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Jessica
Hey, guys, welcome back to another episode of Skin Anarchy. I'm so excited about the brand that we're going to be introducing all of you to today, because I really feel like for all of you out there that love really good products for exfoliation without making your skin feel super raw or just over exfoliated. Right. Those of us who know no. Right. So we're always looking for great products and great lines that kind of cater to this need of just beautiful skin that turns over nicely and we're able to maintain it. So without further ado, I want to introduce you guys to the president and founder of Earthen Skin Care, Mike Tabiri. Welcome, Mike. I'm so excited to host you.
Mike Tabiri
Thank you. Great to be here. The idea behind Instant means, we started with instant peel, and the instant peel came out to be the best exfoliant that I can imagine because, not exaggerating, within minutes, if it's used correctly, you will have a complete facial dump. But the interesting part of instant peel, the important point to really make here is that before creating instant peel, I had no idea of skincare. And the way I got into this field is that I started having major problem with my skin. My skin used to be very good. And then I started really bothering me and became too dry in my skin, flaky and uncomfortable to the point that for someone who is really an outgoing person, I would think twice, should I go out or not? Yeah, that was very painful to me. And then in that, if you could call the journey, I decided after trying different products, that was not working for me, try to do something myself to see if I can help myself. And in that process, took me a long time in that process. That's how I came up with Instant Peel.
Jessica
That's very fascinating. I think that when it comes to exfoliation, there's a lot of misunderstanding because I see a lot of people on social media that are doing way too much. You know, they have like the. The sponges that they soak, you know, and then they have the cleansers and they're rubbing their faces very, very harshly. And I always wonder, I think exfoliation at some point got a bad reputation along the way because people are doing it incorrectly, you know. And so I find that's where I find your product to be very unique because it's really good. Even if you have more of a sensitive skin type, it's a very gentle peel. So it's not going to like irrit and it's really, really good for just doing its job. And That's, I think, very unique in terms of most exfoliants. I mean, the ones I've tried across the board are pretty harsh. You know, you have to be a little careful and you have to not use them more than like once a week or whatever that time is for you personally. But I find it to be very interesting how you've crafted this. So I'd love to learn more about the formula process for the instant peel. How was that? Like, how many times did you have to recreate it and. And kind of go back to the drawing board? How was the.
Mike Tabiri
Yeah, that's a very good question. It was a lot of trials and error in the beginning. And then I got some result. I started building on that and made changes and changes and changes. It took me a long time until I was satisfied. And then when I was satisfied, I gave it to some friends and family. They really loved it. And I remember the early beginning. This is crazy early beginning. The friend and I asked her if she. If she wants to use it, and she said, what am I going to use something that you make? No. Later on I found out that she was going to store and buying it. So I called her, I said, listen, if you want to send you some. So she was very happy, but it was out of being desperate to help myself. And that's where I really got my energy to move forward. After I saw people, I noticed so many people are happy and they're really excited for the product. And it's. So. It's a. Is an amazing thing because on one side you do not really irritate your skin, which is extremely important.
Jessica
Yeah.
Mike Tabiri
The other side, within 5 minutes or 10 minutes, 8 minutes, you have complete facial. You have to use it correctly. And it's not difficult to use it correctly when you're applying, you don't apply too much of pressure on your skin because then at that time, even if you don't have anything on your skin at that time, you, by just putting too much of pressure on your skin, you irritate your skin. So being firm and gentle using it and just follow the direction is perfect. And as you notice, there are people who are really well known. One is Marina Ross. She's a contributor editor to Vogue. And then we have the very famous movie star, Jennifer Grey. They talk about the product. Actually, Marina Ross wrote Earth and Skincare is the reason for me to survive the Pandemic. That was a beautiful things to hear. So I'm very excited that people who use the product, they really love it and it gives me A lot of pressure is you get energy by hearing. So that's, that's really exciting.
