Can you actually buy great skincare at Target, Sephora, and CVS? I think so. But you have to be picky! But I’m picky when it comes to luxury skincare too. So, we get into it.

We talk about surviving a Sephora haul with a tween, the simple-actives brands I love (that aren’t going to give you more problems than you’re trying to solve), the $9 oil I’d take over a $100 serum, and the places it’s worth splurging.

Enjoy!

If you want to skip to the good bits, click the links!

Catching up

00:45 — My tried-and-true SPF got reformulated and now leaves a bright orange cast. We commiserate, then get into the good stuff.

Good skincare done cheap?

03:45 — The mission: navigate Target, Sephora, CVS, and the health food store for quality skincare that won’t cost a fortune.

Surviving Sephora

04:30 — Sephora is a rite of passage (and a Drunk Elephant zoo), but we get into how to send your kid in for something that won’t wreck their skin barrier.

Simple actives. Tiny prices.

06:13 — I’m not big on active ingredients. They can wreak havoc on your skin. Especially when they are strong and combined. We talk single actives at a super affordable price, and my favorite place to redirect a TikTok-fueled teen.

Inkey List

08:56 — The PHA body cream, the fulvic acid cleanser, the tranexamic acid serum for brown spots, and the ectoin barrier serum. Most under $20.

Tower 28

14:27 — The SOS barrier redness-recovery moisturizer and the Sunny Days tinted SPF. Gentle, ceramide-rich, teen-approved.

Byoma

15:31 — The melting balm cleanser, the creamy jelly cleanser, and a plant-based phyto mucin serum if your kid wants the snail-mucin trend without the snail.

Bubble

19:03 — Adorable packaging, mineral Solar Mate sunscreens, the Soft Launch cleanser, and the Slam Dunk hydrating moisturizer.

Cocokind

20:38 — Certified-organic rose water for under $10 (my morning hydrosol) and a clean little ceramide barrier serum.

Versed

21:41 — An AHA body scrub, the instant resurfacing mask, the red algae Skin Soak moisturizer, and my favorite Purist gel cleanser.

The Ordinary

23:54 — A retinol my sensitive skin can tolerate, $9 organic rosehip oil, the azelaic acid for redness, a squalane lip balm, and a copper peptide serum.

TruSkin & Vanicream

27:01 — A stable, well-tolerated vitamin C from TruSkin, and Vanicream’s no-fragrance basics plus a ceramide vitamin C serum. Plus, how to read a vitamin C label (look for THD or MAP).

Where to actually splurge

31:00 — When you do spend, spend here: Plated exosomes, Signal Plus, AQ Active, PDRN like Rejuran, and my everyday go-to, BeautyGrass Lit From Within.

Rapid fire

34:15 — Date night at Nick’s, a beach ceremony on Monday, and the tip of the week: great skincare does not have to cost a fortune.

Good to know

Products mentioned

* The Inkey List Fulvic Acid Cleanser

* The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Serum

* The Inkey List Ectoin Hydro Barrier Serum

* The Inkey List PHA Exfoliating & Hydrating Body Water Cream

* Tower 28

* Tower 28 Sunny Days Tinted SPF 30

* Byoma Melting Balm Cleanser

* Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser

* Byoma Milky Oil Cleanser (ok, not great)

* Byoma Phyto Mucin Glow Serum

* Bubble Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturizer

* Bubble Solar Mate Sunscreen (tinted & untinted)

* Bubble Soft Launch Cleanser

* Cocokind Organic Rose Water

* Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Serum

* Versed Instant Resurfacing Mask

* Versed The Purist Daily Gel Cleanser

* Versed AHA Exfoliating Body Scrub

* Versed Skin Soak Red Algae Moisturizer

* The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion (use SPF)

* The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil

* The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension

* The Ordinary Squalane Lip Balm

* TruSkin Vitamin C Serum

* Vanicream Moisturizing Cream

* Vanicream Vitamin C Serum with ceramides (THD)

Where to splurge:

* Plated (exosomes)

* Signal Plus

* AQ Active Serum

* Rejuran (PDRN)

* Medicube PDRN

* BeautyGrass Lit From Within Face Oil

Related Articles:

* A $500 K-Beauty haul breakdown

* I put salmon sperm on my face. Here’s what happened

* Injectable aka Sub-Q Peptides: Yay? Nay?

About:

Our music is by the artist Fabian Küpper.  Learn more about his work and enjoy his soul-soothing handpan music on his website 

Connect with Kirsten’s company IN GOOD CO | Website I Substack I Insta I LinkedIn

Explore Jenny & Kirsten’s award-winning skincare brand, BeautyGrass I Website I Substack I Insta | TikTok 

Visiting LA? Treat yourself to a facial with Jenny at Saving Faces: Website | Insta 

The LitWithin podcast team is: Jenny Evans, Kirsten Ludwig, Chris Danton, and Christina Hempstead

If you're listening to this on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, head to our Substack for tons of detailed notes and links from the episode.

Kirsten came back from a trip with a suitcase full of French-pharmacy-finds, and I put every single one through my ingredient test and did a yay or nay on the spot.

