Naked Beauty Podcast: Shani Darden on Retinol, Treating Acne, and Why She Doesn’t Trust Lasers

Host: Brooke DeVard | Guest: Shani Darden | Date: December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

In this candid and inspiring episode, esthetician and skincare entrepreneur Shani Darden opens up about her professional journey, her personal experiences with beauty, and her no-nonsense approach to skincare. The conversation with host Brooke DeVard spans Darden’s early influences, her philosophy about “less is more” in skincare, debunking beauty trends, strategies for treating acne, the truth about retinol, lasers and fillers, and how she maintains both her business vision and her self-confidence. The discussion is lively, personal, and full of actionable insights for beauty lovers, skincare newbies, and aspiring estheticians alike.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Shani’s Backstory & Introduction to Beauty

[02:20 - 09:12]

• Small town roots: Shani grew up in Plattsburgh, NY, with beauty as a constant in her household thanks to her mom’s influence.
• Early exposure: Mary Kay visits, homemade face masks, and early lessons about skincare.
• Modeling and representation: Shani didn’t feel she fit in—both with her mostly white family and community, and among Black peers. Hair became an important part of her self-esteem and identity.
  • Memorable moment: “My dad found out information that Lisa Bonet had a weave, so he was like, we are gonna take you to get your hair weave...He would sit at the hair salon with all Black people for hours and hours while I had my hair done. It was, like, the best.” (08:09, Shani)

2. Moving to LA & the Esthetician Calling

[09:13 - 13:39]

• Unplanned journey: Moved to LA for modeling (turned out to be music videos), discovered spas, and tried massage therapy school before becoming an esthetician.
• Found her path: Realized skincare was her calling after working as a receptionist and taking advice from friends.
  • “I was like, ding, ding, ding. And that was it.” (10:58, Shani)

3. Building Her Business & Celebrity Clientele

[12:08 - 15:28]

• Breakthrough: Fired from a previous job, encouraged by Jessica Alba to start treating clients at home, which “went crazy.”
• Small space = intimacy: Prefers working in smaller, private studios—celebrity clients are punctual and respectful.

4. Perspectives on Brand Ownership & Identity

[14:04 - 16:33]

• Black-owned brand conversations: Navigating identity in branding; didn’t set out to market as Black-owned, but became more visible during the 2020 social reckoning.
  • “At the time I felt very much like, oh, now I need to say that I’m Black owned? It didn’t feel good.” (15:10, Shani)
  • On consumers: “I’m going to buy from an expert...But I don’t know that everybody else thinks that way.” (16:21, Shani)

5. Skincare Philosophy: Less is More

[17:08 - 17:33]

• Minimalism: “I would say less is more. I just don’t think you need all of the things that are out there. You gotta really know your skin type. But it’s much more simple than everyone makes it out to be.” (17:13, Shani)

6. Shani’s Signature Facial & Go-To Treatments

[17:47 - 21:10]

• Signature facial: One treatment includes LED light, chemical peel (customized), microcurrent, and ultrasound.
  • “I just give one facial. The signature. And I do everything.” (18:05, Shani)
• LED light: Great for fine lines, pigmentation, acne, and inflammation—works best with consistency.
• Facial frequency: Once a month is optimal for most clients.

7. Acne, Retinol, and Product Recommendations

[23:24 - 33:47]

• Acne can be managed: “You can definitely keep it under control.” (23:36, Shani)
• Accutane: Supports Accutane in severe adolescent cases to prevent permanent scarring, but also advocates for topicals.
• Retinol evangelist: Shani attributes her youthful appearance to early and consistent use of retinol.
  • “No, it’s just. It’s just Retinol. I’ve been using retinol since I was like, 20.” (09:25, Shani)
• Encapsulated retinol: Designed hers to be gentle, suitable for all skin types.
  • “It’s encapsulated, so it’s really, really gentle. That’s the main difference...Over time you will definitely see a decrease in pigmentation, fine line wrinkles, all of the things.” (32:41, Shani)

8. Lasers, Fillers, and In-Office Treatments

[25:29 - 31:05]

• Fillers & Botox: Likes Botox, warns about filler longevity and necessity of skilled practitioners.
  • “You have to go to someone that really knows what they’re doing...I don’t think it dissolves, and I think you’re just packing on and packing it on.” (26:03, Shani)
• Lasers skepticism: Strongly cautions against lasers for people with pigmentation.
  • “I do not trust lasers...If you have any pigment in your skin...I think it will come back worse. That is what I think.” (29:07, Shani)
  • “Let me see in a year...That’s not the way that I work.” (29:25, Shani)
• Microneedling: Effective, but practitioner skill is crucial.

