Naked Beauty Podcast: Molly Sims on Redefining Aging
Host: Brooke DeVard
Guest: Molly Sims
Date: February 16, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode of Naked Beauty features a candid, illuminating conversation with Molly Sims—supermodel, actress, podcaster (host of Lipstick on the Rim), producer, mother, and now founder of Wise Beauty. Brooke and Molly delve into redefining aging, navigating self-image after decades in the spotlight, industry transparency, modern wellness trends, and the creation of Molly's skincare brand for women at every life stage.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Podcasting, Community, and Transparency (03:07–05:00)
- Mutual podcast admiration: Molly expresses excitement about being on Naked Beauty and notes how podcasting allows her to "go to school every week" by learning from guests and being openly curious.
- Podcasting as a safe space: Both hosts reflect on the trend toward greater transparency in beauty and wellness:
"When Emisha and I started [Lipstick on the Rim], it was just a way for us to connect with our community, to really be transparent and not gatekeep…what do women really do, what do they really want to talk about?" — Molly Sims [04:06]
- The culture shift: Molly notes the shift from secrecy and "gatekeeping" about beauty treatments to open discussions about topics once considered taboo (perimenopause, plastic surgery).
2. Molly’s Upbringing in Kentucky & Early Influences (05:07–09:00)
- Idyllic small-town life: Molly reminisces about a "very outdoorsy" youth in rural Kentucky, with influences from her beauty-conscious, disciplined mother and a home surrounded by lakes and sports.
- Early connection to beauty: Magazines like Vogue and Marie Claire provided her with early windows into beauty and fashion.
3. Journey into Modeling (08:40–12:33)
- Unlikely path: Modeling arose serendipitously after Molly’s photos were sent to New York while she was a pre-law student at Vanderbilt University.
- Industry pressure: She describes being thrust into the "heroin chic" era, not fitting the frail standards of late '90s beauty, and confronting the business realities:
"It is a business. You are having people make money off of your face and your body." — Molly Sims [12:33]
4. Mental Impact of Modeling and TV Stardom (12:44–16:28)
- Psychological effects: Molly discusses the impact of constant scrutiny, measuring, and comments on her physical features:
"I never thought I was heavy…until it was… the constant dieting, the constant pressure…" [12:51]
- Transition to TV: She smoothly segued from modeling to television hosting on MTV's House of Style, capitalizing on her personality, honed by years of international travel and adapting to new cultures.
5. Reflections on Celebrity Culture (15:38–17:24)
- Quintessential era moments: Molly shares fun memories interviewing rock stars and pop icons in the ‘90s and early 2000s:
"I was obsessed with Lenny Kravitz…he's not aged!" [15:52]
- Motherhood perspective: The two discuss the empathetic challenges of parenting in the public eye, expressing deep feelings about recent celebrity family news.
6. Building Wise Beauty: The ‘Why’ and the Process (17:38–27:40)
- Motivation: Molly created Wise after battling hyperpigmentation and melasma during her pregnancies, seeking skincare that worked, felt good, and was not overly harsh.
- Product creation: She describes concocting DIY regimens for friends and herself before formalizing the brand.
- Clinical rigor: Molly insists on running actual clinical trials on products, not just piggybacking on standard claims:
"The clinicals you have to have, look, I can say use it all day long, but you have to have good product. You just have to." [25:35]
- Accessible efficacy: She wants to “help women get their glow back,” focusing on multitasking, holy-grail formulas instead of overwhelming routines.
7. Redefining Aging and ‘Anti-Aging’ Language (28:35–31:29)
- Against conventional anti-aging: Defensive about not wanting to “look ten years younger,” Molly says:
"We want to help women sometimes get their glow back... They feel tired, they're torn in a million different ways—they don't have time for a 10-step, 15-step routine." [29:08]
- Consistency, not intensity: Both agree that sustainable, gentle habits are key:
"The consistency is the magic… If you are consistent with something, it will work." — Molly Sims [31:29]
8. Modern Beauty & Wellness Routines (31:35–37:29)
- Treatments & tools: Molly describes her regimen:
- Regular microneedling (Morpheus)
- Occasional lasers and baby-CO2 treatments
- Hydrating facials, oxygen, cupping, and microdermabrasion
- Minimal fillers, regular Botox ("I believe in cutting over filling.") [34:27]
- Science-backed supplementation: She discusses using vitamin C, creatine, magnesium, and peptides—always under medical guidance.
- Open talk on trending medications: Molly supports transparency about GLP-1 (weight loss medications), metformin for longevity, and is cautious about NAD supplementation, urging listeners to consult physicians.
9. Navigating Health Issues: Thyroid Advocacy (37:29–42:36)
- Personal thyroid struggle: Molly recounts her battle with undiagnosed hypothyroidism and profound weight retention postpartum:
"You have to make sometimes people believe you…You have to trust your gut." [39:59]
- Advocacy: She stresses the importance of self-advocacy:
"Always do your panels and if your blood doesn't say it, just keep saying your symptoms. Keep saying, what if we try this?" [41:53]
10. Motherhood, Social Media, and Confidence (42:36–46:39)
- Everyday beauty: Molly feels most beautiful when comfortable and casual:
"It's not on a carpet...it's more when I'm undone... ponytail, white T-shirt, jeans... with my kids." [43:33]
- Family moments: Touching stories of her sons using ice rollers to comfort her post-treatment, and cute conversations about her brand’s retail aspirations.
- Empowerment and resilience: Her advice against settling resonates as her personal motto:
"Don't fucking settle...nothing worse is being stuck." [45:50] "I love being counted out. It's the best." [46:36]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the podcasting shift:
"I get to go to school every week...I get to ask questions. I get to—when Emisha and I started, it was just a way for us to connect with our community, to really be transparent and not gatekeep." — Molly Sims [04:06]
-
On beauty standards in modeling:
"It is a business. You are having people make money off of your face and your body." — Molly Sims [12:33]
-
On skincare expectations:
"More does not always mean better." — Molly Sims [27:40]
-
Reframing aging:
"We want to help women sometimes get their glow back." — Molly Sims [29:08] "I'm not trying to look 10 years younger. I mean, I would love to, but I—Wise, we look at, we want to be the best, we want to be bright...I wanna look the best I can at every age." — Molly Sims [29:08]
-
Motherhood advice:
"Don't settle. Don't fucking settle. Yeah, don't do it." — Molly Sims [45:45]
-
Inner confidence:
"It's not on a carpet...I think as I've gotten older...It's more when I'm undone." — Molly Sims [43:33]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Podcasting & Community: 03:07–05:00
- Childhood & Kentucky: 05:07–09:00
- Modeling Beginnings: 08:40–12:33
- Mental Impact of Modeling: 12:44–16:28
- TV/Pop Culture/Taking up Space: 15:38–17:24
- Birth of Wise Beauty: 17:38–27:40
- Discussing 'Anti-Aging': 28:35–31:29
- Modern Regimens & Peptides: 31:35–37:29
- Thyroid Health Advocacy: 37:29–42:36
- Motherhood, Confidence & Advice: 42:36–46:39
Final Thoughts
Brooke and Molly deliver an episode brimming with humor, vulnerability, and practical wisdom. Molly demystifies the beauty industry, shuns unattainable standards, and champions holistic, attainable well-being at every age. Her journey from Kentucky to international model, to mother, producer, and founder, is a beacon for anyone facing reinvention—and her transparency about products, procedures, and personal challenges is both refreshing and empowering.
For more, listen to the full episode and check out Molly’s brand Wise Beauty for multitasking, clinically-tested skincare.