Our latest Beauty Bosses are Danielle Gronich and Kayleigh Christina, Co-Founders of CLEARSTEM Skincare—an anti-aging and anti-acne stem cell-backed skincare line. After dealing with their own personal health struggles, Christina, a certified holistic nutritionist, joined forces with Gronich, a licensed clinical esthetician (also known as The Acne Guru), to create a safer and more effective alternative to traditional skincare.

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CLEARSTEM Skincare is free of hormone-disrupting ingredients and other toxins while targeting acne and aging simultaneously. In addition to a wide range of skincare products that include everything from serums to SPF, they also offer skincare tools, accessories, and supplements that heal skin from the inside out. Their award-winning product line is also vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.

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We chatted with Gronich and Christina, who shared the inspiration behind the brand, favorite beauty and wellness tips, and much more.

When was CLEARSTEM Skincare founded and what does the name mean?

Kayleigh: CLEARSTEM Skincare was founded in 2017. We decided on the name CLEARSTEM because it is the first stem-cell backed line that achieves both clear skin and better aging at the same time. “CLEAR” also means we are transparent with our ingredients and how we run our company as well—it’s all about authenticity.

What inspired the creation of the brand?

Kayleigh: I used to work in the corporate world and also as a holistic nutritionist. During this time I experienced a lot of different health issues, which led me to expand my knowledge about how what you put into your body affects your overall wellness. I felt a personal responsibility to share my findings with others so that they could also gain control of their own health.

I struggled with celiac disease, leaky gut, and, to top it all off, extreme cystic acne. I was able to get everything under control, except my acne. Despite consulting with various doctors, dermatologists, and skin specialists, I couldn't find a solution to clear my skin. I eventually discovered San Diego Acne Clinic and met Danielle, the owner of the clinic.

Under Danielle's guidance using a comprehensive, whole-body approach to skin wellness, I was able to clear my skin. Together we discovered there was an extreme lack of knowledge surrounding skin health and acne, and decided to turn our passion into a company, CLEARSTEM Skincare. We not only created a line that tackled both aging and acne, but also provided consumers with information about nutrition, hormones, supplements, and whole body wellness. 

Danielle: After years of struggling with acne for 15 years (and doing Accutane three separate times with no success), I finally got fed up with the traditional dermatology method of treating acne. The only real solutions offered were antibiotics, spironolactone, and Accutane—options which I had already exhausted. I studied biology, genetics, and immunology so I knew there were root causes of acne that weren’t being discussed- so I set out to figure it out!

I left the corporate consulting world to get my license as an esthetician and opened San Diego Acne Clinic after doing field research and working with other skin professionals. I was able to identify all of my triggers and create a playbook to evaluate and show others their triggers (sometimes up to 10 at once!). The clinic grew rapidly, and shortly thereafter I started doing product development with a reputable lab. I made an anti-acne stem cell serum and partnered with Kayleigh (a former clinic patient) to create a skincare line (CLEARSTEM Skincare).

Because people with acne don’t want toxic, drying  products that age them faster, we created a line where the formulas are simultaneously anti-acne and anti-aging! It has been a complete breakthrough in the industry and we are strong educators healing acne holistically when prescriptions have failed. The need to help others avoid what we went through is what motivated us!

Does CLEARSTEM have a hero product?

Danielle: Well, all of our products are amazing, but MINDBODYSKIN is one of our best-sellers!  It’s a daily capsule designed to clear and prevent acne at the source. It’s meant to be a non-toxic alternative to pharmaceuticals and it addresses acne in several ways by targeting multiple internal root causes simultaneously with a combination of DIM, vitamin B5, bioavailable vitamin A, glutathione, turmeric, and digestive enzymes.The ultimate goal for MINDBODYSKIN is to allow people the option to stop taking pharmaceutical drugs to combat acne or transition off birth control without fear.

What are your favorite products from the brand?

• Kayleigh’s favorite is the HYDRAGLOW moisturizer because it is so rich and hydrating, but causes zero congestion!

• Danielle’s favorite is MINDBODYSKIN as it has completely changed her life!

Where are your products sold?

Kayleigh: CLEARSTEM Skincare products are available on our website as well as on Amazon.

Future plans for the brand?

Danielle: We have lots of exciting innovation and new products in the future, including a Sulfur Spot + Mask Treatment we hope to launch by the end of the year. We are also excited to expand into acne-safe hair care. Our overall goal is to continue providing clean products without the toxic skin irritants and pore-clogging ingredients. 

Who inspires you?

Danielle: The person who has always inspired me most is Tim Ferriss. I have been listening to his podcast for years and always come away with new ways to think about complex situations.