9. Skincare Essentials & Product Picks

[36:30 - 38:26]

• Routine basics: Retinol, Vitamin C (if tolerated), sunscreen (chemical preferred), calm cleanser, regular gentle exfoliation (chemical, not physical).
• Sunscreen: Emphasizes comfort and consistency (“I am like the president of the like Chemical Sunscreen is Fine committee.” – 37:03, Brooke)
• Exfoliation: Lactic, glycolic, and mandelic acids, not scrubs.
  • “I do not like a scrub. I am not a fan of it. And it causes redness. It can be irritating. Chemical is better because it is almost more gentle, but being more effective.” (38:11, Shani)
• Her cleanser: “Cleansing serum” packed with oat bran and hyaluronic acid, only a small amount needed.

10. Social Media, Trends & Misinformation

[38:26 - 40:14]

• TikTok hype: Warns listeners about blindly following “influencer” recommendations that aren’t suitable for their unique skin concerns.
  • “People don’t understand, like, you need to...use what’s right for you.” (39:00, Shani)
• Trends come and go: Skeptical about hot new ingredients, prefers tried-and-true actives.

11. Personal Care, Style, and Life Balance

[47:42 - 55:56]

• Business ethics: Avoids the “pumpkin spice” trend cycle, stays authentic, and prefers depth to superficial brand hype.
  • “I honestly, I think from my background and, you know, this is what I do and it’s what I really like to help people...I’m just never gonna be phony. I’m never gonna lie about something.” (44:30, Shani)
• LA’s hyper-glam events: Prefers intimacy and supporting friends over relentless socializing.
• Personal style: Signature look includes Saint Laurent shorts, blazer, heels (every day!), and edited capsule wardrobe by Monica Rose.
• Fragrance: “Carnal Flower” by Frederic Malle, per her kids' preference.
• Mom & friendship: Friends (over gatherings), daily calls keep her grounded.

12. Advice for Aspiring Estheticians & Brand Founders

[52:04 - 53:44]

• Reach out: Don’t be afraid to approach mentors for advice.
• Brand reality check: “Maybe let’s hold off on starting the brand right this second and take a beat. Because it’s scary out there and there’s so many of them...Start a brand because you’re really, really passionate about it.”
• Growth: “Slow and steady. Going really fast can only...Only works for some people...If it doesn’t work that way, then you’re gonna run out of money.”

Memorable Quotes

• On beauty accessibility:
  • “When I was that young, forget it. I would have been like, mom, I need to stay home...Now, kids nowadays embrace breaking out, and they wear the pimple patches out. And I think it is beautiful.” (05:41, Shani)
• On TikTok influence:
  • “People will use anything that they see on TikTok...and you need to use what’s right for you.” (39:00, Shani)
• On retinol:
  • “If you’re over the age of, what, 25, you need a retinol.” (36:37, Shani)
• On lasers:
  • “I do not trust lasers...with a lot of the newer lasers that everyone’s talking about, I’m going to sit back and we can talk about it in a year.” (29:07, Shani)
• On patience and authenticity:
  • “Because I am unhinged. And I can wear something wild. So [stylist Monica Rose] just approves it.” (48:32, Shani)
  • “No one’s ever said [I’m calm and chill] before...My friends keep me grounded.” (53:56, Shani)
• On feeling beautiful:
  • “In my heels. Always in the heels. And your micro YSL shorts.” (55:06, Shani)

Selected Timestamps for Important Segments

• Shani’s beauty upbringing: 02:20 – 04:30
• On representation and hair: 06:19 – 09:12
• Moving to LA, early career: 09:13 – 11:04
• Business breakthrough: 12:08 – 13:39
• Brand identity & Black-owned brand discussion: 14:04 – 16:33
• Skincare philosophy (“Less is more”): 17:08 – 17:33
• Shani’s signature facial explained: 18:02 – 19:13
• Acne, accutane, and retinol: 23:24 – 33:47
• Lasers & filler skepticism: 29:07 – 31:05
• Essential skincare products: 36:30 – 38:26
• Social media & trends: 38:26 – 40:14
• Advice for new estheticians: 52:04 – 52:34
• Brand-building insight: 52:46 – 53:29
• Personal style, LA events & staying grounded: 47:42 – 55:56

Tone & Style

Throughout the episode, the tone is open, witty, and refreshingly direct. Shani Darden balances professional authority with relatability, often humorously riffing on LA’s glam standards while firmly grounding her advice in expertise and experience. Brooke DeVard’s curiosity, authenticity, and admiration for her guest set the stage for an engaging and insightful conversation.

For listeners curious about skincare, the beauty business, or simply seeking honest advice in an overwhelming market, this episode is both a practical guide and an inspiration.