This summer, we’re diving deep into ingredient literacy to build discernment. In this short intro episode, I’m setting the stage for a new summer series where each week, I’ll unpack one skincare ingredient through a holistic lens. You’ll learn not only what the ingredient does, but why it’s used, how it interacts with the skin, and how to start thinking more critically about your products.

This series is for both consumers who want to feel more connected to their skin and estheticians who want to deepen their education beyond protocols and product hype.

I’ll also touch on:

• Why reading an ingredient list is helpful, but not the whole story

• The difference between ingredients that sit on, penetrate, and absorb into the skin

• How ingredient quality and energetic vitality matter just as much as the INCI name

• Why I believe skincare should empower, not create dependency

• How to start recognizing the difference between barrier-supportive skincare and trend-driven marketing

If you've ever looked at a label and wondered if a product was actually good for your skin, or felt overwhelmed by conflicting skincare advice, this series is for you.

Send me a message on Instagram @stratumaesthetics or email me. I'm covering both herbal and earth-based ingredients, as well as lab-derived actives, always through a holistic, barrier-focused lens.

Instagram: @stratumaesthetics Website: stratumaesthetics.com Email: emily@stratumaesthetics.com

What does it really mean to age with vitality—and does Botox fit into that conversation?

In this episode Emily explores how Botox affects the body’s energy, tissue health, and natural aging process—explored through holistic principles, fascia science, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the concept of terrain.

This episode goes far beyond “natural alternatives” and dives into what it truly means to support skin health from the inside out.

Whether you’re considering Botox, currently using it, or looking for meaningful ways to support aging skin, this episode offers a grounded, informative, and compassionate take on a widely normalized practice.

• What Botox is and how it works in the body
• Why Botox carries a black box warning from the FDA
• The long-term impacts of Botox on fascia, lymph, muscle tone, Qi, and facial expression
• Why the forehead and third eye region matter from a holistic and energetic perspective
• The emotional messages behind facial tension and wrinkles
• Why holistic practices are not "alternatives" to Botox—they are antidotes
• Tools and therapies that support the skin’s natural function and vitality

• Gua Sha
• Facial Cupping
• Face Taping
• Microneedling
• Red Light Therapy
• Nervous System Regulation

• Individuals curious about Botox but wanting more holistic context before making a decision
• Current Botox users who are wondering how it may affect their skin and body over time
• Estheticians and holistic beauty professionals looking to deepen their understanding of terrain-based skincare
• Anyone interested in supporting aging skin with intention, intelligence, and care

Want to dive deeper into holistic skincare, herbal rituals, and terrain-based beauty practices?

Follow Emily on Instagram @stratumaesthetics for behind-the-scenes content, skincare education, seasonal wisdom, and thoughtful conversations on aging, nourishment, and vitality.

Explore online offerings, courses, and curated skincare and facial tools at https://stratumaesthetics.com

Subscribe to the Skin Earth Vitality newsletter to get new episodes, skin tips, and holistic insights delivered to your inbox.

This episode is for anyone navigating business, burnout, personal growth, or the uncomfortable gap between where you are and where you want to be.

In this reflective episode, you'll hear 7 hard-earned lessons from year seven of running a business. The kinds of lessons that come from pushing through doubt, hitting capacity, and choosing to grow anyway.

If you’ve ever felt like you're doing everything alone, second-guessing your direction, or trying to find a more sustainable way to build what you love, this conversation will resonate.

Mentioned in this episode (affiliate links):

• Essentialism by Greg McKeown
• Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life by Bob Proctor
• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
• The Four Desires by Rod Stryker
• To Be Magnetic (neural reprogramming work)

Past year-in-review reflections:

• Year 5: Written Reflection
• Year 6: Podcast Episode

If this episode speaks to you, send it to a friend, leave a review, or subscribe to catch future episodes.

Stay connected: Follow on Instagram @stratumaesthetics Explore the shop + courses stratumaesthetics.com Sign up for emails HERE

Today’s episode is all about something most skincare podcasts never touch—your kitchen. Not the fridge contents (though that matters too), but the actual space, tools, and energy you bring to it. I’m sharing why a nourishing kitchen setup is one of the most underrated skin-care tools you can have.

We’ll talk about what whole food meals actually are (and aren’t), why cooking from scratch matters so much for your skin, and how to create a kitchen that feels not just functional, but sacred. Whether you’re just starting out or already love to cook, this episode will help you reconnect to the energy of food as a ritual, not a chore.

• 💌 Join the waitlist for Reclaim Your Radiance (returns June 1): https://stratumaesthetics.myflodesk.com/ay1hs3jd96

• 🛠️ Download the Well-Equipped Kitchen Guide (PDF)

• 🕯️ Episode 64: Energetic Hygiene for Your Home

• 🌿 Learn more about my work: https://stratumaesthetics.com

• 🧴 Shop skin tools + products I love: https://stratumaesthetics.com/collections

• 📲 Follow along on Instagram: @stratumaesthetics

This week, try making one dinner where you set the vibe. Turn on a playlist you love, light a candle, pour your drink into a pretty glass, and cook like it’s your ritual. No podcast, no TV—just you, your space, and the food. Then DM me and let me know how it felt.

