Podcast Summary: ASCP Esty Talk – Ep 362 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Fulvic Minerals
Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Maggie Stasick (ASCP Program Director)
Guest: Ben Fuchs (Skincare Formulator, Pharmacist)
Main Theme
This episode of ASCP Esty Talk delves into the fascinating world of fulvic minerals — what they are, how they’re formed, why they matter for skin and overall health, and the science behind their powerful effects. Ben Fuchs breaks down the biological, chemical, and practical significance of fulvic minerals, focusing on their topical and internal uses, and why estheticians (and everyone) should care about them.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction to Fulvic Minerals
- What Are Fulvic Minerals?
- Ben notes that fulvic minerals, though just gaining wider attention, have been used in his work for many years.
- Fulvic acids are long chains of water-soluble elements created from the breakdown of rocks by “lithotropes” (stone-eating microorganisms) in topsoil, along with nutrients from decaying plants.
- These minerals are the electrically active, ionic cores of fulvic acids.
- Quote:
"If you take rock, piece of rock and put it in water, ... it doesn't interact. ... But these lithotropes ... have an ability to digest rock, to eat rock and secrete out, turn the rock into long chains of what we call minerals." — Ben Fuchs [03:02]
2. The Magic of Soil and Life’s Origin
- Earth vs. Moon Analogy:
- The difference between Earth (teeming with life) and a dead rock like the Moon is the 6-12 inches of topsoil, transformed by these microorganisms into nutrient-rich, electrically active clay and fulvic substances.
- Quote:
"On top of the Earth ... you have 6 to 12 inches of magic. And when I say magic, I mean everything that brings us life ... is derived from this 6 to 12 inches that's on top of the dead rock." — Ben Fuchs [04:09]
3. Fulvic Acids vs. Fulvic Minerals
- Definitions Clarified:
- Fulvic acids: The full, water-soluble complex found in soil, composed of poly-electrolyte minerals plus vitamins, amino acids, and plant nutrients.
- Fulvic minerals: The mineral (electrolyte) core of fulvic acids, responsible for many of the structuring and conductive properties relevant to health and skincare.
4. Electrical and Magnetic Properties
- Electrolytes & Organization:
- Fulvic minerals conduct electricity and magnetically attract nutrients, vitamins, and plant compounds.
- Wherever you have electricity, you have magnetism (electromagnetism), enabling these minerals to pull water and nutrients into living systems.
- These minerals provide negative charges, important for detoxification and anti-oxidative activity.
- Quote:
"Fulvic minerals are powerful sources of negative ions. ... In addition to being detoxifying and having antioxidant properties, also have an organizing property." — Ben Fuchs [09:27]
5. Structured Water in the Body
- How Minerals Affect Water:
- As we age, the body and its water lose their structure, leading to "blobification."
- Fulvic minerals help organize and structure the water in our body — crucial, since water is the most abundant (and important) aspect of us.
- Organized water carries information between cells efficiently; this is vital for healthy skin and overall function.
- Quote:
"One of the main structuring seeds or centers is fulvic minerals ... These ionic minerals structure the water part of the body." — Ben Fuchs [11:10]
6. Dietary and Topical Use
- Sources and Importance:
- Best sources: “Eat your veggies!”—especially watery vegetables grown in nutrient-rich soils.
- Modern agricultural practices and poor diet mean most people are deficient in these “organizing elements.”
- Both oral supplementation and topical application are effective; topical fulvic minerals can be crucial for skin organization, especially after injury or ablative treatments.
- Quote:
"Taking these fulvic minerals internally is very, very important. But the same thing happens topically." — Ben Fuchs [12:44]
7. Skin and Mitochondrial Benefits
- Post-Procedure Healing & Anti-Aging:
- Topical use can reorganize and structure skin fluids, supporting rapid healing and hydration post-treatments (peels, lasers, microdermabrasion, etc.).
- Fulvic minerals stabilize mitochondria, enhancing cellular energy from food and offering anti-aging and disease-resistance properties.
- Quote:
"Ionic or fulvic minerals help stabilize mitochondria. ... They support, they stabilize mitochondrial health." — Ben Fuchs [14:27]
8. Oxygen, Water, and Nutrient Delivery
- Real Moisturizing—Not Just Occlusion:
- Fulvic minerals magnetically pull in oxygen and water, delivering true hydration versus the occlusive effect of standard moisturizers.
- They also enhance penetration and delivery of vitamins, nutrients, and actives both internally and through the skin—a natural transdermal delivery system.
- Quote:
"When you apply folic minerals topically, you pull oxygen into the skin... you get real hydration because you're literally pulling water into the tissue magnetically." — Ben Fuchs [16:10]
9. Practical Tips for Estheticians
- Optimizing Use:
- Use products rich in fulvic minerals for post-procedure care, moisture, healing, and enhancing penetration of active ingredients.
- Always pair actives (like vitamin C or retinol) after your mineral-based mist for better efficacy.
- Internal supplementation also recommended for overall skin and cellular health.
- Quote:
"Always use your topical vitamin C and retinol ... after or with your biomimetic mineral mist, you get better penetration." — Ben Fuchs [17:47]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “You’re crazy if you’re not using these things on a regular basis.” — Ben Fuchs [18:59]
- "We blobify, we turn into a blob ... What do fulvic minerals do? ... They help the body cohere." [08:51]
- "Vegetables ... that’s why you want to eat your vegetables ... you’re getting structuring elements." [11:47]
- “Applying fulvic minerals to the skin directly truly moisturizes skin, truly hydrates the skin, particularly... post healing.” [16:50]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [00:20] – What are fulvic minerals?
- [03:02] – How lithotropes create life-enabling minerals in soil
- [05:44] – Why electrolytes matter and how fulvic minerals conduct electricity
- [09:27] – Fulvic minerals, negative ions, and organization in the body
- [10:24] – Importance of structured water for communication in the body
- [12:44] – Why and how to get fulvic minerals through diet and supplements
- [14:27] – Mitochondrial support & anti-aging aspects
- [16:10] – Real hydration: fulvic minerals vs. traditional moisturizers
- [17:47] – Fulvic minerals as transdermal delivery enhancers
- [18:59] – All-encompassing benefits and the case for regular use
Overall Tone
Ben Fuchs brings deep enthusiasm, expertise, and a touch of humor to the discussion ("blobification," references to Idiocracy, etc.). The episode is informative and encourages both scientific curiosity and practical application, maintaining an educative yet accessible style throughout.
Summary Takeaways
Fulvic minerals represent a unique, science-backed ingredient for both internal and topical health. Their impact on skin structure, hydration, cellular health, post-procedure healing, and nutrient delivery make them a “must-have” for any esthetician's toolbox and wellness routine.