Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary

Episode: The Top Hidden Acne Triggers, Especially For Women
Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson & Sara Tan
Guests: Danielle Gronich & Kayleigh Christina (Clearstem Skincare)

Overview

This episode of Gloss Angeles delves deeply into hidden (and often overlooked) acne triggers, particularly those affecting women. Beauty journalists Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan interview Clearstem Skincare founders Danielle Gronich and Kayleigh Christina about their personal acne journeys, the creation of their brand, and science-backed advice on identifying and mitigating common acne culprits—from skincare ingredients to supplements, diet, and hormonal shifts. The conversation balances practical advice with empathy, making acne less mystifying and less emotionally burdensome.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Founders’ Acne Stories and Brand Origins

[03:39 – 11:55]

• Danielle’s Journey:

  • Lifelong struggles with severe, cystic acne (grade 4), even after multiple rounds of prescription medications, antibiotics, and three courses of Accutane, which always led to recurring breakouts.
  • Hit a turning point at age 29, enrolled in esthetician school to learn how to cure her own skin. Later opened the San Diego Acne Clinic.
  • “I’m going, you know, studying biology, immunology, genetics…concurrently, my skin erupted like cystic acne…It was a perfect storm.” (Danielle, 03:54)

• Kayleigh’s Journey:

  • Corporate job, athlete background, and a fascination with nutrition led her to integrative health studies.
  • Breaking out aggressively after going off birth control. Tried every protocol and supplement but nothing worked until seeing Danielle at her clinic (“the best master class in all things breakouts”).
  • Learned about hidden triggers in diet and product ingredients, saw transformative results in two months by eliminating pore-clogging products and supplement overload.

• Brand Genesis:

  • Danielle created her first product to help clients (especially people of color) with post-acne scars and hyperpigmentation without risking further pigmentation.
  • Their partnership blossomed: Kayleigh’s platform and Danielle’s formulations led to Clearstem Skincare.

2. What Are the Top Hidden Acne Triggers?

[12:56 – 22:02]

• Pore-Clogging Ingredients in Beauty Products:

  • The #1 external cause. Women, in particular, use more products, raising the risk unwittingly. Most brands use comedogenic ingredients.
  • “If there was, like, an 80% reason why people are breaking out, it is from pore-clogging ingredients in their products, especially women.” (Danielle, 12:58)

• Dietary Triggers:

  • Egg Whites: Cystic acne on the neck/jawline. “Eggs. Egg whites specifically. Break people out like crazy.” (Danielle, 14:01)
  • Dairy (including whey protein): Chin & jawline breakouts due to insulin-like growth factors.
  • Gluten and caffeine on an empty stomach are less obvious, individual triggers.

• Supplements & Over-Supplementation:

  • Too much B12 and vitamin D (especially without supporting cofactors) can spike testosterone and cause breakouts.
  • “She was using great quality stuff. It was just too much…way too much B12…[and] doubling up on vitamin D.” (Danielle, 17:42)
  • Stevia and some “greens” powders often contain hidden triggers like excess B12, spirulina, or stevia itself, all of which can worsen acne for some.

• Hormonal Fluctuations:

  • Sensitivity increases before menstruation due to testosterone spike; what’s “safe” other weeks might break you out pre-period.
  • Period serves as a “report card” for the previous month’s triggers (“It just like, shows up like your period’s like the report card for what was going on the rest of the month.” (Danielle, 33:15))

3. Ingredient & Product Layering Nuances

[16:00 – 17:02]

• Layering too many actives (niacinamide, peptides, etc.) amplifies irritation and breakouts—concentration and correct pH are crucial.
• “The devil’s in the dosage. …It matters what you’re layering it with.” (Danielle, 16:01)

4. The Dangers of “More Is Better” in Wellness

[19:25 – 20:21]

• In supplements and trendy foods/beverages, “more” is often assumed to be better—this is not the case for skin health, and excess can backfire.
• “We constantly think more is better. And that is not the case with supplements.” (Kayleigh, 19:25)
• Importance of reading all supplement labels and tallying intake to avoid doubling/tripling up (especially B12, D, etc.).

