ASCP Esty Talk Ep 365 – The Rogue Pharmacist: Eczema

Release Date: December 12, 2025
Host: Maggie Stasik (ASCP Program Director)
Guest: Ben Fuchs (Skincare Formulator & Pharmacist)

Episode Overview

This episode of ASCP Esty Talk dives deep into eczema—its root causes, how it differs from regular dry skin, and why both internal and external factors are crucial in its development and treatment. Ben Fuchs, “The Rogue Pharmacist,” provides an in-depth, biochemistry-grounded perspective for estheticians on the real origins of eczema, the inadequacies of typical dermatological approaches, and holistic strategies for truly addressing the condition.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining the Difference: Eczema vs. Dry Skin

• Dry Skin: A common complaint, but not always pathological. However, it is a trigger for eczema.
• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis):
  • The word eczema means “to boil over” (00:27).
  • Represents a failure of the skin barrier to form completely.
  • Key Insight: Eczema is not just surface-level; it’s deeply connected to how skin cells mature (“transit/differentiation”) and externalize to form a protective barrier.
• Layered Structure of Skin:
  • Healthy cell movement from lower layers to the top (“transit”) is vital for barrier and moisture retention (01:05–01:59).

2. The Role of Blood Toxicity and Leaky Gut in Eczema

• All chronic degenerative diseases—including skin disorders—feature an element of toxicity in the blood.
• Leaky Gut as the Culprit:
  • Modern understanding places leaky gut at the center of chronic blood toxicity (02:00–03:40).
  • “Once toxicity gets into the blood… you’re off to the disease races.” (Ben Fuchs, 01:44)
  • The gut’s permeability allows bacteria, chemicals, and food particles into the blood, triggering immune responses and toxicity dumping into tissues, including the skin.
• Connective and Soft Tissue as Dumping Grounds:
  • The body attempts to protect itself by storing toxins here, leading to localized issues like eczema and systemic ones like autoimmune disorders.

3. Skin Barrier & Immune System Disturbances

• Skin Cell Transit (“Differentiation”):
  • Integrity of the skin barrier depends on “appropriate, healthy differentiation,” or smooth transit of cells to the surface (04:16–04:35).
• Eczema as an Immune/Inflammatory Disorder:
  • Eczema is technically “atopic dermatitis”—not a topical but an immunological, systemic condition.
  • Dermatological treatments focus on suppressing inflammation with steroids and biologics without addressing the root (05:00–05:56).
  • Quote: “Eczema is not a topical condition… all eczema, to truly solve the problem… is not dermatological, it’s immunological.” (Ben Fuchs, 05:27)

4. The Medical Model vs. Root-Cause Resolution

• Conventional Treatments’ Limitations:
  • Focus on shutting down immune response/inflammation.
  • Steroids & biologics are expensive (“$20,000 a month,” 05:51), possibly ineffective long-term, and don’t address the underlying trigger.
• True solution lies in addressing the source—gut health & immune regulation.
• Asthma & Eczema Connection:
  • People with eczema often have asthma or other immune problems, supporting the systemic immune angle (06:16).

5. What Estheticians & Clients Can Do: Practical Advice

• Topical Soothing:

  • If symptoms are severe, topical methods can help temporarily soothe:
    • Oat extracts and oatmeal (used “for eons”; 06:44)
    • Vitamin E (topical)
    • Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA; a derivative of omega-6, applied topically)
    • Fat-soluble vitamin C
    • Fulvic minerals

• Quote: “Applying these substances topically can calm the skin down. If you’re in a pinch, eczema can be really distressing…” (Ben Fuchs, 07:31)

• Long-Term: Target the Immune System via the Gut

  • Keep a food diary and eliminate trigger foods
  • Watch for food-induced eczematic flares
  • Strengthen digestion with:
    • Probiotics and digestive enzymes (08:15)
    • Nutrients that heal the gut (Vitamin A, omega-3s, collagen, hyaluronic acid, copper chloride, gelatin)
    • Mucosal-supporting botanicals: algae (fucoidan, especially from brown algae), mushrooms, slippery elm, mullein

• Leaky Gut & Nutrition:

  • Leaky gut impairs nutrient absorption—causing malnourishment on top of blood toxicity (09:11–09:31).
  • Solution: Prioritize gut healing to resolve eczema and prevent further systemic problems.

6. Lifestyle Factors/Triggers

• Estrogen Imbalance:
  • Improper detoxification of estrogen can contribute to leaky gut.
• Fried Foods:
  • Fried fats are a major stimulus for leaky gut and thus eczema (09:51).
  • “French fries, pizza, hush puppies, fried butter and Snickers bars and all the fried foods we like. Those are major, major triggers of leaky gut.” (Ben Fuchs, 10:03)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Main Trigger for Chronic Disease:
  • “Every single chronic degenerative disease has an element of toxicity in the blood. Every single one.” (Ben Fuchs, 01:29)
• On the Limitations of Topical and Pharmaceutical Solutions:
  • “The medical model is yet to recognize this… all autoimmune disease is the end result of toxins being dumped out into the tissue.” (Ben Fuchs, 02:55–03:19)
• On the Need for Gut-Focused Resolution:
  • “If you really want to solve the problem (of eczema), you gotta get into the immune system, which is through the digestive system.” (Ben Fuchs, 07:49)
• On Eczema as a Systemic Risk Marker:
  • “You’re gonna reduce the risks of all other health challenges once you really solve the problem—something that’s not gonna occur when you use the dermatological strategies…” (Ben Fuchs, 09:38)

Important Timestamps

• 00:27 – Difference between eczema and dry skin
• 01:29 – Toxicity in the blood and the root of chronic disease
• 03:19 – How the body dumps toxins into tissues and the autoimmune connection
• 06:16 – Eczema, asthma, and systemic immune dysfunction
• 06:44 – Soothing topical options for eczema
• 07:49 – The gut-immune connection and long-term solutions
• 09:51 – Estrogen and fried food as primary triggers for leaky gut

Summary Takeaways

• Eczema is far more than just surface dryness or irritation; it’s a systemic, immuno-inflammatory condition rooted in gut health and toxin management.
• Estheticians should recognize both the necessity of temporary topical relief and the greater need for systemic healing through nutrition, lifestyle, and gut-centric strategies.
• Conventional medicine’s reliance on anti-inflammatories and steroids is limited—lasting resolution depends on targeting the gut, managing diet, and reducing exposure to specific triggers like fried fats and improper estrogen metabolism.