Skin Anarchy

In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with Dr. Alexes Hazen—board-certified plastic surgeon, microsurgery specialist, and founder of Zen Essentials—for a thoughtful conversation on skin health, ethical aesthetics, and why real results can never be separated from whole-body well-being. With a background that spans public health, global medicine, and some of the most technically demanding surgical training, Dr. Hazen brings a rare depth to how she thinks about beauty, healing, and care.Her path to medicine was anything but linear. From working with the New York City Department of Health during the AIDS crisis to serving in the Peace Corps in Honduras, Dr. Hazen learned early that medicine isn’t just technical—it’s human. Those experiences shaped a philosophy she carries into every aspect of her work today: outcomes are influenced as much by mental health, sleep, nutrition, and support systems as they are by surgical skill.Throughout the conversation, Dr. Hazen challenges the surface-level thinking that dominates skincare culture. Skin, she reminds us, is an organ—and it reflects what’s happening internally. No product can compensate for chronic stress, dehydration, or exhaustion. When those fundamentals are addressed, skincare finally has the space to work as it should.She also speaks candidly about ethics in aesthetic medicine—why board certification matters, why saying “no” is sometimes the most responsible choice, and how listening to patients should always come before selling solutions.That same restraint and intention led to the creation of Zen Essentials, born from Dr. Hazen’s own struggles with severe skin sensitivities. Designed to be effective yet calming, the line reflects her belief that skincare should support the body—not fight it.Listen to the full episode to hear Dr. Alexes Hazen unpack holistic healing, ethical aesthetics, and why real skin health starts with caring for the whole person.SHOP Zen Essentials and learn more on social media!CHAPTERS:(0:02) - Introduction & Guest Welcome(0:46) - A Nonlinear Path Into Medicine(1:26) - Public Health, AIDS Education & the Peace Corps(2:46) - Falling in Love With Surgery & Plastic Surgery Training(3:01) - Early Burn Injury, Scars & Coming Full Circle(4:12) - Why Holistic Care Matters in Surgical Outcomes(8:40) - Skin as a Reflection of Whole-Body Health(11:22) - Ethics, Training & Responsibility in Aesthetic Surgery(26:21) - The Origins of Zen Essentials & Sensitive Skin SciencePlease 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!*This is a paid collaboration Hosted on Acast. See

In this special episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with supermodel, actress, podcaster, and YSE Beauty founder Molly Sims for an intimate conversation on how beauty evolves, how confidence is built, and how skincare becomes smarter with age. Known for her iconic presence and unfiltered approach on Lipstick on the Rim, Molly opens up about the real experiences that shaped her philosophy — from hormonal acne and melasma to rediscovering balance after years of harsh actives.Molly reflects on her earliest beauty memories, watching her mother turn daily routines into rituals that embodied strength and joy. That foundation, combined with her global modeling career, became its own education: effortless French skincare, British edge, Italian sensuality, and a universal truth — consistency beats extremes.Her journey to creating YSE Beauty began after her skin hit what she calls a “benefit plateau,” when aggressive ingredients stopped delivering results. She shares how shifting toward cushion actives, barrier support, and clinical but sensorial formulations transformed her skin and inspired a brand built on wisdom, simplicity, and results that feel good.For Molly, beauty isn’t about correction or perfection — it’s about alignment. It’s the confidence that comes from choosing what serves you, whether that’s a glow-inducing exfoliating pad, a subtle procedure, or simply giving your skin room to breathe.Listen to the full episode to hear Molly Sims discuss aging with intention, building YSE Beauty from the ground up, and why true luxury isn’t the price tag — it’s how you feel in your own skin.SHOP YSE Beauty and learn more on their social media!CHAPTERS:(0:03) - Introduction & Guest Welcome(1:07) - Early Beauty Memories & “It Girl” Origins(2:44) - Influences From Travel, Fashion & Global Beauty Culture(4:53) - Shifting Aesthetic Trends: From Harsh Treatments to Maintenance(6:59) - Social Media, Filler Culture & Confidence(9:46) - Personal Journeys With Procedures, Aging & Empowerment(12:11) - Why Wise Beauty Was Created(17:05) - Actives, Cushioning Ingredients & the Skin Plateau(21:52) - Luxury vs. Efficacy, Accessibility & Building a Smarter Beauty BrandPlease 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with one of the most influential minds in modern aesthetics, Dr. Steven Dayan — facial plastic surgeon, New York Times bestselling author, educator, and founder of XOMD Skincare. Together, they explore the deeper layers of beauty: the biology, the psychology, and the emotional resonance that shape how we see ourselves and others.Dr. Dayan reflects on his unconventional path from sculptor to surgeon, sharing how art, science, and human emotion converged to form his philosophy of aesthetics. Beauty, he explains, is rooted in evolution — a subconscious signal of wellness and vitality — but attraction is the true driver of human connection. Confidence, authenticity, posture, expression, and energy all play into how attractive we feel, and therefore how we’re perceived.Throughout the conversation, Dr. Dayan breaks down the subtle, powerful ways aesthetic treatments can influence mood and behavior. Small changes can boost approachability and positivity — while overtreatment can create emotional dissonance and mistrust. He offers a candid look at how social media has reshaped our aesthetic bias, urging both providers and consumers to recalibrate toward natural proportions and personal identity.Dr. Dayan also gives listeners an inside look at XOMD Skincare, his newest innovation with Dr. Sabrina Fabi, built around the neurochemical link between skin health and confidence.Listen to the full episode to learn how Dr. Dayan is redefining beauty through the lens of neuroscience, culture, and human connection — and why confidence may be the most transformative aesthetic treatment of all.SHOP XOMD and use code SApod for 10% off!CHAPTERS:(0:02) - Introduction & Guest Welcome(1:12) - Early Life, Medicine & the Path to Surgery(3:01) - Writing, Creativity & the Philosophy of Beauty(6:05) - Defining Beauty: Neuroscience, Evolution & Emotion(11:00) - Beauty vs. Attraction & the Role of Confidence(14:50) - Social Media, Trends & Aesthetic Bias(18:40) - Authenticity, Expression & First Impressions(21:03) - Rethinking Training, Safety & Best Practices(24:00) - Global Beauty Standards & Cultural PerspectivesPlease 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with Jordan Harper, board-certified nurse practitioner and founder of Barefaced, to explore the movement toward simplicity, integrity, and long-term skin health. With nearly a decade in aesthetic medicine, Harper brings a refreshing, clinically grounded perspective to a beauty landscape overwhelmed by trends, noise, and overcomplicated routines.Harper shares how her early career in the ICU shaped her detail-oriented, problem-solving mindset — and how she carried that discipline into aesthetics. What she noticed immediately was a disconnect: patients would invest heavily in treatments but neglect the daily routine that actually sustains results. That realization became the foundation of Barefaced’s “less but better” philosophy, anchored by her Core Four essentials: exfoliant, vitamin C, retinoid, and SPF.Throughout the conversation, Harper reframes skincare as prevention, not correction — a longevity-based approach that prioritizes the barrier, cellular health, and consistency over quick fixes. She also dives into the meaning of true “medical grade”: thoughtful formulations, meaningful concentrations, and uncompromising standards. It’s the reason she once pulled a product at a $200,000 loss — integrity outweighs profit.From the cult-favorite Toning Pads that sparked the brand’s cult following to Barefaced’s commitment to education and honest guidance, Harper emphasizes serving the consumer, not selling to them.Tune in to hear how Jordan Harper is redefining modern skincare through clinical rigor, simplicity, and unwavering authenticity — and why the future of skin health is built on foundations, not fads.SHOP BAREFACED and learn more on social media!CHAPTERS:(0:02) - Introduction & Guest Welcome(0:40) - From ICU to Aesthetics: The Turning Point(2:34) - The 80/20 Rule: At-Home vs In-Office Results(4:39) - Common Routine Mistakes & Barrier Damage(7:16) - “Less, But Better” and The Core Four(9:28) - Longevity vs Anti-Aging(12:12) - What “Medical Grade” Really Means(17:28) - Scaling with Integrity & Brand Discipline(20:35) - Cult Favorites, Toning Pads & Community-Centered CarePlease 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!*This is a paid collaboration Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with Simone Gibertoni, CEO of Clinique La Prairie, for the launch of our new Lessons In Longevity series. This is a powerful conversation about what longevity truly means today—and why it’s no longer about “anti-aging,” but about living better, longer, and with intention. For nearly a century, the Swiss institution has been a leader in preventative medicine, and under Gibertoni’s guidance, it has evolved into a global ecosystem built on personalized diagnostics, science-backed interventions, and deeply human care.Gibertoni shares how the rise of epigenetics has transformed our understanding of health, revealing that up to 80% of our outcomes are shaped not by genetics, but by lifestyle. At Clinique La Prairie, advanced testing—spanning epigenetics, metabolomics, and glycan mapping—guides individualized programs designed to shift habits, improve resilience, and create measurable change. But data, he insists, is only the beginning. “Information is not transformation,” he says. Real longevity comes from routines, structure, and the human relationships that support long-term growth.The clinic’s Four Pillars approach—medicine, nutrition, movement, and well-being—reflects his belief that aging is multi-dimensional. Stress reduction, emotional vitality, and purpose are as essential as biomarkers. This philosophy extends into Holistic Health™, the clinic’s line of precision supplements, including Epinone, formulated to support gene expression and cellular repair through structured, cyclical use.This episode reframes longevity as a mindset grounded in science, culture, and connection. Tune in to hear how Simone Gibertoni envisions a future where living well isn’t a luxury—but a lifelong, human-centered practice.Learn more and shop Clinique La Prairie Holistic Health.CHAPTERS:0:02 – Introduction & Guest Welcome1:04 – The Origins of Longevity at Clinique La Prairie2:30 – From Anti-Aging to Longevity Philosophy3:31 – Genes, Epigenetics & Lifestyle Impact6:51 – The Longevity Process: Diagnostics, Intervention, Follow-Up9:26 – From Information to Transformation11:27 – The Four Pillars of Longevity13:26 – Closing the Gap Between Lifespan & Healthspan20:02 – Supplements, Science & The Future of LongevityPlease 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Estella Benz, Founder and CEO of Inference Beauty, transforms the skincare landscape with her data-driven approach to ingredient transparency. She shares how her frustration with complex ingredient lists inspired her mission to simplify beauty through AI personalization. Estella discusses changing dynamics in consumer needs, especially for busy women, and critiques fear-based apps that mislead. Plus, she emphasizes the importance of human expertise alongside technology and advocates for personalized e-commerce experiences to enhance consumer trust.

