fat storage becomes easier (even with “good” habits)The difference between hypoglycemia vs. insulin resistanceWhich carbs tend to spike blood sugar most, and what to swap in without feeling deprivedHow to support hormone clearance and why it matters for “estrogen dominance” symptomsWhy inflammation can show up as dullness, dehydration lines, and accelerated aging in the skinThe simplest “keystone habit” that supports digestion, circulation, energy, and skin glow (and yes, it’s water)How to approach fasting strategically with your cycle (and when not to do it)➡️ Connect with Kelsey: Website: www.audre.co  IG: @thekelseyale Quiz: Blood Sugar Type Quiz

    32 min

  7. 13 JAN

    Clean Beauty Myths Exposed: Hidden Toxins, Hormones, and Fertility Risks You Need to Know

    Clean beauty isn’t always safe, and in some cases, it may be doing more harm than good. In this episode of The Functional Aesthetician Podcast, host Samantha Dench sits down with Afshan Hussein, environmental health educator, fertility coach, and founder of Pregnancy Safe Cosmetics, to expose the biggest clean beauty myths impacting skin, hormones, fertility, and metabolic health. Afshan breaks down why many “non-toxic” and “clean” beauty products are not pregnancy-, fertility-, or hormone-safe, how U.S. cosmetic regulations differ drastically from Europe, and why ingredient loopholes allow harmful chemicals to stay on the shelves.  The conversation also shares how beauty and lifestyle toxins contribute to insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, weight gain, and hormonal imbalance, during perimenopause and menopause. If you care about ingredient safety, hormone health, fertility, or truly clean skincare, this episode will change the way you read labels forever. In this episode, we cover: Clean beauty myths Hidden toxins in skincare and personal care productsU.S. vs. European cosmetic regulationsFertility, pregnancy, and lactation ingredient safetyInsulin resistance, obesogens, and mitochondrial healthA functional approach to toxin reduction for skin and whole-body health🎧 Learn how to make smarter, safer choices for your skin and health. ➡️ How to Connect with Afshan: Instagram  Website Shop for Skincare  CODE: NOSHIP Supplements  CODE: PREGNANCYSAFE10

    37 min

  8. 6 JAN

    2026 Skin & Wellness Trends: What’s In, What’s Out, and What to Avoid

    Not all wellness trends are created equal. In this episode, learn which 2026 skin and wellness trends are worth your time, and which ones to question before jumping on the bandwagon. In this first episode of 2026, Samantha Dench explores the top skin, beauty, and wellness trends shaping the year ahead, and the ones to approach with caution.  From the return to professional skincare and the rise of skinimalism, to functional medicine, customized supplementation, and social health, this episode focuses on what truly drives healthy skin from the inside out. You’ll learn why simplifying your skincare routine improves skin barrier health, how functional medicine and esthetics work together to address root causes, and why lifestyle, connection, and nervous system regulation are becoming essential to beauty and wellness. Samantha also shares expert insight on trending treatments such as GLP-1 medications, peptides, vitamin injections, and injectables, helping you make informed decisions before following viral trends. If you’re looking for a smarter approach to skin and wellness in 2026, this episode provides clarity, perspective, and actionable guidance. ➡️ In this Episode, You’ll Learn: Learn the top skincare and wellness trends for 2026Understand why skinimalism and barrier repair outperform complex routinesDiscover how functional medicine supports long-term skin healthGain clarity on customized supplements vs. multivitaminsLearn how lifestyle, stress, and nervous system health impact your skinGet a professional perspective on GLP-1 medications, peptides, vitamin injections, and injectablesAvoid common mistakes driven by social media and influencer trendsWalk away with practical steps to support skin and wellness in 2026➡️ Resources Mentioned in Episode 13  Skinimalism blog: https://www.skindeepil.com/blog/skinimalism-a-trend-or-a-skincare-revolution/ Connect with me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/skindeepil Visit our Website: http://www.skindeepil.com

    16 min
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About

Join licensed esthetician and student of functional medicine, Samantha Dench, to explore the deeper connection between your skin, gut, and hormones. The mission is to help you get to the root cause of your skin problems so you understand what your skin is trying to tell you.

Information

  • Creator
    Samantha Dench
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Functional Aesthetician
  • Show Website
    The Functional Aesthetician