ASCP Esty Talk - Episode 331: The Rogue Pharmacist: Nutritional Deficiencies and Their Impact on the Skin

Release Date: June 20, 2025
Host/Author: Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP)
Description: ASCP Esty Talk and The Rogue Pharmacist provide estheticians with in-depth discussions on skincare ingredients, science, business, and beauty diversity, aiming to enhance careers, industry knowledge, and personal growth.

Introduction

In Episode 331 of ASCP Esty Talk, titled "The Rogue Pharmacist: Nutritional Deficiencies and Their Impact on the Skin," ASCP's Program Director, Maggie Stasik, engages in a comprehensive conversation with skincare formulator and pharmacist, Ben Fuchs. The episode delves into how internal nutritional deficits manifest in skin health, the critical nutrients involved, and effective supplementation strategies for estheticians to enhance their practice.

Understanding Nutritional Deficiencies and Skin Health

Ben Fuchs opens the discussion by highlighting the pervasive issue of nutritional deficiencies resulting from modern agricultural practices. He asserts, “[...] our soils are deficient. Our soils are depleted. This problem's been going on for 100 plus years” (01:38). This depletion leads to nutrient-poor vegetables and, consequently, animals that consume these plants also carry these deficiencies. The compounded effects of food storage, processing, and cooking further diminish nutrient availability, resulting in widespread deficiencies among consumers.

Fuchs emphasizes the alarming statistic that “70% of our calories come from ultra-processed food” (01:38), underscoring the difficulty in obtaining essential nutrients solely through diet. He advocates for strategic nutritional supplementation, noting, “[...] nobody is getting them unless they're really paying attention to and understanding how nutritional supplementation works” (06:30).

Key Nutritional Deficiencies Impacting the Skin

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

Fuchs identifies essential fatty acids as the most significant deficiency affecting skin health. He states, “Essential fatty acid deficiency is the single most important nutritional deficiency when it comes to skin health problems” (03:45). Both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are crucial:

• Omega-6 (Linoleic Acid): Vital for maintaining skin barrier function.
• Omega-3 (Alpha Linolenic Acid): Reduces inflammation and supports overall skin health.

Fuchs recommends supplementation over dietary intake due to the instability and scarcity of EFAs in most foods. He suggests products like Udo’s blend liquid for effective EFA supplementation (05:05).

Vitamins

1. Vitamin A

   • Role: Regulates skin cell division, preventing conditions like psoriasis and acne.
   • Sources: Both topical (e.g., retinol) and oral supplementation are essential.
   • Quote: “Vitamin A is so well handled by the skin that you can get benefits topically” (06:30).

2. Vitamin D

   • Role: Synergizes with Vitamin A for skin health.
   • Sources: Primarily through sun exposure; supplementation as needed.
   • Advice: “Best way to get your vitamin D is the sun” (07:00).

3. Vitamin E

   • Role: Antioxidant that protects cells from sun damage and oxidative stress.
   • Benefits: Speeds up healing processes post-peel, surgery, or acne.
   • Quote: “High doses of vitamin E can speed healing” (08:00).

4. Vitamin C

   • Role: Essential for collagen production, connective tissue integrity, and as an antioxidant.
   • Deficiency Signs: Hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and accelerated aging.
   • Supplementation Tip: “Do your vitamin C in multiple divided doses throughout the day” (09:30).

5. B Complex Vitamins

   • Role: Critical for skin health, particularly B1, B3, B5, and B12.
   • Deficiency Signs: Acne, poor collagen production, and impaired skin barrier.
   • Quote: “The B complex are very susceptible to destruction by heat and processing” (12:00).

Minerals

1. Zinc

   • Role: Crucial for acne prevention, collagen production, and skin healing.
   • Quote: “Zinc is arguably the most important mineral of all for the skin” (16:30).

2. Selenium

   • Role: Supports the immune system and skin health.
   • Deficiency Signs: Increased susceptibility to acne and impaired skin healing.

3. Copper

   • Role: Works in tandem with zinc for collagen production.
   • Advice: “Supplementing with both copper and zinc is something you might want to think about” (17:30).

4. Magnesium & Iron

   • Role: Magnesium supports overall health, while iron deficiency can lead to skin pallor and dryness.
   • Deficiency Signs: Brittle nails and skin dryness (18:00).

Protein and Amino Acids

Fuchs underscores the importance of protein and specific amino acids for skin health:

• Histidine: Enhances the skin barrier and moisture retention, beneficial for eczema and dry skin.
• Proline, Valine, and Lysine: Essential for connective tissue production.

He recommends high-protein foods or targeted supplementation to ensure adequate intake (19:00).

Supplementation Strategies for Optimal Skin Health

Fuchs advocates for a strategic approach to supplementation, moving beyond the minimal Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). He critiques the RDAs as “Ridiculous Deficiency Allowance” (06:32), arguing that higher doses are necessary for optimal health and skin vitality.

Key Strategies:

• Essential Fatty Acids: Supplement regularly with both Omega-3 and Omega-6 to address skin dryness and inflammation.
• Comprehensive Vitamin Intake: Ensure a full spectrum of vitamins, particularly A, D, E, C, and B complex, to support various skin functions.
• Mineral Balance: Maintain appropriate levels of zinc and copper to facilitate collagen production and prevent acne.
• Divided Dosing: Administer vitamins like Vitamin C in multiple smaller doses throughout the day for better absorption and utilization.

Fuchs emphasizes the interconnectedness of internal nutrition and external skin health, suggesting that estheticians incorporate these nutritional insights into their practice to provide holistic skincare solutions.

When to Refer Out

While Fuchs encourages estheticians to be knowledgeable about basic nutrition, he acknowledges scenarios where referring clients to specialists is appropriate:

• Complex Nutritional Issues: If an esthetician feels inadequately trained in nutrition, referring to a naturopath or nutritionist is advisable.
• Medical Conditions: Cases that require medical intervention beyond skincare, such as severe deficiencies or underlying health issues, should be directed to healthcare professionals.

He advises, “There's no reason why estheticians shouldn't be hip to the basics of nutrition” (03:45), empowering skincare professionals to address nutritional aspects confidently within their scope of practice.

Conclusion

Episode 331 of ASCP Esty Talk with Ben Fuchs offers estheticians an in-depth exploration of how nutritional deficiencies significantly impact skin health. By understanding key vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, and implementing strategic supplementation, skincare professionals can enhance their clients' skin health holistically. Fuchs advocates for a proactive approach to nutrition, emphasizing the rapid manifestation of deficiencies in the skin and the transformative effects of targeted nutritional support.

Notable Quotes:

• “Everybody's nutritionally deficient simply because of the way we grow our food.” – Ben Fuchs (01:38)
• “Nutritional deficiencies are going to show up in the skin quickly.” – Ben Fuchs (03:45)
• “The RDAs keep us ridiculously deprived.” – Ben Fuchs (06:32)
• “Essential fatty acid deficiency is the single most important nutritional deficiency when it comes to skin health problems.” – Ben Fuchs (03:45)
• “Zinc is arguably the most important mineral of all for the skin.” – Ben Fuchs (16:30)

For further information, connect with Ben Fuchs at truthtreatments.com.

This summary aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the episode for those who haven't listened, highlighting essential discussions and actionable insights for skincare professionals.