The Skincarma® Pod

CARMINE MONTALTO
  • 5.0 (4)
  • FASHION & BEAUTY
  • UPDATED DAILY

The Skincarma Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine Montalto—creator of the Skincarma Blog and unapologetic skincare truth-seeker—his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you're obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter. skincarma.substack.com

  1. The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 64: Rethinking Eczema Care for Kids with Jemila Alharazim — Mother & Founder of Ocean Olive

    1D AGO

    The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 64: Rethinking Eczema Care for Kids with Jemila Alharazim — Mother & Founder of Ocean Olive

    What if “that’s just how it is” wasn’t good enough when it comes to childhood eczema? In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Jemila Alharazim, a Physician’s Assistant in asthma and allergy care and the founder of Ocean Olive, to explore how personal experience and clinical insight led to the creation of a new kind of eczema treatment for kids. For years, Jemila prescribed topical steroids to eczema patients while hearing the same question from parents: Is there a gentler alternative? When her own son developed eczema, that question became personal. What followed was a three-year journey to develop Ocean Olive’s Whipped Gel Nourishing Eczema Spot Treatment — a microbiome-friendly, fragrance-free, OTC product designed for babies and children three months and up. In this conversation, Carmine and Jemila discuss: What topical steroids actually do — and why some families hesitate to use them long-term; Why eczema is far more than “just a rash,” impacting sleep, school, confidence, and family life; The science behind Ocean Olive’s pink-hued formula (yes, it’s vitamin B12 — and no, it doesn’t stain); The role of the skin microbiome and Staphylococcus aureus in eczema flare-ups; Why “less is best” when formulating for sensitive, eczema-prone skin; What it really takes to bring an OTC product to market — from FDA requirements to clinical safety testing. Beyond the science, Jemila opens up about how building a brand reshaped her identity — challenging her belief system, strengthening her persistence, and giving her what she describes as “another level of consciousness.” The episode closes with a lighthearted lightning round — from salsa dancing and Spanish fluency to the Real Housewives of Potomac — and a simple but powerful reflection: “Joy to me looks like being with my loved ones and having the freedom to be whoever and do whatever.” If you care about responsible skincare, children’s skin health, or the intersection of clinical practice and entrepreneurship, this episode is not to be missed. Connect with Jemila and Ocean Olive on Instagram at @ocean_olive_ and on LinkedIn here. Explore Ocean Olive and learn more about the products and brand ethos at ocean-olive.com. Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Product links: Ocean Olive Whipped Gel Nourishing Eczema Spot Treatment — Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here. The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter. The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com. With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

    33 min
  2. The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 63: The 25-Year Road to a New FDA-Approved Sunscreen Filter with Carl D’Ruiz

    FEB 8

    The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 63: The 25-Year Road to a New FDA-Approved Sunscreen Filter with Carl D’Ruiz

    For more than 25 years, the U.S. sunscreen market has been frozen in time – while the rest of the world moved on to newer, more advanced UV filters. In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Carl D’Ruiz, one of the key figures behind the FDA’s proposed order to add a new UV filter to the U.S. sunscreen monograph – the first in more than a generation. Carl is a regulatory and scientific affairs leader at dsm-firmenich, and has spent nearly two decades navigating shifting regulations, Congressional mandates, clinical trials, and evolving FDA requirements to bring bemotrizinol (PARSOL® Shield) to the brink of U.S. approval. When finalized, it would become only the third UV filter considered GRASE (Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective) under modern FDA standards. In this wide-ranging conversation, Carmine and Carl unpack: Why sunscreen is regulated as a drug in the U.S. – and how that stalled innovation; What Category III really means (and why it doesn’t equal “unsafe”); The impact of systemic absorption studies and the 2019 JAMA sunscreen headlines; Why Americans have access to far fewer UV filters than Europe, S. Korea, or Australia; How bemotrizinol could enable better broad-spectrum protection and more wearable formulas, especially for melanated skin; What it actually takes – in time, data, and money – to shepherd a new sunscreen active through the FDA; And why this milestone could open the door to a new era of sunscreen innovation in the U.S. The episode also explores Carl’s unconventional career path – from the EPA to tobacco harm reduction to sunscreen regulation – along with the signature lightning round that touches on cycling, risk-taking, mentorship, and what it really means to play the long game in public health. This is a must-listen for anyone curious about sunscreen safety, FDA regulation, ingredient innovation, or why the products Americans use every day have lagged so far behind the rest of the world – and what finally might change. — Follow Carl D’Ruiz on Instagram here and on LinkedIn here. And, you can learn more about Carl’s decades-long work to get PARSOL® Shield over the finish line in the BeautyMatter article, The Great Sunscreen Odyssey: The 25-Year Road to a “New” UV Filter. Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here. The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter. The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com. With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

