Explore every episode of the podcast The Functional Aesthetician
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Microbiome, Gut Health, Acne: The Hidden Root Cause No One's Treating | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:33:44 | |
Samantha sits down with microbiologist Kiran Krishnan to break down one of the most under-taught topics in skincare: the skin microbiome and its direct connection to gut health. Kiran spent over a decade pioneering gut microbiome research before turning his focus to the skin, and what he shares will change how you think about acne, skin sensitivity, and aging skin for good. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
This episode is essential listening for any esthetician or client who wants to understand why topical treatments alone fall short, and what's really going on beneath the surface. Connect with Kiran: | |||
| Perimenopause, Cortisol & Weight Gain: What to Do When Harder Workouts Stop Working | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:24:34 | |
If you've been pushing harder in your workouts but seeing fewer results, this episode is for you. This week I'm joined by Katie, a fitness professional and host of the Wellness After 40 podcast, to break down exactly why exercise needs to change in your 40s, and what to do instead. We're talking about the real reason HIIT workouts can backfire during perimenopause, why cortisol and insulin resistance make certain workouts work against your goals, and the specific fitness shifts that support your hormones instead of stressing them further. Katie also shares her simple framework for choosing workouts that fit your life, plus her full weekly movement recipe for women navigating midlife hormonal changes. Whether you're a devoted HIIT class-goer or just starting to wonder if your current routine is serving you, this conversation will completely shift how you think about movement after 40. ➡️ In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
➡️ Connect with Katie | |||
| PCOS & Chronic Fatigue: Nervous System Healing & Root Causes | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:27:07 | |
Are you struggling with chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalance, or PCOS and feel like nothing you try is actually working? In this episode of The Functional Aesthetician, I sit down with Dr. Jaday Garcia, board certified doctor of natural medicine, functional medicine practitioner, and founder of MindBodyRestored to talk about the root cause healing approach that conventional medicine keeps missing. Dr. Garcia shares her personal journey navigating PCOS, PMDD, chronic migraines, and chronic fatigue after years of being handed prescriptions with no real answers. Her story is one every woman dealing with hormonal imbalance will recognize. We dig into why nervous system healing is the missing piece for women with chronic fatigue, PCOS symptoms, and gut health issues, and why your body literally cannot heal when it's stuck in fight or flight mode. If you've been told it's just perimenopause, or that your labs are "normal," this episode is for you. Dr. Garcia also opens up about her daughter's PANS and PANDAS diagnosis, what finally worked after years of dismissal, and why functional medicine for women goes so much deeper than standard bloodwork. In this episode we cover nervous system regulation, gut health and hormone connection, insulin resistance in women, and why root cause healing requires treating the whole body, not just the symptoms. Whether you're dealing with PCOS, chronic fatigue, adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalance, or you just know something is off and can't get answers, this conversation will give you clarity on where to start. ➡️ In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
Connect with Dr. Jaday | |||
| Inside the Skin Games: Holistic Skin, Big Announcements & a New Direction | 24 Mar 2026 | 00:13:32 | |
This week, Samantha shares a full recap of her first-ever experience at the Skin Games in Dallas. From speaking on the holistic skin panel to connecting with some of the most inspiring aestheticians in the industry, this episode is equal parts behind-the-scenes and big-picture. Samantha shares what she witnessed, what she's building next, and why stepping outside your comfort zone is still the fastest path to growth, personally and professionally. Plus, she's announcing something brand new: the Inside Out Jumpstart, a 30-day functional medicine entry point built specifically for the woman who's not quite ready to commit to a full program but is absolutely ready for real answers. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
Ready to stop guessing and start getting answers? DM JUMPSTART on Instagram. ➡️ And if this episode resonated with you, subscribe and leave a review, it helps the right women find this podcast. | |||
| Eczema, Psoriasis & Chronic Inflammation: Why Healing Starts With the Nervous System | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:40:19 | |