We get into what the French actually figured out (hint: thermal water and serious healing), the staples worth traveling for, the cult $12 retinol I love, and the one I’d leave on the shelf. Plus a little peptide tangent, because of course.

Grab your magnifying glass. Half this packaging is in microscopic French.

Enjoy!

If you want to skip to the good bits, click the links!

Catching up (and a peptide tangent)

01:10 — Kirsten’s trip, the designer boots that were NOT $575, fresh chops, and why I’m convinced the fountain of youth is peptides.

So what IS a French pharmacy?

03:42 — The London French pharmacy is a whole thing: little white coats and shelves of healing skincare.

Biafine: the French first-aid hero

05:05 — A French chemist’s burns-and-cuts cream from the ‘70s. Basically, the French version of Neosporin-meets-Vaseline. Great for scratches, post-procedure, scars, and a too-much-sun day.

French wisdom

05:49 — Thermal water, calcium, magnesium, real minerals. French formulas lean healing, soothing, and hydrating. The one catch? They do love a ‘parfum’. Fragrance is something I feel strongly about, so we discuss.

Embryolisse: the makeup artist’s secret

08:41 — The line makeup artists have used forever. This cooling stick hydrates, refreshes, and de-puffs. Gorgeous as a pre-makeup prep. There’s an unscented cream version too if fragrance isn’t your thing.

La Rosée: the mask stick + eye gel

10:38 — A 3-in-1 kaolin clay mask stick (non-drying, creamy but better for combo/oily than dry skin) and an aloe anti-fatigue eye gel. Fun, soothing, easy. Great for a teen, too.

The SVR ampoules

12:38 — The pharmacist’s pick. Ampoules are basically waterless serums you layer UNDER your serum (very K-beauty). We go through the Anti-Ox radiance, the B3 Hydra repair, and discuss the three weights of hyaluronic.

SVR Clairial: the brown-spot brightener

16:03 — A 10% vitamin C serum aimed at sun damage, blue light, pollution, and pigmentation. Not cheap, but a strong pick if hyperpigmentation’s your thing.

Skin Diligent: the exosome night cream

17:16 — Plant exosomes (not the human-derived kind I love), so temper expectations. I explain what exosomes actually do (collagen, elastin, ATP, stronger skin) and why this formula’s fine but won’t knock your socks off.

Less is best

18:51 — Why I gravitate to single-active formulas (The Inkey List, The Ordinary) over the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink bottle. And why Cottan Bonne Mine is a hard nay from me (soybean and rapeseed oils, no thanks).

Gallinée: microbiome magic

21:36 — Microbiome skincare built on ferments with alpha-glucan, oligosaccharides, ceramides, and panthenol. Hydrating, nourishing, protective. A winner.

A313: the cult $12 retinol

22:49 — The one I always grab at the French pharmacy. A potent-but-gentle vitamin A palmitate (retinol that converts in a few steps, so it’s kinder). Start with a pinhead, build slowly and give your skin ~4 weeks to adjust.

Uriage: the affordable staple

25:30 — Another French-pharmacy mainstay using thermal water from the Alps. It’s the body wash I use at home. Not greasy, never stripping, leaves skin soft, and so inexpensive.

Rapid fire

27:29 — Slow-cooked chicken tacos and Spencer’s A-game sourdough, speaking my truth with a room full of moms, and the tip of the week: put Biafine in your first-aid kit (and check your Tylenol isn’t from 2020).

Good to know

Places to know:

* The French Pharmacy (London)

Products Mentioned:

* Gallinée Youthful Serum

* Biafine Emulsion

* SVR Clairial Serum

* SVR Ampoule Hydra

* SVR Ampoule Anti-Ox

* La Rosée Contour Eye Gel

* La Rosée Stick Mask

* Skin Diligent Exosome Advance

* Cottan Bonne Mine (Jenny’s nay, do not recc)

* Embryolisse (makeup artist’s stick / unscented cream)

* A313 Vitamin A Pommade (the $12 retinol)

* Uriage thermal-water body wash

* La Petite Marseille neroli body line

Related Articles:

* A $500 K-Beauty haul breakdown

* Injectable aka Sub-Q Peptides: Yay? Nay?

* I put salmon sperm on my face. Here’s what happened

ABOUT

Our music is by the artist Fabian Küpper.  Learn more about his work and enjoy his soul-soothing handpan music on his website 

Connect with Kirsten’s company IN GOOD CO | Website I Substack I Insta I LinkedIn

Explore Jenny & Kirsten’s award-winning skincare brand, BeautyGrass I Website I Substack I Insta | TikTok 

Visiting LA? Treat yourself to a facial with Jenny at Saving Faces: Website | Insta 

The LitWithin podcast team is: Jenny Evans, Kirsten Ludwig, Chris Danton, and Christina Hempstead

If you're listening to this on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, head to our Substack for tons of detailed notes and links from the episode. 

We finally caved and did the salmon sperm episode.

PDRN is everywhere right now. TikTok is obsessed. K-beauty is flooding the shelves. But is it magic, marketing, or just a very well-branded why not?

I break down what it actually is, what it might do, and which products are worth your face.

If you want to skip to the good bits, click the links!

What PDRN actually is

02:58 — Salmon DNA extracted from sperm, purified, powdered, and turned into skincare. Yes, really. We unpack the science and the 95% DNA similarity claim.

The real medical use

05:04 — Before it hit TikTok, PDRN was used for diabetic ulcers and wound healing. Tissue regeneration is where the data actually shines.

Injectables vs topical

06:05 —Skin boosters, blebs, short-lived results, and why injectable PDRN is the “golden ticket” if you’re going all in.

The serum dilemma

08:29 — Why every formula is a cocktail of actives, and why it’s almost impossible to know if it’s the PDRN doing the work.

MediCube pink peptide serum

09:06 — Dewy, plump, glass skin vibes. Is it the salmon DNA or the peptides? Honestly… who knows. But it’s glowier.

Rejuran and hydration

09:58 — The only brand making the injectable version. More hydration, better moisture retention, and a little hyaluronic acid skepticism.

Anua 100+ PDRN + Hyaluron

12:05 — Runnier, layerable, super glowy without looking greasy. Think bounce, not wet.

VT PDRN essence 100

13:30 — Serum-meets-lotion texture that makes you wake up looking like you just had a facial. Luxurious and dewy.

Is PDRN actually the star?

14:58 — Big claims: fibroblast stimulation, collagen, DNA repair. We call it what it is. A why not ingredient, not a life-changer.

“Microneedling in a bottle”

16:36 — VT Reedle Shot and spicules, aka microscopic glass-like shards from sea sponges. It stings. It works. But is it smart?

The foreign-body concern

20:20 — No long-term FDA data. Theoretical keloid risks. We get honest about ambivalence and why real microneedling might be safer.

Eye masks, gel masks, and glow pads

22:32 — Jenna Bell, MediCube pink collagen sleeping masks, and the marketing genius of slapping PDRN into everything.

What to actually look for

24:00 — Stick to trusted sourcing and purification. Watch for vegan versions. And layer thinnest to thickest.

Time-release retinol + PDRN

25:15 — Innis 0.5% retinol with PDRN. Affordable, effective, and a better long-term bet than novelty trends.

Rapid fire

25:52 — White owls as spiritual messengers, and whether spicules are life-changing—completely normal conversations to be having.

Products mentioned

* Rejuran Turnover Ampoule — Jenny’s TOP TOP PICK

* Rejuran injectable PDRN skin booster

* MediCube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum

* MediCube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask

* Anua 100+ PDRN + Hyaluron

* ANOA Glow Pads

* VT PDRN Essence 100

* VT Reedle Shot 100 / 300 — Very popular. Though Jenny prefers micro needling by a practitioner

* Genabelle PDRN eye masks

* Genabelle spicules

* Innis 0.5% retinol with PDRN

* VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence 100

* Panex vegan PDRN

* Websites for K-BEAUTY:

* Stylevana

* Soko Glam

* Yes Style

Related Episodes and Articles

Important Notes

* Injectable PDRN results are short-lived and require multiple sessions.

* Topical PDRN mostly works at the surface level of the skin.

* Spicule “microneedling in a bottle” products are not FDA-approved.

* Sourcing and purification matter, especially with salmon-derived DNA.

* PDRN is a why-not ingredient, not a miracle cure.

It goes without saying, none of this is medical advice. Make your own choices, talk to medical professionals, and find what works for you.

GOOD TO KNOW

Our music is by the artist Fabian Küpper.  Learn more about his work and enjoy his soul-soothing handpan music on his website 

Connect with Kirsten’s company IN GOOD CO | Website I Substack I Insta I LinkedIn

Explore Jenny & Kirsten’s award-winning skincare brand, BeautyGrass I Website I Substack I Insta | TikTok 

Visiting LA? Treat yourself to a facial with Jenny at Saving Faces: Website | Insta 

The LitWithin podcast team is: Jenny Evans, Kirsten Ludwig, Chris Danton, and Christina Hempstead

If you're listening to this on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, head to our Substack for tons of detailed notes and links from the episode. 

This is a super fun one. We’ve all seen facial massage all over Insta and TikTok, but most of us have no clue how to actually do it.

I walk through the real technique. We talk tension, fascia, sculpting, posture, and why your jawline probably isn’t jawlining for reasons no cream can fix.

You’ll want to pair this one with video if you’re used to listening, because we show you all the tricks.

If you want to skip to the good bits, click the links!

Not new knowledge

00:00 — We kick off with why massage isn’t a trend at all, but a 500-year-old technique resurfacing for a reason—structure, tension, and fascia tell the whole story.

Hidato, Kobido, Buccal

02:55 — I explain my new certification, how ancient Japanese techniques evolved, and why combining modalities changes everything.

Your face is a map

04:50 — Tension, trauma, sadness, joy—it’s all in the tissue. We talk how emotions carve patterns into the face and why inner work shows up physically.

Posture is skin care

06:57 — Forward shoulders, tech neck, tight pecs… your posture shapes your jawline more than any serum. I break down what’s actually happening.

