What if the clearest path to calm, radiant skin starts far from your bathroom cabinet? We open up about the raw reality of rebound acne after stopping the pill abroad, the spiral of harsh topicals and trial‑and‑error diets, and the heavier truth few talk about: the isolation, lost confidence, and stalled careers that acne can cause. From that low point came a new direction—one built on data, not guesswork.

We trace the pivotal shift from surface fixes to systems healing. You’ll hear how functional testing changed everything: GI mapping and organic acids to uncover candida, parasites, and dysbiosis; advanced hormone panels to explain post‑pill chaos and high reverse T3; and metabolic markers that revealed insulin resistance driving breakouts. Layer by layer, we connect the dots between the microbiome, detox pathways, cortisol and sleep, and how insulin and androgens push oil production and clogged pores. The outcome is a practical, compassionate roadmap: targeted antimicrobials, fiber and bile support, blood sugar balance, nervous system resets, and simple, barrier‑friendly skincare that supports—not fights—your biology.

We also share the underrated lever that moved the needle fast: removing alcohol to reduce gut permeability, stabilize glucose, and lighten the liver’s load. Alongside smarter nutrition and measured retinoid use, this shift helped turn stubborn acne into a solvable problem. If you’ve felt alone, overwhelmed, or stuck on the topical treadmill, this story offers proof that clarity is possible and faster than you might think with the right tools.

If this conversation sparks an aha moment, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a quick review. Check the show notes to watch the Clear Skin Mastery masterclass and get the first module of the Clear Skin program when you leave a review. Your skin—and your future self—will thank you.

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Your skin isn’t overreacting for no reason—histamine might be the missing link between “perfect” habits and persistent flares. We sit down with coach Holly Corcum Sears to unpack why wine, chocolate, aged foods, and even certain probiotics can trigger redness, heat, and sudden breakouts, and why stress or poor sleep can turn a small trigger into a full-face flush. Along the way, we connect the dots between gut lining integrity, DAO activity, histamine-producing bacteria, and detox capacity, showing how acne and rosacea often reflect an overloaded system rather than a surface problem.

We also explore the hormone connection that so many women feel but can’t name. As progesterone dips in perimenopause—or when PCOS disrupts ovulation—estrogen can go unopposed, driving histamine sensitivity and sleep-disrupting night flushes. That estrogen-histamine loop becomes a cycle unless you restore balance. We share the tests we rely on—GI mapping, functional bloodwork, and advanced hormone panels—to reveal hidden imbalances like bacterial overgrowth, methylation issues, mold exposure, and nutrient gaps that keep skin reactive.

You’ll leave with a clear plan: pause high-histamine foods and liberators, switch to histamine-safe probiotics, and use targeted supports like standalone quercetin, stinging nettle infusions, and phosphatidylcholine. Then move low and slow through gut repair, gentle detox, and hormone rebalancing so you can reintroduce favorite foods without flares. If your breakouts appear fast, your face flushes with wine, or your “healthy” probiotic makes you feel worse, this guide will help you rebuild resilience from the inside out.

If this helped, subscribe, share with a friend who battles reactive skin, and leave a review. Send us your top histamine trigger and what you’re trying first—we’re cheering you on.

Under the age of 35?

Sign up for My FREE Clear Skin Masterclass. Click here to register now!

Over the age of 35?

Sign up for my FREE Clear Skin After 35 Masterclass. Click here to register now.

Leave a Review and Start my 7-Week Clear Skin Program for FREE:

To get immediate access to the first module of my 7-Week Clear Skin Program, leave a podcast review! Take a screen shot of your review and email it to [email protected] and you will be sent your login information!

Here's a short video showing how to leave a podcast review:
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Under the age of 35?

Sign up for My FREE Clear Skin Masterclass. Click here to register now!

Over the age of 35?

Sign up for my FREE Clear Skin After 35 Masterclass. Click here to register now.

Leave a Review and Start my 7-Week Clear Skin Program for FREE:

To get immediate access to the first module of my 7-Week Clear Skin Program, leave a podcast review! Take a screen shot of your review and email it to [email protected] and you will be sent your login information!

Here's a short video showing how to leave a podcast review:
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Could your daily salad be sabotaging your skin? Dr. Stacey Shillington and nutritionist Holly Corkum-Sears flip the script on conventional nutrition wisdom, revealing why raw foods might not be the holy grail for acne sufferers.

