In this episode of The Experts Podcast, Dr. Jenelle Kim sits down with Danielle Gronich (The Acne Guru®) and Kayleigh Christina — co-founders of CLEARSTEM Skincare — to explore holistic acne solutions, pore-safe products, gut health, and hormonal balance. Learn how they built CLEARSTEM from the ground up, why acne is both internal and external, and the lifestyle tips they wish everyone knew for clear, healthy skin.

What you’ll learn:

• The connection between gut health, hormones, and acne
  
  
  
  


• Pore-clogging ingredients to avoid in skincare and makeup
  
  
  
  


• Why digestion and stress play a huge role in skin health
  
  
  
  


• How CLEARSTEM bridges clinical results with holistic wellness
  
  
  
  


• Insights from building a mission-driven skincare brand
  
  
  
  

Timestamps 

00:00 – Meet Danielle & Kayleigh: The CLEARSTEM Story

Dr. Jenelle Kim introduces Danielle Gronich and Kayleigh Christina, co-founders of CLEARSTEM Skincare. Danielle, known as The Acne Guru®, is a licensed clinical esthetician who founded the San Diego Acne Clinic after healing her cystic acne. Kayleigh, an integrative health practitioner and nutritionist, joined forces with Danielle to launch CLEARSTEM — the first pore-clogging-free skincare line that also addresses internal acne triggers.

03:40 – Childhood, Careers & How They Met

Danielle and Kayleigh share their childhood dreams, career paths, and how personal struggles with acne led them to create CLEARSTEM. Kayleigh opens up about growing up in Pittsburgh, hustling from a young age, and working for the Cleveland Cavaliers before discovering her passion for holistic health.

07:55 – The Turning Point: Healing Cystic Acne

Danielle details her journey through multiple failed Accutane rounds and harsh prescriptions, and how she turned to esthetics to heal herself. She explains the “aha” moment that led her to open the San Diego Acne Clinic — and eventually meet Kayleigh as a patient.

12:20 – Why Acne Is Both Internal and External

The founders explain why acne can’t be solved with topicals alone. They dive into how hormones, gut health, and digestion play a huge role — and why identifying pore-clogging ingredients is just as important as diet and lifestyle changes.

16:45 – Pore-Clogging Ingredients & Hidden Triggers

Danielle shares the top ingredients to avoid in skincare and makeup, like isopropyl myristate and ethylhexyl palmitate. She explains why these fillers are so common (and cheap) — and how they can sabotage even the best acne routines.

20:10 – Gut Health, Digestion & Eastern Medicine Tips

The conversation shifts to digestion and acne. Dr. Kim and Danielle break down why ice water can disrupt digestion, how hot lemon water supports gut health, and why Eastern medicine views dairy and eggs as major acne triggers.

24:00 – Supplements & Hormonal Support for Clear Skin

Kayleigh and Danielle discuss their hero product, Mind Body Skin — a hormonal acne supplement with DIM, vitamin A, turmeric, and milk thistle. They explain how it targets internal acne triggers like estrogen dominance, liver detoxification, and stress.

28:30 – Vitamin D, Zinc & Common Acne Mistakes

The founders discuss how certain “healthy” supplements can backfire — including high-dose vitamin D, zinc, and B12 — and why testing and balance are crucial. They emphasize the importance of checking bloodwork and avoiding self-prescription indefinitely.

33:10 – Building CLEARSTEM: From One Serum to a Movement

Danielle and Kayleigh share how CLEARSTEM started as a side project, filling bottles in their apartment, and grew into a brand trusted by thousands. They reflect on navigating business growth without outside investors and staying true to their mission.

37:15 – Entrepreneurship, Mindset & Manifestation in Action

The duo talks about their philosophy of “aligned action” — focusing on the next right step, enjoying the process, and staying rooted in community. They share lessons in resilience and why authenticity is key when building a wellness brand.

40:00 – What’s Next for CLEARSTEM

Danielle and Kayleigh reveal their upcoming brand refresh, new product launches, and plans for educating more people about holistic acne care.

Links & Resources

• CLEARSTEM Skincare: clearstem.com
  
  
  
  


• Follow CLEARSTEM on Instagram: @clearstemskincare
  
  
  
  


• Follow Danielle: @danielle.the.acne.guru
  
  
  
  


• Follow Kayleigh: @kayleigh.christina
  
  
  
  


• Dr. Jenelle Kim: @drjenellekim
  
  
  
  

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