Skincare Made Simple

Peptides are one of the most hyped skincare ingredients right now—but what do they actually do? In this episode, we break down peptides in simple, no-BS terms. You’ll learn what peptides are, the different types used in skincare, what results are realistic, how to choose a peptide serum, and whether you really need peptides in every product. Plus, I’ll share some of my favorite peptide products at both luxury and budget-friendly price points.

If peptides have ever confused you—or felt overpromised—this episode will make it click.

🔗 Links:

• 💌 Work with me one-on-one
• 📲 Your free monthly skin tracker + Community Board
• 📚 The Database Library
• 🧪 Not sure where to start? Take the quiz
• 🌐 yourestieella.com

Peptides mentioned in this episode

Liquid Peptides Advanced MP Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-45564299

DR. WHITNEY BOWE BEAUTY | Peptide + HA Plumping Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-45564313

MEDIK8 | Liquid Peptides: https://go.shopmy.us/p-45564326

COSRX | The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-45564355

GOOD MOLECULES | Super Peptide Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-45564899

NATURIUM | Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-45564915

PEACH & LILY | Copper Peptide Pro Firming Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-45564947

BUBBLE SKINCARE | Water Slide Hydrating Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-45564997

Shop more of my favorite products here: https://shopmy.us/ellaelston

A few relevant peptide studies (more linked in the Peptide Database)

Lee E, Ahn DK, Kim JH, et al. Skin Anti-Aging and Moisturizing Effects of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Supplementation in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2025;35:e2507008. Published 2025 Sep 11. doi:10.4014/jmb.2507.07008

Skibska A, Perlikowska R. Signal Peptides - Promising Ingredients in Cosmetics. Curr Protein Pept Sci. 2021;22(10):716-728. doi:10.2174/1389203722666210812121129

Badilli U, Inal O. Current Approaches in Cosmeceuticals: Peptides, Biotics and Marine Biopolymers. Polymers (Basel). 2025 Mar 18;17(6):798. doi: 10.3390/polym17060798. PMID: 40292641; PMCID: PMC11946782.

Your barrier’s on the mend—but now what? In this week’s episode, Ella breaks down how to tell when your skin is truly healing and how to safely reintroduce actives like exfoliants, retinoids, and vitamin C without undoing your progress.

You’ll learn: ✨ The top signs your skin barrier is bouncing back (beyond just “it feels less dry”) ✨ How to reintroduce actives like a pro—without flaking, burning, or purging all over again ✨ Three must-know skincare tweaks to survive the seasonal shift and keep your glow steady

Whether you’ve been on a full skin detox or just trying to baby your barrier through the colder months, this episode will help you get back to actives confidently and keep your skin calm, clear, and hydrated.

🔗 Links:

• 💌 Work with me one-on-one
• 📲 Your free monthly skin tracker + Community Board
• 📚 The Database Library
• 🧪 Not sure where to start? Take the quiz
• 🌐 yourestieella.com

🧪 Barrier Loving Ingredients to Know

Beta-Glucan: A powerful humectant that deeply hydrates and soothes irritation while strengthening the skin barrier.

Centella Asiatica (Cica): A calming botanical that speeds up healing, reduces redness, and supports collagen production.

Panthenol (Vitamin B5): A moisture magnet that softens, smooths, and restores the skin’s protective barrier.

Ectoin: A stress-protective molecule that shields skin from pollution, temperature changes, and dehydration.

Allantoin: A gentle soothing agent that helps calm irritation and promote skin cell regeneration.

Peptides: Short chains of amino acids that signal your skin to produce more collagen and elastin for firmer, smoother texture.

Growth Factors: Bio-identical proteins that encourage cell renewal and repair, improving tone, texture, and resilience.

Is your skin barrier actually damaged — or is it just throwing a little tantrum? In this episode, Ella breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in skincare: how to tell the difference between temporary irritation and true barrier damage. You’ll learn what your barrier really is, how it protects you, the common mistakes that wreck it, and simple, science-backed steps to heal and strengthen your skin again.

🔗 Links:

• 💌 Work with me one-on-one
• 📲 Your free monthly skin tracker + Community Board
• 📚 The Database Library
• 🧪 Not sure where to start? Take the quiz
• 🌐 yourestieella.com

✨ If You Loved This Episode:

• Share it with a friend who’s overdoing their exfoliation!
• Tag Ella in your stories and let her know your biggest takeaway @your.estie.ella
• Leave a review — it helps more people learn how to simplify skincare the smart way.

🧴 Ingredients to Know

Surfactants (Cleansing Agents)

These are the ingredients that make cleansers foam and remove dirt, oil, and makeup. The right surfactant will cleanse without stripping your skin’s natural oils.

Gentle surfactants to look for:

• Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
• Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
• Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
• Coco-Glucoside / Decyl Glucoside
• Disodium / Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate

Stripping surfactants to avoid (especially as the first ingredient):

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
• Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
• TEA-Lauryl Sulfate

Humectants (Hydration Magnets)

Humectants are ingredients that attract and hold onto water in the skin — kind of like a sponge pulling moisture from your environment or your deeper skin layers. They keep your complexion plump, soft, and hydrated.

