Skin Anarchy

In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with Giovanna McCarthy, founder of PDO Max, to uncover the history, science, and artistry behind one of modern aesthetics’ most transformative tools — PDO threads. With over forty years of experience in medical aesthetics, Giovanna shares how her early exposure to European skincare and her mother’s story of burn recovery shaped a lifelong mission to heal, restore, and innovate.What began with some of the first U.S. day spas in the 1990s evolved into a pioneering medical aesthetics brand leading the way in regenerative skin lifting. At PDO Max, Giovanna introduced dissolvable polydioxanone threads, designed to stimulate collagen and elastin production for natural structure and rejuvenation — not to replace surgery, but to support it. “Threads aren’t about pulling,” she says. “They’re about rebuilding.”Giovanna also dives into the cellular science behind this subtle transformation — how PDO threads ignite healing responses that restore turgor, elasticity, and dermal vitality. Her philosophy is one of balance: rebuild, don’t overcorrect. “Too much trauma, too fast, can strip the skin of life,” she warns.Expanding into regenerative skincare, PDO Max now offers post-procedure formulas powered by PDRN, a DNA compound long used in burn medicine to accelerate repair and recovery.Tune in to hear how Giovanna McCarthy is bridging medicine, artistry, and innovation — redefining modern aesthetics through education, collaboration, and true cellular regeneration.Learn more about PDO Max on their website and social media!CHAPTERS:0:02 – Introduction & Guest Welcome0:44 – Giovanna’s Early Inspiration & European Roots1:45 – The Birth of Medical Aesthetics in the U.S.3:47 – Evolution of Skin & Surgery Synergy7:15 – The Role of Estheticians in Surgical Outcomes7:20 – Understanding PDO Threads & Industry Misconceptions10:11 – The Art and Precision of Thread Technique14:27 – Structural Science: Ligaments, Fat Pads & Lift Mechanics17:23 – Cellular Regeneration & Collagen Stimulation18:58 – Advancing Skin Quality: PDO Glow, LúmEnvy & PDRN InnovationPlease fill out this survey to give us feedback on the show!Don’t forget to subscribe to Skin Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform.Reach out to us through email with any questions.Sign up for our newsletter!Shop all our episodes and products mentioned through our ShopMy Shelf!

In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with Dr. Stephanie Redmond, PharmD, PhD, and founder of Dr. Stephanie’s, to explore how pharmacology is transforming the world of supplements and functional medicine. With dual expertise in endocrinology and pharmacotherapy, Dr. Redmond offers a rare perspective on how medications, nutrients, and hormones intersect — and how precision-based formulation is reshaping metabolic health.After years in clinical practice, Dr. Redmond noticed a glaring gap: most supplements on the market are underdosed, underperforming, and poorly understood. Her approach flips the script — using clinically validated, therapeutic dosesof ingredients designed for real efficacy and safety. “It’s not about marketing,” she explains. “It’s about measurable results.”The conversation dives deep into her breakthrough innovations, including Purify Colostrum, developed using AI-assisted filtration to isolate bioactive glycoproteins compatible with the human body — delivering seven times more anti-inflammatory power than standard colostrum. She also shares insights on her GLP-1 support formulations, designed to complement popular medications like Ozempic by addressing nutrient depletion, digestion, and hormonal balance.Together, Dr. Ekta and Dr. Redmond unpack what ethical, evidence-based supplementation truly looks like — where pharmacology meets function, and science replaces hype.Tune in to hear how Dr. Stephanie Redmond is redefining modern supplementation and why, in today’s world, foundational nutrition is no longer optional — it’s essential.Learn more about Dr. Stephanie's on their website and social media!CHAPTERS:0:02 – Introduction & Guest Welcome1:01 – Dr. Redmond’s Path from Pharmacy to Endocrinology2:18 – Bridging Medicine, Supplements & Pharmacology4:43 – The Role of Pharmacists in Holistic Care7:09 – The Gap in Supplement Education & Dosing8:58 – Colostrum: Nature’s “First Milk” Explained11:05 – Human vs. Bovine Colostrum & Compatibility14:44 – Postpartum, Perimenopause & Hormonal Health19:01 – GLP-1 Support Supplements & Metabolic Health27:27 – The Future of Foundational Wellness & Supplement TestingPlease fill out this survey to give us feedback on the show!Don’t forget to subscribe to Skin Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform.Reach out to us through email with any questions.Sign up for our newsletter!Shop all our episodes and products mentioned through our ShopMy Shelf!

