Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Zwickel.
Hi Kari , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been an aesthetician for about 27 years, although my career has evolved alongside raising my three children. I was originally trained in a very holistic approach to skincare, working both in a dermatology practice that focused on more clinical and corrective care, as well as at a beautiful spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico. That combination of science and holistic wellness really shaped the way I approach skincare today.
After moving back to Tennessee, I continued working in aesthetics while raising my family. Then, when my youngest child experienced some challenges at school, our family made the decision for me to stay home and homeschool for about three years.
During that season, I remember waking up one morning, looking in the mirror, and realizing I had become completely disconnected from myself. My entire focus had been on caring for everyone else, and I no longer knew what I enjoyed, what energized me, or even who I was outside of being a caregiver. It was a powerful moment because I realized I couldn’t be the only woman experiencing this.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a caregiver, or a professional working long hours, so many women spend their lives taking care of everyone else and lose touch with themselves in the process.
That realization became the inspiration for Nourishing Skin + Wellness. I wanted to create a way to support women during those seasons of life. The one gift I felt confident sharing was my experience in holistic aesthetics, so I started very simply, working out of my home and caring for family and friends. Over time, those clients referred others, and before I knew it, I had a thriving practice growing organically through word of mouth.
About eight years ago, I moved into a functional medicine practice, where I could create a more professional and intentional environment for my clients. Since then, Nourishing Skin + Wellness has continued to grow into something much bigger than skincare.
Today, it’s a space where women can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and experience the healing power of touch—something I believe is often overlooked in our busy, stressed-out world. My goal has always been to create a sanctuary where women feel cared for, seen, and nurtured from on a more soulful level. What began as a personal journey of rediscovering myself has become a mission to help other women do the same.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, it’s been a pretty smooth road, and I think that’s because I truly love what I do. It has never felt like work to me. It’s always felt more like fueling a passion and living out a purpose.
Now, that doesn’t mean there haven’t been challenges or learning experiences along the way. Becoming a business owner has definitely been eye-opening. I was very confident in my ability to care for clients and provide treatments, but running a business requires a completely different skill set. I’ve had to learn about marketing, finances, operations, and all the behind-the-scenes aspects of entrepreneurship that I had never really done before.
What’s been surprising is how much I’ve enjoyed that learning process. I love growing, I love being challenged, and I love discovering new ways to serve my clients and improve the experience I provide.
But the part that has always come naturally is the connection. I genuinely love spending time with the women who come into my space. I love supporting them, listening to their stories, and helping them reconnect with themselves. Those relationships are what continue to inspire me every day.
I’ve always told my family that if it ever starts feeling like work, I’ll know it’s time to step away. After all these years, I still wake up excited to do what I do, and I think that’s one of the greatest blessings of this journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
What makes Nourishing Skin + Wellness different is that I don’t just look at the skin—I look at the health of the tissue underneath the skin and the person as a whole.
So much of my work focuses on supporting the fluid body, improving lymphatic movement, and creating healthy tissue function. I look at how fluids are moving through the skin, whether the fascia is holding tension, and how we can encourage circulation so that fresh oxygen and nutrients can be delivered where they’re needed most. Healthy skin isn’t just about what you put on it; it’s about creating an environment where the skin can function the way it was designed to function.
I often describe my approach as a bridge between Eastern and Western philosophies. I bring together the nurturing, restorative experience of a spa with the science and understanding of clinical aesthetics. I have a strong foundation in skin physiology and corrective skincare, but I also recognize that stress, nervous system regulation, lymphatic health, and touch play an enormous role in how we age and how our skin behaves.
One thing I believe strongly is that we live in a society that spends far too much time in a fight-or-flight state. When we’re constantly stressed, the body prioritizes survival over repair. My treatments are designed to help clients shift into a parasympathetic state—the rest, restore, and repair mode where true healing can occur. That’s one of the reasons sleep is so important to skin health, and why slowing down is often one of the most powerful things we can do for our overall well-being.
I also draw heavily from European aesthetic practices. In the United States, we’re often focused on exfoliating, correcting, and chasing perfection. My philosophy is different. Rather than constantly taking away from the skin, I focus on nourishing, supporting, and strengthening it so it can function optimally for the long term.
The most important tool I use isn’t a machine or a product—it’s my hands. Through intentional touch, facial massage, lymphatic techniques, and tissue work, I’m able to support healthy aging, improve skin function, and help clients feel more connected to their bodies.
I’m also proud that my practice serves multiple generations within families. I work with clients who prefer a very natural approach to aging, as well as those who choose aesthetic procedures or plastic surgery. Whether someone is focused on prevention, healthy aging, rejuvenation, or recovery after a facelift, neck lift, or other procedure, my role is to support the health and function of the tissue so the skin can heal, thrive, and age beautifully.
More than anything, I want people to know that Nourishing Skin + Wellness isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating healthy, vibrant tissue, supporting the body’s natural ability to rejuvenate, and helping people feel confident in the skin they’re in. My goal is for every client to leave feeling restored, rejuvenated, vibrant, and more connected to themselves—both inside and out.
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Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
One thing I’d love readers to know is how much I value community and collaboration within the wellness space. While I specialize in skincare, I don’t believe beautiful, healthy skin comes from products and treatments alone.
Our skin is influenced by so many factors—stress levels, sleep, nutrition, movement, hormones, emotional well-being, and the health of our nervous system. That’s why I love collaborating with other wellness professionals who support those different pieces of the puzzle.
Whether it’s functional medicine practitioners, massage therapists, nutrition professionals, fitness experts, or mental health providers, I believe we achieve the best outcomes when we work together. Healthy, vibrant skin is often the result of a body that feels supported, balanced, and cared for as a whole.
One of my greatest joys is helping connect clients with resources and practitioners who can support them beyond the treatment room. My goal has never been simply to help someone achieve better skin. It’s to help them feel rejuvenated, vibrant, and confident in the skin they’re in.
I truly believe that when we nurture ourselves, build meaningful connections, and create supportive communities, it shows not only in how we feel—but in how we look. Beautiful skin is often the outward reflection of a body and spirit that are being nourished from within.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nourishingskinwellness.com
- Instagram: @nourishingskinwellness
