What’s actually worth it when it comes to midlife skin?

Because between facials, lasers, injectables, luxury creams, and every trending treatment in between… it’s easy to spend a lot of money without really knowing what’s working.

So instead of another long conversation, we did something different.

In this episode of The Iconic Midlife, Roxy Manning puts skin specialist Erica Marie Gatt, founder of EM Skin Studio, in the hot seat for a rapid-fire game of Face Off—where she has to choose between two options… and defend her answer.

No “it depends.”

No middle ground.

Just real opinions on what actually works for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.

This one is fast, honest, and surprisingly revealing.

• Botox vs. retinol—what’s actually more effective?

• Facials vs. lasers—where should you spend your money?

• Luxury skincare vs. drugstore—does price really matter?

• Filler—worth it or overhyped?

• What treatments deliver real results for midlife skin

• The biggest misconceptions women have about anti-aging

Erica Marie Gatt is a skin specialist and the founder of EM Skin Studio in Hermosa Beach, California.

Known for her customized, results-driven approach, Erica blends advanced skincare treatments with a holistic philosophy to support long-term skin health—especially for women navigating hormonal changes in midlife.

Her work has been featured in Vogue, Angeleno, and California Wedding Day.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericamiegatt

Studio: https://www.instagram.com/emskinstudiola

Website: https://www.emskinstudio.com

Join the Inner Circle: https://the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning.kit.com/3433416614

Want bold guests, unfiltered stories, and iconic midlife insight in your inbox?

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The Iconic Midlife is where smart, stylish women over 40 come to rebrand midlife on their terms.

New episodes every Tuesday. Bonus game episode drops on Thursdays.

Tap “Follow” so you never miss a moment.

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning/id1817484587

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4FRDzq3AalXaqfpfWq7dlm?si=7e91db12ba1f4bfa

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ff905ad8-332f-430e-a040-ce1ba5047483/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning

Let’s Connect

Social media: @theiconicmidlife (show) | @redcarpetroxy (host)

• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theiconicmidlife

If your skincare routine suddenly feels like it stopped working overnight… you’re not imagining things.

During perimenopause and menopause, hormonal shifts can dramatically change the skin. Collagen production slows, elasticity decreases, dryness increases, and breakouts can return even if you haven’t had acne since high school. Products that once worked beautifully may suddenly feel ineffective.

In this episode of The Iconic Midlife, host Roxy Manning sits down with esthetician and skin specialist Erica Marie Gatt, founder of EM Skin Studio in Hermosa Beach, to break down what’s actually happening to women’s skin during midlife—and what to do about it.

Erica has been featured in Vogue, Angeleno, and California Wedding Day, and is known for her custom facial treatments that combine clinical skincare with a holistic approach. She works closely with women navigating hormonal skin changes and has seen firsthand what truly works—and what’s just expensive hype.

This conversation covers the science, the myths, and the practical solutions that can help women take control of their skin during this stage of life.

• Why skin suddenly changes during perimenopause and menopause

• The hormonal shifts that impact collagen, elasticity, and hydration

• Why the skincare products that worked in your 30s may stop working in your 40s

• The biggest skincare mistakes women over 40 are making

• The treatments that actually improve midlife skin

• Where to invest your money in skincare—and what may not be worth it

• Simple, practical ways to support your skin during hormonal change

Erica Marie Gatt is a skin specialist and the founder of EM Skin Studio, a results-driven skincare studio located in Hermosa Beach, California.

Known for her personalized approach to skincare, Erica blends advanced facial treatments with a holistic understanding of skin health. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Angeleno, and California Wedding Day, and she has built a loyal following of clients seeking natural, radiant, long-term skin health.

Her treatments incorporate modalities such as HydraFacial, oxygen therapy, microdermabrasion, LED therapy, and dermaplaning—customized for each client’s unique skin concerns.

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ericamiegatt

EM Skin Studio:

https://www.instagram.com/emskinstudiola

Website:

https://www.emskinstudio.com

Join the Inner Circle: https://the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning.kit.com/3433416614

Want bold guests, unfiltered stories, and iconic midlife insight in your inbox?

Listen & Follow

The Iconic Midlife is where smart, stylish women over 40 come to rebrand midlife on their terms.

New episodes every Tuesday. Bonus game episode drops on Thursdays.

Tap “Follow” so you never miss a moment.

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning/id1817484587

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4FRDzq3AalXaqfpfWq7dlm?si=7e91db12ba1f4bfa

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ff905ad8-332f-430e-a040-ce1ba5047483/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning

Let’s Connect

Social media: @theiconicmidlife (show) | @redcarpetroxy (host)

• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theiconicmidlife

Menopause is having a moment — but with all the conversation comes a lot of confusion.

From hormone therapy fears to hot flash folklore, women have been told a lot of things about menopause… and not all of them are true.

In this fun game-style episode of The Iconic Midlife, we separate fact from fiction and put some of the most common menopause myths to the test.

Because midlife shouldn’t be navigated with outdated information.

Together, we tackle questions women hear all the time:

• Does hormone therapy cause cancer?

• Is weight gain during menopause inevitable?

• Are hot flashes the only symptom of menopause?

• Does menopause mean your sex life is over?

• Is brain fog “just part of aging”?

Some of these answers might surprise you.

Whether you’re in perimenopause, menopause, or simply curious about what’s ahead, this episode is designed to give you clear, honest insights about what’s really happening in midlife.

Because understanding your body shouldn’t feel like guesswork.

And when women have the right information, they’re empowered to make better decisions about their health.

• The biggest myths women hear about menopause

• What science actually says about hormone therapy

• Why menopause symptoms can look very different from woman to woman

• The surprising ways midlife health affects sleep, mood, and metabolism

• Why better conversations about menopause are finally happening

• What’s fact vs fiction when it comes to menopause

• How to better understand what your body is experiencing

• Why midlife health deserves more attention and better information

Join the Inner Circle: https://the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning.kit.com/3433416614

Want bold guests, unfiltered stories, and iconic midlife insight in your inbox?

Listen & Follow

The Iconic Midlife is where smart, stylish women over 40 come to rebrand midlife on their terms.

New episodes every Tuesday. Bonus game episode drops on Thursdays.

Tap “Follow” so you never miss a moment.

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning/id1817484587

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4FRDzq3AalXaqfpfWq7dlm?si=7e91db12ba1f4bfa

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ff905ad8-332f-430e-a040-ce1ba5047483/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning

Let’s Connect

Social media: @theiconicmidlife (show) | @redcarpetroxy (host)

• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theiconicmidlife

Links referenced in this episode:

1. drlouisenewson.co.uk
2. theiconicmidlife
3. redcarpetroxy