The chest & neck reset

09:40 — The sequence to open the chest, release the platysma, and prep the “gates” for proper lymph flow. It’s instant relief.

Pinch & Lift

12:50 — We get into the pinch, roll, and knuckle work that frees stuck tissue and wakes up the jaw, chin, and sides of the face. Yes, it’s intense. Yes, it works.

The elbow lift

17:19 — This weird-looking stretch fixes rounded shoulders and gives your neck mobility back.

Platysma stretching

18:50 — How to manually stretch and lengthen the muscles that drag your jawline down—and why this move is magic for a “snatched” profile.

Salmon sperm + sculpting

20:50 — The slow sculpting glide that wakes up the jawline and boosts product penetration.

Depressors, marionettes, and the chin

22:55 — If you have chin texture, “orange peel,” or downward pull, this sequence is your new religion.

Lip-plumping massage

25:00 — The upper and lower lip techniques that naturally plump, smooth smokers’ lines, and reshape volume. It works shockingly fast.

Masseter release

27:55 — Jenny shows how to find the masseter, break up adhesions, and why clenchers (hi, me) need this daily.

Facial cupping

28:58 — We learn how to safely use suction cups on the jaw and cheeks for lift, space, and sculpt. It’s wild to see the difference instantly.

Nasal folds

30:34 — The trademarked move that pulls apart and softens deep smile lines—simple, fast, and incredibly effective.

Bunny lines + brow tension

34:08 — We work the eyes, upper cheeks, and brow muscles to relieve squinting patterns and open up the whole mid-face.

Sculpting the upper cheek

36:15 — The knuckle move that defines your cheekbone and gives the lifted, contoured look without injectables.

Corrugator + forehead lines

38:15 — The real technique to soften 11s, smooth forehead lines, and lift heavy lids by separating the muscle fibers themselves.

Lymph clearing and drainage

41:20 — How to clear buildup around the ears, temples, and neck so your work actually lasts.

The unicorn suction move (yes, really)

45:25 — The cupping technique that smooths forehead lines by working both directions—downward and outward.

Ear work & scalp pulling

46:55 — Why ears and scalp are the secret to full-face relaxation and better circulation.

Back-of-neck & SCM release

48:45 — How to find the SCM, loosen neck fascia, and use bands or balls for alignment and pain relief.

Double chin sculptor

51:09 — The hand-stacked technique that instantly tightens the chin and boosts circulation.

Myofascial VS Gua Sha

52:45 — When to use which technique, why they’re different, and how to combine them for better results.

How long? Really?

54:03 — The realistic at-home plan: five minutes daily, ten on a Sunday, and what to prioritize.

Rapid fire

54:28 — We close with best bites, word of the week, and the high-vibration moment that hit us both.

Books/Articles/Links

* BeautyGrass Podcast

* Anastasia Beauty Fascia’s YouTube

* Facial massage might actually help your brain clean waste. Nature. Instagram explainer.

GOOD TO KNOW

Our music is by the artist Fabian Küpper.  Learn more about his work and enjoy his soul-soothing handpan music on his website 

Connect with Kirsten’s company IN GOOD CO | Website I Substack I Insta I LinkedIn

Explore Jenny & Kirsten’s award-winning skincare brand, BeautyGrass I Website I Substack I Insta | TikTok 

Visiting LA? Treat yourself to a facial with Jenny at Saving Faces: Website | Insta 

The LitWithin podcast team is: Jenny Evans, Kirsten Ludwig, Chris Danton, and Christina Hempstead

If you're listening to this on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, head toour Substack for tons of detailed notes and links from the episode.

This week, Kirsten and I tackle the body part we’ve both been side-eyeing lately: the neck. From posture to platysma, creams to collagen, we cover every option to keep your neck looking and feeling its best. Surgical and not. Plus I share one surprising trick that starts with rolling your feet.

Enjoy!

If you want to skip to the good bits, click the links!

Our nemesis: the neck

03:41 — Why necks betray us first, why posture matters more than melanin, and why neck lifts are suddenly the surgery du jour.

What surgeons actually do

09:46 — From full lifts (big scars, muscle pulls, lipo) to the “weekend lift,” we chat about the options, the scars, and when surgeons recommend tacking it on to a facelift.

The risks of cutting your platysma

14:00 — That thin neck muscle is key to lymph drainage. Cut it, and you risk tightness, mobility issues, and blocked flow.

Threads, microcurrents, and more

16:31 — Thread lifts dissolve in months. Don’t believe the hype. I swear by my new microcurrent machine instead. It’s Pilates for your face and neck.

Posture starts in your feet

22:02 — Rolling your feet changes your posture and neck position. Add SEM (sternocleidomastoid) massage, and you’ll feel the lift instantly.

Wall tricks and band hacks

29:01 — “Tits out, back to the wall” posture resets and strengthening moves. The easiest at-home neck fixes.

Pillows, creams, and $340 serums

32:05 — Do neck creams work? We get into occlusives, gentler retinol derivatives, castor oil packs, and whether a splurgy German serum is worth it.

