The Skincarma® Pod

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.

In this episode of the Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Divya Gugnani, a prominent figure in the beauty industry known for her entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas. They discuss Divya’s journey from investment banking to founding multiple beauty brands, including Wander Beauty, and her latest venture, the clean fragrance brand 5SENS. The conversation delves into the inherent challenges of the beauty industry, the importance of peer mentorship, and the personal experiences that have shaped Divya’s career. The episode highlights evolving beauty standards and the need for products that cater to busy women. To that end, Divya shares her journey as co-founder of Wander Beauty, emphasizing the brand's focus on time-starved women and the white space for multitasking products that cater to women on-the-go. Divya shares insights about her newest venture, 5SENS, and her investment vehicle, Concept to Co., which supports diverse founders.

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 Divya on Instagram at @dgugnani and her fragrance brand 5SENS at @5sensco. Catch the 5SENS vibes and learn more about the cool concept behind the brand at 5sens.co. You can find Divya’s book Pitch Perfect, Founder’s Guide to Fundraising for Startups on Amazon 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:

5 SENS - Lit 

5 SENS - Catch Feelings

5 SENS - Life of the Party

Wander Beauty On-the-Glow Blush and Illuminator

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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 clean beauty pioneer Indie Lee, who shares her inspiring journey as both brain tumor survivor and brand founder. Indie espouses the importance of clean, toxin-free products and how her personal health challenges shaped her advocacy for wellness and longevity. The conversation explores the evolution of the clean beauty movement, the significance of living with purpose, and the need for consumer education in the beauty marketplace. Indie explains the impact of phthalates and other hormone disruptors on health, particularly in relation to autoimmune diseases. She emphasizes the importance of embracing a clean lifestyle and the need for community connection in the beauty industry.

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 Indie Lee on Instagram at @indie_lee. Learn more about the brand ethos and product innovation at indielee.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:

Indie Lee Discovery Kit

Indie Lee CoQ10 Toner

Indie Lee Stem Cell Serum

Indie Lee Daily Vitamin Infusion

Indie Lee Retinol Alternative 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 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 back Dr. Jen Haley, a board-certified dermatologist and his OG guest, to discuss essential skincare practices from the perspective of a dermatologist and debunk common myths about skincare and the basic needs of your skin. They explore the importance of sunscreen, must-have skincare ingredients, and budget-friendly product options. Dr. Jen shares her insights on trends to avoid, such as derma rollers, and trends that may be worth the effort – like LED light therapy and skin cycling. The conversation also touches on the role of cellular senescence on skin aging and the relationship between skin health and overall well-being. Carmine and Dr. Jen delve into the complexities of skincare, discussing the impact of trends, the importance of understanding your individual skin needs, and the significance of a consistent skincare routine.

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. Jen Haley on Instagram at @drjenhaley. And be sure to catch her podcast 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:

EltaMD UV Restore Tinted Broad-Spectrum Mineral Facial Sunscreen SPF 40

EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Face Sunscreen SPF 50

Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen

Ultra Violette Future Screen SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen

Good Weather Skin The One Daily Sun Cream SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen

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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.