Nourify and Beautify

Skincare Secrets with Dr. Mary Alice Mina

Welcome back to Nourify Beautify Podcast, where we dive into all things health, wellness, and self-care! Today’s episode is all about skincare, and we’ve got a very special guest: board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mary Alice Mina. She’s here to share her expert insights on building an effective skincare routine, how long it really takes to see results, and the top “green flags” you should be looking for in your products.If you’re a skincare enthusiast or just starting your journey, this conversation is packed with practical tips to help you achieve that healthy, glowing complexion. So sit back, relax, and get ready to take your skincare game to the next level! Let’s jump right in.

The Dark Side of the Skincare Industry (Part 2) | Ella Cressman

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Set Better New Years Resolutions | Nour and Linda

You do it every year: make a resolution and never follow through with it. How can you make it stick this time? In this episode, we share several tips to help you set your New Year’s resolutions for 2025 and beyond.
Should You Set a New Year's Resolution?
What’s the point of setting a resolution if you know you struggle with committing to it? It can feel like setting yourself up for failure and disappointment.
Linda suggests shifting your focus away from the term "resolutions" and instead aligning your goals with your personal values.
She also emphasizes starting small rather than setting overly ambitious goals. By following the "1% rule," you can make tiny improvements every day, creating momentum to reach your objectives.
Tailoring Goals to Your Lifestyle
Have you ever scrolled through TikTok, found a morning routine you liked, and tried to copy it? Did it work? Probably not.
That’s because it wasn’t tailored to your personal routine or how you like to do things.
In our episode with Cameron, he explained the importance of understanding your daily life and capabilities.
Honesty and self-awareness help you set attainable, meaningful goals while avoiding disappointment.
Strategies for Accountability
Here are some strategies to stay motivated as you work toward your 2025 goals:
Write your goals down.
Prioritize one significant objective.
Conduct monthly progress reviews.

You have to be the CEO of your life, consistently reassessing your goals. No one else is in charge, so stay accountable and work toward becoming a better version of yourself.
"Determine what's working for you because you may not need to do everything you think you need to do." — Linda Yates
"The most important thing is accountability. Have your most important personal goals, and the big thing is to be patient with yourself." — Nour Abochama

Why is Product Compliance So Important? | Brian Yam

What’s going on behind the scenes when making a health and wellness product? How does quality control ensure that the product they’re reviewing is safe for consumers? Our guest, Brian Yam, a compliance consultant, is here to answer these questions and guide us through the steps of determining when it’s safe to put a product on the market.
Meet Brian Yam
With years of experience in the health and wellness product industry, Brian works as a compliance consultant, ensuring products meet regulatory requirements and standards set by entities like the FDA and FTC.
What Does Compliance Mean?
Compliance refers to the regulations set by the FDA and FTC that products must meet before being put on the market.
Companies take specific steps to test the safety and quality of their products, ensuring they are high-quality, safe, and effective for consumers.
Brian also shares insights into his day-to-day work as a compliance consultant, giving an inside look at the steps brands take to meet compliance requirements.
Out-of-Specification: What Happens Next?
What happens when a product test is non-compliant? Brian explains that the next steps depend on the reason for the out-of-specification result.
If it’s a food safety issue, immediate recall steps are taken to remove the product from the market. Retests are then conducted to identify the root cause of the problem.
Labs, manufacturers, and brands work together to resolve the issues and prevent them from happening in the future.
Compliance Consultant Career Steps
Can you see yourself pursuing a career like Brian’s? If you’re interested in becoming a compliance consultant, he shares advice on how to get started.
The best way to break into this field is by working for a small boutique consulting firm that is willing to mentor and teach you. This experience provides a valuable stepping stone into the world of compliance work.
"You're only as good as your manufacturer, only as good as the ingredients you procure, and that supply chain is so complex. If there’s a weak link anywhere, it can fail at any time." - Brian Yam.
Resources
Mighty Startup YouTube Channel
BlueOceanRegulatory.com
Brian@blueoceanregulatory.co

