Smiling Gives You Wrinkles

I’ve had so many friends reaching out lately saying the same thing: "I’m in my 40s... why am I suddenly getting spots?!" and it feels like some sick joke to be dealing with fine lines and breakouts at the same time. To get some answers, I sat down with the incredible Dr. Sam Bunting, a dermatologist who has spent the last 15 years helping women navigate the complexities of adult acne and troublesome ‘grown up’ skin.
In this episode, Sam and I discuss:
The "U-Zone" vs. The "T-Zone": Why adult breakouts happen around the jawline and chin (aka the "Triangle of Doom") rather than the forehead.
Is it Acne or just a "Breakout"?: Sam explains why the label doesn't matter as much as the mechanism behind the clogged pore.
The 4-Step Morning Routine: We strip away the "skincare fluff" and get back to the basics: Cleanse, Activate, Hydrate, and Protect.
The Big Three Ingredients: How to use Salicylic Acid, Azelaic Acid, and Retinoids without destroying your skin barrier.

I also shared how quitting alcohol changed my skin, and Sam gave us some brilliant advice on "emptying the stress tank" to keep our hormones - and our skin - clear and calm.
If you want to find more about Sam, book in for a consult or try products from her skincare brand, you can find her here:
Official Website & Shop: DrSamBunting.com
The Clinic: Dr. Sam Bunting + Associates
Instagram: @drsambunting
YouTube: Dr. Sam Bunting

Resources Mentioned in this Episode
Sam highlighted these as the non-negotiables for clearing adult breakouts while supporting the skin barrier:
Azelaic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Retinoids

Book Recommendation: Atomic Habits by James Clear. Sam mentioned

In this episode of Smiling Gives You Wrinkles, I sit down with the woman who swapped her RAF nursing uniform for a makeup brush: the incredible Genevieve Turley.
I’ve always been fascinated by people who make massive pivots in their life, and Genevieve’s story is a standout. Before she was making us all laugh on Instagram, she was a burns and plastics specialist nurse in the RAF and we talk about how and why she decided to make that pivot, and she shares the story behind the viral video that rocketed her from 4,000 to over 100,000 followers in a matter of weeks.
Genevieve is a breath of fresh air in an industry that can feel a bit too "perfect." She’s all about embracing real skin and - as you’d expect from our show - finding the joy in our wrinkles. We also talk about her upcoming live tour, Laughter Lines, which is part masterclass, part comedy show, and 100% relatable.
I hope you enjoy!
Follow Genevieve:
On Instagram: @genevieveturleymua
On Substack: Genevieve Turley
Genevieve’s Live Show: Get tickets for 'Laughter Lines' at Leicester Square Theatre: Catch her live on May 10th, 2026!
And don’t forget to follow this show for more genuine chats like this ❤️
And Follow Me, Donna, on:
Instagram: @thebeautyed
Substack: @donnathebeautyed

What does a world-class dermatologist actually do before 9:00 AM? In this episode, Dr. Sam Bunting shares her personal morning habits. From the "Othership" breathwork routine she uses to manage stress, to her streamlined 4-step skincare regime, Dr. Sam explains why efficiency is the ultimate beauty secret.
PLUS! We discuss the "dopamine crash" of early morning phone use, why she avoids TikTok trends like skin cycling, and her "patchwork" approach to makeup for women in their 40s and 50s.
Resources Mentioned:
Othership Breathwork
Skincare: Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser, Vitamin C, and Azelaic Serum.
Makeup: Merit Beauty, Ilia Beauty, and tips from Lisa Eldridge/Caroline Barnes.
Supplements: Nordic Naturals Omega 3, Simprove Probiotics.

I really hope you enjoy it!
And don’t forget to follow Sam on Instagram, and also follow me @thebeautyed and this podcast on there too.
See you next week,
Donna
x

Happy New Year Everyone!
I hope you all had a wonderful break and managed to get some much needed rest.
For my first episode of 2026 I wanted to share a story that was not about new year, new you, but more about new year, and how to be more you! And my friend Nina, also known as @wonderfullysober on Instagram was the perfect guest to do just that.
This time last year, Nina decided to try Dry January as she recognized how alcohol wasn’t serving her anymore. And in this chat, she tells us how she got on, and why, now, one year later, she is 1 year sober.
This is as much a chat about self-love and confidence as it is about alcohol.
It is not preachy at all - it’s just a really lovely, genuine and inspiring chat that whether you are doing Dry Jan or not, will hopefully help you feel inspired to recognise what is and what isn’t working in your life, and to do something about it.
I really hope you enjoy!
Don’t forget to follow Nina on Instagram, and also follow me and this podcast there too.
If you are interested in hearing more about my sobriety, and would like to watch this episode in full video format, then also consider subscribing to My Skin Type Is Sober substack.
See you next week,
Donna
x

A heartfelt Merry Christmas to you all.
As I sat down to record this mini holiday episode, I couldn't help but reflect on how truly grateful I am for you, my guests, and all of the support I have received for the Smiling Gives You Wrinkles podcast so far.
For me, Smiling Gives You Wrinkles isn’t just a tagline - it really is a mindset that I’m leaning into as I approach my milestone 50th year. And in this episode, I touch on my realities of turning 50 and share a genuine wish for us all to keep inspiring each other and for us all to keep smiling as we age.
See you next week, in 2026!
Donna x