The Functional Aesthetician

Samantha Dench
  • 5.0 (22)
  • 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

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. JAN 13

    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

  6. JAN 6

    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

  7. 12/23/2025

    How Sleep Affects Your Skin

    In this episode of The Functional Aesthetician, Samantha breaks down the role sleep plays in your skin, hormones, digestion, and overall health. From overnight cell repair to cortisol regulation and collagen production, this episode takes you inside the body's nighttime restoration process and explains why sleep quality impacts everything from breakouts to bloating to premature aging. Samantha talks about the real consequences of sleep deprivation, why your skin looks dull or inflamed when you’re tired, and how disrupted sleep accelerates aging. We also cover insomnia, especially for women in perimenopause and menopause. You’ll learn how shifting hormones, unstable blood sugar, increased cortisol, and digestive changes make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep, and what you can do to start improving your sleep quality tonight. If you’ve been struggling with fatigue, puffiness, breakouts, bloating, or restless nights, this episode will help you understand the “why” behind your symptoms and what steps you can take to support your body and skin. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: ➡️ How skin repairs itself overnight  ➡️ The connection between sleep quality, collagen, cell turnover, and the skin barrier ➡️ How sleep deprivation accelerates aging, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance ➡️ The role of cortisol, insulin resistance, and glycation in skin health ➡️ Why insomnia increases during perimenopause and menopause ➡️ How digestion, gut health, and blood sugar impact sleep cycles ➡️ Practical lifestyle strategies to improve sleep quality, hormone health, and digestion ➡️ Nighttime skincare routines to support cell repair and barrier function Follow us on Instagram: @ skindeepil Resources Vogue Arabia: What Happens to Your Face While You Sleep: https://www.voguearabia.com/article/what-happens-to-your-face-while-you-sleepPubMed The Impact of Sleep Quality on Skin Color: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12622943/Pub Med Acne Severity and Sleep Quality in Adults: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7445853/PubMed Circadian Rhythm and the Skin: A Review of the Literature: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6777699/#B24

    18 min

  8. 12/09/2025

    Hidden Hormone Imbalances

    In this episode, Samantha digs into the complexities of hormones, their metabolites, and how they affect women's health. She discusses the common frustrations women face regarding hormonal imbalances, the role of stress, and the impact of environmental factors like endocrine disruptors.  The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding hormone metabolism, particularly through the gut and liver, and introduces functional testing as a means to uncover underlying issues. Listeners are encouraged to pay attention to their bodies and track their symptoms for better health management. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: Hormones act as chemical messengers in the body.Many women experience symptoms of hormonal imbalance despite normal test results.Estrogen metabolism occurs in three phases, primarily in the liver and gut.Stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, affecting hormone balance.Estrogen dominance can cause various health issues, including weight gain and mood swings.Endocrine disruptors can mimic estrogen and disrupt hormonal balance.Gut health is crucial for proper hormone metabolism and detoxification.Functional testing can provide insights into hormone levels and imbalances.Tracking your cycle and symptoms can help identify hormonal issues.Making informed lifestyle choices can minimize exposure to harmful substances.Resources Mentioned in Episode #11 PubMed - The Intestinal Microbiome and Estrogen Receptor–Positive Female Breast Cancer: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5017946/ Website: http://www.skindeepil.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/skindeepil

    13 min
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5
out of 5
22 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
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Functional Aesthetician
  • Show Website
    The Functional Aesthetician