Drawing from both ancient wisdom traditions and modern nutritional science, this eye-opening conversation explores how cooking transforms not just the taste of food, but its impact on your skin. While we've been conditioned to believe massive salads and green smoothies are detoxifying powerhouses, the reality is far more nuanced – especially for those with compromised digestion.

The discussion weaves through fascinating territory: how oxalates in leafy greens can deplete essential minerals, why cooking makes certain skin-supporting nutrients more bioavailable, and how even "healthy" habits like juicing can trigger hormonal cascades that worsen breakouts. You'll discover practical modifications to make smoothies more digestible, learn why bone broth contains healing compounds that directly repair both gut and skin, and understand the surprising connection between food temperature and your body's ability to heal.

Perhaps most shocking is the revelation about food safety – those pre-washed salad greens might be harboring more than just vitamins. The experts share their personal routines, including how they prepare nutrient-dense broths enhanced with medicinal mushrooms and herbs, and why they're embracing warming foods as temperatures drop.

Ready to transform your approach to eating for clear skin? Listen now, then join the conversation on Instagram @NaturopathicBeauty where Dr. Stacey and Holly will be sharing their cozy fall culinary adventures designed to nourish both body and skin from the inside out.

Under the age of 35?

Sign up for My FREE Clear Skin Masterclass. Click here to register now!

Over the age of 35?

Sign up for my FREE Clear Skin After 35 Masterclass. Click here to register now.

Leave a Review and Start my 7-Week Clear Skin Program for FREE:

To get immediate access to the first module of my 7-Week Clear Skin Program, leave a podcast review! Take a screen shot of your review and email it to [email protected] and you will be sent your login information!

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Why isn't your acne healing despite all your efforts? Dr. Stacey Shillington cuts through the confusion by revealing six critical roadblocks that keep smart, dedicated women trapped in an endless cycle of skin problems.

Most acne sufferers share striking similarities—we're ambitious, type-A personalities living in constant survival mode. This stress state alone makes healing nearly impossible, as your body physiologically cannot repair while in fight-or-flight. Dr. Shillington shares her personal journey from desperate experimentation to profound understanding, explaining how even her naturopathic medical training initially failed to solve her severe post-birth control acne.

The podcast dismantles common misconceptions about acne healing. While eliminating inflammatory foods creates an essential foundation, diet alone isn't the complete answer. Constantly switching skincare products damages your moisture barrier, and trying to heal skin while ignoring gut issues reverses the natural healing order. Without proper diagnostic testing, you're merely guessing at solutions, prolonging your suffering and potentially missing critical underlying factors like mold exposure, hormonal imbalances, or chronic infections.

Ready to break free from the cycle of trial and error? This episode offers clear direction on how to shift your nervous system from survival to healing mode, properly sequence your treatment approach, and work with true experts who understand acne's complex nature. Stop experimenting with your health and discover the comprehensive, evidence-based path to clear skin and optimal wellness that has transformed thousands of women's lives. Watch Dr. Shillington's free masterclass (different versions for women under and over 35) to learn her complete acne-healing approach.

Under the age of 35?

Sign up for My FREE Clear Skin Masterclass. Click here to register now!

Over the age of 35?

Sign up for my FREE Clear Skin After 35 Masterclass. Click here to register now.

Leave a Review and Start my 7-Week Clear Skin Program for FREE:

To get immediate access to the first module of my 7-Week Clear Skin Program, leave a podcast review! Take a screen shot of your review and email it to [email protected] and you will be sent your login information!

Here's a short video showing how to leave a podcast review:
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Discover the breakthrough understanding that's transforming how women approach both acne and aging. If you're battling breakouts while noticing the first signs of aging, this episode reveals why that's no coincidence—and how one holistic approach can solve both concerns simultaneously.

Dr. Stacey Shillington shares her personal journey of struggling with both issues in her mid-30s, cycling between acne products that dried her skin and anti-aging products that triggered breakouts. The game-changing realization? The root causes driving your acne are the exact same factors accelerating your aging process.

Drawing from two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Shillington breaks down how nervous system dysregulation breaks down collagen, insulin imbalances cause glycation damage, poor detoxification forces toxins through the skin, gut infections drive inflammation, and hormonal disruptions weaken the skin's repair mechanisms. Each of these factors simultaneously triggers acne while fast-tracking visible aging.