Dr. Jessica Weiser, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Weiser Skin MD, discusses the often-overlooked world of scalp health. She elaborates on the scalp as a complex ecosystem, addressing issues like inflammation and hair loss. Dr. Weiser highlights the revolutionary KeraFactor system, utilizing peptides for reactivating dormant follicles, and the benefits of red-light therapy for enhanced hair vitality. She emphasizes a holistic approach to scalp care, integrating nutrition, stress management, and advanced technologies for long-term hair longevity.

Dr. Anthony Nakhla, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon and founder of Eighth Day, brings his expertise in Mohs surgery to revolutionize skincare with regenerative medicine. He discusses his groundbreaking Peptide-Rich Plasma® technology, emphasizing how it utilizes bioidentical peptides for natural healing. A key point is the importance of effective delivery systems over mere ingredient hype, ensuring true regeneration at the cellular level. Dr. Nakhla argues for data-driven skincare, merging science and artistry to redefine luxury in beauty.

In a heartfelt conversation, May Lindstrom, founder of May Lindstrom Skin, reveals how her personal battle with eczema inspired her journey into clean, artisanal skincare. She shares insights on the intimate connection between sensitivity and self-care, emphasizing that skincare should heal rather than conceal. May discusses her powerful creation, The Blue Cocoon, a calming balm that embraces skin nourishment. This episode is a reflection on respecting skin as a living organ and the importance of mindful rituals in the pursuit of beauty.

Giovanna McCarthy, founder of PDO Max, brings decades of medical aesthetics expertise, particularly in innovative PDO threads and regenerative skincare. She dives into how her mother’s burn recovery shaped her career and emphasizes the artistry behind PDO threads for skin rejuvenation. Giovanna breaks down common misconceptions, discusses the collagen-stimulating benefits of PDO, and shares insights on the importance of proper training. She also highlights the role of regenerative topicals like PDRN in healing and stresses the significance of informed patient care.