Pursuit of Wellness Podcast Summary
Episode: Top Tips For Clear Glowy Skin - By Me & Experts
Host: Mari Llewellyn
Release Date: March 6, 2025

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Pursuit of Wellness, host Mari Llewellyn delves deep into the multifaceted world of skincare, sharing her personal journey with acne and collaborating with skincare expert Jackie to provide listeners with actionable tips for achieving clear, glowing skin. The conversation also features insights from guest Emily, who discusses the impact of environmental factors and genetics on skin health.

Mari's Personal Skin Journey

Mari opens up about her extensive battle with cystic acne, which persisted from her teenage years into adulthood.
Mari Llewellyn [00:00]:
"I had 10 years of cystic acne, so as a teenager I really didn't have that much acne. My acne really picked up like end of college into adulthood and it just got gradually worse and worse."

Despite numerous treatments—including antibiotics like doxycycline and spironolactone, and various diets such as carnivore and keto—Mari found little relief until she identified a gut bacteria, H. Pylori, as the underlying cause.
Mari Llewellyn [04:10]:
"The only thing that ultimately worked was figuring out that I had a gut bacteria called H. Pylori."

Healing her acne allowed Mari to focus on issues like scarring and aging, enhancing her skincare routine, especially during her IVF journey.

Skincare Practices and Product Recommendations

Mari shares a comprehensive list of skincare practices and products that have significantly improved her skin health:

• Red Light Therapy:
  Mari [05:10]:
  "Red light therapy is amazing for face and body skin. Really good for scarring, inflammation, even like wound healing."
  She recommends Bon Charge, highlighting their red light face masks and panels.

• Steam Therapy (SAA):
  Mari [06:00]:
  "SAA steam is really good for sweating, detoxing, flushing out the skin."
  She emphasizes the importance of washing the face immediately after steam to prevent sweat residue from causing breakouts.

• Hydrinity Hyacinth Mist:
  Mari [07:15]:
  "It's an antimicrobial mist. It remains stable and will kill any bacteria."
  Ideal for post-workout or sauna sessions when washing the face isn't feasible.

• Clear Stem Products:
  Mari discusses using acne-safe products from Clear Stem, including body lotions, hair care, and lip balms.
  Mari [08:30]:
  "If you're struggling with breakouts, limited makeup and acne-safe products like Clear Stem are essential."

• Limited Makeup Usage:
  Mari advocates for minimal makeup to allow the skin to breathe, using products like tinted sunscreens and eyebrow gels.
  Mari [09:00]:
  "I don't put makeup on my skin unless absolutely necessary."

• Additional Tools:
  Ice Rollers for inflammation and Gua Sha tools for lymphatic drainage are part of her routine.
  Mari [09:45]:
  "I have been playing around with the gua sha. It feels good and helps flush out the lymph nodes."

Expert Insights from Jackie

Jackie, Mari's esthetician from Vixen, shares her professional expertise on effective skincare routines:

• Proper Face Washing Techniques:
  Jackie [10:55]:
  "Everyone is washing their face wrong."
  She recommends dedicating at least one minute to facial cleansing, ensuring thorough removal of sebum, dirt, and pollutants.
  Jackie [11:03]:
  "How is your skin supposed to breathe and absorb any of your products if it's not clean?"

• Balancing Skin Care and Lifestyle Factors:
  Jackie emphasizes that while skincare products are important, factors like diet and stress management play a more significant role—accounting for approximately 25-30% of skin health.
  Jackie [12:42]:
  "It's whoever you're talking to, if you're talking to an esthetician, they're going to say skin care is 95. If you talk to a nutritionist, they're going to say diet is 95%."

The Importance of Diet and Stress Management

The conversation underscores the profound impact of diet and stress on skin health:

• Diet's Role:
  Jackie [19:05]:
  "Literally your skin is a reflection of what's happening inside your body and the amount of inflammatory foods that we're eating."
  Mari and Jackie discuss how eliminating inflammatory foods like certain dairy products can reduce breakouts.

• Stress Management:
  Jackie [17:18]:
  "Stress is huge when it comes to skin and people often overlook that."
  She recommends incorporating stress-reducing practices into daily routines, such as morning meditation or quiet walks.