Jessica
Right. I feel like it's education area, I think for a lot of us consumers because you had mentioned something very important, which is you don't want to press down too much whenever you're exfoliating with any product. Right. And I think that's something that really needs to be kind of put out there because at the end of the day there's a lot of people who are using scrubs and I'm not a fan of any scrub. I know that there was a whole controversy with the brand. Everybody knows what it is. They have that apricot scrub, you know, and it was leaving micro tears on people's skin. And so at that point, I mean, I think it became very obvious to people that it's one thing that you want to get dead skin cells off of the skin surface, but it's a whole different idea when you truly understand what exfoliating does. That's why I really enjoy chemical versus physical exfoliants. Because chemical exfoliants are actually going to go and they're going to break the bonds between cells and they're going to make sure that it's easy for those cells to come off versus physical. You're literally just rubbing your skin until something rips off. If you think about it, you know. So that's where I think the education is really important. And people, especially younger consumers, right, because there's a lot of people in their 20s. I see this all the time on TikTok where they have those. I don't know, Mike, if you've seen them, they're like heart shaped sponges and like you can soak them in water and they become bigger and then people use that with their cleanser and they rub it all over their skin and it's like, what are you doing? You can't do this, you know. And so I think that's where this kind of a product, it becomes very crucial for people to have the right tools is my point.
Mike Tabiri
Yeah, look at it. I, I look at it this way, since you are a kid, that the skin always forms, but when we are young, automatically it folds. So you don't feel that you have so much to the skin when 10 years old and a little bit somewhat older, but when we get older, then dead skin becomes lazy and it doesn't fall easily. And so it stays, it has the tendency to stay on the skin. It form a kind of a layer on the skin. And when that happens in my Mind makes it difficult for the skin to breathe because our skin breathes. And at the same time, if you have a lot of dead skin on your face, anything that you put on your skin, any moisturizer or whatever you decide to put to help your skin, it will be more difficult to get to your skin because dead skin is like a barrier, shields your skin from outside. In my mind is one of the most important or the most important part of skincare to make sure your skin is clean and you remove the dead skin. So after that, then moisturizer I think is number two.
Jessica
Yeah.
Mike Tabiri
Because you need, you need to moisture your skin. And with all moisturizers that is basically is made of peptides, people love it. I have two kinds of moisturizer. One is called Cellulo Moist for normal to dry. And another one which is very identical to Cellulo Moist called Peptide, that is for normal to oily skin. And I can do this exactly the same thing. And that's. I could tell you the. There is no limit in what in my mind what you could come up to help our skin. So hopefully for a long time I will be making different products to make sure that people like it.
Jessica
Absolutely. I think it' interesting you have two moisturizers because I've tried the one that's for normal and dry skin and it's a really good nighttime moisturizer for anybody. It doesn't matter if you have really dry skin or not. I, for example, I'll tell you one of my favorite skincare areas. Like the favorite product category is like overnight masks. I love them, you know, because if you're busy and you don't have time during your day to like really take care of your skin, make sure there's enough hydration throughout the day. It's really important at night that you're putting on products that are going to really hydrate, you know, and they're going to lock in that moisture. And this product, for everyone listening, this is really great for at night. Like if you use it at night, even if you don't have a serum under it, that's fine, just put it on and this will soak into your skin and it will leave you so hydrated and you wake up with a beautiful fresh face and then you can do your routine for the daytime. And probably the peptide moisturizer is better for the daytime because it's not going to be as heavy, you know, it's made for, I think, more oily skin types. So.
Mike Tabiri
Yeah, yeah.
Jessica
So it's a really good, I mean, I think that's, that's one of the cool solutions here is like, you know, I think with a lot of products that are made for drier skin types, people mistake it and they use it all the time. Like during the day when your skin is more prone to getting oilier, where you should use something like this, I think it's great to use it at night, you know, because it helps.
Mike Tabiri
Yeah, but. But for during the day, it's good. Unless you are very oily. Then you have to use the one that is called peptide. Yeah, yeah, same this. Exactly the same peptides in it. The name is peptide, but the same peptides in it. But it's made specifically for people who have oily skin. And actually you mentioned we are working on mask.
Jessica
Yeah.
Mike Tabiri
And hopefully when, when he's 100% sure that he's good enough, that will be another product that we will be sending in the market. And make sure I send you one.