If you only do one thing…

36:05 — Massage is the winner. Add posture and stretching for bonus points, and gua sha if you’re diligent.

Supplements for connective tissue

38:00 — Beef organs, pearl powder, bone broth, marine collagen, and why I love Australian cockatoo plum.

Gratitude vs. the knife

40:12 — Yes, gratitude practices help. But if your neck makes you nuts: book the lift, and I’m happy to recommend a surgeon.

Good to know

Tools and techniques:

* Ultrasound therapy

* Kybella

* Micro-current is Jenny’s preferred treatment to Threading lift

* Posture is KEY

* Roll your feet on rubber ball (toes to heal/heel to toe)

* Pinching/stretching the SEM muscle (sides of neck)

* Platisma (front of neck) stretch

* Soft(or spikey) rubber ball (or knuckles) to loosen pec muscles

* Using exercise bands - posture exercise against the wall

* Gua Sha

Products mentioned":

* A neck support pillow may be helpful

* Auteur Definitive Neck and Décolleté Cream (pricey)

* VibrantBoost Face Mist & MoonLitFromWithin Face Oil

* Heart & Soul Beef Organs supplement

* Par & Olive Marine Collagen Supplement

Related Articles:

* The Dowager’s Hump Episode (yes, it’s real)

* The Ultimate Wellness Drinks — smoothies, broths, and more

* Retinol: Everything you need to know

GOOD TO KNOW

Our music is by the artist Fabian Küpper.  Learn more about his work and enjoy his soul-soothing handpan music on his website 

Connect with Kirsten’s company IN GOOD CO | Website I Substack I Insta I LinkedIn

Explore Jenny & Kirsten’s award-winning skincare brand, BeautyGrass I Website I Substack I Insta | TikTok 

Visiting LA? Treat yourself to a facial with Jenny at Saving Faces: Website | Insta 

The LitWithin podcast team is: Jenny Evans, Kirsten Ludwig, Chris Danton, and Christina Hempstead

If you're listening to this on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, head toour Substack for tons of detailed notes and links from the episode.

If you want to skip to the good bits, click the links!

Meet Maggie

00:47 — A guest! Maggie's a homeopath, medical intuitive, and Reiki practitioner whose work has touched every part of our lives—from our kids to our animals to ourselves.

The dog who changed everything

04:56 — Maggie sensed something in Jenny’s pug... and what unfolded was one of the most beautiful death transitions we’ve ever heard.

How Maggie became Maggie

07:50 — From anatomy-obsessed eighth grader to roadkill whisperer to studying in Ireland, Maggie walks us through how she became who she is.

What is homeopathy?

11:02 — Maggie breaks down the philosophy behind homeopathy (hint: it’s not woo-woo), what it can treat, and why it’s not molecular medicine.

Supplement sleuthing

15:17 — Turns out your supplement might be right—but your brand might be wrong. Maggie explains how she tests for resonance and tolerance.

Muscle testing 101

20:32 — Maggie explains how she uses her body as a pendulum—and teaches us how to do it too.

What’s a medical intuitive?

22:58 — Your higher self, but make it diagnostic. We talk about Maggie’s intuitive reads and how she supports neuro-diverse kids.

High-vibe rituals

27:00 — From grounding cords to Dead Sea baths, we get Maggie’s go-to rituals and talk about what works when the usual tools don’t.

Force fields > freak-outs

32:00 — We talk energetic boundaries, navigating collective anxiety, and shadow work—why the things that bother you are often your biggest teachers.

Human pendulum how-to

36:06 — Get your body involved. We walk through the step-by-step process of muscle testing and the surprisingly big decisions it can help with.

Intuition meets dating apps

42:26 — Yes, you can use muscle testing for relationships. Yes, we have questions.

The fact-checking future

47:00 — Maggie shares a dream where mass muscle testing changed politics—and why this tool is about so much more than health.

Trusting yourself again

50:01 — The point of all this? Intuition. Maggie talks about the power of knowing your truth and why being intentional doesn’t mean you lose spontaneity.

Rapid fire + rituals

53:03 — A cheddar-and-pesto snack, a grounding hike, and a reminder to always dip… then come back up.

Good to know

OUR GUEST:

* Golden Ray Healing

* Mountains Homeopathy

* Maggi Shanley

Maggi Shanley has been practicing Classical Homeopathy for 24 years. She got her start while living in Ireland, studying at the Burton School of Homeopathy. After which, she started her private practice and worked as a consultant for Nelson‘s homeopathy a British homeopathic pharmacy in Dublin. As she practiced her gifts expanded to include Reiki?, Medical Intuitive work, death, Doula work, and finally animal communication work as well. Her work is based in authentic presence, empowerment, and a deep caring for all beings on this planet.