What if your eczema, psoriasis, gut issues, fatigue, or chronic inflammation aren’t random at all, but signals from a nervous system that’s been stuck in survival mode? In this episode of The Functional Aesthetician Podcast, Samantha Dench sits down with holistic health coach and alternative health practitioner Sabrina Hall to unpack the deeper connection between nervous system dysregulation, systemic inflammation, and chronic skin and body symptoms. Sabrina shares her personal healing journey through eczema, IBS, celiac disease, lymphatic congestion, and autoimmune patterns, and how that experience led her to a whole-body approach that goes far beyond symptom management. You’ll understand why so many women ignore the early whispers from their bodies, how limiting beliefs and chronic stress keep the body inflamed, and why true healing has to start with creating safety in the system. This conversation is a powerful reminder that your skin is not betraying you, it’s communicating with you. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
If you’ve been trying to heal your skin from the outside in, this episode will help you start looking deeper. ➡️ Connect with Sabrina Join Sabrina’s Facebook community for women with eczema & psoriasis | |||
| Chronic Inflammation, Leaky Gut, and Skin Symptoms | 10 Mar 2026 | 00:41:40 | |
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:
➡️ Connect with Elizabeth | |||
| Why Women Feel Off Even When Labs Are Normal: Hormone Imbalance, Inflammation & Nervous System Dysfunction | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:36:25 | |
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:
If you’re looking for answers beyond medications, injections, or quick fixes, this conversation is for you. ➡️ Connect with Heidi | |||
| Skin Barrier Damage: The Truth about Barrier Disruption and Skincare Products | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:34:14 | |
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:
Heather 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 | |||
| Eczema Isn’t a Skin Problem (Here’s What It Really Is) | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:27:13 | |
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:
➡️ Connect with Krysta | |||
| Breathwork: The Missing Link to Regulate Your Nervous System | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:23:09 | |
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:
Connect wtih Brenda: | |||
| Why Starting Feels So Hard (It’s Not a Motivation Problem) | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:10:55 | |
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:
Resources Mentioned in Episode 17 | |||
| You’re Not Hormone Resistant: You’re Insulin Resistant | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:19:04 | |
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:
➡️ Resources Mentioned in Episode #16 Website to book a functional consultation | |||
| Cortisol, Perimenopause, Skin Microbiome: Why Women Are So Hard On Themselves | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:38:09 | |
Why do so many women in their 40s look in the mirror and feel like a stranger is looking back? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Natalya Borakowski, naturopathic physician, founder of Desert Bloom Skincare, and creator of the Unveil You platform, to talk about the science behind mirror anxiety. We also talk about how perimenopause rewires the brain's self-perception, and chronic stress is quietly destroying your collagen. If you've ever caught yourself picking apart your reflection, feeling like you've aged overnight, or wondering why your skin isn't responding the way it used to, this episode is for you. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
➡️ Connect with Dr. Natalya | |||
| Why You Can’t Lose Weight in Perimenopause (Even With Diet + Exercise) | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:31:40 | |
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:
➡️ Connect with Kelsey: Website: www.audre.co IG: @thekelseyale Quiz: Blood Sugar Type Quiz | |||
| Clean Beauty Myths Exposed: Hidden Toxins, Hormones, and Fertility Risks You Need to Know | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:37:09 | |
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:
🎧 Learn how to make smarter, safer choices for your skin and health. ➡️ How to Connect with Afshan: CODE: NOSHIP CODE: PREGNANCYSAFE10 | |||
| 2026 Skin & Wellness Trends: What’s In, What’s Out, and What to Avoid | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:16:19 | |
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:
➡️ 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 | |||
| How Sleep Affects Your Skin | 23 Dec 2025 | 00:18:09 | |
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
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| Hidden Hormone Imbalances | 09 Dec 2025 | 00:13:26 | |
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:
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 | |||
| Skin Barrier: Skincare Myths Debunked | 02 Dec 2025 | 00:25:49 | |
In this episode of the Functional Aesthetician Podcast, we delve into the topic of the skin barrier, discussing its importance, the factors that affect it, and the roles of dermatologists, estheticians, and influencers in skincare. Samantha emphasizes the need for proper skincare practices and the dangers of misinformation from social media. The episode also highlights common skincare mistakes and the significance of internal factors like stress and diet in maintaining skin health. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: The skin barrier is the most important part of your skin.
