The blondEST Podcast: Episode Summary – "How I Got My Skin Back"
Released on June 23, 2025
Introduction
In this heartfelt episode of The blondEST, host Savanna Boda, the renowned Medical Aesthetician known as The Dallas Aesthetician, opens up about her personal battle with severe acne. Co-host Tyler Jacoby joins her to delve deep into the challenges Savanna faced, the underlying causes of her skin issues, and the comprehensive strategies she employed to reclaim her skin health. This candid conversation not only highlights Savanna's expertise in skincare but also underscores the emotional and psychological impacts of struggling with acne, even for a professional in the field.
Savanna’s Personal Struggle with Acne
Savanna begins by sharing the intensity of her skin issues, highlighting how debilitating it was both personally and professionally. As an acne specialist with a 99% success rate in clearing acne for her clients, Savanna found herself in a paradoxical situation where her own knowledge seemed ineffective against her skin challenges.
"I feel like my personality is like. I'm like this with everything. I'm, like, the worst client, to be honest." [00:14]
She describes the insecurity and lack of self-trust she experienced, despite her extensive training and expertise.
"I'm just, like, so insecure in, like, my knowledge. And I just, like, don't trust myself with myself, if that makes sense." [00:59]
Identifying the Causes: The Perfect Storm of Acne
Savanna explains that acne isn't caused by a single factor but is rather the result of multiple elements colliding—a "perfect storm." She likens it to weather conditions where various factors such as humidity, diet, lifestyle, and stress levels contribute to the severity of acne outbreaks.
"There's like, little teaspoons of ingredients that create this acne. And that was a key. That was a puzzle piece right there." [17:35]
Key contributors to her acne included:
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Makeup Changes: Transitioning to a new makeup routine with products like NARS light reflecting foundation, which she later identified as a culprit due to coconut oil content.
"So, I started getting a bunch of like closed comedones on my forehead." [03:24]
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Dietary Habits: Increased consumption of energy drinks from Dutch Bros, high in sugar, B12, and biotin, which exacerbated her skin condition by raising cortisol levels and feeding acne-causing bacteria.
"Energy drinks are so bad because one, it raises your cortisol levels... two, it's full of B12 and biotin." [04:43]
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Hair Care Products: Introduction of a new leave-in conditioner containing coconut oil, a known comedogenic ingredient, further inflamed her skin.
"It was like, what the fuck? It's bad." [05:58]
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Lifestyle and Stress: The immense stress from building a house and a spa, coupled with personal life challenges, led to disrupted sleep and increased cortisol production, which directly impacted her skin health.
"My body's in fight or flight. I was producing so much cortisol and inflammation." [09:53]
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Supplements and Hydration: Neglecting her clear skin supplements and insufficient water intake also played significant roles.
"There was not drinking water and having so much sugar in my diet." [14:52]
Emotional and Professional Impact
Savanna delves into the emotional toll of her skin issues, emphasizing how her appearance directly affected her mood and self-esteem. As someone who educates others about skincare, experiencing severe acne felt particularly humiliating and paradoxical.
"If my skin is good, I'm in a good mood. If my skin is bad, I'm in a bad mood." [08:33]
She also faced professional embarrassment during speaking engagements and daily interactions, worrying that her clients and peers would perceive her as less credible.
"I'm an acne specialist. I'm about to have to see people in person and talk about acne on stage... they’re gonna think I'm a joke." [24:15]
The Road to Recovery: Comprehensive Skin Rehabilitation
Determined to overcome her acne, Savanna implemented a multifaceted approach combining both internal and external treatments:
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Therapeutic Practices:
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Healing Frequencies: Utilized healing frequencies on Spotify to manage stress and emotional well-being.
"I started listening to healing frequencies, which actually has helped me so much." [18:31]
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Therapy and Pilates: Re-engaged in therapy and Pilates to release pent-up stress and regain physical and mental balance.
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Skincare Regimen:
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Hydration and Cleansing: Returned to a consistent and thorough skincare routine, emphasizing hydration to keep pores open and reduce congestion.
