Hormones, Oxytocin, and Aging with Dr. Sabrina Fabi of XOMD Skincare - E.828

In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sabrina Fabi to explore a topic that remains deeply under-discussed despite affecting half the population: the intersection of perimenopause, menopause, and skin health.

What unfolds is not just a conversation about dryness or wrinkles — but about biology, hormones, mood, confidence, and how aesthetic medicine must evolve to meet women where they are.

Dermatology as a Calling

For Dr. Fabi, medicine was never just a career — it was a calling. Inspired early by her own struggles with eczema and acne, she saw firsthand how profoundly skin conditions shape identity and confidence. Dermatology became the path through which she could help people feel more secure navigating the world.

After training in Chicago and completing a cosmetic dermatology fellowship during the early days of aesthetic medicine, she gravitated toward lasers and procedural dermatology. The appeal was simple: measurable outcomes. Unlike chronic conditions that are managed indefinitely, energy-based devices often provide visible, satisfying change.

But today, the conversation has expanded far beyond lasers and neuromodulators.

When Aesthetic Medicine Is Treated Too Casually

One of the most candid moments of the episode centers on the hyper-casual way aesthetic procedures are now approached.

Botox, filler, lasers — once carefully considered medical interventions — are now often treated like mall purchases or flash sales. Dr. Fabi emphasizes a critical reminder: aesthetic treatments are still the practice of medicine. Anatomy, ethnicity, bone structure, and long-term treatment planning matter.

She cautions against two common trends:

Choosing the most convenient or lowest-downtime procedure rather than the most appropriate one.
“Provider hopping” instead of building a long-term relationship with a qualified practitioner.

Longevity in aesthetics, she argues, requires consistency and thoughtful assessment — not impulsivity.

The Silent Shift: Understanding Perimenopause

The heart of the episode focuses on perimenopause — the four-to-eight-year hormonal transition leading up to menopause that many women do not recognize.

Menopause is officially defined as 12 consecutive months without a period. But perimenopause precedes that milestone and is often marked by fluctuating hormones that are difficult to measure reliably.

One of the first hormones to decline is progesterone — not estrogen, which often receives the spotlight.

As progesterone drops, women frequently experience:

Dryness (often the earliest skin symptom)
Dullness
Increased sensitivity
Slower recovery from procedures

Later, estrogen decline contributes more significantly to fine lines and wrinkles. Testosterone shifts can accelerate muscle loss, contributing to changes in facial structure and metabolic rate.

These hormonal changes do not live in isolation. Skin, mood, sleep, metabolism, and cognition are all interconnected.

The Psychological Impact of Hormonal Aging

Dr. Fabi references a global survey of 4,300 women across nine countries examining menopause knowledge and symptoms. The findings were striking:

The number one concern among perimenopausal women was dryness.
The top emotional response was feeling less attractive.
This was followed by low mood, anxiety, and reduced confidence.

These shifts are not superficial. Hormones influence receptors throughout the body — including the brain. When they change, perception changes.

And yet, most women are never formally educated about this life stage.

The Estrogen Cream Misconception

Another powerful discussion centers on the widespread trend of topical estrogen use. While estrogen can be beneficial for some women, it is not universally appropriate.

Hormonal balance is about ratios — not simply adding more of one hormone. In perimenopause, estrogen levels may still be high while progesterone declines. Adding topical estrogen indiscriminately can oversaturate receptors and potentially worsen redness or inflammation.

Dr. Fabi stresses the importance of individualized assessment rather than trend-driven self-treatment.

Introducing XOMD: Beyond Estrogen

As co-founder of XOMD, Dr. Fabi brings a different lens to hormone-informed skincare.

XOMD was born from the understanding that skin and brain share a common embryologic origin — the ectoderm. This connection opens the door to exploring neuropeptides and hormonal signaling pathways that influence not only appearance but emotional state.

One hormone of particular interest is oxytocin.

Often called the “bonding hormone,” oxytocin levels decline with menopause. Emerging research has suggested a possible correlation between higher serum oxytocin levels and more youthful-appearing skin. This insight sparked further investigation into whether skin-level receptor activation could potentially influence local and systemic signaling pathways.

While traditionally oxytocin delivery has been limited to intranasal forms, XOMD explores ways to leverage skin receptors to stimulate intrinsic pathways rather than simply layering hormones externally.

Longevity Requires Context

A recurring theme throughout the episode is restraint.

Not every peptide is necessary. Not every injectable is appropriate. Not every trending biohack improves health.

