Dr. Nicole Martin: From Anesthesiologist to Skin Care Entrepreneur
Dr. Nicole Martin, a board-certified anesthesiologist, a mother of two, and a beloved figure on The Real Housewives of Miami, is now adding another feather to her cap. She is a founding partner of a novel exosome-based skin-care line named Exoceuticals. We engaged in a conversation with Dr. Nicole to explore her beauty regimen and her perspective on aging – and, of course, to obtain some exciting RHOM insights.
Ruli: Share with us your journey in the realm of skin care. Was it always a passion of yours?
Nicole Martin: I sincerely wish I could claim that I've always cared for my skin diligently. However, during youth, one often disregards the potential consequences. Growing up in South Florida, I basked in the sun without sunscreen and failed to take proper care of my skin as I ought to have. It was only approximately 10 years ago, when I reached 30, that I genuinely began to invest in and attend to my skin. It's been roughly a decade since I've held a profound passion for overall well-being.
Ruli: The Real Housewives are renowned for their candidness about their fondness for various cosmetic procedures. Which treatments have you explored? You previously mentioned dissolving your filler.
NM: I've delved into all aspects of skin care and cosmetic treatments. I've undergone Botox and filler procedures. But currently, I truly desire to focus on achieving the best version of my skin. I had fillers, which altered my appearance. I felt as if I no longer resembled myself and that the fillers were starting to shift. When I smiled, I noticed uneven areas, and I decided to attempt to dissolve as much as possible and concentrate on my skin and strive to generate my own collagen. I still resort to Botox for wrinkles and undergo monthly facials, along with treatments like Morpheus8 and microneedling with RF.
Ruli: Speaking of the show, how does it feel to witness your aging process on camera? Does this factor influence your approach to skin care?
NM: Generally, there's substantial pressure on women, and particularly when on TV, to conform to a specific appearance. There's an increased chance of self-scrutiny. When you catch glimpses of yourself, you might think, "Oh, I'm not fond of how that looks." I'm accepting of aging and observing the changes in my skin from one year to the next, but initially, it was challenging, especially during the first season. Now, I've come to terms with it and embrace who I am.
Ruli: What motivated you to establish a skin-care line centered around exosomes?
NM: I've experimented with everything, ranging from high-end department store to drugstore products. I tried numerous options and spent considerable sums without always reaping the benefits. I initiated an exploration into the types of tests and studies conducted to substantiate these claims. My inner doctor and scientist emerged, and I embarked on extensive research. There's extensive research on exosomes, yet not many lines employ them. And that's how I met [Exoceuticals co-founder] Dr. Robin Smith, who is truly a pioneer in the skin-care exosome domain. The science is substantial, and these aren't unfounded assertions.
Not all exosomes are equivalent. Ours are isolated from adipose tissue. The base layer of our skin is fat, and our exosomes originate from fat, making them specific to the skin and capable of precisely targeting it. If I lacked a science background, I'm not certain I'd appreciate the underlying science. It's captivating; exosomes are like tiny messages in a bottle that communicate with your skin cells, instructing them, "Let's commence regeneration and start producing more collagen."
Ruli: Have you shared the products with any of your RHOM castmates? What were their responses?
NM: I have! For my baby shower, I presented all the attendees with a box containing all our SKUs. Guerdy [Abraira] and Lisa [Hochstein] were present, and they adored it. Guerdy went on an elaborate tirade about how much she relished using the products on her skin. I have the same individual, Grace, handle all my glam, and she now keeps the moisturizer in her makeup kit and utilizes it for all her clients.
Ruli: We must inquire – can you offer any sneak peeks about the upcoming season?
NM: Currently, we're on a break, but filming is slated to resume in the fall. There have been numerous personal alterations for everyone, even in the recent few weeks – I had a baby, there have been separations and breakups, so there will undoubtedly be a lot to catch up on. It's challenging to showcase my life as a doctor on camera due to patient confidentiality and HIPAA, so I'm hopeful that you all will witness this aspect of my endeavors with Exoceuticals.
Ruli: Before we conclude, what's your most valuable beauty tip?
NM: Generally speaking, there's a significant emphasis on makeup. Everyone is creating these makeup tutorials on social media. But it doesn't matter what makeup you employ – if you don't have a favorable base, it won't appear good. So, I believe shifting the focus towards skin care and away from makeup is of great significance. Additionally, don't undervalue the importance of overall health and well-being. Beauty is multi-faceted. It's like a pizza pie, where each element is a slice and plays a role – skin care, Botox, and overall wellness. It's multi-faceted, and you must approach it from all perspectives.
