Skin Anarchy Podcast: "Hormones, Oxytocin, and Aging" with Dr. Sabrina Fabi (XOMD Skincare)
Host: Ekta
Guest: Dr. Sabrina Fabi
Date: February 23, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Skin Anarchy explores the profound influence of hormones—especially oxytocin—on skin health, aging, and overall well-being, focusing on the unique challenges women face during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Sabrina Fabi, a double board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of XOMD Skincare, offers science-backed insight into how hormonal changes manifest in the skin, the pitfalls of current skincare trends, and the innovative research behind XOMD’s oxytocin-based approach.

Guest Background and Motivations

[01:18–03:57]

• Dr. Fabi shares her journey into dermatology, fueled by empathy and personal experiences with childhood skin conditions:
  • “I wanted to heal, I wanted to care for others… I was the kid that was at the dermatologist because she had her eczema or her acne…” (B, 01:39)
• She traces her interest in aesthetics to a desire for quicker, more satisfying outcomes for patients, particularly through laser treatments and the emerging field of cosmetic dermatology.

The Evolution (and Pitfalls) of Aesthetic Medicine

[04:06–09:27]

• The field, once obscure, is now oversaturated with information and "flash sales," sometimes leading to misguided consumer decisions.
• Key Concerns Raised by Dr. Fabi:
  • People opt for what's easy or trendy (e.g., fillers, minimal-downtime procedures) instead of the most appropriate, evidence-based treatments.
  • Too casual an attitude: "This is still the practice of medicine... there's still anatomy to consider" (B, 05:47).
• Both agree clients often undervalue the need for personalized, expertise-driven assessment, and sticking with trusted providers rather than "hopping around," which can “end up maybe distorting... the way someone potentially [looks].”

Hormonal Milestones: Perimenopause, Menopause, and the Skin

[09:27–17:01]

• Clarifying Perimenopause and Menopause:
  • Menopause = 12 consecutive months without a period; perimenopause = the 4–8 year lead-up defined by shifting hormones.
• First symptoms often misunderstood: dryness (perimenopause—due to progesterone drop) and then fine lines/wrinkles (menopause—due to estrogen drop).
  • “Most women in perimenopause, the first symptom is dryness—not lines or wrinkles…” (B, 10:58)
• Declining testosterone also affects muscle mass and metabolism, contributing to body composition changes and further impacting self-perception.
• Recent large global survey found:
  • Perimenopausal women’s #1 complaint: dryness.
  • Menopausal women’s #1: fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Both groups: loss of firmness/elasticity, plus pronounced impacts on confidence and mood.

Systemic and Societal Impacts

[15:11–18:55]

• Hormonal changes affect more than skin—mood, anxiety, and self-image are intertwined:
  • “The number one thing that these women reported...was that they felt that they looked less attractive” (B, 15:32)
  • “They affect our brain too...there’s receptors everywhere” (B, 15:12)
• Women often lack education about perimenopause, compounded by cultural stigmas against open discussion.

Critique of Beauty Industry Trends & Self-Medication

[18:55–22:39]

• Host and guest highlight the harms of jumping on supplement and topical hormone trends without professional guidance.
  • “Just because it sounds really good on Instagram or an ad...doesn’t mean that it’s a solution for me.” (B, 19:37)
  • Estrogen creams are not universally needed—hormonal “ratios” matter more than absolute levels, and self-prescribing can cause harm.

Injectable/Oral Biohacking vs Topical Solutions

[22:39–24:35]

• Skepticism about the trend to “put everything we can systemically into our bodies.”
• Dr. Fabi stresses the unique power of the skin as a delivery and regulation surface: “Leave your liver alone. It’ll thank you. Leave your GI system alone.” (A, 23:12)

XOMD Skincare: Harnessing Oxytocin and Neurohormone Science

[24:35–35:34]

Core Science:

• Aesthetic medicine already leverages neuropeptides (e.g., Botox/acetylcholine).
• XOMD focuses on oxytocin, a hormone declining with age/menopause and strongly linked to more “youthful” skin and psychological well-being.
• Recent research shows higher serum oxytocin correlates with looking younger, regardless of age or sun damage.
  • “Oxytocin is mother Nature’s own anti-inflammatory peptide. It decreases inflammation almost to prime you for the inflammatory physiologic [state of] pregnancy…” (B, 33:20)
• XOMD’s product uses a bioengineered peptide (from a Nobel-prize-winning mechanoreceptor discovery) that stimulates endogenous oxytocin within the skin, emphasizing touch and local release.