In this Fragrance Friday episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with Hamed Arefian, co-founder of House of Dastan, the niche fragrance brand blending Persian heritage, Parisian craftsmanship, and New York sophistication. Rooted in the Persian word “Dastan,” meaning “stories,” the brand reimagines perfume as a medium for cultural storytelling—where every scent is a narrative, and every bottle, a work of art.Hamed shares how childhood memories of rosewater, cardamom, and tea inspired the sensory poetry behind Dastan’s creations. Drawing from his family’s deep connection to Persian culture and poetry, each fragrance captures emotion, memory, and identity—bridging generations through scent.Collaborating with renowned perfumer Richard Herpin (creator of Tom Ford’s Oud Wood), House of Dastan brings to life a refined harmony of East and West. Their standout fragrance, You?, epitomizes this philosophy—crafted to adapt to each wearer’s chemistry, creating a completely unique signature scent. “It’s not just worn,” Hamed says. “It becomes you.”As luxury evolves, House of Dastan champions emotional craftsmanship over excess—where true artistry lies in care, integrity, and depth. With three new limited-edition fragrances on the horizon and a SoHo boutique opening this November, the brand continues to redefine what modern luxury means in 2025: intimate, personal, and timeless.Tune in to hear how House of Dastan is transforming fragrance into a living art form—one rooted in heritage, yet designed for the modern soul.Learn more and shop House of Dastan on their website and social media!CHAPTERS:0:02 – Introduction & Welcome1:00 – The Journey to Founding House of Dastan2:04 – Blending Persian, Parisian, and New York Influences3:42 – The Heritage of Persian Fragrance & Storytelling5:09 – Collaborating with Perfumer Richard Herpin7:09 – The Story Behind “You?”9:09 – The Rise of Middle Eastern Fragrance Culture12:07 – Crafting the First Collection & Fragrance Design Process15:03 – From Retail to Brand Building19:39 – Redefining Luxury & What’s Next for House of DastanPlease fill out this survey to give us feedback on the show!Don’t forget to subscribe to Skin Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform.Reach out to us through email with any questions.Sign up for our newsletter!Shop all our episodes and products mentioned through our ShopMy Shelf!

In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with Hannah Penn, founder of HPPY Skin, to explore how a food-industry innovation is revolutionizing skincare. The technology—High Pressure Processing (HPP)—uses 87,000 psi of cold water pressure to preserve nutrients without heat or chemicals, unlocking the true power of botanicals while keeping their biochemical integrity intact.Inspired by her father’s pioneering work with HPP in the food world, Penn saw the opportunity to apply the same science to skincare—where nutrient loss from traditional extraction is often overlooked. “We’re not changing the ingredients,” she explains, “we’re changing how they’re processed.” The result is skincare that retains up to 10× more antioxidant content and delivers ingredients in their purest, most bioavailable form.Far from a “clean beauty” buzzword, HPPY Skin represents what Penn calls “Clean 2.0”—a science-first movement toward transparency, efficacy, and nutrient integrity. From early failed experiments to a patented process and the launch of BioBerry Infusion™, HPPY Skin’s evolution embodies persistence, innovation, and data-backed results.Blending the expertise of food scientists, cosmetic chemists, and HPP engineers, Penn has built a cross-disciplinary team redefining what performance skincare looks like. “The beauty space doesn’t need another white-labeled formula,” she says. “It needs innovation, quality, and excellence.”Tune in to hear how HPPY Skin is closing the nutrient gap in skincare—proving that sometimes, the future of beauty lies in a little pressure.SHOP HPPY Skin on their website, and visit their social media.CHAPTERS:0:02 – Introduction & Welcome0:44 – Family Innovation & Early Inspiration2:10 – Discovering HPP for Skincare3:00 – How High Pressure Processing Works6:05 – Testing & Scientific Validation9:39 – Cold Press vs HPP and Bioavailability10:44 – Rethinking Clean Beauty & True Innovation13:12 – From Trial and Error to Patented Process16:18 – Building a Multidisciplinary Team22:07 – Innovation, Impact & Consumer ResultsPlease fill out this survey to give us feedback on the show!Don’t forget to subscribe to Skin Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform.Reach out to us through email with any questions.Sign up for our newsletter!Shop all our episodes and products mentioned through our ShopMy Shelf!