Resources Mentioned in Episode #10: Blog: https://www.skindeepil.com/resources/blog/ Website: http://www.skindeepil.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/skindeepil | |||
| How Does Stress Show Up on Your Skin? | 25 Nov 2025 | 00:25:15 | |
Stress doesn’t just affect your mood; it impacts your entire body, including your skin, gut, hormones, and nervous system. In today’s episode, we talk about how stress triggers breakouts, skin sensitivity, melasma, premature aging, gut issues, inflammation, and adrenal fatigue You’ll learn how the skin reacts to cortisol, how chronic stress disrupts digestion and hormones, and how the gut-brain-skin axis affects everything. Plus, small daily habits you can start today to calm your mind, support your adrenals, and strengthen your skin barrier. If your skin has been changing overnight or your stress feels unmanageable, this episode will give you clarity, direction, and steps to feel better from the inside out. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
Resources Mentioned:
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| Eat This, Not That: What Foods to Eat & Avoid For Healthy Skin | 18 Nov 2025 | 00:28:45 | |
If you’ve ever tried “clean eating” to help your skin but couldn’t stick with it, this episode is for you. We’re talking about the foods that quietly inflame your gut and your skin, the foods that help you heal from the inside out, and the mindset shifts you need to make those changes last. This helps you decide why your health actually matters to you. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
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| Why Your Skin Freaks Out Every Fall (And How to Fix It) | 11 Nov 2025 | 00:24:19 | |
When the seasons shift, your skin feels it first. From dry, tight, and flaky skin to unexpected breakouts and flare-ups, fall can be tough on your complexion. In this episode, we talk about why seasonal changes trigger skin problems, how to tell the difference between dry, dehydrated, and sensitive skin, and the simple changes that help your skin stay hydrated, balanced, and calm all season long. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
Whether you’re struggling with irritation, dryness, or those frustrating seasonal breakouts, this episode will help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface and how to restore your glow from the inside out. Resources Mentioned: ➡️ Visit our website for skincare recommendations: http://skindeepil.com 🎧 Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to stay updated on new episodes each week. 💬 Tag us on social media: @skindeepil Add a photo of your bathroom skincare products you pulled out of your cabinet | |||
| Hormones Explained: The Real Reason Behind Breakouts, Fatigue, and PMS | 04 Nov 2025 | 00:23:50 | |
In this episode, we dive deep into women’s hormones and talk about how hormonal changes influence your skin, mood, energy, and overall well-being. Whether you’re struggling with hormonal acne, irregular cycles, PMS, or burnout, this conversation will help you understand the root cause of what your body is trying to tell you. You’ll learn how hormonal shifts throughout your cycle affect oil production, inflammation, and breakouts, plus how estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol all play a role in your skin and stress response. As an esthetician and functional medicine practitioner, I’ll share how to recognize signs of imbalance, restore harmony naturally, and create a skincare and lifestyle routine that supports your hormones, not fights against them. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
If you’ve been searching for answers about your cycle, hormones, and skin health, this episode will help you connect the dots between your body, your hormones, and your complexion. Tune in now to understand your hormones, heal your skin, and restore balance from within. Resources Mentioned: Shop for skincare on our website: http://www.skindeepil.com 👉Coupon code: Hormones15 Connect with us on Instagram: @skindeepil | |||
| Acne and Gut Health: Clearing My Skin Naturally After Accutane, Client Testimonial | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:14:56 | |
What if the missing piece in your acne journey wasn't more skincare products, it was your gut? In this special episode, Samantha sits down with her client Teresa, who spent years battling acne. She tried Accutane and birth control before booking her first facial and discovering what was really driving her breakouts. Teresa shares her full journey, from her first facial to running a gut test, and her journey to clear skin through healthy eating and the positive impact her diet has not only on herself, but her family too. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
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| Skin Glycation: How Sugar Ages Your Skin | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:10:59 | |
