The Skincarma Pod | Ep. 59: Skin, Science & Storytelling: Dahlia Devkota Flips the Mic and Interviews Carmine

In this special mic-flip episode of The Skincarma Pod, roles are reversed. After a standout conversation on skin microbiome health, Dahlia Devkota – former Allure beauty editor and founder of Editrix – returns to the podcast to interview Carmine, the creator of The Skincarma Pod and Skincarma Blog.

What follows is a free-flowing, unfiltered conversation that traces Carmine’s more than 25-year career in beauty – from department store counters and legacy brands to his time as the first-ever in-house copywriter at Kiehl’s, and ultimately to creating Skincarma.

With no script and no guardrails, Dahlia asks the questions editors always want to ask – and Carmine answers them with honesty and his trademark wry wit.

Together, they dig into how the beauty industry has changed (and where it hasn’t), why marketing often outruns science, and what actually matters when it comes to skin health today. From niacinamide, ectoin, growth factors, and the exosome hype cycle to sunscreen skepticism, personalization myths, and the difference between beauty culture in New York and Los Angeles, this episode is equal parts industry history, cultural commentary, and skincare truth-telling.

Catch Carmine and Dahlia in their first episode together: Ep. 54: “Healthy Skin Is Left Alone” – Editing the Microbiome with Dahlia Devkota, Founder of Editrix

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Connect with Dahlia on Instagram at @dahlia.devkota and on LinkedIn here. Discover Editrix on Instagram here and learn more about the products and brand ethos at editrixwellness.com.

Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.

Product links:

Editrix I. Demigod Ayurvedic Cleansing Oil

Editrix II. Deuxième Postbiotic Fermented Cleanser

Editrix III. Superare Microflora Barrier Film

Editrix IV. Bakterium Delirium Skin Education Serum

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

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Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog:

Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here.

Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here.

Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here.

Explore the Best Acne Treatments here.

Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here.

Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here.

The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter.

The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com.

With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™

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