The most liberating part? When you address these internal imbalances, you're not just clearing breakouts—you're setting the foundation for decades of naturally beautiful aging. At 51, Dr. Shillington shares how this approach has allowed her to maintain youthful skin without Botox, fillers, or endless product searching. This isn't about adding more complicated routines or expensive treatments—it's about creating true health that naturally expresses as clear, radiant skin. Ready to transform your relationship with your skin by healing from the inside out?

Under the age of 35?

Sign up for My FREE Clear Skin Masterclass. Click here to register now!

Over the age of 35?

Sign up for my FREE Clear Skin After 35 Masterclass. Click here to register now.

Leave a Review and Start my 7-Week Clear Skin Program for FREE:

To get immediate access to the first module of my 7-Week Clear Skin Program, leave a podcast review! Take a screen shot of your review and email it to [email protected] and you will be sent your login information!

Here's a short video showing how to leave a podcast review:
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Beneath the surface of persistent acne lies a powerful truth many skincare regimens overlook—our emotions directly influence our skin health. As a naturopathic doctor with 20 years of experience treating acne, I've witnessed firsthand how repressed emotions create physiological changes that trigger breakouts and slow healing.

This episode reveals why healing operates on three essential levels—physical, mental, and emotional—and why addressing all three creates transformative results. While most acne treatments focus solely on physical interventions (diet, supplements, topical products), emotional healing often becomes the missing link that accelerates the entire healing process. When emotions remain unexpressed, they create vibrational blockages stored within our tissues that affect cellular function and trigger inflammatory cascades.

Modern science now validates what holistic practitioners have long observed—emotions manifest physically through neuropeptides, cortisol fluctuations, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Research from Harvard University and landmark studies have demonstrated how emotional suppression impacts hormonal regulation, immune function, and gut health—all critical factors in acne development. I share personal stories of how my own unprocessed emotions manifested as serious physical symptoms, and how learning to release emotional blockages transformed not only my health but my approach to healing others.

Discover powerful techniques for emotional release, with special emphasis on breathwork and somatic therapies that directly address stored emotions within the body's tissues. Learn to recognize the signs of emotional suppression and understand why jawline and chin acne often directly correlate with repressed anger and resentment. Ready to transform your relationship with your skin? This episode offers both the scientific foundation and practical tools to begin healing acne at its emotional source.

Under the age of 35?

Sign up for My FREE Clear Skin Masterclass. Click here to register now!

Over the age of 35?

Sign up for my FREE Clear Skin After 35 Masterclass. Click here to register now.

Leave a Review and Start my 7-Week Clear Skin Program for FREE:

To get immediate access to the first module of my 7-Week Clear Skin Program, leave a podcast review! Take a screen shot of your review and email it to [email protected] and you will be sent your login information!

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Discover the transformative power of castor oil for acne in this practical guide to an ancient remedy that addresses acne at its root causes. Castor oil isn't just another topical treatment—it's a powerful medicine that's been used across cultures for millennia, from ancient Egypt to Ayurvedic traditions, to support the body's natural healing processes.

The secret behind castor oil's effectiveness lies in its active compound, ricinoleic acid, which makes up 90% of the oil. This remarkable substance provides antimicrobial properties that combat pathogens commonly found in acne sufferers, including staph, candida, and potentially the c. acnes bacteria itself. Beyond fighting microbes, castor oil calms inflammation, regulates the nervous system (especially when applied to the belly button), enhances lymphatic drainage, and supports liver detoxification—all critical factors in resolving chronic acne.

If you're struggling with stubborn breakouts, particularly cystic acne, you'll learn my exact protocol for using castor oil effectively. Starting with the gentle belly button therapy technique before advancing to full castor oil packs ensures your body can handle increased detoxification without overwhelming reactions. You'll discover how combining castor oil with colloidal silver creates a powerful spot treatment that reaches deep into cystic lesions, addressing them at their source without the drying effects of conventional treatments. Whether you're dealing with hormonal acne, toxic burden, or chronic inflammation, the systematic approach outlined in this episode offers a practical, affordable addition to your healing journey.

Remember that while castor oil is a powerful tool, it works best as part of a comprehensive approach to healing acne from within. Your skin communicates important messages about your internal health—listen to what it's trying to tell you and use these techniques as part of your journey toward lasting clear skin.