This week, we’re talking about one of the most overlooked causes of premature skin aging, called glycation, and how your daily sugar habits might be speeding up wrinkles, dullness, and inflammation. As Halloween candy fills our homes, it’s the perfect time to uncover what sugar is really doing beneath the surface. Learn how to protect your skin from the inside out and how I personally reversed visible signs of glycation through nutrition and skincare. In this episode, you’ll learn:
Listen if you want to:
Tune in now to learn why cutting sugar might be your skin’s best anti-aging secret! 👉 Resources Mentioned in Episode #5: Glycation
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| Why Your Breakouts Start in your Belly | 21 Oct 2025 | 00:19:05 | |
Did you know your skin and gut are constantly communicating? From bloating to breakouts, your body is sending signals. Learn how the gut-skin axis connects digestion and skin health, and how to reduce inflammation for clear, healthier skin. In this episode, we dive deep into the gut-skin axis, the powerful connection between gut health, digestion, and skin inflammation. You’ll learn how an imbalanced gut microbiome can trigger acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions, and how addressing your gut health can transform your skin from the inside out. We’ll explore what happens when the gut barrier and skin barrier are compromised, the role of inflammatory foods, and why functional gut testing can uncover the root cause of chronic skin issues. Whether you struggle with bloating, breakouts, or gut discomfort, this episode will help you understand your body’s signals and take the first steps toward real healing. If you’ve ever wondered why topical treatments alone don’t solve your skin issues, this episode will change the way you look at your skin forever. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/skindeepil | |||
| Face Mapping & Inflammation: How to Decode What Your Skin Is Saying | 14 Oct 2025 | 00:10:58 | |
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and it communicates with you. In this episode of The Functional Aesthetician, we talk about how your skin is a detox pathway. We’ll talk about the connection between inflammation, hormones, and gut health, and how these internal imbalances show up as acne, rosacea, eczema, or sensitivity. You’ll also learn about the different types of acne and why treating all breakouts the same way might be keeping you stuck. We wrap up the episode with a deep dive into face mapping, which links skin zones to internal organs. This guide will help you start paying attention to your body’s signals so you can take a more holistic, proactive approach to your skin health. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
Tune in if you want to: Because when your skin speaks, it’s telling you something. And once you learn to listen, you’ll know exactly what it’s saying. Link to our Face Mapping Blog: https://www.skindeepil.com/blog/face-mapping-a-holistic-guide-to-heal-skin-naturally/ | |||
| Why Functional Medicine Is the Future of Skincare | 14 Oct 2025 | 00:14:00 | |
If you’ve ever felt like you’re treating symptoms but not getting answers, this episode is for you. We’ll talk about the key differences between functional and conventional medicine, why early testing can change the trajectory of your health, and how your skin can be your body’s first signal that something deeper is going on. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
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| My Story: This is where it all begins | 13 Oct 2025 | 00:29:52 | |
This is where it all begins. Join me as I share the unexpected path that led me from med spas to functional medicine. You’ll hear my real, unfiltered story, from acne breakouts, motherhood, business struggles, and the moment everything clicked. This isn’t just about skin; it’s about healing your body, finding balance, and learning to pay attention to your skin. In this episode, I open up about my personal health journey, how I discovered the gut-skin connection, and why I created The Functional Aesthetician podcast. You’ll walk away with a new understanding of how our health impacts our skin, and how to begin your own path to healing. | |||
| The Skincare Step Nobody Talks About | 26 May 2026 | 00:26:24 | |
In this episode, I'm joined by Jen Sugermeyer, founder of ATA Cosmetics, a tool that is completely rethinking how skincare and makeup are applied to the skin. Jen shares her powerful self-love journey, and how that transformation led her to build a brand rooted in the philosophy that attitude, thoughts, and actions shape everything. We're breaking down why application is the most overlooked step in skincare, your lymphatic system is your skin's cleanup crew, and what actually happens when you apply products with your fingers (spoiler: it's not great). If you've been spending money on good skincare and not seeing results, this episode is going to shift something for you. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
➡️ Connect with Jen Save 15% with code: ATA15 | |||
| Perimenopause, Thyroid, and Cortisol: The Real Reason Your Skin Is Changing in Your 40s | 12 May 2026 | 00:22:48 | |
