The Skincarma® Pod

For more than 25 years, the U.S. sunscreen market has been frozen in time – while the rest of the world moved on to newer, more advanced UV filters. In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Carl D’Ruiz, one of the key figures behind the FDA’s proposed order to add a new UV filter to the U.S. sunscreen monograph – the first in more than a generation.Carl is a regulatory and scientific affairs leader at dsm-firmenich, and has spent nearly two decades navigating shifting regulations, Congressional mandates, clinical trials, and evolving FDA requirements to bring bemotrizinol (PARSOL® Shield) to the brink of U.S. approval. When finalized, it would become only the third UV filter considered GRASE (Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective) under modern FDA standards.In this wide-ranging conversation, Carmine and Carl unpack:Why sunscreen is regulated as a drug in the U.S. – and how that stalled innovation;What Category III really means (and why it doesn’t equal “unsafe”);The impact of systemic absorption studies and the 2019 JAMA sunscreen headlines;Why Americans have access to far fewer UV filters than Europe, S. Korea, or Australia;How bemotrizinol could enable better broad-spectrum protection and more wearable formulas, especially for melanated skin;What it actually takes – in time, data, and money – to shepherd a new sunscreen active through the FDA;And why this milestone could open the door to a new era of sunscreen innovation in the U.S.The episode also explores Carl’s unconventional career path – from the EPA to tobacco harm reduction to sunscreen regulation – along with the signature lightning round that touches on cycling, risk-taking, mentorship, and what it really means to play the long game in public health.This is a must-listen for anyone curious about sunscreen safety, FDA regulation, ingredient innovation, or why the products Americans use every day have lagged so far behind the rest of the world – and what finally might change.—Follow Carl D’Ruiz on Instagram here and on LinkedIn here. And, you can learn more about Carl’s decades-long work to get PARSOL® Shield over the finish line in the BeautyMatter article, The Great Sunscreen Odyssey: The 25-Year Road to a “New” UV Filter.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.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® 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.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.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

Men track their workouts, optimize their supplements, and obsess over performance — yet mention moisturizer (especially one with SPF!) and the conversation suddenly gets weird. Why?In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Bob “Beauty Bob” Gearing, a men’s health and lifestyle writer and contributor to Men’s Health magazine, to unpack the quiet contradiction at the heart of men’s skincare — and why language, simplicity, and habit matter more than products.Bob shares his personal skincare journey — from severe teenage acne to building a routine in adulthood that actually sticks. He’s become an influential voice and advocate in the men’s grooming space. Together, Carmine and Bob explore how men discover skincare through their partners, why “grooming” can feel more accessible than “skincare,” and how most men are overwhelmed not by a lack of interest, but by an overwhelming flood of choices.The conversation digs into Bob’s popular “two-minute drill”: a no-nonsense daily routine built around three non-negotiables — cleansing, lightweight hydration, and daily SPF. They discuss why sunscreen remains the hardest sell for men (despite being the most effective anti-aging step), why texture and feel matter more than ingredient lists for most guys, and how consistency beats complexity every time.Carmine brings his de-influencer lens to the discussion, calling out ingredient overload, questionable devices, and marketing that talks at men instead of meeting them where they are. They also touch on Bob’s writing for Men’s Health, including topics like SPF, sweat-friendly routines, golf and sun exposure, and the cultural silence that keeps men secretly asking skincare questions in DMs instead of out in the open.This is an honest, practical conversation about men’s skincare habits — without the noise, the stigma, or the outrageous 12-step routines.—Follow Bob on Instagram at @beautybob and on LinkedIn here. And, catch his articles in Men’s Health magazine, including “Fellas, It’s Time to Take Care of Your Skin” and “How I Get Rid of My Back Hair Without Asking My Wife or Buddies for Help”.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Men’s Health articles by Bob Gearing:How I Get Rid of My Back Hair Without Asking My Wife or Buddies for HelpYeah, I Still Get Pimples at 43 Years Old. Here’s How I Clear ‘Em Up.Fellas, It’s Time to Take Care of Your SkinThe Post-Sweat Grooming Routine for Dudes on the Go—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® 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.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.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this special mic-flip episode of The Skincarma Pod, roles are reversed. After a standout conversation on skin microbiome health, Dahlia Devkota – former Allure beauty editor and founder of Editrix – returns to the podcast to interview Carmine, the creator of The Skincarma Pod and Skincarma Blog.What follows is a free-flowing, unfiltered conversation that traces Carmine’s more than 25-year career in beauty – from department store counters and legacy brands to his time as the first-ever in-house copywriter at Kiehl’s, and ultimately to creating Skincarma.With no script and no guardrails, Dahlia asks the questions editors always want to ask – and Carmine answers them with honesty and his trademark wry wit.Together, they dig into how the beauty industry has changed (and where it hasn’t), why marketing often outruns science, and what actually matters when it comes to skin health today. From niacinamide, ectoin, growth factors, and the exosome hype cycle to sunscreen skepticism, personalization myths, and the difference between beauty culture in New York and Los Angeles, this episode is equal parts industry history, cultural commentary, and skincare truth-telling.Catch Carmine and Dahlia in their first episode together: Ep. 54: “Healthy Skin Is Left Alone” – Editing the Microbiome with Dahlia Devkota, Founder of Editrix—Connect with Dahlia on Instagram at @dahlia.devkota and on LinkedIn here. Discover Editrix on Instagram here and learn more about the products and brand ethos at editrixwellness.