We were lucky to catch up with Ali Dempsey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ali, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

When I was brainstorming names for my blog, I wanted something that reflected timeless beauty, resilience, and growth—qualities I believe are central to both skincare and the community I wanted to build. The word amaranthine comes from “amaranth,” a flower known in Greek mythology for its unfading beauty and long-lasting nature. It perfectly captures the essence of enduring wellness and beauty that goes beyond fleeting trends.

Adding Collective was just as intentional. I envisioned a space that wasn’t just about skincare but a gathering of strong, inspiring women who share a passion for self-care and growth. The Amaranthine Collective represents this timeless, ever-evolving journey and the supportive community behind it. As a board-certified dermatologist, I wanted to build a brand that felt both professional and welcoming, blending science with shared stories.

The name reflects my commitment to lasting beauty, self-discovery, and a growing and thriving community.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Alison Dempsey, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC. I have a passion for complex dermatology, general dermatology, and cosmetics. After completing my education and training at Brown, Columbia, Penn State, and Boston University, I now work full-time as an academic dermatologist. On the side, I run The Amaranthine Collective, a blog where I bring strong women together to share insights on skincare, wellness, and personal growth.

In my practice and blog, I aim to demystify skincare, tailoring expert advice to suit a range of needs—from seeking evidence-backed regimens to clients navigating sensitive skin or exploring anti-aging options. Through personalized skincare routines, consultations, and engaging blog content, I help people make educated choices, with a particular focus on accessible, science-backed products. I love introducing clients to products that truly work, and I also share my go-to’s like the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum and CeraVe Healing Ointment—both holy grail items I use and recommend.

What sets me apart is my dedication to creating an inclusive space for skincare and wellness. Whether through my dermatology practice or The Amaranthine Collective, I’m here to educate, empower, and build a community where women feel confident and inspired. I’m incredibly proud of my work interviewing diverse, fascinating women for The Collective series, sharing their insights on everything from skincare to unique life philosophies.

Ultimately, I want followers and clients to feel they’re getting more than skin-deep advice. My goal is to create routines, spaces, and content that genuinely enhance their lives and help them feel confident in their skin.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I first launched The Amaranthine Collective, I knew it would take time to build a readership and a community. I had put so much thought and effort into every post, aiming to provide truly valuable content that combined my dermatology expertise with a fresh, approachable tone. However, in the beginning, my blog was receiving very little traffic. I’d spend hours researching, writing, and creating visuals, only to have a handful of people actually see it. It was tough to pour my heart into something, knowing it was barely reaching anyone.

But I kept going, driven by my love for skincare, my commitment to building an inclusive space for wellness, and my vision of creating a trusted resource for people navigating their own skincare journeys. I knew that consistency was key, and I focused on delivering quality, trusting that the right audience would find me over time. I reminded myself that The Amaranthine Collective wasn’t about instant success; it was about creating something meaningful and lasting. This resilience came from my belief that if my content helped even one person, it was worth the effort.

Gradually, my audience started to grow. As people began to engage with my posts, ask questions, and even reach out for personalized skincare advice, I saw that my persistence was paying off. The small but dedicated community around The Amaranthine Collective reaffirmed that sometimes, the best things take time. Looking back, I’m proud of those early days when I kept pushing forward despite the challenges because they taught me resilience, patience, and the value of staying true to my vision. Now, seeing The Amaranthine Collective thrive as a trusted space for skincare and wellness brings me immense satisfaction and gratitude.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that everything has to be perfect before it can be shared with the world. For years, I put off publishing my blog, *The Amaranthine Collective*, because I felt it wasn’t “perfect” enough. I wanted every detail, every sentence, and every image to be flawless. I’d draft, revise, and redesign, only to end up second-guessing myself. I’d think, “It’s not ready yet,” or “What if someone finds a flaw?” That fear of imperfection kept me in a cycle of endless preparation and procrastination.

The turning point came when I realized that if I waited for everything to be perfect, I’d never actually put my work out there. I began to understand that progress mattered more than perfection, and that the value of my blog wasn’t in flawless execution but in the message, knowledge, and community I was trying to build. I reminded myself that the best blogs and brands don’t necessarily start perfect—they evolve and improve over time.

Once I allowed myself to let go of this perfectionist mindset, I felt a huge weight lifted. I published my blog, even though it wasn’t exactly how I envisioned it, and I kept pushing forward. Embracing imperfection has allowed me to grow, connect with my audience, and learn from each post. It’s been a humbling yet empowering journey, and it’s a lesson that continues to serve me well in all areas of life: sometimes, done is better than perfect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theamaranthinecollective.com
• Instagram: theamaranthinecollective