Under the age of 35?

Sign up for My FREE Clear Skin Masterclass. Click here to register now!

Over the age of 35?

Sign up for my FREE Clear Skin After 35 Masterclass. Click here to register now.

Leave a Review and Start my 7-Week Clear Skin Program for FREE:

To get immediate access to the first module of my 7-Week Clear Skin Program, leave a podcast review! Take a screen shot of your review and email it to [email protected] and you will be sent your login information!

Here's a short video showing how to leave a podcast review:
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Ever wondered why your skin suddenly started breaking out after 35? The culprit might be hiding in your hormones. As progesterone levels naturally begin to decline in your mid-30s, your skin becomes vulnerable to the unopposed action of androgens – the hormones directly responsible for triggering acne flares.

But here's the revelation that changes everything: this hormonal decline isn't inevitable. Your body isn't designed to malfunction! As a naturopathic doctor who spent years battling my own stubborn acne, I've discovered that declining progesterone signals deeper imbalances that need attention. When we address the root causes – oxidative stress, chronic infections, poor detoxification, insulin dysregulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction – we can restore your body's natural ability to ovulate optimally and produce the progesterone you need for clear, glowing skin.

The perimenopausal decade (roughly 35-45) represents a critical window of opportunity. By solving these underlying issues now rather than masking symptoms with quick fixes or bioidentical hormones, you're not just clearing your skin – you're setting yourself up for vibrant health for decades to come. I navigated my entire perimenopausal journey without a single blemish, and at 51, I feel better than I did in my 30s. This transformation is possible for you too.

Ready to understand what's really happening with your hormones and skin? Watch my free Clear Skin After 35 Masterclass where I dive deeper into the testing and protocols that have helped thousands of women heal from the inside out. Your body knows how to heal – sometimes it just needs the right support to remember.

Under the age of 35?

Sign up for My FREE Clear Skin Masterclass. Click here to register now!

Over the age of 35?

Sign up for my FREE Clear Skin After 35 Masterclass. Click here to register now.

Leave a Review and Start my 7-Week Clear Skin Program for FREE:

To get immediate access to the first module of my 7-Week Clear Skin Program, leave a podcast review! Take a screen shot of your review and email it to [email protected] and you will be sent your login information!

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The journey to clear skin takes a different path after 35. As women approach perimenopause, persistent acne and rosacea signal deeper imbalances that require specialized attention – not just hormone therapy.

Drawing from two decades of clinical experience testing thousands of patients, I've discovered why skin issues become more stubborn in midlife. Your body carries the cumulative effects of long-term imbalances: nervous system dysregulation, chronic infections, poor detoxification, compromised gut health, and metabolic changes that create the perfect storm for inflammatory skin conditions.

By age 35, a remarkable 95% of your thought patterns are hardwired into your subconscious, making nervous system healing more challenging yet profoundly transformative. I know this firsthand – after experiencing four stress-induced heart attacks in my forties, I had to rapidly rewire my nervous system or face life-threatening consequences. While it requires dedication, achieving this nervous system balance creates an extraordinary sense of freedom and resilience.

Most women don't realize that progesterone doesn't just "naturally tank" in perimenopause – it drops because multiple bodily systems aren't functioning optimally. This explains why bioidentical hormones alone often disappoint women with persistent acne. Hormones can certainly help, but they work best in a balanced body.

At 51, I've sailed through perimenopause with minimal symptoms because I've addressed these foundational issues. Midlife can actually become your most vibrant period once these imbalances are resolved. Your skin will clear, your energy will soar, and you'll be positioned to avoid the "crash" many women experience at menopause.

Ready to understand exactly what's happening in your body after 35 and how to fix it? Join my free Clear Skin After 35 Masterclass through the link in the show notes. The clock is ticking – healing these imbalances now will determine whether you struggle or thrive in the decades ahead.

Under the age of 35?

Sign up for My FREE Clear Skin Masterclass. Click here to register now!

Over the age of 35?

Sign up for my FREE Clear Skin After 35 Masterclass. Click here to register now.

Leave a Review and Start my 7-Week Clear Skin Program for FREE:

To get immediate access to the first module of my 7-Week Clear Skin Program, leave a podcast review! Take a screen shot of your review and email it to [email protected] and you will be sent your login information!

Here's a short video showing how to leave a podcast review:
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