ASCP Esty Talk – Ep 358: From Ingredients to Outcomes

Date: November 5, 2025
Hosts: Maggie Stasik (A) & Ella Cressman (C)
Main Theme:
The episode explores the industry-wide shift from focusing on individual skincare ingredients (“ingredient era”) to a broader emphasis on real-life outcomes for clients. The hosts discuss what this philosophical change means for professionals, clients, and the industry's approach to skin health and wellness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Moving from Ingredient Obsession to Results-Driven Practices

• The hosts reflect on a cultural shift within skincare — from “what's in the bottle” to “what does this do for my skin?”
• Maggie [01:37]: “The spotlight has been on what’s inside the bottle... but now the conversation is shifting. It's about results. What does this product actually do for the skin health and how does that tie into overall wellness?”
• Clients, influenced by marketing and social media, often arrive highly knowledgeable about ingredients, sometimes leading to confusion or fixating on percentages and “hero” ingredients.
• Ella [02:33]: “We... started that. This is what's in here and this is why it works... But I feel like it is shifting now... What is the symphony of things in that product and does it really work?”

“Ingredient Deck” Limitations & Social Media Misinformation

• Both hosts critique the current tendency to evaluate products solely by the ingredient list.
• Ella [05:10]: “It's one of my least favorite things... Is this acne safe? What are you looking for on there? ...We know now that like dimethicone isn't always bad, for example...”
• Past fears of “malefic” ingredients gave rise to simplified, “safer” formulations, but the experts now stress context and synergy over individual components.

Paradigm Shift: Peels and Percentage Fixation

• The chemical peel market exemplifies the evolving mindset: it's no longer just about “how strong?”
• Maggie [06:10]: “Everyone was so obsessed with what's in the bottle, what are the percentages, how strong is it, how deep is it going... the more you peel, the better. And I feel like there was such a misunderstanding about how chemical peels function.”
• Ella [07:24]: “Now we understand that you can have really great effects or results from a different idea, a different approach... Instead of just getting someone to a TCA, 20% TCA, let's say, instead shifting it to what... does the client need today and what do they need in anticipation of what they might need next week so that next year their skin is perfect or healthy?”

Holistic Acne Care and Beyond

• The discussion moves to acne, stressing the need for individualized, holistic solutions.
• Ella [09:10]: “For years... hyper focused on the... inputs of acne products. Like, is this oil free?... But what if the acne is from being dry... or from being sad? Salicylic or benzoyl peroxide might not be the answer for that person...”
• Consideration of triggers like stress, diet, and hormones is necessary, and clients should be guided to look beyond the label for true skin health.

Sunscreen: The Perfect Bridge to Skin Health and Wellness

• Sunscreen, once a “vacation product,” is now positioned as daily self-care and cancer prevention.
• Maggie [11:27]: “...it's considered a life-saving product... its job literally is... skin cancer prevention.”
• Ella [12:19]: “There's a lot of misinformation thrown at it too. You should have chemical. You should not have chemical. You should have a mineral. But minerals are going to have a white cast...”
• Both agree that the “best” sunscreen is the one clients will use consistently—regardless of format.
  • Maggie [13:54]: “The best sunscreen is the one your clients will wear.”
  • Ella [14:04]: “The best sunscreen is the one they're gonna buy from me. Let me clarify.”

The Role of Marketing and Industry Evolution

• Is this shift consumer-driven, or an industry pivot? The hosts debate:
  • Ella [14:37]: “Is the beauty industry now jumping on that bandwagon because the consumer is leading the charge? Or is it the beauty industry now marketing this?”
  • Maggie [15:34]: “...fits my philosophy better as an esthetician. What I think is more cool is that the industry always changes. If it wasn’t always changing, I would be so bored.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ella [05:10]: “We know now that like dimethicone isn't always bad, for example...”
• Maggie [06:10]: “Everyone was so obsessed with what's in the bottle, what are the percentages, how strong is it, how deep is it going...”
• Ella [07:24]: “Instead of just getting someone to a TCA, 20% TCA, let's say, instead shifting it to what... does the client need today and what do they need in anticipation of what they might need next week so that next year their skin is perfect or healthy?”
• Ella [09:10]: “For years... hyper focused on the... inputs of acne products. Like, is this oil free?... But what if the acne is from being dry... or from being sad? Salicylic or benzoyl peroxide might not be the answer for that person...”
• Maggie [11:27]: “...it's considered a life-saving product... its job literally is... skin cancer prevention.”
• Maggie [13:54]: “The best sunscreen is the one your clients will wear.”
• Ella [14:04]: “The best sunscreen is the one they're gonna buy from me. Let me clarify.”
• Maggie [15:34]: “What I think is more cool is that the industry always changes. If it wasn’t always changing, I would be so bored.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:37] – Introduction of the episode’s central theme and industry trend
• [02:33] – Analysis of the “ingredient era” and the rise of label obsession
• [05:10] – Social media’s role in spreading ingredient misinformation
• [06:10] – Shifting conversation around chemical peels; the focus on outcomes
• [09:10] – Holistic view on acne treatment and personalization
• [11:27] – Sunscreen as a bridge between beauty and health
• [14:37] – Is the shift consumer-driven or industry-driven?
• [15:34] – Host reflections on change and industry evolution

Summary

From Ingredients to Outcomes dives deep into the industry’s pivot from “ingredient obsession” to “results-driven skincare,” examining how professionals and clients can move toward a more holistic, personalized, and wise approach to skin health. Rather than treating products as ingredient checklists, the focus has become about how combinations, routines, and client individuality drive real, meaningful outcomes. The episode offers sharp insights, relatable anecdotes, and actionable takeaways for estheticians eager to level up their approach—and satisfy outcome-seeking clients.

Tone: Friendly and knowledgeable, blending industry expertise with candid, humorous banter.

For discussion and more resources, listeners are invited to connect with the hosts via ASCP’s social media or email.