In this episode of Skin Anarchy, host Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with Brian Pla, President of JuveXO, to explore one of the most advanced—and misunderstood—frontiers in regenerative aesthetics: exosome therapy. Once dismissed as cellular waste, exosomes are now recognized as the biological messengers behind repair, regeneration, and skin rejuvenation. Brian breaks down the real science, cutting through industry hype to explain what makes clinically validated exosomes fundamentally different from the countless unverified claims in today’s skincare market.At the core of JuveXO’s innovation is its proprietary complex, ExoCM™, derived from umbilical cord lining cells rich in regenerative nutrients. Each formulation is verified under electron microscopy to confirm the presence of live, viable exosomes—setting a new standard for transparency and efficacy in medical aesthetics. But JuveXO’s secret lies beyond exosomes themselves; its advanced bioactive system includes collagen types I and III, hyaluronic acid, and immune-supporting peptides that collectively accelerate healing and enhance skin vitality.Throughout the conversation, Brian emphasizes one principle above all: science before sales. With five FDA clinical trials supporting their process, JuveXO leads with data, ethics, and precision—proving that not all exosomes are created equal.From clinical insights to cautionary advice about misleading “$80 exosome serums,” this episode offers an unfiltered look at the future of regenerative skincare. Tune in to hear how JuveXO is redefining what’s possible in healing, repair, and cellular communication—ushering in a new era of true biotech-driven beauty.Learn more about JuveXO: https://juvexo.com/CHAPTERS:0:04 – Introduction & Guest Welcome0:47 – Understanding What Exosomes Really Are2:20 – Stem Cells, Secretomes & Regenerative Signaling4:33 – The Source: Umbilical Stem Cells & ExoCM7:42 – Exosomes in Aesthetic Medicine8:56 – Manufacturing, Safety & Clinical Trials13:29 – Inside Juvexo’s Proprietary Technology16:20 – Real Results, Downtime & Patient Outcomes20:04 – The Future of Exosomes & RegulationPlease fill out this survey to give us feedback on the show!Don’t forget to subscribe to Skin Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform.Reach out to us through email with any questions.Sign up for our newsletter!Shop all our episodes and products mentioned through our ShopMy Shelf!

In this landmark 800th episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with the legendary Anastasia Soare, founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills and one of the most influential figures in modern beauty. Known globally as the Queen of Brows, Anastasia joins Dr. Ekta to discuss her newly released book, Raising Brows: My Story of Building a Billion-Dollar Beauty Empire. In this intimate conversation, she reflects on her remarkable journey—from her early years as a Romanian immigrant to becoming the visionary behind one of the most iconic brands in beauty history.What began as a simple observation—that eyebrows were being overlooked—sparked a revolution. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s studies on facial proportion, Anastasia developed her signature Golden Ratio method, shaping not only brows but the direction of the entire beauty industry. Her commitment to craftsmanship, precision, and empowerment turned Anastasia Beverly Hills into a global symbol of artistry and integrity.Anastasia opens up about the discipline, mentorship, and mindset that built her empire—offering wisdom that transcends business. She shares her mother’s lessons in humility, her belief that fear must never dictate one’s path, and the philosophy that has guided her from the salon floor to international fame: “If there’s no seat at the table, build your own.”Episode 800 is more than a milestone—it’s a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of excellence. Tune in to hear Anastasia Soare’s powerful story and discover the legacy behind Anastasia Beverly Hills—and now, behind her new book Raising Brows.Shop Raising Brows: My Story of Building a Billion-Dollar Beauty Empire and Anastasia Beverly Hills CosmeticsCHAPTERS:0:02 – Introduction & Welcome1:03 – Starting Over in a New Country3:06 – Entering the Beauty Industry4:41 – The Birth of the Brow Technique6:22 – Creating a New Beauty Category8:19 – The Philosophy of Giving Your Best11:05 – The Rise of ABH & Social Media Breakthrough13:07 – Building Confidence & Carving Your Own Path16:23 – Leadership, Mentorship & Lessons in DisciplinePlease fill out this survey to give us feedback on the show!Don’t forget to subscribe to Skin Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform.Reach out to us through email with any questions.Sign up for our newsletter!Shop all our episodes and products mentioned through our ShopMy Shelf!

In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with Sergio Tache, founder and CEO of Dossier, the viral fragrance brand rewriting the rules of luxury. What started as a simple question—“Why should smelling good cost $150?”—has evolved into a global movement redefining access, quality, and transparency in the world of scent.Sergio shares his unconventional journey from finance to fragrance, revealing how a curiosity for entrepreneurship led him to challenge one of beauty’s most exclusive markets. Dossier began with a clear mission: make high-quality, cruelty-free perfumes with premium ingredients—without the markup. What emerged was not just an affordable alternative, but an entirely new way for consumers to explore fragrance through layering, discovery, and personalization.From its early “impressions” collection inspired by luxury icons to its growing line of original creations like It Factor, Dossier has evolved from “dupe” to disruptor—proving that true luxury is about integrity, not price tags. Sergio also lifts the curtain on the brand’s minimalist ethos: recyclable packaging, transparent sourcing, and French craftsmanship that speaks for itself.As the fragrance landscape shifts, Dossier stands out for celebrating individuality and inclusivity. Sergio discusses how consumer preferences are changing—toward genderless scents, mindful spending, and authenticity—and why the future of fragrance lies in accessibility, not aspiration.Tune in to hear how Dossier is democratizing luxury, one scent at a time—and why the next evolution of perfume is all about confidence, creativity, and connection.Shop all Dossier Fragrances!CHAPTERS:0:02 – Introduction & Guest Welcome0:54 – Sergio’s Transition from Finance to Fragrance2:18 – Founding Dossier & Making Luxury Accessible4:01 – Value vs. Discovery in Fragrance5:37 – Breaking Down Luxury Pricing7:16 – From “Dupes” to Original Creations10:57 – Fragrance as an Everyday Luxury11:43 – Lessons from Building Dossier16:44 – Craft, Packaging & the Future of FragrancePlease fill out this survey to give us feedback on the show!Don’t forget to subscribe to Skin Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform.Reach out to us through email with any questions.Sign up for our newsletter!Shop all our episodes and products mentioned through our ShopMy Shelf!

