THE SKINCARMA POD | Ep. 66: Formulation Over Hype — Inside a Chemist-Founded Skincare Brand with Angel Olavarria of Strive Skin
In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Angel Olavarria — chemist, founder, and formulator behind Strive Skin — for a candid, deeply nerdy conversation about what actually makes skincare work.
Angel didn’t enter beauty as a marketer chasing trends. He started as a DIY enthusiast reverse-engineering expensive vitamin C serums in his kitchen, eventually turning thousands of hours of experimentation into a science-led brand built on restraint, transparency, and real-world performance.
Together, Carmine and Angel unpack:
Why many men’s skincare brands underdose actives — or avoid listing concentrations altogether;
The truth about retinaldehyde vs. retinol (and why Angel built a formula around it);
Why niacinamide, alpha arbutin, and urea deserve more respect;
The myth of “collagen serums” and what actually stimulates collagen;
Whether glycolic acid is overrated for anti-aging;
Why sensory experience can “buy time” for results-driven actives to work;
The psychological — not just biological — differences in how men approach skincare;
And, what it’s really like to launch and bootstrap a science-driven skincare brand in today’s volatile market.
Angel also shares the unfiltered reality of being an early-stage founder: Reddit traffic disappearing overnight, Amazon algorithm chaos, and the emotional rollercoaster of building something from scratch.
If you care about ingredient transparency, concentration levels, formulation philosophy, and skincare without the marketing spin — this episode is for you.
Connect with Angel Olavarria on Instagram at @themodernman_ig and on LinkedIn here. Explore Strive Skin on Instagram at @striveskin and learn more about the products and brand ethos at striveskin.com.
Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners.
Product links:
Strive Miracle Face Moisturizer
