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Could your skincare routine be healing your mind or secretly harming it? Licensed therapist Alicia Racine Fink joins Nicky and Sandro to unpack the fascinating psychological dimensions of our beauty rituals.

When approached mindfully, skincare can serve as a powerful gateway to self-care and l. Alicia shares brilliant "habit stacking" techniques to transform your routine – like humming while cleansing to stimulate the vagus nerve, or listening to affirming messages during your regimen. These simple additions can elevate skincare from superficial to deeply nurturing.

But there's a shadow side to our beauty obsessions that rarely gets discussed. Contrary to its name, body dysmorphia affects the neck up 90% of the time, with people seeing their faces in fragmented pieces rather than as a whole. Alicia candidly shares her own struggles during the pandemic when skincare videos became a compulsion, and how easily self-care can transform into self-criticism under the influence of homogenized beauty standards.

The conversation takes a profound turn discussing "the fat attack" – how we often interject anger and direct it at ourselves instead of addressing our true feelings. This psychological insight provides a powerful lens for understanding those days when we suddenly feel "ugly" or "fat" despite nothing having changed.

Whether you're a skincare minimalist or enthusiast, this episode offers valuable tools for checking whether your beauty routine is serving your mental health. How do you feel after your routine? Are you avoiding mirrors or checking them obsessively? The answers reveal whether you're practicing genuine self-care or falling into harmful patterns.

Tune in for this beautifully honest conversation about finding balance in beauty, accepting ourselves as whole beings, and creating rituals that genuinely nourish both skin and soul.

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Ever wondered why celebrities always look so impossibly dewy and glowing? We're pulling back the curtain on the beauty routines of Hollywood's biggest stars to reveal what they actually do to maintain those camera-ready complexions.

From Nicole Kidman's CBD-infused facial oils to Gwyneth Paltrow's Ayurvedic tongue scraping rituals, we explore the full spectrum of celebrity skincare approaches—some surprisingly practical, others predictably extravagant. While many stars claim to use affordable drugstore products (we're looking at you, Nicole Kidman and your alleged Neutrogena habit), we can't help but question if there's more happening behind closed dermatologist doors than they're willing to admit.

The episode dives into Naomi Campbell's travel skincare routine, perfect for anyone who's experienced the horror of plane-induced dehydration. We explore Marisa Tomei's focus on facial exercise and lymphatic drainage that keeps her looking youthful well into her 60s. Victoria Beckham's stem cell serums and LED light treatments represent the high-tech approach, while Jennifer Lopez swears by the humble olive oil as her family beauty secret (alongside avoiding alcohol and caffeine, which honestly might be doing more heavy lifting than any serum).

What becomes clear is that while these celebrities might have access to the most expensive products and treatments on the market, many of their core practices—sun protection, proper hydration, consistent cleansing, and avoiding magnifying mirrors (thank you, Scarlett Johansson)—are things we all can incorporate into our routines. Whether you're working with a drugstore budget or ready to invest in "stem cell collagen activator duo serum" (whatever that is), there's something for everyone to take away from these A-list beauty habits.

Listen in and discover which celebrity skincare routine most resonates with your approach to beauty—or which makes you laugh the hardest at its absurdity. Your skin might not end up looking like you have "so much money," but you'll definitely gain some practical insights along the way.

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The moon governs not only the tides but potentially your skin as well. Our entertaining deep-dive with comedian Lahna Turner explores the mysterious connections between lunar cycles and your complexion. If you've noticed strange reactions during a full moon, this conversation might explain why.

Your body consists of approximately 60% water, making it susceptible to the same gravitational forces that pull ocean tides. We break down specific skincare approaches for each lunar phase: detoxifying during the new moon when skin feels dull, rebuilding during the waxing phase with collagen-supporting treatments, managing increased reactivity during the full moon, and gently exfoliating during the waning phase as the body naturally releases toxins.

Beyond physical effects, we discuss how the moon influences sleep cycles, hormone fluctuations, and emotional states – all directly impacting skin health. Lana shares her experiences as a performing comedian during full moons when audiences notably behave differently, while we debate whether science supports these claims or if it's mostly wishful thinking.

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When Rachel and Daniel Olvera found themselves in the high desert of Joshua Tree during the pandemic, they never imagined their homemade skincare formulations would evolve into Xēba Botánica – a brand now championing truly non-toxic, plant-based products that prioritize both human health and environmental sustainability. By the way, the SDS podcast is an absolutely no way sponsored by Xēba Botánica.

On this revealing episode, the couple shares their remarkable journey from backpackers to skincare entrepreneurs, bringing along their adorable baby who steals the spotlight more than once. Rachel's background as a chemist provides fascinating insights into what's really happening when we slather commercial products on our largest organ – our skin. From frankincense benefits to the dangers of "forever chemicals" in waterproof sunscreens, this conversation will transform how you evaluate what touches your body.

The discussion takes a hard look at industry greenwashing, particularly the meaningless "natural" label that appears on countless toxic products. Daniel explains why they refuse to use this term, preferring specific descriptors like "non-toxic" and "plant-based" instead. You'll learn why glass packaging matters (hint: plastic leaches chemicals into your products), why water shouldn't be the first ingredient in your expensive moisturizer, and what essential oils you should never apply directly to skin.

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Why are so many men missing out on the transformative power of professional facials? In this eye-opening episode, we tackle the stubborn myths and misconceptions that keep men from proper skincare while making a compelling case for why regular facials aren't just beneficial—they're essential.

Joined by comedian James Graves, we break down the five crucial reasons men should incorporate facials into their self-care routine. From controlling excess oil production and preventing acne to improving beard health and reducing painful ingrown hairs, the benefits extend far beyond vanity. We explore how men's naturally thicker, oilier skin requires specialized attention and why that bar of soap in your shower is actively working against you.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when we discuss the stress-relieving benefits of professional skincare. High cortisol levels don't just impact your mental health—they directly affect your skin, leading to inflammation, breakouts, and that stubborn "stress belly." Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, we reveal how the right facial treatment can reduce puffiness, define your jawline, and boost your overall confidence.

For men hesitant to enter the skincare world, we offer practical advice on finding reputable services, what to ask for, and what to expect during your first facial. We even bust common skincare myths in a rapid-fire segment that separates fact from fiction.

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Our landmark 100th episode takes a hilarious and eye-opening journey through the strangest beauty treatments from around the world! With special guest hilarious comedian Johnny Skourtis bringing it, we dive into beauty practices that sound more like dares than spa treatments.

From South Korean snail slime facials to Japanese bird poop treatments, Chinese fire facials that literally set your face ablaze we explore beauty's bizarre underbelly with equal parts fascination and horror. The conversation takes particularly interesting turns when we debate which treatments we'd personally be willing to try.

Don’t miss it and subscribe and watch this beautiful podcast on our Sex, Drugs And Skincare YouTube channel!

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What does your kid actually need? This episode talks about your kids skincare starting from a baby, all the way to childhood, into the preteen years, then we tackle the emerging challenges of hormonal skin changes and early breakouts. Guest comedian Dave Neal shares his personal experiences with his 10-month-old son, highlighting the learning curve all parents face when making health decisions for their children

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