Are you in your 30s, 40s, or 50s and your skin suddenly feels like a stranger's? You haven't changed your routine, but your skin is dry, breaking out, and aging faster than it ever has, and nobody seems to have answers. In this solo episode, Samantha breaks down exactly what is happening hormonally and why your skin is the first place it shows up. This is the conversation your doctor isn't having with you, and the one you've been searching for. You'll learn why perimenopause affects far more than your cycle, how your thyroid could be the missing piece nobody has checked, and why cortisol is quietly driving your skin changes, your weight gain, your exhaustion, and your mood, and what you can actually do about all of it. If you've been told your labs are normal but you still feel awful, if you've Googled your symptoms at midnight, or if you're doing everything right and still not seeing results, this episode was made for you. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
Connect with Samantha: | |||
| Holistic Skincare: How Gut Health Impacts Your Skin | 05 May 2026 | 00:26:21 | |
In this episode of The Functional Aesthetician, Samantha Dench sits down with Kisha Hamilton, award-winning licensed esthetician and founder of The Rebeauté, a corrective skincare sanctuary rooted in holistic healing. Together they talk about the gut-skin connection, what a compromised skin barrier actually looks like, and how a barrier-first approach can transform stubborn skin conditions like acne and hyperpigmentation. Kisha also shines a light on global skin and explains why corneotherapy and barrier repair are essential for achieving real, lasting results for these clients. She also shares what she’s working on for estheticians. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: • Why acne can signal vitamin and mineral deficiencies • The supplements Kisha recommends for clear skin • What is TEWL and why it’s disrupting your skin barrier • A barrier-first skincare protocol, and why actives shouldn’t come first • Understanding global skin and how its structure differs from mainstream skincare education • Kisha’s upcoming training for neurodivergent estheticians ➡️ Connect with Kisha | |||
| Perimenopause, Insulin Resistance & Your Thyroid: Why Your Body Isn't Broken | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:30:42 | |
If you're gaining weight, exhausted, and doing everything "right" eating less, exercising more, and nothing is working, this episode is for you. Holistic nutritionist and menopause health coach Lora Ulrich breaks down the hormonal cascade that happens during perimenopause and menopause, and why the old rules simply don't apply to your body anymore. Lora shares her story: from a childhood thyroid condition, to a surgical menopause, to becoming one of the leading voices in midlife metabolic health. She breaks down the connection between estrogen decline, insulin resistance, cortisol, and weight gain in ways that actually make sense, and more importantly, what to do about it. This episode covers the thyroid's role in hormone health, why your doctor may be missing key markers, how blood sugar instability masquerades as anxiety and brain fog, and the metabolic shifts that actually work for a menopausal body. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
➡️ Connect with Lora ✅ Download Lora's FREE Guides | |||
| Nervous System Safety: The Missing Piece in Chronic Stress, Skin & Weight Loss | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:23:38 | |
If you've been doing all the "right things" eating clean, exercising, taking your supplements, and you still can't lose the weight, clear your skin, or feel better, this episode is for you. Samantha sits down with Stephanie Lee Hayes, somatic educator and founder of Roots and Rituals, to unpack the nervous system piece that most practitioners (and even therapists) are missing. Stephanie explains how chronic stress and unprocessed trauma keep your body locked in survival mode and why that makes healing nearly impossible, no matter how hard you try. If you've ever felt like your body is working against you, this conversation will finally give you the language, and the tools, to understand why. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
➡️ Connect with Stephanie: Free Guide: Why You're Not Broken | |||
| Is Botox Causing Your Hair Loss, Anxiety & Insomnia? The Truth About Botulinum Toxin Adverse Effects | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:34:28 | |
In this episode, Samantha sits down with Megan McCue, a speech language pathologist and Botox injury advocate, who became seriously ill after a single cosmetic Botox session in 2024. What followed was months of neurological symptoms, swallowing difficulties, hair loss, extreme anxiety, insomnia, and cognitive impairment. Doctors dismissed her. The ER couldn't explain it. And no one connected it back to that one injection. Megan is now a leading voice in informed consent advocacy and has written multiple books, launched a podcast, and co-produced a documentary to get this information into the hands of women everywhere. In this Episode, You’ll Learn:
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