The blondEST: "Skincare Myths Busted"

Host: Savanna Boda (The Dallas Aesthetician)
Date: November 10, 2025

Overview

In this lively, candid episode, Savanna Boda, renowned Dallas-based Medical Aesthetician, tackles some of the most common and persistent skincare myths, separating fact from fiction for her devoted listeners. Joined by her co-host Tyler, Savanna weaves her expertise and signature humor into a myth-busting session with practical advice, insider tips, and a few memorable tangents. Whether you’re a skincare newbie or seasoned enthusiast, this episode is packed with gems for healthier skin.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction & Webinar Shoutout ([00:05] - [01:52])

• Savanna shares excitement about her recently released acne webinar and upcoming pigmentation class, emphasizing the value of live Q&As.
• “I was very, very impressed with myself.” — Savanna ([00:49])
• The importance of interactive education in skincare.

Skincare Myths: Rapid Fire Busting

1. Oily Skin Doesn’t Need Moisturizer ([02:15])

• Myth: Oily skin can skip moisturizer.
• Savanna: “Wrong. ... You're actually going to be even oilier.” ([02:25])
• Not moisturizing causes the skin to overproduce oil, worsening the issue.

2. Drinking Water Alone Keeps Skin Hydrated ([02:37])

• Myth: Water alone is enough for skin hydration.
• Savanna: "Water is not enough … you need to use a hydrating serum for sure." ([02:40])

3. You Can’t Detox Your Skin with Products ([03:08])

• Myth: Only your organs detox; serums can’t.
• Savanna: "Purging is a detox of the skin ... it depends how you want to fucking define that." ([03:12])

4. Natural Ingredients Are Better ([03:26])

• Myth: Natural is always superior.
• Savanna: “No, no, because that's just dumb. ... Food doesn't belong on your face.” ([03:28])
• Notes lack of preservatives can cause natural products to spoil and break you out.

5. Expensive Means Better Results ([04:16])

• Myth: The pricier the product, the better the result.
• Savanna: “La Mer for example, is Nivea in a jar for $400.” ([04:18])
• Ingredient quality and research matter, but price alone isn’t a guarantee.

6. More Products, Faster Results ([05:02])

• Myth: More steps/products = better/faster skin outcomes.
• Savanna: “Trying to just use one product ... you’re not going to get results as fast. But you don’t need a twelve-step routine.” ([05:06])
• Tailor the regimen to your specific skin needs.

7. Face Wipes Count as Cleansing ([05:59])

• Myth: Face wipes alone cleanse your skin.
• Savanna: “No. Counts as removing your makeup. ... Got a double cleanse. You got to sweep and then you want to mop.” ([06:01])
• Face wipes just smear residue and dry out the skin more.

8. Skin Barrier is Foundational ([06:42])

• Claim: Your skin barrier is your foundation.
• Savanna: “Yes. If it's not intact, everything's going to be whack.” ([06:45])
• Compromised barrier = more redness, dryness, irritation.

9. Darker Skin Tones Don’t Need SPF ([07:22])

• Myth: Only fair skin burns, so SPF isn’t needed.
• Savanna: “Why? Everyone needs sunscreen.” ([07:25])
• Damage and aging affect all skin tones.

10. Makeup with SPF is Enough ([07:35])

• Savanna: “No. The sunscreen that is makeup is okay.” ([07:38])
• Dedicated SPF products still necessary.

11. Tanning Beds are Safer than the Sun ([07:42])

• Savanna: "No, that's crazy. It's worse." ([07:46])

12. A Base Tan Protects Your Skin ([08:06])

• Savanna: “No, does not.” ([08:08])

13. SPF 100 vs SPF 50 ([08:11])

• Myth: SPF 100 is dramatically better.
• Savanna: “Only goes up by like 1%. Doesn't make that big of a difference.” ([08:16])

14. Hot Water Opens Pores ([08:40])

• Savanna: “No, pores do not open and shut. ... But it can make your skin, like, a little bit more easy to get things out.” ([08:44])

15. Skincare Must Sting to Work ([09:07])

• Myth: Burn = effectiveness.
• Savanna: “Does not have to burn for it to work ... it's normal when starting a new product, a little stingle, a little tingle ... but I wouldn’t equate like, it burns with it works because that's not true.” ([09:13])

16. Popping Pimples Helps Them Heal Faster ([09:57])

• Savanna: Shuts down this myth; can cause more damage and scarring.

17. Non-Comedogenic is Foolproof ([13:22])

• Savanna: “Everyone's skin's so different.” ([13:28])
• Non-comedogenic labels help, but aren’t a guarantee.