    56 min
  3. The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 62: The Biology of Better Skin: Inside Mother Science with Its Dynamic “Citizen Scientist” Founders

    FEB 1

    The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 62: The Biology of Better Skin: Inside Mother Science with Its Dynamic “Citizen Scientist” Founders

    What if one of the most beneficial skincare molecules was already living on your skin? In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Ann Marie Simpson-Einziger and Mike Einziger, the husband-and-wife founders of Mother Science – and self-described citizen scientists whose curiosity-led research reshaped how we think about skin biology, antioxidants, and aging. Their journey began not in a traditional lab, but on tour, when Ann Marie noticed a strange, brightened pattern on her skin. That question sparked six years of rigorous scientific investigation into the skin microbiome, oxidative stress, and a naturally occurring, microbiome-derived molecule called Malassezin. In this conversation, Ann Marie and Mike explain: what it means to be citizen scientists – scientifically literate, deeply curious, and guided by data rather than dogma; how Malassezin functions as a next-generation antioxidant and interacts with the skin’s own defense systems; why oxidative stress is a major driver of visible skin aging, and how they use the term “oxidaging” to reframe the conversation; what it means to be “a science company that expresses itself through skincare”; and, how regulatory boundaries shape the way skincare science is communicated responsibly. They also break down Mother Science’s three core products – the Molecular Hero Serum, Retinol Synergist, and Molecular Genesis Moisturizer – and discuss how backgrounds in music, pattern recognition, and systems thinking influence their scientific approach. This is a thoughtful, science-forward conversation about skin biology, antioxidants, education-first brand building, and the power of approaching beauty through curiosity, rigor, and respect for the scientific process. Connect with Ann Marie on Instagram at @annmariesimpsoneinziger and on LinkedIn here; and connect with Michael on Instagram at @michaeleinziger and his LinkedIn page here. Explore Mother Science on Instagram at @motherscience and learn more about the products and brand ethos at motherscience.com. Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Product links: Mother Science has graciously extended an offer of 20% off their products for the Skincarma community. Simply enter code SKINCARMA at motherscience.com. N.B. Excludes sets and subscriptions. Mother Science Molecular Hero Serum Mother Science Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer Mother Science Retinol Synergist — Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here. The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter. The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com. With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 4m
  4. The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 61: Men’s Skincare with Beauty Bob: Why Men Care About Skin But Hate Talking About It

    JAN 25

    The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 61: Men’s Skincare with Beauty Bob: Why Men Care About Skin But Hate Talking About It

    Men track their workouts, optimize their supplements, and obsess over performance — yet mention moisturizer (especially one with SPF!) and the conversation suddenly gets weird. Why? In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Bob “Beauty Bob” Gearing, a men’s health and lifestyle writer and contributor to Men’s Health magazine, to unpack the quiet contradiction at the heart of men’s skincare — and why language, simplicity, and habit matter more than products. Bob shares his personal skincare journey — from severe teenage acne to building a routine in adulthood that actually sticks. He’s become an influential voice and advocate in the men’s grooming space. Together, Carmine and Bob explore how men discover skincare through their partners, why “grooming” can feel more accessible than “skincare,” and how most men are overwhelmed not by a lack of interest, but by an overwhelming flood of choices. The conversation digs into Bob’s popular “two-minute drill”: a no-nonsense daily routine built around three non-negotiables — cleansing, lightweight hydration, and daily SPF. They discuss why sunscreen remains the hardest sell for men (despite being the most effective anti-aging step), why texture and feel matter more than ingredient lists for most guys, and how consistency beats complexity every time. Carmine brings his de-influencer lens to the discussion, calling out ingredient overload, questionable devices, and marketing that talks at men instead of meeting them where they are. They also touch on Bob’s writing for Men’s Health, including topics like SPF, sweat-friendly routines, golf and sun exposure, and the cultural silence that keeps men secretly asking skincare questions in DMs instead of out in the open. This is an honest, practical conversation about men’s skincare habits — without the noise, the stigma, or the outrageous 12-step routines. — Follow Bob on Instagram at @beautybob and on LinkedIn here. And, catch his articles in Men’s Health magazine, including “Fellas, It’s Time to Take Care of Your Skin” and “How I Get Rid of My Back Hair Without Asking My Wife or Buddies for Help”. Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Men’s Health articles by Bob Gearing: How I Get Rid of My Back Hair Without Asking My Wife or Buddies for Help Yeah, I Still Get Pimples at 43 Years Old. Here’s How I Clear ‘Em Up. Fellas, It’s Time to Take Care of Your Skin The Post-Sweat Grooming Routine for Dudes on the Go — Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here. The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter. The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com. With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

