We tend to think about aging in beauty as a biological process — wrinkles, collagen loss, hormonal change. But what if part of the issue isn’t just what’s happening to the skin but how women are being seen in the first place? In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with beauty industry veteran and founder of Skyn Iceland and All Golden, Sarah Kugelman, for a wide-ranging conversation about aging, identity, stress, menopause — and the evolving relationship between women and the beauty industry. Drawing from decades of experience in beauty — from her early years at L’Oréal to pioneering the concept of “stressed skin” with Skyn Iceland — Sarah reflects on how internal wellness has increasingly shaped the way we think about skin health. She also shares the personal health crisis that ultimately inspired Skyn Iceland and helped introduce the idea that psychological stress could manifest physiologically in the skin. The conversation then shifts to All Golden, Sarah’s newest venture focused on the needs of Gen X women navigating hormonal change, thinning skin, collagen loss, and shifting identity during perimenopause and beyond. But rather than centering menopause as a problem to “fix,” Sarah makes the case for a more expansive vision of “well-aging” — one rooted in vitality, relevance, authenticity, and self-perception. Along the way, Carmine and Sarah unpack the beauty industry’s longstanding blind spot around women over 40, the disconnect between marketing and lived experience, and why today’s consumers are demanding products — and narratives — that better reflect how they actually feel. Whether you’re interested in longevity, hormonal skin changes, or simply the future of beauty itself, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how the conversation around aging is finally beginning to evolve. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How Sarah Kugelman’s personal health crisis led to the creation of Skyn Iceland and the concept of “stressed skin”;• How perceptions of aging — especially for women over 40 — have shifted culturally over the last several decades;• Why many women feel unseen or misrepresented by the modern beauty industry;• How hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause impact skin thickness, barrier function, collagen, and hydration;• Why menopause skincare is about more than dryness — and why the conversation is still evolving;• How All Golden approaches well-aging through both product innovation and cultural positioning;• Why Gen X consumers represent one of the beauty industry’s greatest overlooked opportunities;• And, how the future of beauty may increasingly center on longevity, vitality, and authenticity rather than “anti-aging.” Key Takeaway Beauty doesn’t stop mattering as we age — but the way we want to be seen often changes. As Sarah Kugelman explains, today’s women over 40 aren’t looking to “turn back time” so much as they’re looking for alignment: between how they feel internally and how they’re reflected externally. That shift has implications not just for skincare products, but for the language, imagery, and assumptions that have historically defined beauty marketing. The result is a broader rethinking of what aging in beauty can look like — less about decline or invisibility, and more about vitality, relevance, and continuing evolution. Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn here and on Instagram at @sarahskyn. Explore All Golden on Instagram at @allgoldenbeauty and discover All Golden products and brand ethos at allgolden.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 Substack and LinkedIn – 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: STAMINA INTENTION MOISTURIZER STAMINA MIST STAMINA MASK 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