Clinical Data:

• Randomized, placebo-controlled facial trial:
  • 4 weeks—significant decrease in redness, improved dryness, radiance, and skin tone evenness; no early effect on fine lines/wrinkles, consistent with known biology.
  • 8 weeks—continued improvement with ongoing use.
• Importance of formulation in peptide activity and the need for consistent application.

Memorable Quote:
“If you’re going to use topical skincare, be consistent. You’ll only reap a better benefit.” (B, 35:06)

Inflammation, Aging, and “Smart Pairing” of Skincare

[35:34–41:54]

• Discussion of chronic inflammation ("inflammaging") and how both harsh treatments (e.g., tretinoin) and improper skincare layering contribute to premature aging.
• Pairing XOMD with actives: XOMD helps buffer inflammation, making potent actives like tretinoin more tolerable and effective.
  • “The more inflammation, the more you’re aging. That’s the reason why, like, if you have...chronically high cortisol levels, you’re definitely going to age more.” (B, 37:17)
• Practical advice to avoid occlusive moisturizers with tretinoin (may trap the drug and worsen irritation) and favor anti-inflammatory, hydrating vehicles.

Dangers of Over-Treating and Layering Too Many Products

[41:54–47:40]

• Host and Dr. Fabi warn against excessive exfoliation, stacking too many actives, and “multi-modal” routines without evidence.
  • “We see it in the 17-year-old teenager that’s scrubbing their acne and using salicylic acid on top of...glycolic acid—their acne flared, they look more red…” (B, 43:17)
• Scientific studies sometimes show singular modalities (alone) can be as effective as combined treatments.
  • “More doesn’t always mean better...ask your doctor...has this been looked at or investigated combined?” (B, 47:41)

Evidence, “Bio-Individuality,” and a Holistic Approach for Perimenopausal Women

[48:24–52:48]

• Survey data shows women most often turn to food supplements for menopause symptoms—without evidence for efficacy.
• Aesthetic procedures and targeted topical care provided the highest short-term satisfaction, but a holistic, long-term plan must consider hormones and professional guidance.
  • “If you’re being seen by someone that treats you as the holistic human you are, you will not only feel better, but look better too...” (B, 52:01)

Closing Wisdom: Multi-Disciplinary, Personalized Care

[52:48–54:29]

• Dr. Fabi and Ekta urge listeners to seek authentic care from credentialed professionals who can integrate medical, hormonal, and dermatologic perspectives.

  • “Medicine isn’t just techniques. It’s care, it’s somebody who wants to help you.” (A, 52:48)

• Hopeful outlook: More women are demanding information, and consumer awareness is evolving.

  • “People are seeking it...I have hope it’s going to become something mainstream and understood.” (B, 54:03)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Most women in perimenopause, the first symptom is dryness—not lines or wrinkles…” —Dr. Fabi [10:58]
• “The number one thing that these women reported...was that they felt that they looked less attractive” —Dr. Fabi [15:32]
• “Just because it sounds good on Instagram...doesn’t mean it’s the solution for me.” —Dr. Fabi [19:37]
• “If you’re going to use topical skincare, be consistent. You’ll only reap a better benefit.” —Dr. Fabi [35:06]
• “The more inflammation, the more you’re aging.” —Dr. Fabi [37:17]
• “Medicine isn’t just techniques. It’s care, it’s somebody who wants to help you.” —Ekta [52:48]
• “If you’re being seen by someone that treats you as the holistic human you are, you will not only feel better, but look better too...” —Dr. Fabi [52:01]

Key Takeaways for Listeners

• Don’t self-diagnose or endlessly chase trends—seek personalized, credentialed medical advice for both aesthetic and hormonal concerns.
• Consistency and correct alignment of skincare actives matter more than quantity or novelty.
• Hormonal changes (not just estrogen, but also progesterone, testosterone, oxytocin) have broad effects on skin, mood, and self-perception—often before classic symptoms like hot flashes.
• New science (like XOMD’s oxytocin-based approach) is focusing on supporting intrinsic repair and anti-inflammation, reflecting a shift toward molecular and neuro-hormonal skincare solutions.
• Aging and “inflammaging” are fundamentally inflammatory processes—controlling inflammation is key to better aesthetic and health outcomes.
• Ask deeper questions about why a recommendation is made, not just what the product or treatment is.

For more, follow @skincareanarchy on Instagram and explore XOMD Skincare for evidence-based, hormone-aware solutions to skin aging.