    43 min
  5. The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 60: “Leap Even Though You’re Fearful” — Confidence, Connection & Finding Your Passion with Shelley Hancock, the Esthetician’s Esthetician

    JAN 18

    The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 60: “Leap Even Though You’re Fearful” — Confidence, Connection & Finding Your Passion with Shelley Hancock, the Esthetician’s Esthetician

    On today’s episode of The Skincarma Pod, host Carmine Montalto is joined by Shelley Hancock – a licensed esthetician, educator of educators, mentor, and author of Esthetic Success: A Seasoned Esthetician’s Journey Shelley’s career didn’t follow a straight line – and it wasn’t polished in hindsight. Before finding her calling in esthetics, she moved through multiple jobs, industries, and identities, searching for work that truly fit. Along the way, she faced doubt, generational expectations, and a defining moment when her father expressed a fear that she might never find her passion. That moment – and the many “leaps” that followed – shaped Shelley’s confidence-first philosophy. As she puts it in their conversation, “Leap even though you’re fearful.” In this deeply human conversation, Carmine and Shelley explore: Why confidence often comes before competence The career detours that quietly prepare us for success How connection, not credentials, builds lasting client relationships The difference between knowing everything and trusting yourself What today’s estheticians need to both learn and unlearn to build long, fulfilling careers Shelley shares stories from her early days as a cosmetic counter associate, medical-office assistant, spa owner, and eventually an “esthetician’s esthetician,” revealing how curiosity, courage, and self-confidence shaped a decades-long career in skin health and education. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating a nonlinear career path, questioning their next step, or learning how to move forward even when fear is present. 🎧 Listen now – and discover why leaping before you feel ready might be the most powerful career move of all. — Follow Shelley on Instagram here and on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Shelley and her work in aesthetics, and even schedule a consultation with her, at shelleyhancock.com. Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Product links: Esthetic Success: A Seasoned Esthetician’s Journey Can You Relate?: Personal Stories with Universal Messages How to Become a Skincare Expert — Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here. The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter. The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com. With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

    40 min
  6. The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 59: Skin, Science & Storytelling: Dahlia Devkota Flips the Mic and Interviews Carmine

    JAN 11

    The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 59: Skin, Science & Storytelling: Dahlia Devkota Flips the Mic and Interviews Carmine

    In this special mic-flip episode of The Skincarma Pod, roles are reversed. After a standout conversation on skin microbiome health, Dahlia Devkota – former Allure beauty editor and founder of Editrix – returns to the podcast to interview Carmine, the creator of The Skincarma Pod and Skincarma Blog. What follows is a free-flowing, unfiltered conversation that traces Carmine’s more than 25-year career in beauty – from department store counters and legacy brands to his time as the first-ever in-house copywriter at Kiehl’s, and ultimately to creating Skincarma. With no script and no guardrails, Dahlia asks the questions editors always want to ask – and Carmine answers them with honesty and his trademark wry wit. Together, they dig into how the beauty industry has changed (and where it hasn’t), why marketing often outruns science, and what actually matters when it comes to skin health today. From niacinamide, ectoin, growth factors, and the exosome hype cycle to sunscreen skepticism, personalization myths, and the difference between beauty culture in New York and Los Angeles, this episode is equal parts industry history, cultural commentary, and skincare truth-telling. Catch Carmine and Dahlia in their first episode together: Ep. 54: “Healthy Skin Is Left Alone” – Editing the Microbiome with Dahlia Devkota, Founder of Editrix — Connect with Dahlia on Instagram at @dahlia.devkota and on LinkedIn here. Discover Editrix on Instagram here and learn more about the products and brand ethos at editrixwellness.com. Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Product links: Editrix I. Demigod Ayurvedic Cleansing Oil Editrix II. Deuxième Postbiotic Fermented Cleanser Editrix III. Superare Microflora Barrier Film Editrix IV. Bakterium Delirium Skin Education Serum Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster — Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here. The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter. The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com. With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 3m
  7. The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 58: Not All Exosomes Are Created Equal – Plated CEO Alisa Lask on Platelet-Derived vs. Plant-Derived Exosomes