The goal is not maximal intervention — it is intelligent optimization.

Hormones, receptors, metabolism, muscle mass, collagen production — these systems are deeply interconnected. Effective aesthetic medicine must respect that complexity rather than oversimplify it.

A New Framework for Women’s Skin Health

What this conversation ultimately underscores is that perimenopause and menopause are not cosmetic inconveniences — they are biologic transitions requiring education, nuance, and support.

Dryness may precede wrinkles. Mood shifts may precede hot flashes. Confidence may shift before the mirror reveals obvious change.

And aesthetic medicine, when practiced responsibly, can play a meaningful role in helping women navigate that transition — not by erasing age, but by supporting resilience.

Listen to the full episode of Skin Anarchy to hear Dr. Sabrina Fabi share her insights on perimenopause, hormonal skin shifts, aesthetic decision-making, and the science behind XOMD.

Lessons in Longevity: The NAD Conversation and the Evolution of Modern Skincare with Melisse Shaban

In this special episode of Skin Anarchy’s Lessons in Longevity series, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with visionary beauty executive and entrepreneur Melisse Shaban to explore the evolving intersection of skincare, cellular biology, and longevity science.

Shaban’s career spans decades in the beauty industry — from standing behind the counter at Revlon in Macy’s Herald Square during the golden era of celebrity-driven beauty, to leading transformative brands like Aveda and The Body Shop, to founding science-led ventures such as Virtue Labs and pioneering cellular energy-focused skincare through Aramore.

But what makes this conversation different is not nostalgia — it’s perspective.

Redefining Beauty Through the Lens of Wellness

Shaban reflects on how beauty was historically defined — often by male executives, often centered around youth — and how that narrative is finally being dismantled. Today, she argues, beauty is being reimagined through the prism of wellness, vitality, and longevity.

Fifty is no longer considered “old.” Aging is no longer the enemy. And skincare is no longer just about surface-level moisturization.

Instead, we are entering a transformative era where biology, cellular performance, and recovery are shaping the conversation.

From “Hope in a Jar” to Real Skin Biology

One of the central themes of the episode is the industry’s evolution away from marketing-driven promises toward science-backed performance.

Shaban shares her experience commercializing technologies born not in cosmetic labs — but in oncology, regenerative medicine, and peptide research. Many of the most meaningful innovations in skincare, she explains, begin in academic laboratories where researchers are solving entirely different problems. Skincare applications often emerge as a byproduct of real medical breakthroughs.

The question becomes: are brands truly rooted in science, or simply leveraging credentials?

This distinction matters — especially in an era where clinical data, transparency, and ingredient validation should be non-negotiable.

The NAD Conversation: Cellular Energy Comes to Skincare

At the heart of the discussion is NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a molecule essential to cellular energy production and mitochondrial function. While NAD has long been understood within scientific and medical communities, it has only recently entered mainstream wellness and skincare conversations.

The challenge? NAD itself is too large to penetrate skin cells effectively.

Shaban explains how Aramore approaches this differently — not by delivering NAD directly, but by stimulating the body’s own NAD production through lipid-compatible pathways the skin can recognize and absorb. Rather than layering surface hydration, the focus shifts to cellular metabolism and energy performance.

Because as Dr. Yadav emphasizes, skin is not just a barrier — it is a metabolically active organ. And aging begins at the cellular level long before it appears on the surface.

Longevity Is Daily Maintenance — Not Damage Control

This episode reframes skincare as daily cellular nourishment rather than reactive correction. Instead of exfoliating aggressively or chasing trend-driven actives, the future lies in steady metabolic support.

Shaban also expands the longevity conversation beyond the face: hair preservation, skin elasticity, muscle strength, recovery protocols, and even the integration of sauna and cold therapy into lifestyle routines.

Longevity is not about one product. It is about systemic resilience.

The Responsibility of Science in a Noisy Industry

Perhaps the most candid portion of the episode centers around accountability.

Shaban and Dr. Yadav discuss the growing problem of perception-based marketing claims, influencer misinformation, and the dilution of scientific language. Terms like “clinical,” “medical-grade,” and “science-backed” have become ubiquitous — but often lack rigor.

Real clinical trials. Transparent data. Mechanistic plausibility.

These are the standards that should define modern beauty.

As Shaban notes, consumers are more educated than ever. The GLP-1 conversation, metabolic health awareness, and longevity research have raised expectations. The industry must meet that moment — or risk losing credibility.

