Podcast Summary:
ASCP Esty Talk Ep 359 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Ionic Materials
Host: Maggie Stasik (ASCP Program Director)
Guest: Benjamin Knight Fuchs (Skincare Formulator & Pharmacist)
Date: November 7, 2025
Main Theme
This episode dives deep into ionic minerals and their multifaceted roles in skin health, topical skincare formulations, and overall cellular function. Ben Fuchs explains what ionic minerals are, their electrical nature, their surprising benefits for skin and body, and why they’re one of the most powerful yet misunderstood ingredients in esthetics.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. What Are Ionic Minerals?
[00:21–01:42]
- Definition: Ionic = possessing a positive (cation) or negative (anion) electrical charge.
- Unique Feature: Their electrical nature allows for novel skin benefits.
Quote:
“Ionic refers to electrical charge...And ionic minerals have really interesting topical properties because of their electrical nature, for one thing.”
— Ben Fuchs [00:28]
2. Facilitating Penetration & Cellular Absorption
[01:42–02:54]
- Transdermal Effect: Ionic minerals in specific forms aid the penetration of actives through the stratum corneum, reaching the basal layer and dermis.
- Carrier Role: When combined with actives like vitamin C or retinol, they enhance delivery into cells including keratinocytes and fibroblasts.
- Oral Benefit: Similarly, when ingested, ionic minerals increase the absorption of attached nutrients in the intestines.
Quote:
“Not only are you getting transdermal penetration, you're actually getting penetration into the keratinocyte and into the fibroblast. That is really, really cool. And it's not just penetration of the ionic minerals, but they carry things.”
— Ben Fuchs [01:52]
3. Water Structuring & Cellular Health
[02:54–04:17]
- Structured Water: The body’s internal water isn’t ordinary; it’s “structured” or “coherent”—Ben calls it “magic water.”
- Aging & Water Structure: Loss of structured water as we age causes skin sagging (“blobifying”).
- Role of Ionic Minerals: Support the structure of water, especially via interactions with proteins (collagen), glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, and the minerals themselves.
Quote:
“As we age, that structuring starts to break down...we lose our angles and we blobify and that freaks people out. And one of the reasons that happens is because...our water loses its structure.”
— Ben Fuchs [03:30]
- Electric Foundation of Biology: The body is fundamentally electrical; ionic minerals improve cellular electrical conductivity and ultimately support cellular signaling and division.
Quote:
“While we focus a lot, understandably, on chemistry, really, the body is an electrical system, and chemistry only works as far as we're healthy from an electrical standpoint.”
— Ben Fuchs [04:10]
4. Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory Properties
[04:17–05:09]
- Potent Antioxidant: Ionic minerals can donate electrons, neutralizing free radicals—key for post-peel, lasers, or ablative therapies.
- Soother & Calmer: Topical application post-treatment minimizes inflammation, redness, and irritation.
Quote:
“Using ionic minerals post treatment can help quiet down or quench free radicals and oxidative byproducts, calming the skin down, making it less inflamed or less red or less irritated.”
— Ben Fuchs [04:58]
5. Enhanced Skin Hydration & Water Quality
[05:09–05:43]
- Wetter Water: Structured water, induced by ionic minerals, hydrates more efficiently.
- Application: Spraying ionic minerals improves water quality on the stratum corneum for better hydration.
6. Detoxification, Chelation, & Antimicrobial Action
[05:43–06:24]
- Source: Ionic minerals naturally occur in complexes like fulvic minerals/acid (from the soil).
- Benefits: Aid in detoxifying the skin, chelating (removing) heavy metals, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects—helpful for acne, dermatitis.
7. Cellular Energy & Mitochondrial Protection
[06:24–07:00]
- Mitochondrial Preservation: Ionic minerals protect mitochondria, supporting cellular energy and longevity.
8. Electrolyte & Nutritional Value
[07:00–08:01]
- Electrolyte Source: Offer essential minerals like magnesium, potassium, chloride for skin and general health.
- Underappreciated Ingredient: Rare blend of transdermal, nutritional, hydration, and energy benefits.
9. Absorption, Follicular Penetration & Hair Health
[08:01–08:30]
- Superior Absorption: In digestive processes, charged (ionic) minerals from fruits and vegetables absorb best.
- Follicular & Glandular Benefits: Ionic minerals efficiently enter hair follicles and sweat glands; enhance hair hydration and feel.
Quote:
“You can spray your hair when you come out of the shower and you can actually feel the softness in your hair as they're pulling water into the hair shaft.”
— Ben Fuchs [08:27]
10. Prevalence of Mineral Deficiency
[08:30–08:54]
- Soil Depletion Issue: Modern soil depletion means fewer minerals in vegetables, leading to widespread deficiencies.
- Supplementation: Regular internal and topical supplementation can address these gaps.
Quote:
“Our soil is depleted of many minerals, veggies don't have them. And consequently, there's a lot of people who are deficient in a lot of these minerals. And mineral deficiencies are pretty common.”
— Ben Fuchs [08:47]
Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes
-
Explaining Skin “Blobifying” and Water Structure:
“We lose our angles and we blobify and that freaks people out.”
— Ben Fuchs [03:42] -
On Antioxidant Action of Minerals:
“The very definition of an antioxidant is a molecule that will replace an electron. Oxidation is when the electron's ripped off. Ionic minerals can deliver electrons.”
— Ben Fuchs [04:39] -
On Multifunctionality:
“It's very difficult to come up with a more multifunctional active ingredient.”
— Ben Fuchs [07:48]
Important Timestamps
- Definition and Importance: 00:21–01:42
- Facilitating Penetration: 01:42–02:54
- Structured Water & Aging: 02:54–04:17
- Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory Effects: 04:17–05:09
- Hydration Properties: 05:09–05:43
- Detoxification & Antimicrobial Benefits: 05:43–06:24
- Mitochondrial Protection: 06:24–07:00
- Nutritional/Electrolyte Value: 07:00–08:01
- Absorption & Hair Health: 08:01–08:30
- Mineral Deficiency in Modern Diet: 08:30–08:54
Final Thoughts
This episode showcases Ben Fuchs’ passion for ionic minerals as an underutilized powerhouse ingredient in both skin care and nutrition. Ionic minerals stand out for their electrical properties, enhancement of product penetration, water structuring benefits, and holistic support for skin and body health.
Ben encourages estheticians to recognize these minerals as exceptionally versatile and valuable in addressing both external and internal health.