BOOKS/ARTICLES/LINKS

Samuel Hahnemann (founder of homeopathy, German MD)

Nelson’s Homeopathic Pharmacy (Ireland/England)

Santa Monica Homeopathic

PRODUCTS MENTIONED

Magnesium Glycinate 

Heart and Soil Beef organs supplements

Anima Mundi Ashwaganda

Arsenicum Album 30C

Dead Sea salt 

ABOUT

Our music is by the artist Fabian Küpper.  Learn more about his work and enjoy his soul-soothing handpan music on his website 

Connect with Kirsten’s company IN GOOD CO | Website I Substack I Insta I LinkedIn

Explore Jenny & Kirsten’s award-winning skincare brand, BeautyGrass I Website I Substack I Insta | TikTok 

Visiting LA? Treat yourself to a facial with Jenny at Saving Faces: Website | Insta 

The LitWithin podcast team is: Jenny Evans, Kirsten Ludwig, Chris Danton, and Christina Hempstead

If you're listening to this on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, head toour Substack for tons of detailed notes and links from the episode.

This episode is on a topic I’m getting asked about constantly. Well, that’s true for all the episodes really but this is an especially hot topic it seems. Especially with all my peri-experiencing friends. Let’s chat NAD+.

We’re not saying it’s magic, but NAD+ might be the closest thing.This one’s for anyone trying to feel sharp, sleep better, and look glowier from the inside out. So you know I love it.

Let’s get into it.

If you want to skip to the good bits, click the links!

Sensitivity and supplements

00:42 — Is it the weight of the world or is it the weather? We talk mindset, peptides, and estrogen face cream.

The telepathy tapes and neurodivergent gifts

04:33 — I’m obsessed with this podcast. We chat and unpack nonverbal communication, lightworkers, and how it reframes what’s happening.

NAD+ 101: the youth molecule

05:31 — Why NAD+ is crucial for energy, aging, and mitochondria—and why your levels are likely plummeting if you’re in perimenopause. PS. If you’re in peri, give this episode a listen.

So you think you need NAD+

08:44 — Dull skin, brain fog, slow recovery: the story of my current life. NAD+ tells your cells how to behave. So when it dips, everything goes with it.

The stack

11:16 — NMN, NR, CoQ10, and resveratrol. We get granular. What to take, how much, and why each of these supplements work better together. Plus: Maggie’s methylation tip.

The format chat

15:01 — Pills? Injections? IVs? We break down the pros, cons, cost, and timing of each method, including how to make it work for your budget. This stuff ain’t cheap!

How to boost NAD+ naturally

17:45 — Cold plunges, circadian rhythm, HIIT, and intermittent fasting, we get into it all. And cover the practical NAD+ support plan I like best.

SubQ vs IV

18:59 — I make the case for subcutaneous injections: slower than IV, but way cheaper, more stable, and still super bioavailable.

The dream protocol

22:16 — If you’re only doing one thing, I tell you which. If you’re stacking, we map the ideal plan: supplements, sub-Q, and monthly IV.

Rapid fire

24:32 — Enchiladas, fennel, and light.

Products mentioned

Precursors to NAD+

* Nootropics Depot Nicotinamide Mononucleotide NMN

* Pure Encapsulations NR Longevity

* Pure Encapsulations CoQ10

* Thorne Methylguard

* Thorne Resveritrol

* Sunny Within Longevity

NAD+

* Qualia NAD+

* Vital Meds SubQ

* IVs by Pause or your local option

Resources mentioned

* Telepathy Tapes

Related episodes and articles

* In peri? Reach for some Amino Acids

* Perimenopause — An ultra-real personal journey

* Injectable aka Sub-Q Peptides: Yay? Nay?

ABOUT

Our music is by the artist Fabian Küpper.  Learn more about his work and enjoy his soul-soothing handpan music on his website 

Connect with Kirsten’s company IN GOOD CO | Website I Substack I Insta I LinkedIn

Explore Jenny & Kirsten’s award-winning skincare brand, BeautyGrass I Website I Substack I Insta | TikTok 

Visiting LA? Treat yourself to a facial with Jenny at Saving Faces: Website | Insta 

The LitWithin podcast team is: Jenny Evans, Kirsten Ludwig, Chris Danton, and Christina Hempstead

If you're listening to this on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, head to our Substack for tons of detailed notes and links from the episode.

Welcome to a very chill, but naturally, insight-packed Summer edition of the pod. All the things you need to know to look your best for the rest of this delightful season.

We’re talking about the dreaded back hump. But also: travel resets, body rituals, and the beauty of showing up for yourself—inside and out.

In this episode, we trade stories from Cannes and camp drop-off, revisit old marriage wounds (and why they still surprise us), and dive into the summer rituals keeping us sane: lemon balm tea, Ayurvedic oiling, Garshana gloves, lymphatic drainage, and one surprisingly effective foam roller routine for that dread dowager hump.

Light, packed and easy listening. Let us know what you think!

Inside Cannes & SxSW London

02:20 — Kirsten recaps Cannes Lions, judging Young Lions, and sweating through high-glam brand activations. Pattern-on-pattern included.

June whiplash

05:00 — After Cannes and SXSW London comes the reentry: graduations, family, and the weird calm of being back home.

Empty nesting, round one

07:00 — Jenny drops the kids at camp and returns to a kid-free house… only to get into a massive fight with her husband. Classic.

Couples therapy & trauma loops

10:30 — Even after 22+ years and doing the work, stuff resurfaces. We unpack how trauma rewires relationships and what repair really looks like.