Jessica
Yes, I would love to try it. I think that I really like that you guys have a really tight range too. You know, in your product category. There's something here for every category, but it's not tons of products. So it's easy to choose thing that's going to work for you. I think that at the end of the day for me as a consumer, when I look at brands that have very precise offerings in every category, it makes me feel better because you're sending a message in a way that we've done a lot of homework. You know, the brand has really come up with something that's very good in this category. And so that's something to keep in mind as well as people are shopping is if you guys out there listening, if you're coming across brands that have like 15 different serums and they're not professional brands where they're at spas or anything. If it's just a brand. Right. That's absolutely the consumers. And they've got 15 different serums. That makes you wonder, you know, like, why do you have. Have so many serums? There's no reason for that. So I think it's very cool that you guys are with Arthur. And it's, it's like, you know, you've got beautiful products and it's not overload for the consumer. So you can really pick what you need and then try it, use it. And that's another thing. If you keep using the products like, you will notice a difference. So that's something I love to tell our listeners is that sometimes we are so quick to be like, where are all my results, you know, in like two days of using something. But I think it's really important to use things for 90 days and to really get your full results and look at them. So that's very important. Also like, you guys have great reviews, Mike, by the way, on your website.
Mike Tabiri
Yeah, yeah, that's, that's, that's what makes me really happy.
Jessica
Yeah, no, they're really great. Everybody who chimes in has something very, very positive to say. It's great. So what are your thoughts on all of these? Is there any biotechnology that is on your mind that you're looking forward to? I know there's a lot of changes happening in the industry right now with people are trying to merge a lot of biotech solutions right. With skin care and over the counter products. What are your thoughts around that and what is something that you guys are working on?
Mike Tabiri
Well, the, the science is moving very fast, especially with AI and hopefully that's going to keep us healthy and young forever. Maybe that's, that's the way I look at it and the way the science is moving with. You heard of a per genome.
Jessica
Yeah.
Mike Tabiri
Gene therapy and all of that, which is right too early. But the new things that are coming are going to be very, very helpful to us and I don't think it's too far away. And as we move forward, any technology, new technology that we could implement it into our product. We try to bring the best in the market that is possible to best of our ability. And so far I think that's what we have been doing. And you could see that by looking at people, what they write and their devotion to our wine. The other product that I forgot to talk to you about is repair and lift. People go crazy for it. They really love it. I use it myself every day. And again it's the same concept using peptides which it absorbs. The moment you put it, it gets in.
Jessica
Yeah. I want to ask you actually that made me think of something because as a male consumer yourself, right. I mean you started a whole brand. What do you think? I mean, I feel like when I look at your, your brand, I feel like it's very, very friendly for a lot of the male consumers out there. I think that men get left out when it comes to skin health and especially things like exfoliation. I know the men in my life, a lot of them, anytime I, I force them to exfoliate or do something with their skincare, they're always blown away with like oh my gosh, it looks amazing. You know, and I'M like, yeah, because you were walking around with three layers of dead skin on your face. You know, so it's, it's kind of like a revolutionary for them when they experience skin care. And it makes me wonder for. I mean, I would love to get your advice for the male consumer. Like, actually.
Mike Tabiri
Yeah, you raised a very good question. Yeah, I have, because I get a lot of feedback from customers. Many of them say that I bought the instant peel, but my husband started using it. So I don't know, maybe I got to use it myself and I see I don't have it.
Jessica
Yeah, yeah. He. He noticed the skin came off and he looks better. Yeah, yeah.
Mike Tabiri
So when they, there are some men that they think is not manly to take care of their skin, which is not. I see it not to be true. To be man is a man and a woman, whatever. We don't want to get into that discussion. But to be manly, it doesn't mean that you don't clean yourself. Yes, you don't wash your face or you don't get rid of the dead skin, but it's something new to many of men. And when they see their girlfriend or their wife is using it, they. Many of them start using it. I think the best advocate for men are the woman. When they see they use it, they start using it, too. Sometimes they get into an argument, why did you use mine? And didn't let me know because now I'm out of it. So it's funny, but the men are getting into it.
