Breaking Beauty Podcast

Before gracing the shelves at New York’s Printemps store and being found in the hands of makeup artist Hung Vanngo on the red carpet, Kat Burki skincare has long been a quiet luxury spa favourite. Today, founder Kat Burki explains how she managed to evolve the brand beyond its “raw” beauty roots, coming into its own as a biochemistry-backed company that’s bringing microbiome know-how to post-procedure care this fall. *Special thank you to the team at Kat Burki for including us on this brand discovery trip!
Tune in to hear about:
Kat Burki’s hero product: The story behind the best-selling Vitamin C Intensive Face Cream, featuring stabilized Stay-C, reishi mushroom, and colloidal silver.
The microbiome truth: Why live probiotics in skincare are often “dead on arrival” according to Kat—and why prebiotics, postbiotics, and bio-fermentation are the real keys to balancing your skin barrier.
Rethinking inflammation: Why some acute inflammation after a procedure can be a good thing (?!) for skin recovery—and why occlusives might not be the boon for wound care that you think it is.
Post-procedure promise: A sneak peek at her brand-new innovation, Regenesis, designed for post-procedure use
🛍️Shop everything in this episode here
💄 JOIN THE BREAKING BEAUTY COMMUNITY 💄

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbeautypodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1401081996684767
Newsletter Signup: https://breakingbeautypodcast.substack.com/
Podcast Hotline: 1-844-227-0302

🎙️ MEET THE HOSTS
Carlene Higgins: https://www.instagram.com/carlenehiggins/
Jill Dunn: https://www.instagram.com/jilldunnbeauty/

🎙️ For more related conversations like this, check out these episodes:
Hung Vanngo: Celebrity Makeup Artist's Eyeshadow Secrets, Wedding Glam Musts and Best Eyeliner Tips
What is The Gut and Skin Connection? With Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Nigma Talib
A Derm Explains: The Science-Backed Ingredients That Will Help You Achieve Healthy-Looking Skin For Life


PROMO CODES: When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!

Cowboy Colustrum
Try the new Cookies & Cream flavor for yourself! For a limited time, our listeners get up to 25% off their entire order. Just head to cowboycolostrum.com/beauty and use code BEAUTY at checkout.

Wacoal
Support for every you. Underneath it all, lies Wacoal. Visit WACOAL.com and use code BEAUTY at checkout for 10% off your first purchase. Offer valid for new customers only. Limit one code per customer.

For Hers
Ready to reach your goals? Visit forhers.com/breakingbeauty to get personalized, affordable care that gets you. Weight Loss by Hers is not available in all 50 states. Wegovy® is the registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. To get started and learn more, including important safety information, Wegovy® clinical study information, and restrictions, visit forhers.com.

Goodr
Ready to upgrade your eyewear to something functional, fashionable, fun, and affordable? Head to goodr.com/BEAUTY to claim $10 off your first order.

CashApp
Download Cash App Today! New Cash App customers can earn $10 if they use code FAMILY10 in their profile at signup and send $5 to a friend within 14 days. Terms apply. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Savings provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.



*Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*

Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn
Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya

Produced by Dear Media Studio
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we’re catching up on everything we’ve been using, loving and doing this summer. From Carlene’s hair colour saga that feels as long as the blockbuster summer flick “The Odyssey,” to the sunscreen formulas that we’ve used to the last drop (and one beloved version that we’re saying goodbye to against our will!) Plus, the beauty brand news that we’re still scratching our heads over.

In this episode you’ll hear about:
The hair mask that both Carlene and her daughter would stock up on for next summer because it’s that #damngood
A brilliant-under-makeup SPF that Jill used right to the last drop
A gentler version of an iconic toner for sensitive and oily-skin types
“We’ve come too far to stop” — how Carlene’s hair colourist is helping her stay the course in her grey-blending journey
The tubing mascaras that delivered and stayed put this summer
Dupe drama: The Charlotte Tilbury soundbite that lit up Tiktok, plus the clever Aussie brand that pulled off a genius chess move against Urban Decay

💄 JOIN THE BREAKING BEAUTY COMMUNITY 💄

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbeautypodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1401081996684767
Newsletter Signup: https://breakingbeautypodcast.substack.com/
Podcast Hotline: 1-844-227-0302

🎙️ MEET THE HOSTS
Carlene Higgins: https://www.instagram.com/carlenehiggins/
Jill Dunn: https://www.instagram.com/jilldunnbeauty/

🎙️ For more related conversations like this, check out these episodes:

Olive Young Is Finally in the US! Our K-Beauty Guide to What to Buy (and Skip)
Drop Everything: Our 2026 #DamnGood Budget Beauty (Under $30!) Guide is Here
2026 Beauty Haul of Fame: Best Foundations, K-Beauty & the $10 Drugstore Hair Steal


PROMO CODES: When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!

Medik8
Meet Medik8 — a clinically proven, dermatologist-loved British skincare brand, known for age-defying results without compromise. Every Medik8 product is backed by rigorous testing and real science, so you can feel confident choosing what's best for your skin. Visit Medik8.us and use code Breaking20 for 20% off your first order.

