ASCP Esty Talk – Ep 352: Favorite Things

Date: October 8, 2025
Hosts: Ella Cressman (B), Maggie Stasik (C)
Purpose: A lively round-up of the hosts’ current favorite professional skincare products and devices for both estheticians and clients. The discussion includes what sets each product apart, how the hosts use them, and why they love them, blending ingredient science, hands-on experience, and tips for treatments.

Main Theme & Purpose

Ella and Maggie share their handpicked “favorite things” in professional skincare—ranging from multitasking serums to high-tech treatment devices. The episode covers why these products stand out, the science behind their star ingredients, clever uses in practice, and details on a social media giveaway. It’s all about helping estheticians and skincare enthusiasts discover standout products, elevate their protocols, and stay inspired.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Warmup & Shoutout

[01:40–02:56]

• Ella gives a shoutout to Elizabeth Tucker for sharing a unique fact about vocal health in their Colorado esty group, highlighting the value of curiosity and continuing education.
• Sets the stage for today’s “favorite things” theme, born from Maggie’s suggestion to swap and try out new products.

1. Emergency Raceuticals Salvation Serum

[03:11–05:14]

• Key Features:
  • Soothes, balances, and visibly firms skin.
  • Star ingredients: moss extract (urban stress defense), orchid stem cells (firmness, wrinkle reduction), rosemary, rubus, clove, and cardamom (antioxidants, circulation, clarity).
  • Hydrating and tightening, “like a quench of water.”
• Notable Company Practices:
  • Commitment to sustainability; packages include milkweed seeds to support bee conservation.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Ella shares, “I remember getting my package… it had these milkweed seeds inside of it… I thought that was really cool.” [04:27]
• Treatment Tip:
  • Ella uses it on her neck and notes its hydrating yet firming feel.

2. Hydropeptide Reactivate PM Cream

[05:23–08:41]

• Key Features:
  • Nighttime cream supporting collagen production (Nimni technology): stimulates, stabilizes, strengthens, and protects collagen.
  • Time-release retinol (3 forms), Vitamin C, biomimetic peptides.
• User Experience:
  • Luxurious texture, not heavy, provides noticeable “bounce” to skin with no irritation.
• Personal Accounts:
  • Maggie says, “When I apply this cream, I feel rich.” [07:47]
  • She also admits to using it around her eyes with no irritation—though officially not recommended (proceed with caution).
• Treatment Tip:
  • Suitable for nightly use, even for sensitive clients; not overly complicated to integrate.

3. Save Our Skin C2S Skin Balancing Serum (Med Spa Distributors)

[08:49–11:00]

• Key Features:
  • Contains two forms of vitamin C plus salicylic acid.
  • Simplifies routine for acne-prone or aging skin.
• Versatility:
  • Maggie uses it for body breakouts (from summer sweat, friction, etc.), noting it “eradicated that immediately” and smoothed skin after one use. [09:37]
• Clinical Case Study:
  • Ella shares results with a tricky hormonal acne client: “She is a tough case… I gave her the travel size of this and her skin loved it. It was exactly what her skin needed.” [10:15]
• Customer Service Shoutout:
  • Med Spa Distributors praised for speedy, expert advice.

4. All Beauty Global PDRN Serum (Salmon DNA) + Zemitz ElastiStrom Microcurrent Gloves

[11:08–15:42]

• PDRN Serum Features:
  • PDRN: highly purified DNA fragments from salmon, promotes cellular repair, hydration, elasticity, and post-treatment healing.
  • Particularly hot in regenerative aesthetics.
  • Ella underscores the need to vet product quality.
• Notable Use Case:
  • Ella details a standout success: used PDRN serum with microcurrent instead of microneedling for a rosacea client, with “instant and ongoing” results. [13:48]
  • “The results were instant and ongoing. It was like, seriously unbelievable.” [13:57]
• Zemitz Microcurrent Gloves:
  • Affordable, easy-to-use, no bulky hardware—just gloves woven with silver threads to deliver microcurrent as you massage serums into skin.
  • Benefits include lifted, glowing skin and enhanced relaxation for clients.
  • “It was like facial yoga with superpowers.” [14:50]
  • Maggie affirms ease: “It’s literally your hands doing the work and infusing the serums.” [15:37]
• Treatment Tips:
  • Combine PDRN serum and microcurrent for sensitive or post-treatment clients.
  • Microcurrent is a popular, client-pleasing upgrade, increasing client rebookings.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sharing and Curiosity:

  • “Elizabeth Tucker in the group... said that most people do not speak in their ideal vocal range and that can cause strain in their voice. So she’s learning how to respeak.” – Ella [01:50]

• On Product Experience:

  • “My voice is meltworthy.” – Ella (reporting a compliment from the group) [02:10]
  • On Salvation Serum: “It tightens instantly but it really feels hydrating going on.” – Maggie [03:44]
  • “When I apply this cream, I feel rich.” – Maggie on Hydropeptide Reactivate PM [07:47]
  • “I love an analogy. It supplies the blueprint for collagen production and the protection your skin needs to rebuild itself.” – Ella [06:27]
  • “It was like facial yoga with superpowers… the clients walked away, all of them, feeling like they had like a mini vacation for their skin.” – Ella on microcurrent with PDRN [14:50]

Product Round-Up & Quick Reference

| Product Name | Standout Features | Ideal Use / Client | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|-----------| | Emergency Raceuticals Salvation Serum | Hydrates, firms, soothes, eco-friendly | Urban-stressed, dry, mature | 03:11 | | Hydropeptide Reactivate PM Cream | Supports collagen, peptides+retinol combo | Night use, all skin types | 05:23 | | Save Our Skin C2S Skin Balancing Serum | Vit C + salicylic acid, clarifies/brightens | Acne-prone, aging, body use | 08:49 | | All Beauty Global PDRN Serum | Salmon DNA for repair/elasticity | Post-treatment, sensitive | 11:14 | | Zemitz ElastiStrom Microcurrent Gloves | Hands-on, easy, enhances delivery/flow | All, especially upgrades | 13:48 |

Giveaway Details & Callouts

• Social Media Giveaway:
  • Listeners can win one of the featured products; follow @ascpskincare for details. [02:56, 16:22]
• Community Engagement:
  • Listeners invited to share their own favorite things via Instagram, Facebook, or email. [16:33]

Final Thoughts

A dynamic, product-packed episode for esties looking to upskill, personalize care, or find their next holy grail product—with enough ingredient science, hands-on advice, and relatable stories to inspire. The blend of product science (Vitamin C, PDRN, peptides) and business-boosting treatment tips (microcurrent, customer service, sustainability) delivers actionable value for listeners across the aesthetics spectrum.

To learn more:
Check out the show notes, follow ASCP on social channels, and join the conversation by sharing your own favorite products!