Skin Anarchy Podcast Summary

Episode: Formulating Bioavailable Liquid Marine Collagen Ft. Fat Mermaid
Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Dr. Ekta
Guest: Teresa Pavukas (Founder, Fat Mermaid)

Episode Overview

This episode of Skin Anarchy dives deep into the art and science of supplement formulation, specifically focusing on Fat Mermaid—an innovative brand offering bioavailable liquid marine collagen. Ekta interviews Teresa Pavukas, the founder, whose 25+ years of experience in beauty development shine through as they discuss the nuances of collagen, the importance of bioavailability, product innovation, and customer empowerment in the supplement industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Teresa’s Journey in Beauty and Product Development

• Background & Experience: Teresa reflects on her extensive background, beginning in advertising with L'Oréal, then pivotal roles at L'Oréal, Estée Lauder, Maybelline, and later in luxury fragrances and indie beauty.
• Transition to Supplements: Developed expertise in product development and recognized a personal “pain point” in supplement convenience, leading to the creation of Fat Mermaid.

"Beauty is my thing. I love it. I think it's so fun and developing products that make people feel better." —Teresa (01:22)

The Meaning Behind "Fat Mermaid"

• Fun Meets Clinical: Aimed for a playful name, balancing fun and clinical efficacy, inspired by both emerging fun skincare brands and the high performance expected of supplements.
• Marine Collagen Inspiration: The “mermaid” concept reflects the product’s marine origins and the ideal of robust beauty—“Fat” as in luscious hair, lashes, nails.

"She would be robust and big and healthy. This is not like skinny, tiny little mermaid." —Teresa (07:31)

Deep Dive: Bioavailability (09:16–16:08)

• Why Bioavailability Matters: Critical differentiator for Fat Mermaid; liquid marine collagen is significantly more bioavailable than powder or bovine-based products.
• Scientific Rationale:
  • Liquid vs. Powder: Liquid collagen is “ready to absorb,” while powder requires breakdown in the digestive system, making less than half of it usable.
  • Marine vs. Bovine: Marine collagen's lower molecular weight makes it almost twice as bioavailable as bovine collagen.
  • Type of Collagen: Type I collagen is key for hair, skin, nails (marine is rich in Type I), less relevant for joint-focused supplements.

"Liquid is already in liquid form. It goes through the digestive tract... and it absorbs, it's almost completely bioavailable." —Teresa (11:23)

User Experience Design & Product Philosophy (16:08–21:42)

• Unflavored Advantage: Developed an unflavored product after extensive R&D for maximum versatility—can mix with any food/drink, shot style, or straight in yogurt.
• Dosing Cup: Unique dosing cup included to streamline morning routines and make compliance and consistency easier for users.
• Supplements Should Be Fun: Emphasis on removing “pain points” (flavor fatigue, pill size, stackability).

"This should be beauty, should be fun. It shouldn't be a pain... It should taste good." —Teresa (16:38)

Supplement Formulation & Rigorous Testing (22:04–27:53)

• Clinical Validation & Manufacturing:
  • Sourced GMP-certified, FDA-inspected manufacturers.
  • Third-party testing for heavy metals, toxicity, and compliance.
  • Inclusion of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid for synergy—vitamin C as “collagen synthesizer.”
  • Complete label transparency, including amino acid profiles and sourcing.

"Heavy metals and toxicity is critical because people are eating this. I went from topical to ingestible, and that was a whole new set of regulatory." —Teresa (22:33)

• Marine Collagen Sustainability & Sourcing:
  • Uses fish skins and scales (not flesh) from certified, sustainable sources.
  • One main source is tilapia, focusing on using “upcycled” parts otherwise discarded.

Real-World Results and Customer Feedback (27:54–33:35)

• Host’s Personal Experience: Ekta shares a remarkable recovery from chronic knee pain after switching to Fat Mermaid, highlighting efficacy beyond cosmetic benefits.
• User Testimonials: Consistent feedback on improved hair, nails, skin, and even reduction in Botox use and enhanced joint support.
• Immediate & Long-Term Benefits: Teresa points to clinical trial data (5 grams/day for 60 days = 42% reduction in wrinkles, 23% increase in skin hydration, etc.) and stresses consistency for results.

"Lack of pain, of course, is the best proof ever... Thicker hair and nails and younger looking skin... People have to try it for themselves." —Teresa (30:20)

Product Roadmap & Future Innovations (34:05–35:29)

• Upcoming Developments:
  • Travel-size bottles (for convenience and TSA compliance).
  • Exploring potential new flavors (while current unflavored formula is unique in the market).
  • Commitment to customer-centric evolution, guided by real-world feedback.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bioavailability:
  "Bioavailable is a very important word because it's the differentiator between liquid and powder and marine and bovine..." —Teresa (09:17)

• On Supplement Form Factors:
  "The less steps you give your body in the digestion process, the more likely your body is going to say, I'm going to take this in and use it." —Ekta (14:14)

• On Transparency:
  "If you're used to reading skincare... your supplement label is going to look really different... That's another item I just insisted we put in— the amino acid profile." —Teresa (25:36)

• On Clinical Proof:
  "There is one clinical trial... daily marine Collagen with only 5 grams a day. After 60 days, it's a 42% reduction in wrinkles, 23% increase in skin hydration, 25% increase in hair thickness..." —Teresa (31:13)

• On Consistency & Lifestyle Integration:
  "You brush your teeth, you take your collagen, you brush your hair and you go out the door. Just what you do. It's part of your day." —Teresa (33:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Teresa’s Beauty Industry Background: 00:57–05:23
• Naming & Brand Philosophy: 06:16–08:49
• Understanding Bioavailability: 09:03–13:36
• Unflavored Product Benefit & User Experience: 16:08–18:53
• Compliance, Testing, Sourcing: 22:04–27:53
• Personal & User Results: 27:54–33:35
• Product Roadmap: 34:05–35:29

Tone and Language Style

The episode is conversational, passionate, and transparent, mixing technical detail with relatable everyday concerns. Teresa balances in-depth product science with light-hearted stories, mirroring the brand’s dual focus on fun and clinical efficacy. Ekta brings authentic consumer skepticism and delight at finding a brand that “did the homework.”

For Listeners: Why This Episode Stands Out

• Honest discussion on what makes a supplement bioavailable and effective
• Rare founder transparency about formulation, sourcing, and regulatory hurdles
• Useful for anyone confused about collagen choices (marine vs. bovine, powder vs. liquid, Type I vs. III)
• Practical insights on integrating supplements into busy lifestyles
• Concrete tips on label-reading and what to look for in high-quality, clean supplements

For more insights, follow @skincareanarchy and Fat Mermaid on social media.