Kayleigh: I find inspiration from so many  individuals. People like Gwyneth Paltrow, who has built a remarkable wellness brand and has such incredible versatility in her work; and entrepreneurs like Sara Blakely and Jamie Kern Lima, who have broken barriers and reshaped industries—inspire me. Most important are the people I choose to have in my inner circle, as their drive and creativity continually motivate me. Above all, my boyfriend is my greatest source of inspiration, supporting and encouraging me in all my endeavors. 

Secret to success?

Danielle: It is crucial that you learn how to communicate with your business partners early on in the process. Everyone has different styles of communication and different ways they handle conflict, so it's super important to get on the same page in the early days to limit problems down the line when things get really stressful. We actually have a co-founder therapist to help keep communication on point!

Kayleigh: It is so important to build a community around your brand, and a huge part of that is education. We really want to inform people about the internal and external causes of acne, and in turn that allows our consumers to really trust us. We are always sharing resources, and recommending products from brands that share our same ethos. We have a skincare learning center on our website, and all of our landing pages are meant to provide real value. By offering a lot of free education, we build loyalty with customers which ultimately drives revenue in the long run. 

Beauty secrets?

Danielle: Transition to clean line with no pore-clogging ingredients. Also learn how to dial in your exfoliation— not too much, not too little! And as always, a zinc-based SPF!

Kayleigh: Never wash your face with hot water. This is hands-down the number one thing wrecking your skin and aging you faster. 

Wellness tips? 

Kayleigh: I believe simple changes make the biggest impact. It's also easier to make small habit changes that create massive change over time:

• Drink more water. I know you hear this all the time, but drinking more water is one of the greatest things health wise that you can do for your body. You can also add sea salt for electrolytes to increase cellular hydration.

• Sleep quality > sleep quantity. It's not always about the amount of hours you get. Your body and cells do the most generation between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.. If you are missing these hours, you are missing quality sleep. If you're anything like me, you have a grind mentality. Something I always prioritize is quality sleep because I can't show up to do my best every day if I'm not feeling my best. 

• Prioritize your mental health. If you can't show up for yourself, you won't be able to show up for anyone else. You and your body are what are most important, which includes your mental health. Going to a therapist, energy healer, or even just talking things out with a friend can make a huge difference.

• Limit caffeine intake. Caffeine may seem like something that just gives you energy, but in reality it can spark anxiety and blood sugar levels for a lot of people. The combination of these two can put your body in a high-stress mode that can lead to poor sleep, inflammation, high levels of anxiety, and overeating. Limiting your caffeine intake can help you avoid that.

• Reframe to the positive. Life is full of twists and turns and it's never going to go the way you expect it to. When you learn to take things that seem to go “wrong” and find the learning lesson and positive experience from it, it shifts your mindset so you automatically start viewing anything negative as an opportunity to be positive. 

Best advice?

Kayleigh: 

• Pick what you say “Yes” to wisely. There are going to be a lot of opportunities and directions you can go in. Always lead with your gut and focus on your main priorities, and practice saying “No.” 

• There are going to be a lot of ups and down, so learn to pivot. Things are going to go really right sometimes and really wrong other times. Pivot when things go wrong. You'd be surprised how many amazing learning lessons come from that.

• It’s OK to grow slowly. Growing takes time. There are a lot of changes that happen along the way so be okay with growing slowly and making small adjustments along the way. Sometimes growing too fast doesn't allow for little tweaks and changes that can make a big difference.

Danielle: 

• Immediately get out of any contract or relationship that isn’t in your favor. We got ripped off by a website company and shipping company that took almost all our profit. We stayed with them way too long and should have cut ties months sooner.

• You will be ridiculously judged. The perks of being a CEO come with major pressure and constant self-scrutiny. Before you can feel good about your leadership, you’ll go through rollercoasters of emotion, wondering if you’re doing things right. 

• Make sure you have mentors that intimidate you. I like being thrown into the mix with the big companies. You learn a ton from the leaders who have built empires. Being shy about where you are is normal, but it also ignites a fire and shows you what the next level will look like and how to operate.

Favorite way to relax?

Danielle: I love getting massages and acupuncture. I do a self-care appointment at least once a week and it’s almost meditative where I can solve problems and think things through.

Kayleigh: Investing in my health which for me includes massages, ozone therapy, and energetic body work. I also like to “hibernate” over the weekends, where I leave my phone in another room and just “be.” Getting time off technology is the ultimate relaxation for me!

For more information, visit CLEARSTEM Skincare’s website and follow on Instagram: @clearstemskincare

[Photos courtesy of CLEARSTEM Skincare]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk