In today’s episode, we’re talking about a group of all star skincare ingredients known as retinoids! Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that can help address various skin concerns, including fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and so much more. There are several forms of retinoids that can be used topically. The more gentle forms like retinyl ester and retinol can be found in skin care products available over the counter. The most potent form of retinoid called retinoic acid is only available as a prescription from your doctor. There are also plants that have similar benefits to retinol, such as bakuchiol and moth bean extract, that can be a more gentle alternative to retinoids. Lastly, we discuss our favorite retinoid products and briefly touch upon the “retinol sandwich” tiktok trend.

Join us in today’s episode as we talk about retinoids, their many benefits for the skin, phytoretinols, and our favorite retinoid products!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Guest Info

Connect with Dr. Bryant Esquejo on Instagram and Dr. Marilyn Merola on Instagram.

Questions or topic requests? Email [email protected].

Follow Us:

This week we’re back and continuing our deep dive into polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In today’s episode we talk about how a conventional doctor may treat PCOS, including lifestyle modifications like exercising and eating better, and prescribing medications that help with hormones, hirsutism, acne, and more. We also compare this approach to how a naturopathic doctor might treat someone with PCOS and address the underlying causes in addition to providing symptom relief with natural modalities. This goes beyond lifestyle and can include specific nutrients like inositol and berberine, and therapeutic diets like the Mediterranean diet, anti-inflammatory diet, ketogenic diet, and DASH diet.

Join us today as we discuss conventional treatment options for PCOS and how a naturopathic doctor approaches this condition in women!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Guest Info

Connect with Dr. Bryant Esquejo on Instagram and Dr. Marilyn Merola on Instagram.

Questions or topic requests? Email [email protected].

Follow Us:

Today’s episode is one of a two-part series diving into polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is an endocrine condition that affects up to 21% of reproductive-aged women. Today you’ll learn about what PCOS is, the history behind this condition, common risk factors, the pathophysiology of PCOS, and co-morbidities to watch out for and address. We also go over lab work and imaging, similar conditions that need to be ruled out, and the various diagnostic criteria used for PCOS, including the Rotterdam criteria. When using the Rotterdam criteria we are able to determine the subtype of PCOS a woman might have as well.

Join us in today’s episode as we take a deep dive into the most common endocrine condition in reproductive-aged women!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Guest Info:

Connect with Dr. Bryant Esquejo on Instagram and Dr. Marilyn Merola on Instagram.

Questions or topic requests? Email [email protected].

Follow Us:

In this week’s episode, we have our first guest speaker on the show Dr. Saman Faramarzi (aka Dr. Sam)! Dr. Sam is a licensed naturopathic doctor in the state of California and has a concierge practice in Los Angeles. She also lives in Miami and offers virtual wellness consulting there. She is the co-founder of an online wellness store called The Swell Score, where everyone can have access to professional-grade supplements that are backed by science with clean ingredients. Today Dr. Sam shares her expertise with us on gut health and the gut microbiome, what the latest research says about the gut, and how gut health is connected to our skin. May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. Dr. Sam talks about the mind-body connection, how our mind affects our gut and skin, and the many benefits of qigong for mental health.

Join us in today’s episode as we chat with Dr. Sam about gut health, the gut microbiome, how gut health reflects skin health, and how the mind affects our body, gut, and skin.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Guest Info

Connect with our guest speaker Dr. Sam on Instagram, check out The Swell Score, or visit Dr. Sam’s website to see her services.

Connect with Dr. Bryant Esquejo on Instagram and Dr. Marilyn Merola on Instagram.

Questions or topic requests? Email [email protected].

Follow Us:

In this episode, we will be talking about hormones and their relationship to acne. Acne vulgaris has an underlying hormonal component where androgens such as testosterone are increased in the body. This ultimately results in an overproduction of sebum (aka oil) production and skin cells that clog pores. Today you’ll learn about what hormones are, how they contribute to the development of acne in adults, and how certain foods such as whey protein and simple carbohydrates lead to acne by increasing certain hormones in the body. We’ll also go over some medications beyond testosterone that can lead to the formation of acne, in addition to hormonal conditions associated with acne vulgaris such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Join us in today’s episode as we discuss hormones and how an imbalance can contribute to acne in adults.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Guest Info

Connect with Dr. Bryant Esquejo on Instagram and Dr. Marilyn Merola on Instagram. Questions or topic requests? Email [email protected].

Follow Us:

Today we will be discussing conventional and root-cause options for treating adult acne. We also cover the topics of hormonal imbalances, options for topical and oral treatments for acne, and more naturopathic modalities. Holistically, we want to address the underlying causes, so we begin with the foundations of health (lifestyle, diet, exercise, etc.) and support detoxification pathways. Afterward, this might be supplemented by non-invasive treatments to help heal acne-prone skin and breakouts.

There is more to acne than what we see on the surface. Acne develops because of an overproduction of skin cells and sebum, which causes bacteria associated with acne vulgaris to overgrow and trigger an inflammatory response. The gut is also a key player in this inflammatory response and may result in a skin microbiome that is more prone to developing acne.

Join us as we discuss these topics and much more, including how food can be used as medicine to improve skin health, and how we use the Therapeutic Order in our practice to help us determine which naturopathic therapies to use to address the root cause of acne!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Guest Info

Connect with Dr. Bryant Esquejo on Instagram and Dr. Marilyn Merola on Instagram. Questions or topic requests? Email [email protected].

Follow Us:

In today’s episode, we will be discussing skincare routines, lifestyle, and acne. We will begin by providing an overview of what is happening at the surface level, including how acne develops. This can be the result of a larger set of issues, such as stress, diet, exercise, and sleep. For example, an imbalance between our gut-skin connection can lead to a leaky gut, which allows pesky bacteria to enter the bloodstream, and create more problems.

We will also explore what may be potential triggers for acne and how we can counter our breakouts with skincare routines and lifestyle changes. It is recommended by dermatologists to rinse our skin with warm water to prevent acne, especially as tight clothing, sweating and infrequent washing lead to breakouts. Most importantly, we want to make sure that we use gentle products on the skin that are alcohol-free. While these methods work as preventative measures, it is also important to consider lifestyle changes and skincare routines in order to get the best results.

Based on our own personal clinical experiences, we share some of our best skincare routines and advice on clearing your acne. Interested in learning more? Join us on today’s episode as we provide our best secrets on skincare routines, how to improve skin barrier support and skin microbiome, as well as how our diet, sleep and exercise impact acne.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Guest Info

Connect with Dr. Bryant Esquejo on Instagram and Dr. Marilyn Merola on Instagram. Questions or topic requests? Email [email protected].

Follow Us:

Welcome to our first episode of Holistic Beauty Podcast where we discuss holistic skincare and beauty! This podcast is meant to empower and educate anyone who is looking to improve their skin health with a more natural approach. As licensed naturopathic doctors, we will address chronic skin issues by providing a deeper, root-cause approach to healing. After all, this is one of the main reasons why we decided to start this podcast.

Dr. Marilyn Merola has always had a passion for beauty and skincare. She graduated with her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University California. Prior to that, she was pre-med at SUNY Buffalo State College where she received a Bachelor's degree in Health and Wellness. Dr. Bryant Esquejo received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from San Diego State University and his naturopathic medical degree from the National University of Natural Medicine. He provides adjunctive, integrative care for gastrointestinal conditions, endocrine imbalance, wellness optimization, and preventative medicine.

Join us on today’s episode as we provide a more in-depth look at naturopathic medicine, how it guides individuals in their treatments towards more holistic solutions, as well as what you can expect to hear on this podcast. We are excited to have you join us on this journey.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

Guest Info

Connect with Dr. Bryant Esquejo on Instagram and Dr. Marilyn Merola on Instagram. Questions or topic requests? Email [email protected].

Follow Us: