Keep It Clear

S04E38. Why Your High Blood Pressure Is a Symptom, Not a Diagnosis with Mark Young

If you've been handed a blood pressure prescription and no explanation, this conversation will change what you ask at your next appointment. In this episode, Katie sits down with Mark Young, PhD, CEO of Zona and host of the Age Defiantly podcast, to talk about why heart health stops being a men's issue somewhere around age 45. They get into what happens to your blood vessels when estrogen production drops, why hypertension became its own diagnosis instead of a clue, and how the same root-cause thinking Katie uses for skin applies to your heart. From protein folding and why every drug label says "side effects may include," to the isometric hand grip research that came out of a US Air Force study on fighter pilots, Mark connects dots most people never see connected. If you've ever been told something is just part of getting older, this one's for you. In This Episode We Cover Why estrogen is one of the body's primary vasodilators and what happens to your blood vessels when production drops in perimenopause. How the same blood flow restriction that men act on immediately gets quietly accepted by women as normal aging. Why only about 10 percent of the body's proteins have been mapped, and what that means for the phrase "side effects may include." How hypertension became an insurance billing code, and why that single change stopped clinicians from looking upstream. The three-part mechanism behind isometric hand grip work: nitric oxide release, sodium to stop muscle spasm, and potassium to soften the endothelium. Why the endothelium behaves like a sponge, and what a hardened one does to your body's ability to regulate pressure. Connect with Mark Website: zona.com Podcast: Age Defiantly Instagram: @themarkyoung Discount code: KatieStewart for 100 dollars off at zona.com

S04E36. Functional Labs for Acne: Why Your "Normal" Blood Work Isn't Telling You the Whole Story

If your blood work keeps coming back "normal" but your skin, sleep, and hormones say otherwise, this episode explains exactly what's getting missed. In this episode, Katie and Cris pull back the curtain on the functional labs they've been using in their acne practice since 2020, long before anyone else was using them for skin. They break down why standard blood labs only capture a snapshot of one moment, how your body quietly buffers its blood chemistry to keep things looking "fine," and why that masking is the reason so many people feel awful with textbook-normal results. From the HTMA they run as a foundation, to the GI Map for gut, to the DUTCH for hormones, they walk through what each test actually reveals, the exact order they run them in, and why "more is more" testing usually just wastes your money. If you've ever been handed a clean lab report and told nothing's wrong, this one's for you. In This Episode We Cover Why your blood labs can look "normal" while deeper imbalances are quietly wrecking your skin. How your body buffers blood pH by pulling minerals from your bones and tissue (and why that hides deficiencies). What an HTMA reveals about your minerals, stress patterns, and heavy metal exposure that blood work never will. Why Katie and Cris always run an HTMA before a GI Map or a DUTCH. The top three mineral imbalances they see again and again in acne clients. Why starting with a DUTCH hormone test is usually a waste of your money (and when to actually run one). Resources & Links Mentioned The HTMA Testing Package The GI Map Testing Package The DUTCH Testing Package Functional Blood Lab Bundle (includes the full panel list to bring to your doctor plus the blood lab decoder) Gut Zoomer / Hormone Zoomer (mentioned for clients outside North America, a more comprehensive version of the GI Map and DUTCH) Work With Us + Connect Ready to start? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Need one-on-one help? The Clear Skin Solution includes an HTMA for every client plus custom protocols and support for your whole six-month journey. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E35. Nervous System First: Why Protocols Fail with Dylan Gemelli

You've got the probiotic, the binder, and the gut protocol, and your skin still isn't budging. This episode explains the step almost everyone skips. We sat down with Dylan Gemelli, host of The Dylan Gemelli Podcast, to talk about why nervous system regulation has to come before any protocol you run. Dylan shares the origin story behind his work (four-sport athlete, international model, two years in prison, a full rebuild at 30) and the emotional reset that changed how he approaches health. From what NAD actually does inside your cells to why injectable NAD doesn't work long term, to spore-based probiotics and why Cris caps most clients at four supplements, this one reframes what "doing everything right" actually means. If you're running protocol after protocol and nothing is sticking, start here. In This Episode We Cover Why a dysregulated nervous system keeps cortisol and inflammation high enough to stall every gut protocol you run. What NAD does inside the cell, and why straight injectable NAD is too large a molecule to get in and work long term. Why Dylan picks NMN over NR as a precursor, since NR has to convert to NMN before your body can use it anyway. How Dylan took his own NAD from 24 to 72 in two months, and why standard blood panels never check it. What makes a spore-based probiotic different, including shelf stability and surviving stomach acid to reach your gut intact. Why Cris caps most clients at four or five supplements, and how biofilms and endotoxins drive those "die-off" reactions. Resources & Links Mentioned: The Functional Blood Lab Bundle (for the "your labs are normal but you're not" conversation) The GI Map Testing Package The HTMA Testing Package The Dylan Gemelli NAD Optimization Protocol Powered by JINFINITI JINFINITI Save 15% site wide with code DYLAN Connect with Dylan Website: dylangemelli.com Instagram: @dylangemelli Podcast: The Dylan Gemelli Podcast YouTube: Dylan Gemelli Biohacking Work With Us + Connect Ready to start working on your skin? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E34. What Hundreds of Gut Tests Told Us About Your Acne

