Not all wellness trends are created equal. In this episode, learn which 2026 skin and wellness trends are worth your time, and which ones to question before jumping on the bandwagon. In this first episode of 2026, Samantha Dench explores the top skin, beauty, and wellness trends shaping the year ahead, and the ones to approach with caution. From the return to professional skincare and the rise of skinimalism, to functional medicine, customized supplementation, and social health, this ep...

In this episode of The Functional Aesthetician, Samantha breaks down the role sleep plays in your skin, hormones, digestion, and overall health. From overnight cell repair to cortisol regulation and collagen production, this episode takes you inside the body's nighttime restoration process and explains why sleep quality impacts everything from breakouts to bloating to premature aging. Samantha talks about the real consequences of sleep deprivation, why your skin looks dull or inflamed when yo...

In this episode, Samantha digs into the complexities of hormones, their metabolites, and how they affect women's health. She discusses the common frustrations women face regarding hormonal imbalances, the role of stress, and the impact of environmental factors like endocrine disruptors. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding hormone metabolism, particularly through the gut and liver, and introduces functional testing as a means to uncover underlying issues. Listeners are...

In this episode of the Functional Aesthetician Podcast, we delve into the topic of the skin barrier, discussing its importance, the factors that affect it, and the roles of dermatologists, estheticians, and influencers in skincare. Samantha emphasizes the need for proper skincare practices and the dangers of misinformation from social media. The episode also highlights common skincare mistakes and the significance of internal factors like stress and diet in maintaining skin health. In t...

Stress doesn’t just affect your mood; it impacts your entire body, including your skin, gut, hormones, and nervous system. In today’s episode, we talk about how stress triggers breakouts, skin sensitivity, melasma, premature aging, gut issues, inflammation, and adrenal fatigue You’ll learn how the skin reacts to cortisol, how chronic stress disrupts digestion and hormones, and how the gut-brain-skin axis affects everything. Plus, small daily habits you can start today to calm your...

If you’ve ever tried “clean eating” to help your skin but couldn’t stick with it, this episode is for you. We’re talking about the foods that quietly inflame your gut and your skin, the foods that help you heal from the inside out, and the mindset shifts you need to make those changes last. This helps you decide why your health actually matters to you. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: How food can trigger gut issues that show up on your faceWhat foods keep your skin and body healthy...

When the seasons shift, your skin feels it first. From dry, tight, and flaky skin to unexpected breakouts and flare-ups, fall can be tough on your complexion. In this episode, we talk about why seasonal changes trigger skin problems, how to tell the difference between dry, dehydrated, and sensitive skin, and the simple changes that help your skin stay hydrated, balanced, and calm all season long. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: How to repair your skin barrier Calm dryness, irritation, and...

In this episode, we dive deep into women’s hormones and talk about how hormonal changes influence your skin, mood, energy, and overall well-being. Whether you’re struggling with hormonal acne, irregular cycles, PMS, or burnout, this conversation will help you understand the root cause of what your body is trying to tell you. You’ll learn how hormonal shifts throughout your cycle affect oil production, inflammation, and breakouts, plus how estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol all...

This week, we’re talking about one of the most overlooked causes of premature skin aging, called glycation, and how your daily sugar habits might be speeding up wrinkles, dullness, and inflammation. As Halloween candy fills our homes, it’s the perfect time to uncover what sugar is really doing beneath the surface. Learn how to protect your skin from the inside out and how I personally reversed visible signs of glycation through nutrition and skincare. In this episode, you’ll learn: What glyca...

Did you know your skin and gut are constantly communicating? From bloating to breakouts, your body is sending signals. Learn how the gut-skin axis connects digestion and skin health, and how to reduce inflammation for clear, healthier skin. In this episode, we dive deep into the gut-skin axis, the powerful connection between gut health, digestion, and skin inflammation. You’ll learn how an imbalanced gut microbiome can trigger acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions,...

Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and it communicates with you. In this episode of The Functional Aesthetician, we talk about how your skin is a detox pathway. We’ll talk about the connection between inflammation, hormones, and gut health, and how these internal imbalances show up as acne, rosacea, eczema, or sensitivity. You’ll also learn about the different types of acne and why treating all breakouts the same way might be keeping you stuck. We wrap up the episode with a deep di...

If you’ve ever felt like you’re treating symptoms but not getting answers, this episode is for you. We’ll talk about the key differences between functional and conventional medicine, why early testing can change the trajectory of your health, and how your skin can be your body’s first signal that something deeper is going on. In this Episode, You’ll Learn: What functional medicine is and how it differs from conventional careWhy your skin is often the first sign of internal imbalanceThe ...

This is where it all begins. Join me as I share the unexpected path that led me from med spas to functional medicine. You’ll hear my real, unfiltered story, from acne breakouts, motherhood, business struggles, and the moment everything clicked. This isn’t just about skin; it’s about healing your body, finding balance, and learning to pay attention to your skin. In this episode, I open up about my personal health journey, how I discovered the gut-skin connection, and why I created The Function...