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Is there such a thing as normal skin?

In this episode, I revisit one of the oldest and most misunderstood concepts in skincare. The idea of skin types as dry, oily, normal, or sensitive has been with us for more than a century. But does it still make sense today?

I explain why normal skin is not a scientific reality and why dry or oily skin can still be perfectly healthy. Using modern dermatological knowledge, I break down genetic predispositions, circadian rhythms, microbiome activity, and how skin naturally protects and repairs itself throughout the day and night. I explore when oiliness or dryness is normal, when it becomes a condition, and why aggressive attempts to “fix” shine or tightness often do more harm than good. I also explain why personalized skincare matters far more than chasing an average ideal.

This episode lays the groundwork for understanding your skin as it truly is, individual, dynamic, and biologically intelligent.

Episode resources:

Dr. Leslie Baumann – The Science of Natural Beauty

Standard Evaluation of the Patient: The Merz Scale

Unilever says no to 'normal' with new positive beauty vision

Learn more from the previous episodes:

The Sensitive Skin Epidemic: What Your Skin Is Trying to Tell You

Understanding Wrinkles: Types, Causes & What Actually Works

Skin Pigmentation: Causes, Triggers, and Treatments That Work

Beat Jet Lag: Skincare, Sleep & Travel Secrets

Beyond Retinol: The New Science of Safer, Smarter Skincare

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Meder by Dr. Tiina Meder

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Meder Beauty Facebook

Meder Beauty TikTok

Meder Beauty LinkedIn

Meder Beauty YouTube

Listen to the Meder Beauty Podcast on Apple Podcasts

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Welcome to 2026. I am so happy to start the year with my dear colleague Claudia Barthelemy and a conversation that reflects everything I believe about healthy skin.

In this episode, we talk about what healthy skin truly means beyond trends, quick fixes, and surface-level beauty. Claudia is the founder of The Healthy Skin Room in Belgravia, London, and a facial therapist who works with the skin from the inside out, combining facial massage, science-based skincare, nutrition, and lifestyle support. Claudia shares her personal journey with stress, inflammation, rosacea, and dietary intolerance, and how these experiences shaped her holistic approach to skin health. Together, we explore why facial massage is a powerful tool for circulation, lymphatic flow, and nervous system regulation, why barrier health must always come first, and how modern life, stress, and food choices show up on the skin.

This episode is a gentle and thoughtful way to begin the year. It is about aging well, listening to your skin, and choosing approaches that support long-term skin health rather than fighting biology.

Episode resources:

ASMR Ultimate Bespoke Facial — Probiotic Skincare for Glowing Skin (Unintentional ASMR)

Nerida Joy — Skincare expert & celebrity esthetician

Connect with Claudia:

Healthy Skin Room Website

Healthy Skin Room Instagram

Claudia Barthelemy YouTube

Connect with us:

Meder by Dr. Tiina Meder

Meder Beauty Instagram

Meder Beauty Facebook

Meder Beauty TikTok

Meder Beauty LinkedIn

Meder Beauty YouTube

Listen to the Meder Beauty Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Send us a text

In this final episode of 2025, I explore a question that sits at the center of modern longevity science and skincare. What matters more for skin aging, chronological age or biological age?

Chronological age is fixed. It is the number in our passport. Biological age is different. It reflects how our cells function, how fast our internal clocks are ticking, and how our lifestyle, stress, inflammation, circulation and skincare choices shape the skin over time. I explain why biological age can differ dramatically between people of the same chronological age, how epigenetics influence skin aging, and why many aggressive anti-aging strategies may actually accelerate biological aging instead of slowing it down. This conversation sets the foundation for what is coming in 2026. A deeper focus on skin longevity, function, resilience and healthification over short-term beautification.

Learn more from the previous episodes:

Smart Skincare, Not Quick Fixes: Biohacking Explained

Understanding Wrinkles: Types, Causes & What Actually Works

Understanding Acne: Myths vs. Science

Connect with us:

Meder by Dr. Tiina Meder

Meder Beauty Instagram

Meder Beauty Facebook

Meder Beauty TikTok

Meder Beauty LinkedIn

Listen to the Meder Beauty Podcast on Apple Podcasts