"If you're dry, your pores are like gonna get so tight and nothing can proliferate through them." [17:35]
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Key Products:
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Lipid Serum and Ondo: These products were pivotal in maintaining skin hydration and supporting barrier function.
"The combo of lipid serum with Ondo saved my fucking life." [21:35]
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Hydrobiome Mist and Carboxymousse: Helped reduce inflammation and create an inhospitable environment for acne-causing bacteria.
"Hydrobiome mist from Epicutis. Obsessed with that shit." [21:35]
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Spot Treatments: Alternated between charcoal accelerate spot treatment and sulfur-based treatments to manage active breakouts effectively.
"I still... can alternate the sulfur back in and my skin's like now reacting to it again in a good way." [21:35]
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Supplements:
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Clear Skin Supplements: Included zinc probiotics for gut health and inflammation, omegas for sebum regulation, and antioxidants for reducing free radical damage.
"I take those every day, two of each, four a day so your skin can slay and keep acne away." [21:35]
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Additional Supplements: Magnesium for better sleep and stress management, and glutathione for improved skin quality and hydration.
"Magnesium for helping me sleep and stress levels... glutathione helped a lot with just all over skin quality." [21:35]
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Lifestyle Adjustments:
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Hydration: Increased water intake drastically to aid in detoxification and support overall skin health.
"Like, I was peeing all the time now. I'm like a pregnant woman." [21:35]
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Icing and LED Therapy: Regularly iced her skin and incorporated LED therapy to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
"Icing my skin consistently. And LED therapy." [23:22]
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Hydra Therapy Mask: Utilized CBD hydrotherapy masks daily for additional skin nourishment and stress relief.
"That is so beneficial and so helpful." [23:32]
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Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
Savanna's journey underscores the complexity of acne as a medical condition influenced by a multitude of factors. Her experience illustrates that even experts can face challenges beyond their professional knowledge, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to skincare that includes mental and physical health.
"Acne is truly a reflection of how you're treating your body and your mental health. Everything." [21:40]
She advocates for consistency in skincare routines, the importance of addressing internal health through diet and supplements, and managing stress to maintain clear skin. Additionally, Savanna highlights the emotional resilience required to navigate personal health struggles, even when one is a professional in the field.
"Everything in life... it all will be okay in the end. Yeah, you just gotta trust in the process." [30:05]
Throughout the episode, Savanna's transparency offers invaluable insights for listeners, whether they are skincare enthusiasts, fellow estheticians, or individuals battling their own skin issues. Her story serves as both a professional guide and a personal testament to the challenges and triumphs of maintaining healthy skin amidst life's chaos.
Key Takeaways:
- Holistic Skincare: Effective acne treatment requires a combination of internal health (diet, supplements, mental well-being) and external practices (consistent skincare routines, appropriate products).
- Stress Management: High stress levels can exacerbate skin conditions; incorporating stress-relief practices is crucial.
- Consistency is Crucial: Maintaining a consistent skincare regimen is essential for long-term skin health.
- Personal Vulnerability: Even experts face personal challenges, highlighting the universal nature of skincare struggles.
Notable Quotes:
- "I'm like the worst client, to be honest." – Savanna Boda [00:14]
- "Acne is truly a reflection of how you're treating your body and your mental health." – Savanna Boda [21:40]
- "Everything in life... it all will be okay in the end." – Savanna Boda [30:05]
- "If my skin is good, I'm in a good mood. If my skin is bad, I'm in a bad mood." – Savanna Boda [08:33]
Conclusion
Savanna Boda's episode "How I Got My Skin Back" is a powerful narrative that intertwines professional expertise with personal vulnerability. It offers listeners an in-depth understanding of the multifaceted nature of acne and the comprehensive strategies required to combat it effectively. By sharing her journey, Savanna not only educates but also inspires those struggling with similar issues to adopt a holistic and consistent approach to skincare and overall well-being.