Susan welcomes Maria Rylett-Byrd, a renowned corneotherapy consultant, to discuss the fascinating world of corneotherapy and its significance in skin health. Maria explains that corneotherapy focuses on preserving the epidermis and its function, emphasizing the importance of protecting the skin barrier. She shares her journey from traditional beauty therapy to specializing in skin health, highlighting the evolution of the industry and the need for a holistic approach to skincare. The conversation delves into the origins of corneotherapy, its scientific foundations, and the role of education in empowering therapists to make informed decisions for their clients. Maria also discusses her role as Madam Chair of the International Association for Applied Corneotherapy and the importance of community in advancing this field. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding Corneotherapy: Corneotherapy focuses on the skin's outer layer, the epidermis, and aims to preserve its function and barrier. It emphasises the importance of maintaining healthy corneocytes, which are essential for skin barrier integrity. Holistic Approach to Skin Health: A holistic perspective is crucial in treating skin issues. Factors such as gut health, stress, and topical treatments all play a role in skin conditions, and addressing the root causes is essential for effective treatment. Community and Support: Building a community of like-minded professionals is vital for advancing corneotherapy. The establishment of associations and networks helps therapists connect, share knowledge, and support each other in their practice. BEST MOMENTS "It does seem to be moving generally more towards that... health and wellness... rather than just being like treatment focused." - Susan "If you can't justify the action, then maybe the skin doesn't need it in the first place. So it becomes a whole, it puts the power back into the therapist's hands." - Maria "The whole ethos is about caring for skin the right way, intelligently. So actually it's for every skin." - Maria HOST BIO Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.  Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive. Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Beauty And the Best" 1 and 2.  She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars. Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide. USEFUL LINKS https://susanroutledge.com https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/ https://www.tiktok.com/@beautybusinessmatters https://marketing.susanroutledge.com/beauty-and-the-best-chapters This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/