Jessica
Yeah, I feel like you're absolutely right. Like, a lot of times, it's the women that become the catalyst to kind of introduce men to a lot of these products that are beneficial for everybody. I don't think, like, it's fair because men. Yeah, there is this stigma, you know, around using any kind of a. What you would consider a beauty product. And that's so unfair because when I look at skin care, I don't think about, like, it's a beauty product. You know, I look at it like it's health care in a way. You know, you're. You're taking care of your health, and it's the largest organ. So for men, I feel like this messaging is very, very important because like you said, Mike, it has nothing to do with manliness or anything. It's really about just like you would buy a protein powder, right, to take care of your health, and you want to give yourself the nutrients you need. You kind of have to do the same thing for your skin. You have to give your Skin what it needs, you have to feed it. And I think for any men that might be listening in or any women that are trying to convince the men in your life to get behind a good skincare regimen, you know, this is a really good brand, I think to start them off with because the products are really heavy hitting and they're going to do what they're promising to do, but then there won't be like 15 steps that he has to follow. So, you know, this is a good place to bring them if they're looking for, you know.
Mike Tabiri
Absolutely. I look at it like this. That, okay, you clean, you get rid of your dead skin. What do you need? You need a good moisturizer that helps your skin. That might help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by using it. And then what else after that? It's important when you look at yourself in the mirror, is important to like yourself. So when you take care of your skin, you look in the mirror, you feel better. And people, when they look at you, they feel better. So you can wear the best clothes. But when your skin is covered with dead skin, you really do not present the beauty that is in you because it's covered with dead skin. Dead skin makes your skin look dull. I think you will do better by taking care of your skin.
Jessica
I agree.
Mike Tabiri
Better. People like it better. I remember, I never forget this. I remember one day I had a meeting the buyer.
Jessica
Yeah.
Mike Tabiri
And honestly, you know, I'm colorblind. So a slight change makes a big difference for me. So the lady asked me, a very nice lady was the buyer. The lady asked me, okay, so give me a sample. I gave her a sample of instant peel. After two, three days, I was supposed to go to see her again. Honestly, when I look at her, I was just shocked. I could say to me, because I'm colorblind, probably it's more intensive, it's, it's more effective. But to me she looks like so different.
Jessica
Yeah, yeah.
Mike Tabiri
I had to make sure I'm talking to the right, the exact, the same person. The skin totally look different. It looks so much younger, so much more beautiful. And I said to myself, look, this, that is, can make you really dull. But when you get rid of it nicely, it just, you become like a flower, you open up. That's how I really think of it.
Jessica
No, I think it makes sense because I think a lot of times people are so obsessed with, for example, you know, I'll give you, I've seen this a lot, right, where people will buy tons of Serums. And they think that if I have lots of growth factors and if I have lots of all these words, you know, all these buzzwords that everyone's using, if I put a lot of that on my skin, it's just going to instantly just know what to do and it's going to completely look like I have this healthy glow and everything. But that's just not how it works. There is a reason to have steps in your skincare routine, you know, and exfoliation is a major, major step. I think it can make the biggest difference out of all of the that you have. Hydration and exfoliation are the two things that I think make the biggest impact in how somebody looks, especially when it comes to skin care. And I think a lot of times I see consumers are investing in products that are, they're great, theoretically, they're great. But at the end of the day, what you really need is a great exfoliator and a really great moisturizer. And obviously you need an spf, you know, so if you can master that part of your routine, I guarantee you're going to just see a huge difference.
Mike Tabiri
Difference Overall, you're 100 right. You're so smart. You're 100 right. Really, you absolutely nail it. You know, there are two ways to take care of yourself. One from outside and the other one from inside. I think it's one of the important parts of our well being is make sure you have good blood flow.
Jessica
Yeah.
Mike Tabiri
Because you could eat everything, right. But if you don't have good blood flow, then you have problems problem and that you can improve that by doing exercise. So a big part of really having a good skin is to exercise and eat correctly. When you exercise correctly, your nitroxide increases and when nitride oxide increases, you have more oxygen delivered to hold your body. You have to make sure that you get the nutrient to the cell and to do that is stop by eating correctly and doing exercise. And the other side to it is to just take care of your skin. Make sure your skin is breathing, is clean, the dead skin is removed not by using dangerous or harsh chemicals, by. In a system that removes the dead skin nicely without irritating your skin, all of that is going to be helpful. So it's a combination of everything. That's the way I look at it.