5. Cofactors & Nutrient Absorption

[22:03 – 23:32]

• Explained the role of cofactors (e.g., K2 and magnesium needed to properly absorb and utilize vitamin D).
• Doctors rarely have time to get this granular, which leaves patients searching for information.
• “What you put in it doesn’t directly translate to bumping it up…K2 basically helps your body absorb [vitamin D] and activate it. …Magnesium…helps absorption.” (Kayleigh, 22:13)

6. Philosophy: No Fear, No Shame, Just Experimentation

[27:11 – 28:25; 45:01 – 47:00]

• Both founders discourage fear-mongering or all-or-nothing food/diet changes; recommend “elimination testing” with intentional reintroduction, making it “a game” to detect personal triggers.
• Commitment to education not shaming: “You’re not doing anything wrong, your skin isn’t dirty…there’s just a few nuanced tweaks.” (Kayleigh, 45:01)

7. Commonly Overlooked Food Triggers

[29:22 – 31:24]

• Gluten and caffeine on an empty stomach may provoke inflammation/acne in some, but effects are highly individual.
• “A good rule of thumb is anything that speeds you up can break you out—B12, energy drinks, caffeine…” (Kayleigh, 30:06)

8. Hormones, Cycles, and Skin

[31:24 – 34:19]

• Hormonal changes throughout the month explain fluctuating skin quality; premenstrual spikes in testosterone make the week before your period an especially breakout-prone time.
• “Testosterone makes you sensitive. Aggressively.” (Danielle, 33:15)

9. Deep Dive: “Bounce Back” Serum Testing & Results

[34:19 – 44:36]

• Product: Bounce Back serum—peptide- and plant stem cell–rich, thicker for enhanced performance and moisture (some testers used it as their daytime moisturizer).
• 79% of Gloss Angeles testers had never heard of Clearstem before, majority were millennial, and aging skin was the main concern.
• Standout user reviews highlight instant glow, hydrated/plumper complexion, improvement in fine lines, and good wear under makeup (even in challenging climates).
• Some debate over subtle shimmer/mica—meant to give instant glow, not glitter effect. “That little light reflective property…does help camouflage [acne].” (Danielle, 41:08)
• Scent: faint vanilla, no synthetic fragrance; most found it pleasant and quickly dissipating.

Notable Quotes from Reviews:

• “I've been using this serum for weeks, and it’s changed my skin. It's so glossy and hydrated. I feel like my skin is so prepared for dry winter now. As an over 40, I highly recommend the serum.” (38:09)
• “I really enjoyed using the Bounce Back serum, especially the pearly sheen…My skin looked amazing the entire trip and even after I got back, I genuinely felt like I was glowing.” (38:31)

10. Final Advice & Support for Acne Sufferers

[45:01 – 47:27]

• Clearstem’s mission: Demystify, support, and lovingly educate without shaming.
• “Clear Stem is everyone’s guardian angel…that source of, like, love and support and guidance that we didn’t have when we were going through our journeys.” (Danielle, 46:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On mainstream skincare & compliance:
  “You can be perfect on the inside and still get acne if you have pore-cloggers in your products.” (Danielle, 13:36)

• On supplement overload:
  “She came in with a rolling carry-on…because she was getting sent all these products. …It was just too much of too many certain things for her.” (Danielle, 17:27)

• On hormonal cycles:
  “Your period’s like the report card for what was going on the rest of the month.” (Danielle, 33:15)

• On shaming and restrictive advice:
  “We never want to create a fear around food…I eat eggs again…I just don’t have them every single day.” (Kayleigh, 27:05)

• On accessible acne education:
  “We do root cause of acne masterclasses...everyone can ask, like, very like their own bio-individual skin-related questions. …We have our root cause of acne checklist, like, ways that just make it so easy.” (Kayleigh, 45:01)

Timestamps by Topic

| Time | Segment | |------------|------------------------------------------------| | 03:39-11:55| Danielle & Kayleigh’s Acne Journeys, Brand Start| | 12:56-15:09| Hidden Triggers: Products & Diet | | 16:00-17:02| Ingredient/Regimen Layering & Irritation | | 17:02-22:02| Supplement Overload, Cofactors, Stevia | | 22:03-23:32| Cofactors Explained: Vital for Absorption | | 27:11-28:25| Safe Elimination Testing, No Fear-Mongering | | 29:22-31:24| Unusual Food Triggers (Gluten, Caffeine, etc.) | | 31:24-34:19| Hormones & Menstrual Cycle Impact | | 34:19-44:36| “Bounce Back” Serum: Test Results & Feedback | | 45:01-47:27| Parting Advice & Clearstem’s Support Philosophy |

Closing Message

Empowerment and gradual experimentation are at the center of Clearstem’s philosophy: acne is common, multi-factorial, and highly individual. Awareness, ingredient knowledge, and small, consistent adjustments—without fear or shame—are key to finding your own clear skin. The Clearstem founders invite listeners to masterclasses and offer resources for those wanting to dig deeper.

“We are here no matter where they’re at in their journey, for anything they might need.” (Danielle, 47:00)

For resources mentioned in the episode:

• Visit Clearstem Skincare for product info and educational materials
• Look out for masterclass opportunities & checklists for personalized help