The Functional Aesthetician

Samantha Dench
  • 5.0 (24)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH

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. 3D AGO

    Chronic Inflammation, Leaky Gut, and Skin Symptoms

    What if your bloating, fatigue, headaches, brain fog, and skin flare-ups were actually early warning signs of chronic inflammation? In this episode of The Functional Aesthetician Podcast, Samantha Dench sits down with naturopathic doctor Elizabeth Yarnell to break down what inflammation really is, how it shows up in the body and skin, and why most people miss the signals until symptoms become impossible to ignore. Elizabeth shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 29, losing vision in one eye, and being told her condition would only worsen. That diagnosis pushed her to explore the powerful connection between food, inflammation, and autoimmune disease, ultimately transforming her health and her career. Together, Samantha and Elizabeth discuss the difference between acute vs. chronic inflammation, how inflammation shows up in the skin, gut, and brain, and the hidden triggers that may be keeping your body stuck in an inflammatory cycle. If you’ve ever wondered why symptoms like bloating, acne, fatigue, joint pain, or brain fog keep showing up, this episode will help you connect the dots. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: What chronic inflammation actually is (and why it's often misunderstood)The difference between acute inflammation vs chronic inflammationHow inflammation shows up in the skin, gut, brain, and jointsThe connection between leaky gut and chronic inflammationHidden inflammatory triggers in foods and everyday productsWhy symptoms like bloating, headaches, fatigue, and acne shouldn’t be ignoredSimple first steps to begin reducing inflammation naturally➡️ Connect with Elizabeth Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIN Listen to Elizabeth's Podcast Take her Inflammation Quiz

    42 min

  2. MAR 3

    Why Women Feel Off Even When Labs Are Normal: Hormone Imbalance, Inflammation & Nervous System Dysfunction

    Your labs are “normal.” Yet you’re exhausted, inflamed, bloated, and don’t feel like yourself. What if hormones aren’t the real problem… but a downstream symptom of something deeper? In this episode of The Functional Aesthetician Podcast, we sit down with functional medicine practitioner and aesthetician, Heidi Cooper, to unpack why so many women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s experience fatigue, weight gain, skin flare-ups, and hormone imbalance symptoms, even when bloodwork looks “normal.” We talk about the difference between conventional and functional medicine, and why standard lab ranges often miss early dysfunction.  You’ll learn how chronic stress, nervous system dysregulation, cellular inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and gut health imbalances can disrupt hormone signaling and leave you feeling off. If you’ve been told your thyroid is fine, your hormones are fine, and everything looks normal, but you know something isn’t right, this episode will help you understand the root cause healing approach and why symptom management isn’t the same as true restoration. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: Why “normal labs” don’t always mean optimal healthThe connection between stress, your nervous system and hormone imbalanceHow inflammation impacts skin health from the inside outWhy mitochondrial dysfunction may be driving your fatigueSimple foundational steps to begin regulating your nervous systemIf you’re looking for answers beyond medications, injections, or quick fixes, this conversation is for you. ➡️ Connect with Heidi Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Take Heidi's Cellular Damage Quiz

    36 min

  3. FEB 24

    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

  4. FEB 17

    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

  5. FEB 10

    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

  6. FEB 3

    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

  7. JAN 27

    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

  8. JAN 20

    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
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5
out of 5
24 Ratings

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
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Functional Aesthetician
  • Show Website
    The Functional Aesthetician