18. Anti-Aging Starts in Your 30s ([13:33])

• Savanna: “That's crazy. We start depleting collagen in our 20s.” ([13:36])

19. Retinol Thins the Skin ([13:39])

• Savanna: “It actually builds new collagen and elastin in your dermal layers.” ([13:45])

20. Collagen Creams Rebuild Collagen ([14:22])

• Savanna: "You can't put like collagen on your face and stimulate collagen. It's the ingredients that stimulate collagen." ([14:26])

21. More Exfoliation = Better Skin ([14:44])

• Savanna: “No, if you over exfoliate your skin, your skin's gonna again be really dry, inflamed and irritated ... it's the yin and the yang between exfoliation and hydration.” ([14:47])

22. Sun Exposure Clears Acne ([15:09])

• Savanna: “No, but it can make your acne worse by scarring your skin.” ([15:13])

23. You Can Scrub Away Blackheads ([15:16])

• Savanna: “No, I mean you can exfoliate and help minimize ... but really, extractions are going to be the best thing.” ([15:20])

24. Squeaky Clean Skin is Best ([15:35])

• Savanna: Implies that skin should not feel stripped; balance is key.

25. Diet Doesn’t Affect Acne ([16:01])

• Savanna: “That's a lie. It definitely does. ... It's just like throwing gasoline on the fire.” ([16:03])
• Moderation and identifying triggers matter.

26. Acne-Prone Skin Should Avoid Oils ([16:39])

• Savanna: “No, there are some oils that are acne safe.” ([16:42])

27. Reapplying SPF Ruins Makeup ([16:44])

• Savanna: Suggests powder SPF for touch-ups.

28. Best Anti-Aging Product is SPF ([17:03])

• Savanna, unequivocally: “Yes” ([17:12]).

29. Lymphatic Drainage Tools Melt Fat ([17:19])

• Not addressed specifically; implied skepticism.

30. Ice Rollers are Good for Skin ([17:26])

• Savanna: “Yes. My cold globes from Epicetus ... are the freaking best. ... And they also help depuff your face.” ([17:28])

31. Changing Pillowcases Reduces Bacteria ([17:53])

• Savanna: “Yeah, it helps. ... I actually clear up on vacation because I'm in, like, a freshly cleaned bed every single night and there's no animals or Cyrus.” ([18:01])

32. Acne Scars Can't Be Treated with Products ([19:10])

• Savanna: “You can definitely help improve the appearance of them. ... But if it’s deep, deep scarring, yes, you’ll need to get some treatments done.” ([19:13])

33. Professional Treatments are More Important Than Home Skincare ([19:44])

• Savanna: “What you do every day is who you are. ... Like, that's fucking gross,” comparing it to not brushing teeth between dental cleanings. ([19:51])

34. Skin Becomes Immune to Products ([20:35])

• Savanna: “No, I don't think that's true. But I do think as ... we change ... our skins needs, we need to adapt to that.” ([20:40])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Natural ingredients a lot of times are going to get mold and break you out because they don't have any preservatives ... Food doesn't belong on your face.” — Savanna ([03:38])
• “There’s good estheticians, there’s bad estheticians, there’s trash men, and there’s great men, good men.” — Savanna, on price ≠ quality ([04:47])
• “Trying to just use one product to treat a concern ... you're not going to get results as fast.” — Savanna ([05:06])
• “You got to double cleanse. You got to sweep and then you want to mop.” — Savanna’s cleansing analogy ([06:01])
• “If [your skin barrier is] not intact, everything’s going to be whack.” — Savanna ([06:45])
• “You don’t need baby. I don't even call you baby when you have a boyfriend, okay?” — Savanna, in a playful off-topic moment ([24:21])
• “It's the yin and the yang between exfoliation and hydration. What you break down, you must rebuild. What you exfoliate, you must hydrate. It's the law.” — Savanna ([14:47])
• “What you do every day is who you are, right?” — Savanna, on the importance of consistency ([19:51])
• (On pillowcases and pets:) "I have five animals and a toddler … by the end of the night, they're already on it. All the animals are on my pillows." — Savanna ([18:01])

Segments & Timestamps

• Introduction & Updates ([00:05] – [01:52])
• Skincare Myth-Busting (Q&A style) ([02:15] – [20:53])
• Host banter & personal updates ([20:53] – [25:00])

Tone & Style

• Conversational, witty, and at times irreverent (“That’s just dumb”; “La Mer is Nivea in a jar for $400”).
• Evidence-based and holistic, drawing on both anecdotal experience and scientific principles.
• Supportive and relatable, especially in addressing listeners' everyday concerns.

Takeaways

• Skincare isn’t about chasing trends or overloading on products, but finding a balanced, evidence-based regimen appropriate for your skin’s needs.
• Consistency and the basics (SPF, hydration, gentle cleansing/barrier support) are more critical than price or novelty.
• Myths are everywhere; a little science and thoughtful experience go a long way.

For Listeners

This episode is a must for anyone uncertain about what’s fact or fiction in skincare, offering straight talk, actionable advice, and a good dose of laughs. Whether you’re battling breakouts, seeking that glow, or overwhelmed by product marketing, Savanna clears the clutter so you can make confident choices for your skin.

(Ad sections, intro/outro small talk, and advertisements were omitted for clarity and focus.)