    JAN 4

    The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 58: Not All Exosomes Are Created Equal – Plated CEO Alisa Lask on Platelet-Derived vs. Plant-Derived Exosomes

    In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Alisa Lask, CEO of Rion Aesthetics and the medical-grade skincare line Plated Skin Science. Together, they unpack what’s real – and what’s hype – in the fast-emerging world of exosomes in skincare. Alisa shares her path from Midwest beginnings and a career across Eli Lilly, Allergan, and Galderma, to leading a regenerative aesthetics company built on platelet-derived exosome technology – a category Plated helped bring into the skincare conversation. Carmine and Alisa dive into: What exosomes are (Alisa’s simple “text messaging system” explanation); Why platelet-derived exosomes are fundamentally different from plant-based “exosome” claims; Plated’s origin story rooted in the Mayo Clinic’s Van Cleve Cardiac Regenerative Medicine Program; How Plated sources material from FDA-compliant platelet banks (and why transparency matters); Why Plated is provider-dispensed, not built for big-box beauty retail; Plus: murder-mystery comfort TV, safari travel, dog rescue, and the lightning-round line you won’t forget: “I feel most like myself when…I’m in the barn.” Curious about exosomes? Explore Carmine’s article 2025 Ingredient Trends: Exosomes Are One Part Science, One Part Story on Substack here. Connect with Alisa on Instagram at @alisa.lask_rion and on LinkedIn here. Explore Plated Skin Science on Instagram at @platedskinscience and learn more about the products, exosome science and brand ethos at platedskinscience.com. Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Product links: Plated Intense Serum Plated Daily Serum Plated Hair Serum — Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here. The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter. The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com. With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

    33 min
  8. The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 57: Stem-Cell Skincare Explained: Angela Caglia and the Regenerative Beauty Revolution

    12/28/2025

    The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 57: Stem-Cell Skincare Explained: Angela Caglia and the Regenerative Beauty Revolution

    In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, celebrity facialist and master aesthetician Angela Caglia joins Carmine to break down the truth behind stem cell skincare, growth factors, and what “regenerative skincare” really means. Angela begins by sharing her origin story – from Visalia, California to Paris and New York, and a pivotal moment with Barbra Streisand that sparked the launch of her namesake brand. She goes on to share how her cult-favorite Cell Forté Serum helped propel Angela Caglia Skincare into the luxury biotech spotlight. Together, they demystify human-derived stem cell conditioned media, explain how it differs from plant extracts and synthetic exosomes, and why biocompatible, barrier-first formulas matter for real anti-aging results. They also discuss common skincare myths, the problem with overusing exfoliating acids, why many “toners” are actually at-home peels, and Angela’s approach to product integrity as a founder who still works hands-on with clients. Plus: a lightning round on overhyped trends (OTC retinol), skincare rules Angela breaks, and her definition of healthy skin. (Psst…it’s rooted in consistency and self-care!) Connect with Angela Caglia on Instagram at @angelacagliaskincare and on LinkedIn here. Explore Angela Caglia Skincare products and brand ethos at angelacaglia.com. Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Product links: Angela Caglia Cell Forté Serum Angela Caglia Soufflé Moisturizer Angela Caglia Cell Forté Eye Crème — Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here. The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter. The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com. With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

    41 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Skincarma Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine Montalto—creator of the Skincarma Blog and unapologetic skincare truth-seeker—his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you're obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter. skincarma.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    CARMINE MONTALTO
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © CARMINE MONTALTO
  • Show Website
    The Skincarma® Pod

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