Lemon balm is the new lemon water

12:00 — Why this adaptogenic tea is the sleeper hit of the summer: calming, anti-aging, and ideal iced or hot.

Garshana gloves & lymphs

17:00 — Jenny's summer staple: raw silk gloves that detox, exfoliate, and energize. Yes, they look like Mickey Mouse hands.

The abhyanga breakdown

23:00 — Ayurvedic body oiling 101. How to prep, layer, and towel-dance your way to firmer, glowier skin.

Cleanse season

26:30 — We get into Owl, Moon Juice, and the once-a-year reset that makes you clearer… but slightly meaner.

Aloe x lemon balm ice cubes = Sunburn cure

33:00 — DIY skin-repair ritual with aloe, lemon balm tea, and an ice cube tray. Seriously magic for sun recovery.

Foam roll your hump away

35:00 — That weird bump at the base of your neck? It has a name. And a cure. Welcome to the anti-hump era.

Sunscreen lineup (and spray debate)

40:00 — Suntegrity, St. Jane, Basque, and HelioCare. Plus why the spray vs stick vs supplement thing actually matters.

Agua fresca for your skin barrier

43:00 — Turns out watermelon, lime, and electrolytes might help keep melasma at bay. Sip accordingly.

Summer skincare swaps

46:00 — Jenny’s lighter, brighter summer stack—from mandelic acid to green tea enzyme wash to snail mucin serum.

LA ocean paranoia is real

51:00 — Should we still be swimming post-wildfires? We’re not sure. But we are definitely lake-pilled.

Lake rituals that boost your glow

53:00 — Minerals, cold water, lymph movement, mood. Yes to lake swims. Yes to lemon balm after.

Rapid fire: dowager’s hump and highest vibes

55:00 —Our word of the week, summer tip (hint: it’s lymph), and a big yes to lake life + body rituals.

Good to know

PRODUCTS MENTIONED

RELATED

Eat these foods for great skin

Stop shaming the sun. A better approach to sun care

The ugly truth about lasers: They make your melasma worse.

ABOUT

Our music is by the artist Fabian Küpper.  Learn more about his work and enjoy his soul-soothing handpan music on his website 

Connect with Kirsten’s company IN GOOD CO | Website I Substack I Insta I LinkedIn

Explore Jenny & Kirsten’s award-winning skincare brand, BeautyGrass I Website I Substack I Insta | TikTok 

Visiting LA? Treat yourself to a facial with Jenny at Saving Faces: Website | Insta 

The LitWithin podcast team is: Jenny Evans, Kirsten Ludwig, Chris Danton, and Christina Hempstead

Up for a reality-check on viral beauty hacks? I (Jenny—your esthetician in residence) put my bestie Kirsten’s $500 K-beauty haul under the microscope while she battles a peel-off lip stain gone full-Smurf. Snail mucin, salmon-DNA serums, methylene-blue biohacks, and a “billion-bee” plumper all get stress-tested. Skip the hype, keep the skin science.

Methylene Blue Tongue

01:24 — Kirsten’s blue tongue and the science behind it.

Lip-Stain Disaster Live

02:42 — A bargain peel-off stain gives Kirsten patchy Smurf lips and I try to deliver a straight-face assessment.

Dry Skin & Microneedling

03:25 — Post-microneedling lip tips and the importances of gentle exfoliation before any lip-color stunts.

Bee-Sting Plumpers

04:20 — Alternatives to the questionable “billion-bee” lip plumper.

A Secret Korean Beauty Bodega

06:04 — This sign-less shop on the lower east side is packed with good and knowledge.

$500 K-Beauty Haul Breakdown

06:49 — I line-item Kirsten’s impulse buys. Fine-line fixes, salmon-DNA serums and separate the winners from the hype.

K-Beauty 10-Step Routine, Edited

08:23 — I trim the classic ten steps down to the essentials.

Snail Mucin & Biotech Buzz

08:42 — Humane slime harvesting, salmon DNA, and lab-grown roses send my brain into overdrive.

Essences, Rice & Ceramides

14:03 — Everything black-rice toners, probiotic essences, and barrier-loving ceramides.

Brightening, Brown Spots & Peptides

20:54 — Kirsten confesses brown-spot paranoia; I prescribe niacinamide cocktails and copper peptides.

Vitamin C Capsule Cream

26:26 — We puncture a bead-filled Vit-C gel. Texture was dreamy, the scent was confusing.

Sun Stick & SPF Chat

30:18 — The kids love this cotton-blue sun stick. We settle the mineral-vs-chemical sunscreen debate.

The Collagen Molding Pack

31:00 — This powder-to-gloop mask promises magic. I explain what’s really happening.

Words to the Wise

42:58 — I keep the winners and ditch the duds.

