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Winter can be harsh on our skin. Cold temperatures, dry air, and low humidity often lead to dryness and irritation. But with a holistic approach, your skin can stay healthy and nourished this season.  

To help, we spoke with Kayleigh Christina, an Integrative Health Practitioner, Nutritionist, and co-founder of CLEARSTEM, and Hannah Derrickson, an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, and Acne Lab Specialist at CLEARSTEM. 

In this Q&A, Kayleigh and Hannah share their expert tips for winter skincare, the importance of nutrition in skin health, and their inspiring journey from IIN to building CLEARSTEM, a holistic skincare brand committed to making clean, research-backed products free of hormone disruptors and pore-cloggers, formulated to target both acne and aging.  

The IIN Experience 

IIN: How did your IIN education shape your journey in the skincare industry? 

Hannah: IIN was the launching pad for my career in the wellness space, and it was here that I first discovered how nutrition extends far beyond the food we eat. I learned that everything—from our environment and relationships to our daily routines—plays a pivotal role in our health and therefore, our skin!  

Kayleigh: My IIN education was truly foundational in shaping how I approach skincare. I learned that everything in the body is interconnected, and that skin issues like acne are rarely just "skin deep." This holistic perspective led me to prioritize uncovering the root causes of skin issues, from nutrition and hormone health to stress and lifestyle factors. It gave me the tools to approach skincare as part of a larger wellness puzzle, which is exactly what we’ve integrated into CLEARSTEM’s philosophy. 

Winter Skincare Tips 

IIN: What are the most common skincare challenges people face during the winter and what protective steps can we take to protect our skin? 

Hannah: As the weather changes, so can your skin! I find it to be quite intuitive. Just as our bodies crave warm, nourishing, and easily digestible foods during this time, our skin also needs extra recovery, hydration, and restoration to stay balanced and healthy. 

 Kayleigh: During winter, the most common challenges are dryness, flakiness, and irritation due to colder temperatures and low humidity. To combat this, it’s essential to layer hydration and barrier-supporting products and always use sunscreen, as UV rays are still strong in winter.  

In the CLEARSTEM collection of products it would be products like CELLRENEW, GOLDENHOUR, HYDRAGLOW, and YOUARESUNSHINE. Additionally, incorporating a humidifier into your space and drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. 

Holistic Skin Health from the Inside Out 

IIN: What’s unique about CLEARSTEM's approach to addressing both internal and external skincare? 

Hannah: What you apply to your skin can have a profound impact on your body internally, and conversely, what’s happening inside your body can manifest on your skin. Skin issues are often signals from your body, urging you to look deeper—whether that means reassessing the external products you’re using or doing tests to uncover any internal imbalances that may need attention.  

Kayleigh: CLEARSTEM is the only skincare brand that’s 100% anti-aging and anti-acne while also addressing the root causes of acne from the inside out. We combine cutting-edge clean skincare with education about nutrition, lifestyle, and hormone health to empower our community to take a holistic approach. It’s not just about topical solutions; it’s about addressing what’s going on internally that might be driving skin issues. 

Nutrition and Skin Health 

IIN: Can you recommend key ingredients, products, food, or supplements that are particularly effective for skincare during the colder months? 

Hannah: Staying hydrated is essential for healthy, glowing skin, and I make it a priority with BodyBio E-lyte every day. It's one of our go-to electrolytes because it’s free from stevia, which can sometimes trigger acne flare-ups. Supporting the body with healthy fats is also key for skin health, and we love Activation Pumpkin Seed Oil. It's packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and provides a powerful dose of whole food zinc to support your immune system. 

This time of year is also perfect for incorporating teas to nurture your skin. If you struggle with hormonal acne, especially along the jawline, Spearmint Tea can work wonders. Another favorite of ours is Milk Thistle Tea, which is fantastic for liver detox and overall skin clarity. 

When it comes to skincare products, I can't get enough of CLEARSTEM’s new barrier-supporting oil, GOLDENHOUR. It’s a game-changer for keeping the skin nourished and protected! 

Kayleigh: For the skin, hydrating, barrier restoring, and calming ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, arnica, and peptides are game-changers during the colder months. These are products like BOUNCEBACK, GOLDENHOUR, and HYDRABERRY. Internally, I love all of Hannah’s tips she provided - I definitely do a lot of these myself! 

Simple Steps for Better Skincare 

IIN: For someone starting to rethink their skincare routine, what are three steps they can take this winter and year-round? 

Hannah: First, support your liver. A healthy liver plays a crucial role in detoxifying the body, which can directly impact the clarity and appearance of your skin. Consider incorporating liver-supportive foods like milk thistle, dandelion root, or a liver-support supplement to help the body naturally detoxify. Second, consume healthy fats and high-quality animal protein. Healthy fats are essential for maintaining skin hydration and elasticity. High-quality animal protein, rich in amino acids, is key for repairing and regenerating skin cells, helping to keep your complexion strong and resilient.  

Lastly, focus on your skin’s barrier health. Your skin's barrier is your first line of defense against environmental stressors, which we are exposed to daily. In winter, it’s especially important to keep the barrier intact by using nourishing, barrier-repairing products like oils and gentle moisturizers. 

Kayleigh: First, remove any products with pore-clogging ingredients—this is a game-changer for acne-prone skin. Second, prioritize hydration with a non pore-clogging moisturizer and hyaluronic acid serum to keep your skin barrier strong. Third, stop washing your face in hot water - it is extremely damaging to your skin and no healing can happen in an inflamed and damaged environment. It also dries out your skin, making it more irritated. 

The Future of Skincare 

IIN: What’s next for CLEARSTEM, and how do you hope to continue helping people improve their skin and overall wellness? 

Hannah: We’ve just wrapped up our first full year of the Acne Lab Panel & CLEARSTEM Membership, and we’re beyond excited for what’s to come! As we look ahead, our focus will be on continuing to empower our members with even more education, support, and potentially deeper testing. Our ultimate goal is to give our community the tools and knowledge to heal their acne while helping them understand how deeply interconnected the body truly is. 

Your skin is a reflection of what’s happening inside your body—it's like your body’s billboard. When we listen to what it’s telling us, and take the time to look deeper, we’re not only addressing acne but also supporting your overall health and well-being. The journey to clear skin is about so much more than just the surface. 

Kayleigh: I second Hannah with the excitement of one full year running acne-specific blood work through our Acne Lab Panel - this has been a game-changer for so many people. It has transformed the understanding of and addressing skin health at the root. Beyond that, more transformative products launching in 2025 support clearing acne through foundational support! 

A Shared Passion for Wellness 

IIN: Do you have any advice for IIN students or grads looking to break into the skincare industry? 

Hannah: Take the leap and put yourself in the right rooms! I’ll never forget the moment I got off the phone with an admissions counselor and made the commitment to IIN. Looking back, I honestly can’t imagine where I’d be if I hadn’t taken that step. The first time I met Kayleigh—we instantly bonded over being IIN grads and our shared passion for wellness. Two years later, here we are, and I’m beyond grateful for IIN and the incredible people it’s connected me with along the way. 

Kayleigh: Absolutely! Focus on how your unique perspective can add value to the industry. Health is deeply personal, and there’s so much power in combining holistic health knowledge with addressing certain concerns. Take time to understand the mind-body connection, and stay authentic. People resonate with brands and individuals who truly care about their well-being. Never stop learning and don’t be afraid to carve out your own space in the industry. 

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