433: Lasers, Retinol and Sun Damage: The Skincare Mistake Celebrity Aesthetician Shani Darden Sees Everyday

Well with Arielle Lorre

Dear Media, Arielle Lorre

Personal Journals, Arts, Society & Culture, Fashion & Beauty, Health & Fitness, Alternative Health

4.8 • 4.2K Ratings

🗓️ 14 January 2026

⏱️ 66 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

No filters, no fluff, and definitely no 12-step routines. Skincare has never been more confusing (or more aggressive) and in this episode, your favorite celebrity’s favorite esthetician, Shani Darden, is giving her unfiltered take on what actually works for good skin… and what’s mostly just really good marketing.

We talk about why sun damage is still the biggest issue she sees, when lasers can be helpful and when they can actually backfire, how to use retinol correctly on both your face and your body, and what peels really work for scars and pigmentation. We also get into LED masks, overhyped beauty categories, desert-island products, and the easiest ways to make your skin look better fast.

Plus, we have some fun talking about the weirdest beauty products she’s ever tried and things we’ve both been influenced to buy on TikTok Shop. It’s super educational, super relatable, and very real; basically everything you want when you’re trying to take better care of your skin without falling for every new trend.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	The following podcast is a dear media production.
0:05.9	This is Well, a podcast about wellness in all its forms.
0:10.0	I'm Ariel Laurie, and each week I'm sharing unfiltered conversations with people shaping how we feel, live, and look.
0:17.2	Come for the substance, stay for the honesty, and leave with the tools to be well, inside and out.
0:25.5	I'm sure that we are all locked into awards shows this year, and there's a good chance that some of your favorite celebrities are getting their glow from none other than my guest today, Shawnee Darden. She is,
0:39.6	honestly, one of my favorite people I've ever met. I feel like we're kind of kindred spirits.
0:44.3	And that definitely comes out in this episode. It has a really fun light energy while still being
0:50.9	really value-packed. If you've ever wished that you could just sit down with a
0:54.5	celebrity aesthetician and be like, okay, tell me what actually matters. Tell me what is a waste of money.
0:59.0	Today is your day. So Shawnee is just so refreshingly honest. She's hilarious. She gives the most
1:06.0	practical skin advice. We talk about things like why sun damage is still the biggest issue that she sees.
1:11.7	Her fastest way to make skin look better immediately. We talk what peels actually help with scars
1:17.2	and pigmentation. The real downside of lasers that people don't always mention. We talk prescription
1:22.2	versus over-the-counter retinal, retinol for the body, what everybody really needs in their
1:26.5	routine, how much of beauty
1:27.6	is marketing. Let's just say you are getting the actual tea on the skincare and beauty industry
1:32.9	that most estheticians and professionals are not going to give you. We also get into things like
1:38.8	LED masks, melasma, hypopigmentation, overhyped beauty categories, desert island products,
1:44.0	even the weirdest
1:44.7	products she's ever been sent. Plus things we have been influenced to buy on TikTok shop.
1:49.4	It's super informative, super relatable, and honestly just a really fun conversation.
1:55.0	So please enjoy Shawnee Darden.
	...

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