In this episode , we’re diving into one of the most foundational (and underrated) elements of skin health: your circadian rhythm. As modern life pulls us further away from natural light cycles and seasonal rhythms, our skin—and whole body—feels the strain. From wound healing to breakouts, pigmentation to premature aging, your body’s 24-hour clock influences it all.

Whether you’re new to circadian health or ready to deepen your seasonal living practices, this episode will give you tangible insights and gentle inspiration to support your skin from the inside out.

Blissoma Free Herbal Gel Cleanser & Makeup Remover Gentle, effective, and filled with botanicals like yerba mate, self-heal, plantain, linden, and raspberry leaf to calm inflammation, support your microbiome, and cleanse without stripping. 🔗 Shop it here

Reclaim Your Radiance returns June 1st! This 8-week foundational program blends holistic skincare with lifestyle, nutrition, and circadian alignment. It’s perfect for estheticians and skin-lovers alike who want to go beyond products and tap into the real roots of vibrant, healthy skin. 🌿 Join the waitlist: Here

• Website & Shop: stratumaesthetics.com

• Instagram: @stratumaesthetics

• YouTube: Stratum Aesthetics

• Podcast Hub: stratumaesthetics.com

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute individualized skincare or medical advice. Please seek out the support of a qualified practitioner who resonates with your unique path and needs.

In this episode, I’m sharing a deep dive into one of my favorite skin foods—pearl powder. This gentle, mineral-rich tonic has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda for centuries to support not just the skin, but the nervous system, emotional balance, and deep cellular nourishment.

We’ll explore how pearl powder supports collagen production, antioxidant defense, moisture retention, and the internal terrain behind breakouts. I’ll also touch on sourcing ethics, the difference between collagen powders and pearl, and how to incorporate it into daily rituals like moon milk.

• 🌿 Ambient Moisture Liquid Serum by Live Botanical – Available in the Stratum Aesthetics shop

• 🦪 Pearl Powder by Cultivate Elevate – The one I personally use (not sponsored)

• ✨ Instagram: @stratumaesthetics

• 🎥 YouTube: Stratum Aesthetics on YouTube

• 🌐 Website + Shop: www.stratumaesthetics.com

• Rose + Pearl Moon Milk Recipe

What even is energetic hygiene — and why does no one teach us how to do it? This episode is a deep dive into the practices, mindset shifts, and daily habits that protect your life force, stop energy leaks, and bring clarity back into your body, your mind, and even your skin.

Emily shares her personal energetic hygiene rituals — from oil pulling to digital boundaries and shaking out heavy energy — and unpacks why so many of us were never taught how to tend to our energy field in the first place.

• Fontana Candle Co. (non-toxic beeswax candles)

• Brenda’s Botanicals (pine + copal incense)

• Paavani Ayurvedic (rose water eye drops)

• Book: Essentialism by Greg McKeown

• Book: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

• Episode 40: The Fall Shed: The Art of Letting Go Through Decluttering

Join the waitlist for Reclaim Your Radiance: The eight week program that supports the foundations for great skin!

Want more rituals, reflections, and skin-deep wellness? Here’s where to find me and explore more of my work:

• 💻 Website: stratumaesthetics.com

• 🌿 Instagram: @stratumaesthetics

• 🛍️ Shop: My favorite holistic skincare tools + products

If this episode spoke to you, the best way to support the show is to share it with a friend, tag me on IG stories, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps others find this work.

In this episode, I’m sharing the 10 things I’m doing right now — in my late 30's — to support the skin I want to live in during my 40's, 50's, and beyond. This isn’t about trying to stay young or avoid aging. It’s about creating a foundation of nourishment, strength, and intention so that I can move through perimenopause and beyond with vitality and softness.

We’ll talk collagen, fascia, blood sugar, breathwork, circadian rhythm, and why I believe your skincare routine is only as powerful as the lifestyle behind it. Whether you’re in your 30s too, already in your 40s and beyond, or just starting to think about skin longevity, I hope this episode inspires you to care for your future self — one intentional practice at a time.

🛍 Product Mentioned:

• Skin Earth Vitality Cupping Cups — My cupping set designed to support lymphatic flow, fascia, and collagen with gentle, effective suction. Includes a guide to help you get started at home.

📚 Resources & Next Steps:

• Join the Reclaim Your Radiance Waitlist — my 8-week lifestyle program for healthy, resilient skin returns June 1st as an evergreen, self-paced experience. Click here to join the waitlist.

• Try my favorite overnight herbal infusion recipe for skin hydration and mineral support.