In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Carly Guerra, founder of Savoir Beauty. Carly shares her inspiring journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur. After a breast cancer diagnosis in 2022, she recognized a gap in the beauty market for products specifically designed for delicate breast area skin, leading her to create the industry’s first-ever dedicated breast serum. Their conversation delves into the true importance of selfcare, fervent community support, and the mission behind Savoir Beauty, which aims to educate women about daily breast health. Carly also discusses her commitment to giving back – and paying it forward – with a portion of sales of the Savoir Beauty Breast Serum benefitting the work of Cancer and Careers. This October, $5 of every product sold will be donated to Cancer and Careers. In wrapping up, Carly expresses her hopes for the future of beauty as she pioneers a category that addresses every woman’s unique skincare needs.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.

Follow Carly on her Instagram profile here and the Savoir Beauty page here. Learn more about the Savoir Beauty brand ethos and trailblazing product innovation at savoirbeauty.com.

Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.

Product links:

SAVOIR Beauty Breast Serum

Dr. Ariel Ostad Skincare Neck Refining Cream

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Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:

Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.

Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.

Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.

Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.

Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.

The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.

The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you're obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.

With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™

The Skincarma® Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Arjan Singh, co-founder of Jolie, a wellness brand that focuses on the importance of water quality in skincare. They discuss Arjan's background, the inspiration behind Jolie, and the challenges of educating consumers about the impact of water on their skin health. The conversation delves into the technology behind the brand’s trailblazing filtered shower head, the burgeoning beauty wellness trend, and future plans for the Jolie brand. Arjan shares insights on the importance of clean water and how Jolie aims to redefine beauty through better water quality.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.

Follow Arjan on Instagram at @arjansingh and on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Jolie and the groundbreaking science behind the brand on their IG page here and at jolie.com

Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.

Product links:

Jolie The Filtered Showerhead

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Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:

Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.

Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.

Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.

Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.

Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.

The Skincarma Blog™ is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.

The Skincarma Blog® is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Gerard Camme, founder and CEO of Element Eight – the brand redefining luxury clinical skincare. They explore the innovative oxygen-based technology behind Element Eight’s products and Gerard shares about his exciting journey through the beauty industry, leading to the founding of Element Eight. Intriguingly, their conversation focuses on the importance of oxygen to skin health and cellular function and how the brand’s proprietary OATH technology allows for better oxygen delivery to the skin – and vastly better results. The conversation delves into the challenges of merging luxury skincare with scientific advancements, the clinically proven efficacy of the Element Eight products, and what the future may look like for your skincare routine.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.

Follow Element Eight on IG here. Learn more about Element Eight products and the innovative technology behind their efficacy at elementeight.com.

Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.

Product links:

Element Eight O2 Niacinamide Eight Active Serum

Element Eight O2 Growth Factor Eight Active Cream

Element Eight O2 Caffeine Eight Active Eye Cream

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

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Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:

Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.

Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.

Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.

The Skincarma Blog™ is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.

The Skincarma Blog® is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Keith O'Briant, founder and CEO of Hydrinity, the breakout brand elevating the daily skincare routine with regenerative technologies rooted in wound healing. They discuss Hydrinity’s innovative approach to skin health and the brand’s proprietary Hyaluronic Acid molecule. Keith shares insights from his background in biotech and aesthetics, explaining how Hydrinity's products are designed to treat and heal the skin more effectively. The conversation touches on the future of regenerative skincare, the importance of the total formula over individual ingredients, and the significance of consistency in skincare routines.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.

Follow Hydrinity on IG here. Learn more about Hydrinity products and the innovative technology behind their efficacy at hydrinity.com.

Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.

Product links:

Hydrinity Restorative HA Serum

Hydrinity PRELUDE Facial Treatment Cleanser

Hydrinity Renewing HA Serum

Hydrinity VIVID Brightening Serum

Hydrinity ENCORE Body Hydrator

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Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:

Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.

Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.

Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.

The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.

The Skincarma® Blog is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine discusses the five finalists for the most innovative moisturizer of the year in the 2025 BeautyMatter Awards. The awards honor the thinkers, makers, and doers in the beauty community and Carmine was honored to be a judge in the product innovation category for the third in a row. This year, he evaluated more than 200 products across multiple categories: treatments, moisturizers, scrubs, cleansers, acne care, men’s and sun care (his favorite!). Each product was evaluated by a panel of judges for its unique formulation, technology, benefits and texture – five radically different takes on what a moisturizer can be and do today.

The five finalists for a 2025 BeautyMatter Award in the Best Breakthrough Skincare (Moisturizer) category are:

* Beekman 1802 Milk RX Advanced Better Aging Cream

* Bonjout Beauty Le Balm Unscented

* DEINDE Barrier-Building Moisture Cream

* Mother Science Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer

* Verdoie La Crème Hydratante

From mushrooms to malassezin, microbiome care to barrier resilience, this year’s finalists aren’t just keeping up with skincare evolution – they’re driving it.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.

Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.

Product links:

Explore the 2025 BeautyMatter Award Finalists here.

Beekman 1802 - Milk RX Advanced Better Aging Cream

Bonjout Beauty - Le Balm Unscented

DEINDE - Barrier-Building Moisture Cream

Mother Science - Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer

Verdoie - La Crème Hydratante

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Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:

Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.

Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.

Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.

The Skincarma Blog™ is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.

The Skincarma Blog® is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Laura Schmoisman, a global beauty strategist and founder of The Darl. They discuss the intricacies of brand building in the beauty industry, emphasizing the importance of authentic storytelling, understanding consumer needs, and the essential role of founders in shaping brand identity. Laura shares insights on why many brands fail and what it takes for a brand to succeed in the oversaturated beauty market.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.

Follow Lara on Instagram at @laraschmoisman and LinkedIn here. Explore her agency work on The Darl website here. And, catch her podcast Coffee No. 5 on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.

Product links:

MAËLYS clinically proven body solutions

Drunk Elephant

Kiehl’s Since 1851

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Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:

Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.

Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.

Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.

The Skincarma Blog™ is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.

The Skincarma Blog® is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Dr. Rohan Shah, a dermatology resident, to discuss his journey into dermatology, the skin concerns he encounters with his patients most, and the importance of education and authenticity in skincare. The conversation goes on to explore the balance between dermatology and social media – where Dr. Shah promotes education on skin, skincare and products through his @healthyskindoc account. The pair delve into innovations in the field of dermatology and the need for better representation of skin of color in the practice of dermatology. Dr. Shah shares insights on various skin conditions, treatments, and the impact of misinformation in the skincare community.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.

Be sure to follow Dr. Rohan Shah on his IG page @healthyskindoc here. His reels and posts are really cool and educational – full of insights about skin health.

Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.

Product links:

Skinfix Exo + Ectoin Intensive Repair Baume

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Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:

Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.

Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.

Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.

The Skincarma Blog™ is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.

The Skincarma Blog® is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Dr. Mark Menning, a pharmaceutical scientist and visionary founder of MARK Los Angeles. They discuss Dr. Menning's unique approach to skincare, which combines pharmaceutical science with a patented and innovative ingredient delivery system. The conversation covers the evolution of antiviral drugs, the under-appreciated power of flavonoids in skincare, and the importance of understanding ingredient penetration for optimizing product efficacy and, ultimately, skin health. Carmine and Mark wonk out on the efficacy of various Vitamin C molecules, the innovative approach of precision-engineered plant-based skincare, and the importance of clinical trials in proving product effectiveness. The dialogue also touches on the crossover between the beauty and pharmaceutical industries, ingredient sourcing and regulatory standards, culminating in Mark's aspirations for the future of the MARK Los Angeles brand.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.

Follow Dr. Mark Menning on LinkedIn here and his IG page here. Learn more about the MARK Los Angeles brand ethos and product innovation on IG here and at marklosangeles.com.

Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.

Product links:

MARK Los Angeles E.Q. Gentle Cleanser

MARK Los Angeles E.Q. Rescue Serum

MARK Los Angeles E.Q. Daily Moisturizer

MARK Los Angeles Lip Rescue Serum

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Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:

Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.

Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.

Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.

The Skincarma Blog™ is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.

The Skincarma Blog® is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Ian Michael Crumm, a prominent aesthetician, skincare influencer and consummate sun safety advocate. The conversation delves into the nature of skincare, the essentials of a pro-skin health routine, and the vital importance that sunscreen plays in skin health. Ian shares about his role as spokesperson of the Melanoma Research Foundation’s 2025 #GetNaked campaign as well as his journey into the world of skincare and how the importance of suncare was ingrained in him from childhood. Throughout, Ian emphasizes the need for a more empowering approach to suncare and the value in making sun safety fun and engaging. As annual judges in the Beauty Matter Awards, the pair discuss the dynamics of evaluating skincare products and where they believe product innovation is heading.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.

Follow Ian on Instagram at @ianmcrumm and catch his Beauty Curious podcast with Dr. Elyse Love on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Learn more about the Melanoma Research Foundation’s #GetNaked campaign on their website at melanoma.org and on IG at @curemelanoma.

Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog.

Product links:

Ultra Violette Future Screen SPF 50

EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Sunscreen SPF 50

Oak Essentials Firming Plant Peptide Serum

Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum

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Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:

Explore Carmine’s EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Sunscreen SPF 50 review here.

Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.

Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.

Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.

The Skincarma Blog™ is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.

The Skincarma Blog® is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Frank Freeman, Vice President of Digital Disruption at Dermalogica. The conversation begins with Frank's journey from music to Harvard to skincare and culminates in the transformative impact of AI – and particularly chatbots like ChatGPT – on the beauty industry. Frank shares insights into how AI is being optimized at Dermalogica to enhance productivity and, ultimately, the customer experience. They highlight the importance of innovation in skincare, the role of AI in personalizing the experience – and the disruption coming next.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help Carmine reach more interested listeners.

Follow Frank on LinkedIn here. Learn more about the Dermalogica brand ethos and product innovation at dermalogica.com.

Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma blog. And explore Carmine’s extensive work in beauty on his website here.

Product links:

Dermalogica daily microfoliant exfoliator

Dermalogica dynamic skin recovery SPF 50 moisturizer

Dermalogica biolumin-c vitamin c serum

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Product reviews on the Skincarma blog:

Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.

Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.

Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.

The Skincarma Blog™ is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.

The Skincarma Blog® is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.