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links: Editrix I. Demigod Ayurvedic Cleansing OilEditrix II. Deuxième Postbiotic Fermented CleanserEditrix III. Superare Microflora Barrier FilmEditrix IV. Bakterium Delirium Skin Education SerumPaula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster—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® 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.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.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, celebrity facialist and master aesthetician Angela Caglia joins Carmine to break down the truth behind stem cell skincare, growth factors, and what “regenerative skincare” really means. Angela begins by sharing her origin story – from Visalia, California to Paris and New York, and a pivotal moment with Barbra Streisand that sparked the launch of her namesake brand. She goes on to share how her cult-favorite Cell Forté Serum helped propel Angela Caglia Skincare into the luxury biotech spotlight.Together, they demystify human-derived stem cell conditioned media, explain how it differs from plant extracts and synthetic exosomes, and why biocompatible, barrier-first formulas matter for real anti-aging results. They also discuss common skincare myths, the problem with overusing exfoliating acids, why many “toners” are actually at-home peels, and Angela’s approach to product integrity as a founder who still works hands-on with clients.Plus: a lightning round on overhyped trends (OTC retinol), skincare rules Angela breaks, and her definition of healthy skin. (Psst…it’s rooted in consistency and self-care!)Connect with Angela Caglia on Instagram at @angelacagliaskincare and on LinkedIn here. Explore Angela Caglia Skincare products and brand ethos at angelacaglia.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links: Angela Caglia Cell Forté SerumAngela Caglia Soufflé MoisturizerAngela Caglia Cell Forté Eye Crème—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® 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.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.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Clara Cárdenas, co-founder of Pipa Skin Care, a breakout brand committed to providing age-appropriate skincare for pre-teens.Clara shares her journey from her early career in Venezuela to her experience at Facebook, and how her passion for skincare led her to create Pipa with two childhood friends – Kristina Kubler, an esthetician with two decades of hands-on experience, and Corina Pfeffer, a mathematician turned designer turned logistics savant.Pipa was born of a simple but universally relatable moment: Kristi’s daughter, Pipa, hit that age where she wanted real skincare – but everything on the market was either too childish, too harsh, or just too grown-up.The conversation delves into the challenges of building a brand targeting two distinct audiences – moms and their young daughters – as well as the importance of clean ingredients and the unique needs of young skin. Clara emphasizes the responsibility she and her co-founders feel in creating products that not only appeal to kids but also meet the trust of parents. The episode also highlights the brand’s marketing strategies, retail launch plans, and aspirations for the future.Connect with Clara on Instagram at @claricardenas and on LinkedIn here. Explore Pipa Skincare on Instagram at @pipa_skincare and learn more about the products and brand ethos at pipastics.com.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links: Pipa Skin Care Squeaky CleanPipa Skin Care Smooth OperatorPipa Skin Care Sun-SationalPipa Skin Care Skin Saver—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® 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.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.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine is joined by Brian Ecclefield, Founder and Managing Director of Validated Claim Support, the clinical testing lab setting new standards for ethics, accuracy, and transparency in cosmetic claims.Few topics have shaken the beauty world this year quite like SunscreenGate – the scandalous revelation that the SPF validation tests behind many popular sunscreens may have been manipulated, falsified or simply fallen short, leading to careless, even dangerous mislabeling – and haphazard sunscreen product recalls.There’s nobody more uniquely qualified to explain how we got here and where we’re headed than Brian Ecclefield. For more than 16 years, Brian has designed and overseen clinical studies for skincare, haircare, personal care, and OTC products like sunscreens. He specializes in the rigorous evaluation of claims, including the complex world of SPF validation.Before launching VCS, Brian spent time inside two of the industry’s most relied upon (and infamous!) labs – AMA and Princeton Consumer Research – giving him rare, insider insights into how testing can go wrong, how numbers can be massaged, and what red flags brands should never ignore. Find out how the scandal happened – and how Brian believes it doesn’t ever have to happen again.Follow Brian on Instagram at @​​eccleburgers and on LinkedIn here. Learn more about the independent and unbiased work of Validated Claim Support on the company’s website here.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.—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® 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.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.With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine welcomes Maya Myers and Tzvi Ginzburg, husband-and-wife dynamic duo and co-founders of All Moringa. From farm to family, Ghana’s rich soil to your morning smoothie, Maya and Tzvi are spreading the power of the Miracle Tree. They’ve turned a shared passion for wellness, sustainability, and family into a thriving wellness brand built around one extraordinary plant: the Moringa oleifera. Indeed, they’re growing wellness from the ground up.Listen in as Carmine digs into their story, delves into the science, and draws out the soul of the Miracle Tree – and this miraculous brand.Follow Maya on Instagram at @mayamyersphoto and on LinkedIn here. Explore All Moringa’s range of holistic wellness products and brand ethos at @allmoringa and on the brand’s website here.Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.Product links:All Moringa Leaf + Seed Whole-Plant Synergy OilAll Moringa Moisturizing Face CreamAll Moringa Premium Organic Moringa Oleifera Leaf PowderAll Moringa Organic Moringa and Ginger Herbal TeaAll Moringa Organic Moringa, Mint & Chamomile Herbal Tea—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® 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.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.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. Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe