In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Mark Curry, co-founder and CEO of the INKEY List. They discuss Mark's journey from a science enthusiast to entrepreneur, the founding principles of INKEY, and the brand's mission to provide affordable, high-quality skincare to everyone. The conversation delves into the importance of ingredient innovation, the challenges of product development, and the future direction of the brand. Mark shares insights on the formulation process and the significance of connecting with consumers to meet their needs.

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 The INKEY List on Instagram at @theinkeylist and TikTok at @theinkeylist. You can also connect with Mark Curry on his personal account at @mark__curry. Learn more about the science behind the brand and product innovation at theinkeylist.com.

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:

The INKEY List Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex

The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum

The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum

The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum

The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment

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Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:

Explore the Best Products from The INKEY List 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 Natacha Bonjout, a French pharmacist and founder of Bonjout Beauty. They discuss Natacha's unique background in skincare formulation, the innovative approach behind her product Le Balm, and the benefits of waterless formulas for highly sensitive skin. In the conversation, Natacha discusses her innovative approach to skincare, focusing on sustainability and the use of plant stem cells instead of traditional extracts in her products. She explains how she crafted Le Balm for sensitive skin, emphasizing its ability to repair the skin barrier and promote a natural glow.

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 Bonjout Beauty on Instagram at @bonjoutbeauty. You can also find Dr. Bonjout on her personal account at @natachabonjout. Learn more about the science behind the brand and product innovation at bonjoutbeauty.com.

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:

Bonjout Beauty Le Balm Solid Serum

Bonjout Beauty Le Balm Unscented Solid 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 Smitha Rao, the founding scientist of Parëva Beauty. They discuss Smitha's extensive experience in the beauty industry, the inspiration behind Parëva, and the innovative technologies that power its products – including the proprietary Molecur 3 stem cell complex. The conversation delves into the specifics of Parëva's product line, including the C35.5 Firming Glow Serum, which Carmine declares “the most sensorial Vitamin C serum” he’s ever tried. Smitha emphasizes the importance of transparency in skincare, introducing the concept of the (F)actuals™, which detail the ingredients and their functions. The episode concludes with a look at the future of Parëva Beauty and its commitment to scientific innovation and consumer education.

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 Parëva Beauty on Instagram at @parevabeauty Learn more about the science behind the brand and product innovation at parevabeauty.com.

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:

Parëva C35.5™ Firming Glow Serum

Parëva COLL20™ Gel Cream Moisturizer

Parëva RH5.5™ Hydrabond Primer

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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 Stephanie DePisa, founder of Solara Suncare, to discuss her journey in creating a clean, mineral-based sunscreen brand designed for sensitive skin. Stephanie shares her personal story as a mother whose children had adverse reactions to existing sunscreens, leading her to develop her own products. The conversation explores the challenges of building a brand from scratch, the importance and difficulties of innovation in the sunscreen industry, and the significance of listening to customer feedback.

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 Solara Suncare on Instagram at @solarasuncare and discover your new favorite sunscreen at solarasuncare.com.

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:

Solara Suncare Good Karma Energizing Body Oil Sunscreen SPF 30

Solara Suncare Time Traveler Peptide Face Moisturizer SPF 30

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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 engages with Dr. Katie Varman, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in photoimmunology. They explore the complex relationship between sunlight and skin health, emphasizing the importance of antioxidants, particularly niacinamide, in skincare. Dr. Varman discusses the benefits and risks of sun exposure, the science behind UVA and UVB light, and the role of diet and supplements in maintaining skin health. The conversation highlights the need for a balanced approach to skincare that considers both external products and internal health.

Follow Dr. Katie Varman on Instagram at @shine_dermatology. Learn more about her brilliant work at Shine Functional Dermatology here.

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:

Carmine’s picks for really good Niacinamide serums and creams:

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

Paula’s Choice Niacinamide 20% Treatment

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 

The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum

The INKEY List 20% Niacinamide Excess Oil Solution

StriVectin SD Advanced PLUS Intensive Moisturizer

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Carmine’s picks for really good facial sunscreens with PLE / Iron Oxides:

toty Ilumina Mineral Glow SPF 50+

toty Solaria Mineral SPF 50

toty Solaria Body SPF 50

Lion Pose Ghost-Buster Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42

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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 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 Montalto and Dr. Jen Haley delve into the fascinating world of exosomes, a cutting-edge ingredient trend in skincare. Dr. Haley, a board-certified dermatologist and host of the Radiance Revealed podcast, explains the science behind exosomes, their applications in dermatology, and their benefits for skin health. The conversation covers the practical use of exosomes in medical treatments, their introduction into consumer products, and the importance of understanding the risks and benefits associated with this groundbreaking innovation.

Follow Dr. Jen Haley on Instagram at @drjenhaley. And be sure to catch Radiance Revealed in your favorite podcast app.

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:

Skinfix Exo + Ectoin Intensive Repair Baume

Osmosis StemFactor Growth Factor Serum

Plated DAILY 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 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 shares insights on skincare routines, focusing on the best order for applying products and the importance of creating good skincare habits. He discusses the evolution of skincare routines, the role of serums, and the significance of understanding ingredient penetration using the 500 Dalton rule – a measure of molecular weight. Carmine emphasizes the need for tailored AM and PM routines to optimize your skin health and protect against environmental damage and correct signs of aging.

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

Product links:

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum

The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum

Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster

The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide + HA Serum

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Great moisturizers for very dry skin: 

Skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream 

The INKEY List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer

Great moisturizer for normal / dry skins: 

Paula’s Choice Resist Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer 

Great moisturizers for oily skin: 

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan

Skinfix Barrier Restoring Gel Cream

Great moisturizer for sensitive skin: 

Untoxicated Moisture Boost Hydrating Cream 

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Great beginner Retinol:  

Cocokind Beginner Retinol Gel 

Great mid-strength Retinols: 

The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion Serum

Remedy for Dark Spots Nightly All in One Treatment 

Great advanced Retinol: 

Paula's Choice Clinical Pro Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment 

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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 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 dives deep into the complexities of peptides, exploring their significance in skincare and their role in boosting skin’s vital collagen. He discusses the various types of peptides, their benefits, and how they contribute to youthful skin. The conversation also covers the importance of consistency in skincare routines, debunks common myths about collagen in products, and highlights effective ingredients like Retinol and Vitamin C for maintaining skin health. Carmine shares insights on innovative collagen-boosting products, particularly the Paula's Choice Pro Collagen Peptide Moisturizer – one of his favorite new gel-cream moisturizers that he declares is “a gel-cream on steroids!”.

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Product links:

Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer

Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster

Kiehl’s Better Screen™ UV Serum Sunscreen with Collagen Peptide

One Skin OS-01 FACE Topical Supplement

The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA

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Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:

Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer product review here.

Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster product review here.

Kiehl’s Better Screen™ UV Serum Sunscreen product review here.

One Skin OS-01 FACE Topical Supplement product review here.

Explore the Best Paula’s Choice products here.

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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 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.

Product links:

The INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + Ceramides

Murad Cellular Hydration Repair Serum

Untoxicated Moisture Boost Hydrating Cream

The INKEY List’s Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer

Skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream

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Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:

Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream with B-L3 Complex product review here.

Murad Cellular Hydration Repair Serum product review here.

The INKEY List Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturizer product review here.

Untoxicated Moisture Boost Hydrating Cream product review here.

Explore the Best Dry Skin Moisturizers and Serums here.

Explore the Best Products from the INKEY List here.

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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 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.

Product links:

Lion Pose Unspotted 4X Acid Jelly Night Serum

Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Vitamin C Serum

Paula's Choice Clinical Pro Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Dew Balm Sunscreen Stick SPF 45

Remedy for Dark Spots Nightly All in One Treatment 

Untoxicated Moisture Boost Hydrating Cream

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Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:

2024 | Skincarma Product Of The Year: Lion Pose Unspotted 4X Acid Jelly Night Serum

Product Review: Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Vitamin C Serum

Product Review: Paula's Choice Clinical Pro Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment

Product Review: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Dew Balm Sunscreen Stick SPF 45

Product Review: Remedy for Dark Spots Nightly All in One Treatment

Product Review: Untoxicated Moisture Boost Hydrating Cream

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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 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.