To celebrate the launch of YŪGEN Magazine Volume 4, we’re revisiting one of our most powerful conversations with our newest cover star, Jenny McCarthy.In this special re-release, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with Jenny to explore the journey behind Formless Beauty, her cosmetics line born from personal health battles, scientific curiosity, and an unshakable commitment to transparency. What began as a search for safe, high-performance products evolved into a mission to challenge misleading “clean beauty” claims and rebuild consumer trust through evidence-based formulation.Jenny opens up about her diagnosis with a genetic mutation, her autoimmune struggles, and the wake-up call that sparked a total shift in how she approached beauty, wellness, and advocacy. Together, they discuss the darker side of the “clean” movement — from regulatory gaps to the dangers of marketing to young consumers — and how Formless Beauty is redefining what integrity in beauty truly looks like.As YŪGEN Volume 4 goes live, this episode offers a deeper look at the story behind our cover star — one of purpose, perseverance, and the courage to create something that truly serves others.🔗 Read Jenny’s exclusive cover story in YŪGEN Volume 4, available NOW on APPLE BOOKS and SAYUGEN.COM!Follow YŪGEN's pages on Instagram and TikTok!Please fill out this survey to give us feedback on the show!Don’t forget to subscribe to Skin Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform.Reach out to us through email with any questions.Sign up for our newsletter!Shop all our episodes and products mentioned through our ShopMy Shelf!

In this masterclass episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with Dr. Julie Faitg, Senior Manager of Applied Research and Regulatory Affairs at Timeline, to uncover how mitochondrial science is transforming the future of skin longevity.Dr. Faitg challenges the familiar “powerhouse” analogy, instead calling mitochondria the “CEO of the cell.” Far from passive energy producers, these organelles orchestrate communication, repair, and renewal—directly influencing collagen production, elasticity, and cellular resilience. “If your mitochondria aren’t healthy,” she explains, “the entire cascade of cellular function begins to falter.”Through vivid analogies, Dr. Faitg describes how mitochondria behave differently across tissues—fueling endurance in muscles, focus in the brain, and regeneration in the skin. This adaptability, she notes, is what makes them the foundation of both vitality and longevity.The conversation dives into mitochondrial resilience, the skin’s ability to repair and recover from stress. Aging begins when this resilience declines, leading to diminished energy, slower renewal, and visible signs of fatigue.Dr. Faitg highlights Timeline’s breakthrough ingredient, Mitopure® (Urolithin A)—a clinically validated compound that triggers mitophagy, the process of recycling damaged mitochondria. In trials, topical Mitopure® improved collagen expression, hydration, and firmness while reducing inflammation and UV-induced stress.Developed in Switzerland under rigorous safety and precision standards, Timeline’s skincare line redefines beauty as m—a shift from treating the surface to revitalizing the source.🎧 Listen to this episode to explore how mitochondrial health holds the key to radiant, resilient, and truly ageless skin.Learn more about Timeline and shop their products on their website and social media.Chapters:0:02 – Episode Introduction & Guest Welcome1:01 – Why Mitochondria Matter & Overview3:34 – Mitochondria Across Different Tissues5:22 – Mitochondria’s Role in Skin Vitality7:04 – Dysfunction, Aging & Skin Longevity12:19 – Mitochondrial Resilience & Oxidative Stress18:48 – Clinical Studies & Observed Effects on Skin21:32 – Delivery Systems, Penetration, & Safety Considerations25:40 – Translating Swiss Science from Lab to ProductPlease fill out this survey to give us feedback on the show!Don’t forget to subscribe to Skin Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform.Reach out to us through email with any questions.Sign up for our newsletter!Shop all our episodes and products mentioned through our ShopMy Shelf!