Episodes

Explore the world of skincare hydration with Trina Renea and Rebecca Gadberry in this insightful podcast episode! Discover the science behind essential ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid that can boost your skin's health. Learn how these key humectants function, why natural moisturizing factors are important, and get expert advice on reading ingredient labels confidently. Whether you're dealing with dry skin or simply want to know what's really in your skincare products, this episode ...

Episode summary In this eye-opening episode of Facially Conscious, skincare experts Trina Renea, Dr. Vicki Rapaport, and Rebecca Gadberry demystify the world of hydrating ingredients. They reveal surprising truths about skin hydration, debunking common myths such as the idea that drinking water alone improves skin health, and exposing the limitations of trendy ingredients like hyaluronic acid. The podcast delves deeply into the science of skin hydration, explaining the vital role of the skin bar...

Why are a product's ingredients on its label? What are you supposed to know when you read it? Why are some ingredients on the box while others are on the container? Can brands name ingredients anything they want to or is there method to the naming madness? Joining Trina and Rebecca for a Deep Dive into the Ingredient List is Dr. Mindy Goldstein - one of the few people who actually name the ingredients on your skin care labels - for a behind-the-scenes look at the world of cosmetic ingredient lab...

Is your neck showing signs of age faster than your face? Not surprising, especially with the deep creases and mottled skin of 'tech neck' brought about by constantly looking down at phones, tablets and computers with their blue-light-emitting screens. In this episode, we discuss the neck: why it's different than other skin on your body and the many options - from products to procedures - you have to care for this very special region. **Disclaimer** And articles or blogs mentioned in this episod...

Is choosing a facial cleanser just another frustrating challenge you don't need in your life? Join Trina and Rebecca as they make your life a tad bit easier when they discuss these 5 Facts You Need to Know Before Choosing a Facial Cleanser: 1) You may need more than one (AM | PM cleansing); 2) Cleansing ingredients are called 'surfactants' - and they're different than what you use to wash your dishes; 3) Surfactants are graded (but not like you were in school); 4) You want to choose a cleanser ...

As we age, most of us rely on 'kitchen sink' skincare designed to treat a wide swath of skin changes that make us look older - including lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, dark spots, sagging, roughness and a variety of other ills. Not only do these multi-action formulas save us money they can save minutes when every second counts as we prepare for the day ahead or head sleepily off to bed. But what if your skin doesn't need all that repair? What if you've only a few things you want to target? ...

Skin Barrier SOS: Dive into the Facially Conscious Podcast Episode with your dream team of skincare experts! Trina Renea, Dr. Vicki Rapaport, Rebecca Gadberry, and Julie Falls unpack the ultimate guide to skin barrier repair. Discover why your sensitive, dry, and irritated skin is screaming for help—and how simple techniques like slugging with Vaseline can transform your skincare routine. Learn the secrets to healing damaged barriers, fighting inflammation, and protecting your microbiome from ec...

Last week in a move called "dubius" and "frivolous" by industry insiders, Sephora USA was called out in a class action lawsuit alleging the beauty retailer misuses the term 'clean' and deceives consumers by selling products containing synthetic ingredients that could be harmful to users or the environment. Find out what our team uncovered about what's behind this lawsuit, who it was filed by, and what's at stake for the future of Clean Beauty. Learn more: Facially Conscious: https://www.podpag...

There’s two types of dermal fillers: hyaluronic acid and non-hyaluronic acid. Which one is right for you, or are both an option? This week, we discuss the first type and next week the second. If you’re considering some injectables to plump up tell tale signs of aging you’ll want to tune into both. **Disclaimer** And articles or blogs mentioned in this episode can be found on our ⁠⁠blog⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠faciallyconscious.com⁠⁠. Have another question? Send us an email today at ⁠⁠⁠info@faciallyconscious.com...

There’s two types of dermal fillers: hyaluronic acid and non-hyaluronic acid. Which one is right for you, or are both an option? This week, we discuss the first type and next week the second. If you’re considering some injectables to plump up tell tale signs of aging you’ll want to tune into both. **Disclaimer** And articles or blogs mentioned in this episode can be found on our ⁠⁠blog⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠faciallyconscious.com⁠⁠. Have another question? Send us an email today at ⁠⁠⁠info@faciallyconscious.com...

When should you see an esthetician and when is it time for a visit to the derm? Who does what? And is it possible you might want to have the help of both to get the best skin of your life? These questions were definitely on our minds when we sat down with professional esthetics icon, Dr. Mark Lees, whose eponymous multi-award winning clinical skincare spa is located in Pensacola, Florida. One of the world's most noted skincare specialists, Dr. Lees is an award-winning esthetician, product devel...

Yup, it’s true. Well, almost. It's been 20 years since Botox - that dependable wrinkle relaxer so many of us have come to love - was approved for use by the FDA. Are you a Botox devotee who just wants assurance you're getting the right procedure after all these years? Or are you a newbie considering whether Botox is right for you? Listen in as Dr. Vicki, Julie and Trina talk about whether or not you’re a candidate, how much you can expect to invest, how often you’ll want ‘refreshers’, what could...