Wacoal
Support for every you. Underneath it all, lies Wacoal. Visit WACOAL.com and use code BEAUTY at checkout for 10% off your first purchase. Offer valid for new customers only. Limit one code per customer.

Cowboy Colostrum
Cowboy Colostrum offers the highest quality bovine colostrum available in the US. It’s 100% made in America from 100% American grass-fed cows. Try the new Cookies & Cream flavor for yourself — for a limited time, our listeners get up to 25% off their entire
order, just head to https://cowboycolostrum.com/beauty and use code BEAUTY at checkout.
Quince:
Upgrade your everyday. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/BREAKINGBEAUTY. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.
HERS
Ready to reach your goals? Visit forhers.com/breakingbeauty to get personalized, affordable care that gets you. Weight Loss by Hers is not available in all 50 states. Wegovy® is the registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. To get started and learn more, including important safety information, Wegovy® clinical study information, and restrictions, visit forhers.com


*Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*


Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn
Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya

Produced by Dear Media Studio
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if true skincare “anti-aging” happens deep below the surface? This week we’re exploring everything to do with what we’re dubbing “cell care” — the shift toward cellular longevity, skin health span and managing aging cells. Joined by Dr. Alessandra Zonari, chief scientific officer at OneSkin, we’re breaking down DNA repair, senescent “zombie" cells, red light therapy, exosomes vs. peptides and why skin collagen is like gluten in bread. This conversation is brought to you in part by OneSkin.

In this episode we cover:

Genetics vs. habits: Why science shows that only 10 to 25 per cent of skin aging is genetic, leaving up to 90 per cent in your hands.
Quiet saboteurs: The everyday habits—like cutting sleep repair windows short and switching products too fast—that sabotage long-term skin health span.
DNA clocking: Surface skin scanners like VISIA don't tell the whole story; meet MolClock, with an algorithm that reads your DNA to reveal true cellular age.
Is “collagen banking” legit? Why (contrary to TikTok belief) you cannot stock up on collagen inside your skin, and what to focus on if you really want to protect your collagen for longer.
Is red light therapy worth it? The cell biologist weighs in.
UV radiation and tanning: What sun damage looks like under a cell biologist’s microscope, and how UV rays accelerate dreaded “zombie” cells.
Exosomes vs. peptides: Dr. Zonari breaks down the difference between targeted, single-message peptides and the complex delivery systems of topical exosomes.
Sneak peek: Coming in September, hear the scoop on OneSkin’s next innovation, a new, richer version of its iconic Face Moisturizer, two years in development.
.
PROMO CODES: When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!
One Skin
Born from over a decade of longevity research, OneSkin’s OS-01 Peptide™ is proven to target the visible signs of aging, helping you unlock your healthiest skin now and as you age. For a limited time, try OneSkin with 15% off using code BREAKINGBEAUTY at oneskin.co/BREAKINGBEAUTY. After you purchase, they’ll ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them we sent you.
Sarah Creal
Exclusively for Breaking Beauty listeners, Sarah Creal Beauty is offering 15% off your first order of luxurious, high-performance beauty that actually makes your routine simpler and works better for you now. Visit www.Sarahcrealbeauty.com/breakingbeauty for more information.

Wacoal
Support for every you. Underneath it all, lies Wacoal. Visit WACOAL.com and use code BEAUTY at checkout for 10% off your first purchase. Offer valid for new customers only. Limit one code per customer.

Nutrafol
Let your hair be one less thing to worry about. See visibly thicker, stronger, faster growing hair in 3–6 months with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and enter promo code BREAKING.

HERS
Ready to reach your goals? Visit forhers.com/breakingbeauty to get personalized, affordable care that gets you. Weight Loss by Hers is not available in all 50 states. Wegovy® is the registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. To get started and learn more, including important safety information, Wegovy® clinical study information, and restrictions, visit forhers.com.


💄 JOIN THE BREAKING BEAUTY COMMUNITY 💄

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbeautypodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1401081996684767
Newsletter Signup: https://breakingbeautypodcast.substack.com/
Podcast Hotline: 1-844-227-0302

🎙️ MEET THE HOSTS
Carlene Higgins: https://www.instagram.com/carlenehiggins/
Jill Dunn: https://www.instagram.com/jilldunnbeauty/

🎙️ For more related conversations like this, check out these episodes:

What is “Longevity Skincare?” OneSkin Co-Founder Carolina Reis Oliveira
Are LED Skin Therapy Devices As Revolutionary as Retinol?
Meet the Buzzy Skincare Brand That Wants You to Use Human-Derived Exosomes On Your Face

*Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*

Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn
Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya

Produced by Dear Media Studio
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2026 Hall of Fame is officially here! In this annual edition, we’re opening up our top shelves and inducting the absolute best, most non-negotiable beauty discoveries from our monthly #DamnGood reviews into our editor-curated Breaking Beauty Haul of Fame.
From the K-beauty products that really perform (beyond their virality) to the French pharmacy secrets worth every single penny, we’re giving you the breakdown of the breakthrough skincare, makeup, and hair formulas that we’re keeping in our daily routines for years to come.
In this episode we cover:
The 2026 K-beauty boom: Why products from Anua, Mediheal, and Rom&nd are permanently taking over our beauty cabinets.
French pharmacy luxury: The new-to-us French cosmetic chemist brands bringing an artisanal approach to high-performance skincare.
The year of the foundation reformulation: The 2026 upgrades that replaced our longtime favourites — and the $110 foundation drops that live up to the hype.
Acne stars: The surprising celebrity-backed priming milk that rivals expert formulas for acne-prone skin, plus the exact blemish pads Carlene’s daughter says outperformed anything else in her Mom’s beauty closet this year.
Heavy-duty hair performers: Jill’s go-to wet-to-dry dry shampoo that eliminates oil, stops odour, and adds serious volume for three days straight, plus the under-$10 drugstore hair mask that has found a spot in both of your hosts' wash-day rotation.
🎙️ For more related conversations like this, check out these episodes:

Your #DamnGood Summer 2026 Makeup Guide Featuring Guest Editor, Makeup Artist Nikki La Rose

#DamnGood K-Beauty Special! What to Buy (And What to Skip)

It’s our 2025 Haul of Fame!

PROMO CODES: When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!

Jones Road Beauty
Modern-day makeup that's clean, strategic, and multifunctional for effortless routines. For a limited time, our listeners are getting a FREE full-sized Mascara on their first purchase when they use code BEAUTY at checkout. Just head to Jonesroadbeauty.com. After you purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them Breaking Beauty Podcast sent you!

Wacoal
Support for every you. Underneath it all, lies Wacoal. Visit Wacoal.com and use code BEAUTY at checkout for 10% off your first purchase. Offer valid for new customers only. Limit one code per customer.

Quince
Upgrade your everyday. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/BREAKINGBEAUTY. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

AG1
Visit drinkAG1.com/BEAUTY to grab the NEW AG1 Essentials Gummies today!

*Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*

Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn
Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya

Produced by Dear Media Studio
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How does a skin scientist evaluate a worth-it product? What ingredients are too good to be true? This week, we're partnering with our friends at Parëva Beauty to learn the answers to these questions directly from the founder Smitha Rao — a scientist who's spent nearly two decades formulating over 200 products for brands like StriVectin and Olaplex before launching her own line.

Smitha breaks down what's actually happening with buzzy ingredients like exosomes and NAD+, what “clinically proven” really means, and the informed difference between anti-aging and skin longevity.
Tune in to hear:
What biotech skincare actually means, and why Smitha says “the future is biology, not chemistry”
How exosomes work to help skin regenerate its own collagen — and why not all exosome technologies are created equal
NAD+ and NMN, decoded: why you keep seeing these phrases pop-up on skincare labels
The questions to ask before trusting any “clinically proven” claim
The biggest mistake even savvy INCI-label readers make when building a routine, according to Smitha
Smitha's take on the ingredients having a moment that she's most skeptical of
An inside look at Parëva's latest launch, the GFP12 Collagen Eye Serum

💄 JOIN THE BREAKING BEAUTY COMMUNITY 💄

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbeautypodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingbeautypodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1401081996684767
Newsletter Signup: https://breakingbeautypodcast.substack.com/
Podcast Hotline: 1-844-227-0302

🎙️ MEET THE HOSTS
Carlene Higgins: https://www.instagram.com/carlenehiggins/
Jill Dunn: https://www.instagram.com/jilldunnbeauty/

🎙️ For more related conversations like this, check out these episodes:

Meet the Buzzy Skincare Brand That Wants You to Use Human-Derived Exosomes On Your Face
How-to Think (And Shop!) Like a Cosmetic Chemist with Glow by Ramón
Sunscreen Dos and Don'ts With Dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry. Plus! Myth-Busting SPF Headlines


PROMO CODES: When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!

Parëva
Visit www.Parëvabeauty.com and use code BREAKINGBEAUTY at checkout for 25% off your first Parëva Beauty order. Check out their C35.5 Firming Glow Serum, their COLL20 Gel Cream Moisturizer and their RH5.5 Hydrabond Primer. Plus their brand new GFP12 Collagen Eye Serum. Offer valid through October 5, 2026.

Nutrafol
Nutrafol is the #1 dermatologist-recommended hair growth supplement brand and it’s the #1 hair growth supplement brand personally used by dermatologists. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and enter promo code BREAKING.

Wacoal
Support for every you. Underneath it all, lies Wacoal. Visit WACOAL.com and use code BEAUTY at checkout for 10% off your first purchase. Offer valid for new customers only. Limit one code per customer.

Cash App
New Cash App customers can earn $10 if they use code FAMILY10 in their profile at sign up and send $5 to a friend within 14 days. Terms apply.

Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Savings provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.


*Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*

Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn
Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya

Produced by Dear Media Studio
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.