The Myth of "Clean" Skincare and Pore-Clogging Ingredients

A critical discussion emerges around the misconception that "clean" skincare equates to non-pore-clogging:

• Defining "Clean" Skincare:
  Jackie [20:51]:
  "Clean does not mean acne safe. It just means free of endocrine disruptors and toxins."
  The lack of standardized certifications leads to confusion, urging consumers to research ingredients diligently.

• Identifying Pore-Clogging Ingredients:
  Danielle [40:11]:
  "When you are using a product topically and it has any filler agent that is thicker than your natural oil, it can clog your pore."
  She advises using ingredient checkers and trusted brands to avoid breakout-inducing products.

Accutane: Risks and Alternatives

The episode addresses the controversial use of Accutane for severe acne:

• Risks of Accutane:
  Jackie [22:34]:
  "If you get pregnant you can severely deform your fetus... there’s a laundry list of things that can potentially happen."
  Both Jackie and Mari express caution against using Accutane, especially for those planning to conceive.

• Natural Alternatives:
  Mari and Emily discuss exploring natural supplements like beef liver and kidney, as well as glutathione injections, to support skin health without the severe side effects associated with Accutane.

Guest Insights: Emily on Mold and Genetic Factors

Emily contributes her experiences with environmental and genetic influences on her skin:

• Impact of Mold and Environment:
  Emily [24:36]:
  "Like when I moved to Nashville, my body just freaked out because it's humid there."
  She explains how moving to different climates can trigger skin issues due to her body's genetic inability to detox effectively.

• Genetic Influences:
  Emily [26:18]:
  "I have a gene where my body has a hard time detox."
  This genetic predisposition exacerbates her skin's reaction to environmental pollutants.

Makeup Choices for Acne-Prone Skin

The importance of selecting non-pore-clogging makeup is highlighted:

• Recommended Brands:
  Jackie and the team endorse brands like Priya, Euphoria, and Make Beauty, which prioritize non-clogging ingredients.
  Danielle [43:41]:
  "Priya is 100% safe and aligns with our acne-safe ethos."

• Avoiding Harmful Ingredients:
  They caution against using products with ingredients like hexal la found in some traditional brands, which can exacerbate acne.

Retinoids: Benefits and Side Effects

The discussion delves into the use of retinoids in skincare:

• Understanding Purging:
  Danielle [48:10]:
  "Pretty much all retinols are going to make you purge."
  They explain that while retinoids can be beneficial, they may cause initial breakouts as the skin adjusts.

• Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Retinoids:
  Prescription-strength retinoids like tretinoin can cause severe purging and are often accompanied by pore-clogging fillers, making them unsuitable for acne-prone individuals.

Best Practices for Microneedling

Microneedling is examined as a treatment option:

• When to Microneedle:
  Danielle [53:02]:
  "If you're past the breaking out stage or you're in a stage where you're not really breaking out, then microneedling is fantastic."
  It's advised to avoid microneedling during active breakout phases to prevent exacerbating acne.

• Post-Treatment Care:
  Proper post-microneedling care, including using non-comedogenic products and applying sunscreen, is crucial to optimize healing and prevent further breakouts.

Conclusion

This episode of Pursuit of Wellness offers a holistic approach to achieving clear, glowing skin by integrating effective skincare routines, mindful dietary choices, and stress management practices. Through personal anecdotes and expert advice, Mari and her guests empower listeners to take control of their skin health from the inside out, debunking myths and providing practical solutions for acne-prone individuals.

Notable Quotes:

• Mari Llewellyn [00:00]:
  "I had 10 years of cystic acne,... the only thing that ultimately worked was figuring out that I had a gut bacteria called H. Pylori."

• Jackie [10:55]:
  "Everyone is washing their face wrong."

• Jackie [20:51]:
  "Clean does not mean acne safe... free of endocrine disruptors and toxins."

• Danielle [40:16]:
  "Clean does not mean acne safe... acne is both internal and external."

• Jackie [22:34]:
  "If you get pregnant you can severely deform your fetus..."

• Danielle [48:10]:
  "Pretty much all retinols are going to make you purge."

Disclaimer:
The content of this summary is based on the Pursuit of Wellness podcast episode and is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized health recommendations.