Jessica
I agree. That's a good point. I agree. I think that you definitely, with earth and skincare, I think you guys are really nailing it with, you know, yeah, you're, you have the right products and you have the right offerings I think that at the end of the day, whatever is actually beneficial for your skin, I think that's what skincare brands should focus on. And that's exactly why I really do love the way that you've designed Earth and because it's very much what you need and not the extra stuff, you know, and that's really important to me.
Mike Tabiri
Absolutely, absolutely. Yeah. What you need, you need to remove the skin. And after that, make sure sure you give the right thing. Because if the dead skin is there, then it doesn't matter what you put on your skin. 90%, in my opinion, doesn't get in. So you remove the dead skin and after that, you apply the things that works for you. The skin has to be moist. It's extremely important. Like when we drink water, our body needs water, on the skin needs moisture. And with the moisture, we carry the peptides, which is known to be extremely helpful. And, and so that's all. You remove dead skin, then apply products that are healthy. So you don't need, as you said, you don't need hundreds of products. You really move the skin. And at night you clean your skin and then you apply the moisturizers or the serum and that's all probably. And then eat right and exercise.
Jessica
Absolutely, I agree with you. Well, for everyone listening, if you guys want to check out the brand, you can go to earthenskincare.com and we will link everything in the show notes for this episode. Make sure you check out the brand, let us know what you think. And also, I think right now if you go to the website, there is 15 off that you can take advantage of, so make sure you check that out. But Mike, thank you so much. This is so wonderful chatting with you and talking about the brand.
Mike Tabiri
I really enjoyed listening to you and you are so wonderful and knowledgeable.
Jessica
Thank you.
Mike Tabiri
So I feel that I'm more, more knowledgeable right now. So I appreciate your time.
Jessica
Thank you so much. No, I appreciate yours as well. And I'm, I'm looking forward to our listeners checking out your brand and for any feedback that we get.
Mike Tabiri
I'm totally honored that you like our products and that's wonderful.
Jessica
Thank you so much.
Mike Tabiri
Stay well. All the best to you. Thank you for your time.
Jessica
Thank you so much. Hey, guys. So I hope you love that episode. Please make sure to hit subscribe if you're tuning in to us on any podcast platform. We are available on, on so many different platforms. So wherever it is that you're tuning in, just go hit subscribe. You'll be immediately notified when we publish new episodes. This way you're able to tune in to amazing insights from experts, brand founders, industry leaders, authors, all the wonderful people that we host. And that's very important for me because I love to hear from you guys and really understand what you love and what you want to hear more of. Also, make sure to give us a follow on all of our social media outlets. We're available on Instagram, TikTok X, you name it, we're there. We also have a blog on Medium, so if you're a reader and you love Medium blogs, check us out on Medium. We publish some really great articles on there that do deeper dives than just what's available on the podcast. And it's really a great place for all of you science geeks out there that want to learn a little bit more. We go above and beyond with our research and making sure we're bringing you information that you usually probably won't hear about in other outlets. So check us out, leave us a comment, leave us a review, and we'll be back next time with another episode. Thank you.
Podcast Summary: "The Story Behind InstantPeel™ and the Rise of Earthen Skincare"
Introduction
In the March 21, 2025 episode of Skin Anarchy, host Dr. Ekta welcomes Mike Tabiri, the President and Founder of Earthen Skin Care. The episode delves into the inception of InstantPeel™, a groundbreaking exfoliant, and explores the broader landscape of Earthen Skincare's offerings and philosophies.
1. The Genesis of InstantPeel™
Mike Tabiri shares the personal journey that led to the creation of InstantPeel™. He candidly discusses his struggle with severe skin dryness and discomfort, which propelled him into the skincare industry despite having no prior experience.
"Before creating Instant Peel, I had no idea of skincare. I started having major problems with my skin—very dry, flaky, and uncomfortable." [00:35]
Determined to find a solution, Mike experimented extensively, navigating through numerous trials and errors before perfecting the formula. His perseverance paid off when early testers, including friends and family, began to show noticeable improvements in their skin health.
2. Product Development and Overcoming Challenges
The development process of InstantPeel™ was marked by iterative testing and refinement. Mike emphasizes the importance of patience and dedication in creating a product that effectively exfoliates without causing irritation.