Where We’re Headed

The longevity era is not about fear of aging. It is about cellular performance, recovery, and maintaining vitality over time.

For Shaban, the future of skincare will be disciplined — fewer SKUs, deeper science, greater transparency. Products will complement existing routines rather than replace them. Intervention and recovery will coexist. And brands that cannot substantiate their claims will be forced to evolve.

As Dr. Yadav puts it: this is the moment where skincare finally begins to think like physiology.

Listen to the full episode of Skin Anarchy to hear Melisse Shaban share her perspective on cellular energy, real clinical science, and why the future of beauty belongs to longevity-driven innovation.

Creating Iconic Products and Intentional Beauty with Jaimee Holmes of Fel Beauty

In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with longtime friend and beauty industry powerhouse Jaimee Holmes to introduce her newest venture: Fel. The conversation traces Holmes’ extraordinary career across prestige beauty—and the deeply personal journey that ultimately led her to launch a brand rooted in emotion, memory, and intention.

From Merchandising Floors to Category-Defining Products

Jaimee Holmes’ career began over two decades ago at Sephora, where she was immersed early on in the world of founder-led brands, product storytelling, and retail strategy. Those formative years—spent in rooms with the founders of brands like Urban Decay, Stila, and Tarte—shaped her understanding of how innovation, placement, and conviction bring products to life.

Her trajectory took her to the brand side soon after, with pivotal roles at Benefit Cosmetics and Perricone MD, before reaching a defining moment at Too Faced. There, Holmes led the development and launch of Better Than Sex Mascara, a product that would go on to redefine its category globally. Despite early resistance over its name and packaging, Holmes’ conviction—and belief in authentic storytelling—proved transformative.

Learning to Innovate With Heart

Following Too Faced, Holmes joined Kendo Brands, where she oversaw the reinvention of Ole Henriksen. Working closely with founder Ole Henriksen, she helped usher in a new era of skincare innovation—introducing hybrid formats like Banana Bright Eye Cream and reimagining how skincare could bridge performance, sensoriality, and accessibility.

Her later work at Goop brought a new perspective: managing hundreds of brands, thousands of SKUs, and seeing firsthand the growing repetition and noise within the beauty industry. That vantage point—combined with personal loss and reflection—sparked a pause that would ultimately lead to Fel.

Fel: Nostalgia, Emotion, and the Power of a Kiss

Fel was born from memory—specifically, the emotional weight of formative moments and the universal significance of a kiss. The brand’s debut collection, Kissylips, draws inspiration from first kisses, unforgettable kisses, and the joy of playful self-expression. Holmes describes Fel as an attempt to translate emotional experiences into physical form—products that feel intuitive, joyful, and deeply personal.

From packaging that evokes childhood stationery and stamp collections, to a formula designed to be kissed on rather than carefully painted, Fel is intentionally tactile and nostalgic. The goal is not trend-chasing, but connection—across generations.

A Formula That Feels as Good as It Looks

At the core of Fel’s innovation is its formulation philosophy: makeup that genuinely supports the skin. Kissylips features vegan, cruelty-free, globally clean formulations with a cushiony, buildable texture designed to nourish the lip barrier rather than compromise it.

Holmes introduces Fel’s proprietary fel-good complex™, a naturally derived ingredient sourced from the south of France and rich in petroselinic acid. Beyond its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, the complex has been studied for its ability to support endorphin and oxytocin production—adding an emotional dimension to the sensorial experience. Fel is currently the only brand commercializing this ingredient in color cosmetics.

Designing With Responsibility—Especially for Younger Consumers

A recurring theme throughout the episode is responsibility. Holmes speaks candidly about the ethical weight of creating products that will inevitably reach younger audiences. Rather than retrofitting adult products for teens, Fel was designed from inception with safety, simplicity, and emotional wellbeing in mind.

With development cycles stretching up to two years, Fel prioritizes ingredient diligence, usability, and intention over speed. For Holmes, innovation is not about filling gaps—it’s about creating something that deserves to exist.

The Future of Fel

While Fel begins with lips, its vision extends far beyond a single category. Holmes hints at a future shaped by the same principles that guided Kissy Lips: emotional resonance, differentiated formats, and formulas that deliver more than surface-level

beauty. If Fel cannot meaningfully innovate, it won’t launch—an ethos that reflects Holmes’ entire career.

Listen to the full episode of Skin Anarchy to hear Jaimee Holmes share the journey behind Fel, the lessons learned from building some of beauty’s most iconic products, and why the future of makeup lies in meaning, memory, and responsibility.