Good to know

Places and sources mentioned:

Chris Danton and GOOD THINKING

Senti Senti

Printemps NYC

Products mentioned:

Advanced Snail Radiance - COSRX (snail mucin)

AXIS-Y - Dark spot correcting glow cream

Haru Haru Wonder - Black rice probiotic barrier essence

WishTrend - Mandelic acid (Jenny’s exfoliating water)

Pyunkang Yul - Essence Toner (korean name -Jenny’s)

Purito - Mighty bamboo panthenol cream

Noni Ampoule (Calming skin radiance) Not sure about? Don’t get Celimax)

Mumbuz:n - Antioxidant Brightening - What’s Your Number (5+) -

Medicube - Deep Vitamin C Capsule Cream - (has fragrance)

PHA - Resurfacing Glow Peel

TOCOBO - Cotton Soft Skin Stick (sunscreen) Not great (chemical).

Reedle Shot EX - Collagen Molding Pack

Biodance- Pink Package

Onelogy - Packets of Peptides - Water Activated Tablets (from Printemps)

About

Our music is by the artist Fabian Küpper.  Learn more about his work and enjoy his soul-soothing handpan music on his website 

Connect with Kirsten’s company IN GOOD CO | Website I Substack I Insta I LinkedIn

Explore Jenny & Kirsten’s award-winning skincare brand, BeautyGrass I Website I Substack I Insta | TikTok 

Visiting LA? Treat yourself to a facial with Jenny at Saving Faces: Website | Insta 

The LitWithin podcast team is: Jenny Evans, Kirsten Ludwig, Chris Danton, and Christina Hempstead

If you're listening to this on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, head to our Substack for tons of detailed notes and links from the episode. 

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of peptides—what they are, how they work, and why they’ve quietly become the holy grail for healing and aging well.

From BPC-157 to IGF-1, we talk through the injectables that are changing how we show up in our skin, our joints, and even our minds. (Yes, there’s one for brain fog, too.)

We break down the difference between topical and sub-Q peptides (injectables), what they actually do inside the body, and which ones have given us the most noticeable results.

There’s also a short pep talk on sourcing safely—because not all peptides are created equal.

If you’re curious about how to feel stronger, look glowier, and maybe even lengthen your telomeres (after listening this will all make sense), this one’s for you.

Enjoy!

If you want to skip to the good bits, click the links!

Peptides 101

02:18 — The word is out (or should be): peptides are amazing. Peptides can be topical for sure, but today, we’re mostly getting into the topic of injectable peptides (sub-Q). We explain what they are, why we’re obsessed, and what they’re actually doing in your body and your skin.

Morning gamerchanger

03:58 — BPC-157 changed my mornings. For inflammation, joint pain, and not feeling like a 90-year-old when you wake up—this one’s the real MVP.

It’s not just looks, it’s feel

05:56 — Peptides and potent actives like exosomes and copper peptides are the real skincare game changers.

Gut & muscle

10:00 — More on BPC-157 and why it’s the peptide for anyone with gut issues, muscle fatigue, or mysterious soreness that shows up with age (or enter peri/menopause)

If you’re going for ‘glow’

13:25 — IGF-1 and GHK-Cu: for boosting collagen, building muscle, and giving your skin that firm, hydrated, high-functioning glow.

Aging well

17:46 — Epithalon is for lengthening telomeres and basically stopping time. It’s pricier, but it’s the one we cycle just twice a year.

Sleep, metabolism & more

19:26 — A bit on CJC & Ipamorelin for muscle tone and metabolism, plus why some peptides work best when stacked together.

We talk NAD+

20:33 — Not technically a peptide, but we had to mention it. Why NAD+ helps with energy, brain fog, and cellular function (and how to actually take it so it works).

How to start. Safely.

23:10 — You don’t want to be injecting sketchy gray-market peptides. We talk sourcing, pricing, and what you really need to know before starting.

How to inject

28:06 — We demo how we do it—tiny needles, pain-free, and why it’s not as intimidating as it sounds.

Good to know

Books, articles & resources:

* Koniver Wellness

* Always work with a holistic or integrative doctor, nurse practitioner & compounding pharmacy.

Products mentioned:

* BPC 157: Anti-inflammatory, gut health, and wound healing.

* IGF-1: Accelerates healing and recovery, enhances metabolism, and counteracts age-related decline.

* Epitalon: Improved metabolism, regulates hormones, melatonin, and resistance to emotional stress.

* CJC & Ipamorelin: Release of growth hormone and increase protein synthesis.

* GHK-CU: In Vibrant Boost. Anti-inflammatory, stimulates collagen, and promotes blood vessel growth.

* AQ Solutions GF Active Serum

* Cymbiotika NAD+, NMN + Trans-Resveratrol

* Aminos

About

Our music is by the artist Fabian Küpper.  Learn more about his work and enjoy his soul-soothing handpan music on his website 

Connect with Kirsten’s company IN GOOD CO | Website I Substack I Insta I LinkedIn

Explore Jenny & Kirsten’s award-winning skincare brand, BeautyGrass I Website I Substack I Insta | TikTok 

Visiting LA? Treat yourself to a facial with Jenny at Saving Faces: Website | Insta 

The LitWithin podcast team is: Jenny Evans, Kirsten Ludwig, Chris Danton, and Christina Hempstead

If you're listening to this on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, head to our Substack for tons of detailed notes and links from the episode.