"It took me a long time until I was satisfied. When I was satisfied, I gave it to some friends and family, and they really loved it." [02:59]
Initial skepticism from testers, such as a friend hesitant to use a homemade product, was overcome as the efficacy of InstantPeel™ became evident. This positive feedback fueled Mike's commitment to advancing Earthen Skincare.
3. Features and Benefits of InstantPeel™
InstantPeel™ stands out in the crowded exfoliant market due to its gentle yet effective formulation. Mike highlights that the product provides a complete facial exfoliation within minutes when used correctly, without the harshness associated with many traditional exfoliants.
"Within minutes, if it's used correctly, you will have a complete facial dump." [00:35]
The ease of use is a key selling point. Proper application involves firm but gentle pressure, ensuring effective exfoliation without damaging the skin barrier.
4. Endorsements and Customer Feedback
Endorsements from reputable figures like Marina Ross, Vogue contributor, and actress Jennifer Grey have significantly boosted InstantPeel™'s credibility. Marina Ross even credited Earthen Skincare with helping her survive the pandemic, underscoring the product's impact on users' lives.
"Marina Ross wrote Earthen Skincare is the reason for me to survive the Pandemic." [04:11]
Positive reviews and enthusiastic customer feedback continue to drive the brand's popularity and trustworthiness.
5. Educating Consumers on Proper Exfoliation
Dr. Ekta and Mike discuss the common misconceptions surrounding exfoliation. They stress the difference between chemical and physical exfoliants, advocating for methods that remove dead skin cells without causing micro-tears or irritation.
"Chemical exfoliants break the bonds between cells, making it easier for dead skin to fall off, whereas physical exfoliants rub the skin until something rips off." [06:53]
This educational aspect is crucial in helping consumers make informed decisions, especially in an age where incorrect exfoliation techniques are prevalent on social media platforms like TikTok.
6. Expanding the Product Line: Moisturizers
Earthen Skincare offers two distinct moisturizers tailored to different skin types: Cellulo Moist for normal to dry skin and Peptide Moist for normal to oily skin. These products complement InstantPeel™ by ensuring that skin remains hydrated and healthy post-exfoliation.
"Cellulo Moist is great for nighttime use, leaving your skin hydrated and fresh by morning." [08:00]
The targeted approach in product development ensures that users can find solutions that best fit their individual skincare needs without being overwhelmed by an excessive product range.
7. Embracing Biotechnology in Skincare
Mike shares his enthusiasm for the integration of biotechnology and artificial intelligence in skincare. He envisions future advancements that could further enhance skin health and longevity through innovative scientific breakthroughs.
"The science is moving very fast, especially with AI, and hopefully, that's going to keep us healthy and young forever." [12:37]
Earthen Skincare remains committed to incorporating the latest technologies to offer cutting-edge products that meet evolving consumer demands.
8. Skincare for Men: Breaking the Stigma
Addressing the often-overlooked male demographic, Mike discusses the growing acceptance and adoption of skincare routines among men. He highlights how female partners frequently introduce men to products like InstantPeel™, leading to noticeable improvements in their skin health.
"Men are getting into it. Many start using it after seeing their partners benefit from it." [14:28]
The brand encourages men to embrace skincare as a vital aspect of personal health, free from outdated notions of masculinity.
9. Comprehensive Skincare Philosophy
Both Dr. Ekta and Mike emphasize a holistic approach to skincare that combines proper exfoliation, hydration, balanced diet, and regular exercise. This multifaceted strategy ensures optimal skin health and overall well-being.
"Remove the dead skin, apply healthy products, stay hydrated, eat right, and exercise." [20:07]
By focusing on fundamental skincare principles, Earthen Skincare advocates for sustainable and effective routines that deliver long-term benefits.
Conclusion
The episode provides an insightful look into Earthen Skincare's InstantPeel™ and the brand's dedication to creating effective, user-friendly skincare solutions. Mike Tabiri's personal journey, combined with the brand's scientific approach and commitment to education, positions Earthen Skincare as a reputable player in the beauty industry. Listeners are encouraged to explore Earthen Skincare's offerings at earthenskincare.com and take advantage of ongoing promotions to experience the benefits firsthand.
Notable Quotes:
Resources:
Note: This summary is crafted to provide an overview of the podcast episode, capturing key discussions and insights without delving into non-content segments such as advertisements or introductions.