Will Acids/ retinoids thin your skin? What is Taping? Jan Marini, founder of Jan Marini Skin Research, Inc., is one of the most respected names in professional skin care – having founded the professionally dispensed market with MD Formulations / MD Forte followed by the founding of Jan Marini Skin Research in 1994. Since that time, she has formed associations with some of the world's leading physicians and research scientists to develop cutting edge solutions to today's most common skin concerns...

As non-surgical cosmetic treatments become more common, an important question often goes unanswered: can lasers, fillers, and threads affect your ability to have a facelift later on? In this episode of the Facially Conscious Podcast, we’re joined by ⁠Beverly Hills⁠ plastic surgeon ⁠Dr. Ben Talei⁠ to explore how prior aesthetic procedures can influence surgical planning, outcomes, and long-term facial health. Dr. Talei offers a clear, surgeon’s perspective on: How injectables like dermal fillers...

When you decide it’s time to take better care of your skin, the first question is often the most confusing: Do you start with an esthetician or a dermatologist? In this episode of the Facially Conscious Podcast, esthetician Trina Renea and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Vicki Rapaport offer thoughtful, experience-based guidance on how to begin a skincare journey—without overwhelm, trends, or conflicting advice. Together, they explore: The difference between an esthetician and a dermatologis...

Fragrance in skincare is one of the most debated—and misunderstood—topics in modern skin health. Is fragrance always irritating? Can you truly be allergic to fragrance, or is sensitivity something different entirely? And are fragrance ingredients really being hidden from consumers? In this episode, Trina and Rebecca take a thoughtful, evidence-based look at fragrance in skincare products, separating common myths from what dermatology, cosmetic science, and regulation actually tell us. If you’...

Hyaluronic acid is often described as a single “hydrating ingredient,” but in reality, it’s a family of molecules—and understanding the differences can completely change how your skin responds to it. In this episode, Trina and Rebecca take a thoughtful, evidence-based deep dive into hyaluronic acid, explaining the different types, molecular weights, and functions of this widely used skincare ingredient. If you’ve ever used a hyaluronic acid serum and felt underwhelmed—or wondered why layering...

What actually happens to your skin during a Halo™ laser treatment—and who is it really for? In this episode, we take a clear, clinical look at Halo™, a hybrid fractional laser treatment designed to improve skin tone, texture, and visible signs of aging with minimal downtime. If you’ve heard Halo described as a “lunchtime laser” or felt unsure how it compares to other resurfacing treatments, this conversation brings much-needed clarity. Joining us is Dr. James Y. Wang, double board-certified de...

In this episode of the Facially Conscious Podcast, we welcome back Dr. James Wang of Metropolis Dermatology for an in-depth discussion on a new laser technology in dermatology: the Lutronic Derma V Laser. As one of the first dermatologists in the U.S. to use this device, Dr. Wang shares firsthand clinical insight into how the Derma V laser works, what skin concerns it is designed to address, and how it fits into modern dermatologic care. Rather than focusing on trends, this conversation cente...

In this episode of the Facially Conscious Podcast, we welcome our first special guest, Dr. James Wang of Metropolis Dermatology, for an in-depth conversation on laser treatments in modern dermatology. Dr. Wang is a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in aesthetic and medical lasers, and in this episode, we focus on one of the most talked-about devices in skincare today: the Lutronic Hollywood Spectra Laser. Together, we discuss how this laser works, what it’s designed to tre...

In this episode of the Facially Conscious Podcast, Trina and Rebecca take a thoughtful deep dive into niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that has become one of the most widely studied and versatile ingredients in modern skincare. Niacinamide is known for supporting multiple aspects of skin barrier repair, hydration, oil regulation, and hyperpigmentation management, but its benefits depend largely on how it is formulated and the percentage used. This episode explores how niacinamide works withi...

Clogged pores are one of the most common skincare concerns—and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of the Facially Conscious Podcast, we take a closer look at comedogenicity, the medical term used to describe ingredients and conditions that contribute to clogged pores and blackheads. Comedogenicity can affect all skin types, including oily, acne-prone, dry, and even normal skin, and while pore congestion may become less frequent with age, it doesn’t disappear entirely. In fact, por...

In this episode of the Facially Conscious Podcast, Trina and Rebecca continue the conversation on preservatives in skincare, taking a closer look at the most common preservatives used in modern cosmetic formulations and how to evaluate whether products are preserved safely and effectively. After exploring why preservatives matter, this discussion goes deeper into specific preservative systems, including parabens, and explains why these ingredients have been widely misunderstood. Rather than foc...

In this episode of the Facially Conscious Podcast, we take a closer look at preservatives in skincare and cosmetic products—what they are, why they’re used, and how they impact product safety and skin health. Do cosmetics really need preservatives? What happens when a product isn’t preserved properly, or when preservatives lose their effectiveness over time? In this conversation, we explore the role preservatives play in preventing contamination, how they support product stability, and why shel...