Your Health and the Holidays | Cameron Excell

This week, we’re here to help you stay on top of your health this holiday season. Cameron Excell came back on our show to share how you can fight the impacts of all those delicious holiday treats and get through the season feeling your absolute finest.
How Holiday Eating Disrupts Your Body
Food is fuel for our bodies. Eating a lot of sugary or processed food can act like dirty gasoline in an engine - it can slow down the works.
Our metabolism changes based on our habits. If you’re taking a lot of time away from your fitness routine or eating a very different diet, your body will respond to that.
Having a treat once in a while isn’t a big deal, but if you are eating a lot of sweets several days back-to-back, that will impact your body in a more deleterious way.
Simple Strategies for Staying Active and Balanced
If you know you aren’t going to be able to make your exercise routine work, even something as simple as a 30-minute walk makes a difference.
When you’re celebrating, you might want to eat rich, delicious foods! And that’s okay. Plan a nutrient-dense meal the day after to counterbalance.
Gut Health and Holiday Eating
Processed foods can have a negative impact on our gut health. Our gut relies on a balance of different types of fiber for health, and multiple types of sugar cookies don’t count!
There are a lot of things you can do to get your gut back in balance during or after the holidays, including probiotics, prebiotics, and more.
Building Sustainable Healthy Habits
Avoid guilt-tripping yourself over losing your routine during the holidays! Focus on what you can do today or tomorrow, not the past.
Don’t get hung up on doing an extreme diet or gym routine after the holidays. Do what makes sense for your body instead of following trends.
The holidays are a time for enjoyment, not added stress. Follow all health advice you get in balance, and know the goal is just to help you feel good.

Staying Sane During the Holidays | Linda Yates

Are you starting to feel the holiday stress? It’s the most wonderful time of the year because we make it that way – all the extra cooking, cleaning, gift-giving, decorating, baking… all that time has to come from somewhere. In this episode, image coach Linda Yates offers advice for how you can thrive this holiday season and actually enjoy the fruits of all your labor.
What is Cortisol?
Cortisol is often called “the stress hormone”, but in reality, cortisol has a lot of different functions. It helps us regulate our blood pressure, our metabolism, and our fight-or-flight response.

Cortisol starts causing problems when we are under stress for a long period of time, like during the holidays when we experience extra stress for a couple of months.

To keep your cortisol levels in check, it’s important to set yourself up for success by getting organized in advance.
Organizational Strategies for the Holidays
Create a dedicated holiday planner or notebook complete with a calendar and space to take notes. Keep track of important dates or events, and schedule time to prepare for those events a little bit at a time.
Whether you’re feeding everyone for a big holiday event or you’re making dinner for the family, now is the time to opt for simple holiday dishes that can be prepped (at least partially) in advance.
Holiday Budgeting
Put your gift ideas into a notebook or the Notes app on your phone and work out costs in advance. Make sure you budget in shipping costs if you’re getting gifts online!
Create a budget that allows for some wiggle room so that you can handle unexpected expenses that tend to come up around the holidays - buying extra gifts, nights out with family, takeout, etc.
Finding the Time to Relax During the Holidays
Set boundaries around your time so you can prioritize de-stressing and getting good sleep. Don’t feel the need to plan and prep from morning until night – make time to do relaxing activities.
Delegate tasks! It’s okay to ask for help. Ask friends, family, roommates, or kids if you have them! Involve them in the process.
Holiday Hacks
Always buy a few extra simple gifts. Have a few unisex items like coffee tumblers, holiday socks, or even Amazon gift cards on hand. It doesn’t have to be pricey!
Bake a big cookie recipe and freeze the dough in cookie-sized portions. Add a couple of minutes to the normal bake time, and voila! Fresh cookies on demand. (Or buy pre-made cookie dough!)
Focus on sharing experiences with your loved ones. Ice skating and decorating gingerbread houses are classics, or choose something unique like going to a holiday concert or a walk at the botanical gardens!
“That’s what makes the holidays – it’s those memories. Yeah, maybe there’s a gift or two that you remember… but most of the holidays that I personally remember are the ones that have those experiences, those family experiences.” – Linda Yate

How to Launch a Personal Care Brand | Brittany Lo

Have you ever thought about starting your own beauty or wellness brand? On this episode of Nourify & Beautify, we spoke to Brittany Lo, the incredible founder of Beia, her personal and intimate care product line. Brittany is going to take us from her childhood dreams into the reality of what goes on behind the scenes when a new beauty/wellness business is born.
Brittany Lo’s Journey
Brittany dreamed of starting a beauty brand when she was in 2nd grade.

After attending school focusing on entrepreneurship, she turned down a full-time position at L’Oreal to pursue starting her bridal beauty and hair business, Beautini.

In 2020, during the pandemic, she wasn’t busy with weddings and had the perfect opportunity to start her brand Beia, which she created to help women feel more comfortable and confident in their skin.
Bringing the Product to Life
Creating mood boards, researching other brands/branding, and brainstorming all played an early role in Brittany’s creative journey.

Brittany talked to friends, family members, customers, and anyone else who would listen about the idea for the product and what they wanted to see.

While FDA restrictions play some role in manufacturing decisions, they are not as strict as the guidelines Brittany follows with Beia.

Finding the right chemist to help her formulate the product and scale it up for mass production was critical to avoiding headaches along the way.
Challenges and Wins Along the Way
One thing that surprised Brittany when she started her brand was the challenge she faced finding a manufacturer.
Brittany also notes that it’s not as simple as Googling “how do I start my own business?”

Beia products are formulated to work for people with sensitive skin and are vegan, because Brittany’s dream was to create products that she herself would use.
“Before, we saw sexual wellness as one category, we saw body care more in the mass sector of beauty, but now what I’m seeing is personal care and body care really integrating to be defined as skincare below the chin.” — Brittany Lo
Resources
Beia Beauty on Instagram
BeiaBeauty.com
Brittany Lo on Instagram

The Dark Side of the Skincare Industry | Ella Cressman

On this episode of Nourify & Beautify, we get to sit down with certified international skincare educator, licensed esthetician, and co-host of the Esty Talk Podcast, Ella Cressman! As you can tell, she’s got some stories to share. She’s here today to talk about the dark side of the industry and what you can do right now to make sure your skin care regimen isn’t causing more problems than it’s solving.
Ella Cressman’s Journey
Before Ella began working in skincare, she did other jobs. Her interest in anatomy and physiology led her towards cosmetology or nursing, but nursing was hard on her emotionally.
She worked in the world of cold hard business for a while, but soon felt that she wasn’t living her dream and decided to pursue a career in esthetics.
After she finished school, she started her business right away and has become a knowledgeable industry leader ever since!
The Dark Side of the Skin Care Industry
Ella began to notice unethical practices when she was still in school. The types of messaging she was taught to use were concerning to her.
Marketing tactics are sometimes placed above informing consumers accurately about products.
Even the tools we have to help us, like apps we can use to scan products that tell us their ‘safety rating’ can have problems, so it’s important to do your research.
How to Choose Safe Skincare Products
Ella recommends that people who use the apps do so with care. Choose apps that will show you the research that backs up their claims and look at those papers.
Work with a professional to build up your literacy when it comes to different types of ingredients so that you can choose products that work for you.
Do a Yearly Skincare Audit
One way that Ella helps her clients is by working with them to create a good skincare routine that isn’t too extensive and works within their budget.
Our needs change seasonally and over time, so finding a professional like an esthetician that you trust is critical. Let them get to know you and your skin so they can give you tailored advice.
“It's unfortunate that some manufacturers will bend, they will bend messaging… They're preying on vulnerabilities. On the flip side of that, we have this other opportunity for truth fighters to come forward and fight for the honest things that are happening.” – Ella Cressman
Resources
Check out Ella Cress Skincare!
Hear more from Ella on the ASCP Esty Talk Podcast