Common humectants to look for:

• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Beta-Glucan
• Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
• Sodium PCA

Soothing + Calming Ingredients

When your barrier is feeling sensitive or reactive, these ingredients help calm inflammation and support repair. They can be found in toners, serums, or moisturizers.

Soothing superstars:

• Centella Asiatica (Cica)
• Ectoin
• Allantoin
• Madecassoside
• Bisabolol
• Green Tea Extract
• PDRN (for advanced skin repair)

In today’s episode, we’ll walk through all four phases of the cycle — menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal — and break down what’s happening hormonally, how your skin tends to behave during each phase, and how to better support your skin and body with targeted care, foods, movement, supplements, and habits.

Whether you’re dealing with monthly breakouts, dullness, dryness, or inflammation — understanding your cycle can be the missing link in building a routine that actually works with your skin, not against it.

PLUS, this episode also marks the soft launch of my Clear by New Year Challenge, a free 90-day skin health reset starting October 1st. AND I’ve got the inside scoop on the Clearstem 23% off sitewide sale, happening Sept 29–30 only 👀

🔗 Links:

• 💌 Work with me one-on-one
• 📲 Your free monthly skin tracker + Community Board
• 📚 The Database Library
• 🧪 Not sure where to start? Take the quiz
• 🌐 yourestieella.com

Shop everything mentioned in this video here: https://shopmy.us/collections/2457168

Murad Acne Control Rapid Relief Acne Sulfur Mask: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26384657

TOPICALS | Clearly Clarifying & Calming Mask : https://go.shopmy.us/p-26384670

Mindbodyskin: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26384718

Mindbodyskin 2: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26384743

ZITSTICKA | Undercover: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26384755

Shop more of my favorite products here: https://shopmy.us/ellaelston

Today we’re diving into three powerhouse ingredients that are changing the game in skin health and rejuvenation: Ectoin, PDRN, and Growth Factors. These aren’t your everyday skincare buzzwords—they’re science-backed, clinically researched actives that are showing real promise in calming inflammation, repairing the skin barrier, and even supporting long-term anti-aging.

You’ll learn what the science says about their effectiveness, the best types of formulas to look for, and how they fit into a well-rounded skincare routine.

Whether you’re an esthetician, skincare enthusiast, or someone curious about the next generation of treatments, this episode will give you a clear, approachable understanding of these advanced ingredients—without the fluff.

🔗 Links:

• 💌 Work with me one-on-one
• 📲 Your free monthly skin tracker + Community Board
• 📚 The Database Library
• 🧪 Not sure where to start? Take the quiz
• 🌐 yourestieella.com

Shop everything mentioned in this video here: https://shopmy.us/collections/2430340

MEDIK8 | Liquid Peptides Advanced Face Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26105796

INNBEAUTY PROJECT | Elastic Skin Firming & Plumping Refillable Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26105805

DR. WHITNEY BOWE BEAUTY | Peptide + HA Plumping Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26105820

Ecto-Pdrn 10% Extreme Dose (1.014 Fl.oz) Korean Anti-Aging Serum With Vegan Pdrn, Ectoin & Panthenol : https://go.shopmy.us/p-26105883

BIODANCE | Rejuvenating Caviar PDRN Real Deep Mask: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26105890

ALLIES OF SKIN | Multi Peptides & Gf (Growth Factor) Advanced Lifting Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26105910

Shop more of my favorite products here: https://shopmy.us/ellaelston

Hey friends! I’m back behind the mic, and we’re kicking off this fresh podcast era with a juicy episode all about skincare trends—what’s hot, what’s not, and what I actually recommend to my clients.

We’ll chat:

• Skincare Trends (and which ones I’m loving 👀)
• Why I paused the podcast + what to expect moving forward
• A reminder that good skin isn’t built on hype—it’s built on consistency 💛

💻 Links Mentioned:

• ✨ Shop my skincare faves: HERE
• 📥 Download the Routine Builder: Let's Glow!
• 💬 Book a virtual consult: Work 1:1

Thanks for being here. The Skincare Made Simple community is truly the best!!

In this episode, we’re diving into everything teens (and their parents) need to know about skincare. From hormonal breakouts to ingredient overload on social media, I break down what really works, what to avoid, and how to build a simple, effective routine that supports long-term skin health. Whether you're a teen navigating your first breakout or a parent trying to help without overwhelming your kid, this one’s for you.

Work with me 1-1

Shop Products in this episode

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Lets be friends on TikTok

Welcome back to Skincare Made Simple! In today’s episode, we’re diving into the best-performing videos from my TikTok account and the skincare advice you loved the most. From barrier repair tips to hyperpigmentation hacks, this roundup is packed with practical advice you can start using right now to achieve healthier, glowing skin.

Products Mentioned in This Episode:

Barrier Products

Hyperpigmentation Products

ClearStem - Code YOURESTIEELLA for 15% off

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Work with me virtually 1-1

Let's be fiends on socials;

TikTok

Instagram

Youtube - Videos coming soon

We've all seen ads or know someone who takes collagen but is it actually helping with anti-aging? In today's episode we're going to go over all of it! Shop My ShelfLets be friends on Instagram Lets be friends on TikTokVirtual Skin Analysis & FREE 30 Days to Healthier Skin CalendarShop Collagen Supplements Here