Is Asian Skincare Right For You? | Shinta Huynh

If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok recently, you’ve probably noticed the buzz around K-Beauty and J-Beauty skincare. But should you jump on this trend?
Our lovely guest, Shinta Huynh, is here to help! A skincare product developer gives us the inside scoop on Asian skincare products and whether they’re worth adding to your routine.
Meet Shinta Huynh
Shinta Huynh works in new product development for personal care products in Australia.
She’s also recognized as an expert in Asian beauty, with a focus on K-Beauty and J-Beauty.
Her passion for skincare was sparked during a trip to Taiwan, where she discovered some of the most popular K-Beauty brands.
Do Asian Skincare Products Work for All Skin Types?
Different skin types face different challenges, which might make you wonder if Asian products will work for you.
According to Shinta, one of the best things about Asian skincare is its focus on supporting the skin’s natural barrier and maintaining hydration. These products can benefit all skin types.
Shinta also reveals how to achieve one of J-Beauty’s most sought-after trends: glass skin!
Are K-Beauty Products Expensive?
If you’ve noticed anything about trending TikTok products, it’s that some of them can be pricey.
So, are K-Beauty and J-Beauty products expensive? Fortunately, Shinta assures us they don’t have to be. Many of these products are surprisingly affordable.
Not sure where to start? Shinta recommends beginning with K-Beauty and J-Beauty essentials, such as a cleansing balm or oil cleanser.
Where to Find K-Beauty and J-Beauty Products
For those in Australia, Shinta shares a few ways to purchase Asian beauty products. If you’re in the U.S., be sure to check out our blog for more tips on buying K-Beauty and J-Beauty items.
Shinta also reveals her favorite Asian beauty products, which you can find in the resource section below.
“What's really interesting about K Beauty and J Beauty is that they do use familiar ingredients that you'll probably see in United States’ products, but they partner it up with their regional ingredients that set it apart." - Shinta Huynh.
Resources
Shinta Huynh on Instagram
Shinta’s favorite asian beauty products
Beauty of Joseon
&honey
MEDI-PEEL
TIRTIR cushion pad foundatio

Starting a Supplement Routine | Cameron Excell

It would be nice if there were a magical pill that could make us healthy and strong within seconds. Unfortunately, life doesn’t work that way. Whatever type of supplement you’re considering, you need to ensure it’s right for you. Our guest, Cameron Excell, a Health and Fitness Coach, explains everything you need to know about starting a supplement routine.
What to Know Before Starting a Supplement Routine
Before introducing new vitamins or minerals into your daily routine, consider getting blood work done. Cameron explains that this allows your physician to identify any vitamin deficiencies and recommend the right supplements for your needs.
He also highlights the key supplements most people should consider, including multivitamins, fish oil, vitamin D, and magnesium, which can help manage stress levels.
Common Questions About Supplements
Cameron addresses some of the most common questions about supplements:
Can you get all your daily nutrients from a well-balanced diet? While a healthy diet is essential, it’s challenging to meet all your nutritional needs through food alone.
Is there a one-size-fits-all supplement? The short answer is no. However, a multivitamin may come closest to meeting general needs.
Men vs. Women: What’s the difference in supplements? Cameron explains the differences in supplement needs between men and women, highlighting the essential vitamins women require to maintain optimal health.
Why is it important to consult a doctor about supplements?

Starting a supplement routine without consulting a healthcare professional can be risky. Cameron emphasizes the importance of working with your physician to determine the right supplements for you. Your doctor can also help you understand if a supplement has stopped working effectively.
“As much as we wish for a one-size-fits-all solution, like a magic pill that fixes everything, that’s just not how the human body works. It’s always best to seek guidance from a health coach or doctor who can provide personalized advice, treating you as an individual, not just a number.” - Cameron Excell.
Resources
Excell FitLife
Excell FitLife Instagram Page
Cameron Excell Instagra