You don't need a $500 stool test to know something's off in your gut. Your symptoms have been telling you for years. In this episode, Katie and Cris break down the patterns they've seen over and over across hundreds of stool tests run on acne clients. They walk through the three umbrellas everything falls under: gut infections and overgrowths, broken-down digestion, and a leaky gut lining. From H. pylori and candida to low stomach acid and sluggish bile flow, they name the exact mechanisms connecting your gut to your skin, plus the everyday symptoms that point at an overgrowth long before a lab ever confirms it. They also get honest about why running a DUTCH before you've worked on your gut is usually wasted money. If you've been told your acne is "just hormonal," this one's going to reframe things. In This Episode We Cover Why H. pylori, candida, staph, and strep are the overgrowths showing up most often in acne clients. How low stomach acid opens the door for bacterial overgrowth and blocks the protein your skin needs to repair. What toenail fungus, a white tongue, and repeat yeast infections can tell you about what's living in your gut. Why your estrobolome decides how well you clear estrogen, and what that means for jawline breakouts. How sluggish bile flow starves your hormones of the fats they're built from. Why an HTMA is a smarter first test than a GI Map or a DUTCH when money is tight. Resources & Links Mentioned The Gut Reset (new self-paced gut protocol mini course) The GI Map Testing Package The HTMA Testing Package Work With Us + Connect Ready to start? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Need one-on-one help? The Clear Skin Solution includes an HTMA for every client plus custom protocols and support for your whole six-month journey. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E33. The Truth About "Acne Safe" Skincare Labels (And What They're Hiding) with Marlee Eyre

If you've been buying products labeled "acne safe" and still breaking out, the label might be the problem, not your skin. Katie and Cris sit down with Marlee Eyre, a former Clear Skin Solution client and the founder of Klenzera, an app that scans your skincare and makeup for pore-clogging ingredients. They get into why "non-comedogenic" and "acne safe" are unregulated marketing claims, where comedogenic ratings actually come from, and why foundations, moisturizers, and SPF are the sneakiest hiding spots for pore-cloggers. Marlee also shares her own journey through the program, from a bad breakout caused by detoxing before her pathways were ready, to the HTMA that showed her high mercury and lead. The big theme: ingredient awareness is about empowerment, not fear. In This Episode We Cover Why "non-comedogenic" and "acne safe" labels are unregulated marketing claims you can't fully trust. How comedogenic ratings are made, why they're sometimes based on decades-old studies, and why they vary across sources. Why your skin is not a catch-all, and how product ingredients can burden your liver and mimic your hormones. How foundations, moisturizers, and SPF become the biggest hiding spots for pore-clogging ingredients. Why concentration and placement on the ingredient list matter more than a single flagged ingredient. What Marlee's HTMA revealed about heavy metals and cortisol, and how it reshaped her acne journey. Resources & Links Mentioned Klenzera app: klenzera.com There's Lead in Lipstick by Gillian Deacon The HTMA Testing Package: The HTMA Testing Package Connect with Marlee Website: klenzera.com Instagram: @klenzera Work With Us + Connect Ready to start working on your skin? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E32. Why We Almost Said No to AI in Wellness (And What Changed Our Minds)

If you keep hearing that you "should be using AI" but have no idea what that actually looks like for your health or your business, this conversation pulls back the curtain. In this episode, Katie and Cris get real about how they're actually using AI behind the scenes at KSW, the good, the messy, and the parts that still freak Cris out. They cover everything from how Cris went from a hard no to cautiously on board, to the exact checklist they run before trusting AI with anything, to why you should never let it write your protocol unproofread. From training AI on Katie's entire body of work to building interactive tools that make clear skin support way more affordable, this one is a peek inside how a real wellness company is putting AI to work without losing the human part. If you're curious, skeptical, or a little of both, this episode is for you. In This Episode We Cover Why Cris spent a year as a hard no on AI, and the specific thing that finally brought her around. The exact checklist KSW runs before using AI, including why client files never go in and what HIPAA compliance actually means here. How Katie trained her AI on her book, blogs, emails, and podcast transcripts so it thinks like her "Katie brain." Why an unproofread, AI-generated protocol is so easy to spot, and the recurring errors AI makes on iron and mineral analysis. How the Acne Detox Copilot and Breakout Analyzer give you private, day-by-day support when one-on-one coaching isn't in the budget. Why Katie sees AI as the new "invention of the internet" moment and what that means for your health and your business. Resources & Links Mentioned The Acne Detox (home of the Acne Detox Copilot) The Clear Skin Coach Functional Blood Lab Bundle (includes the Blood Lab Decoder) Breakout Analyzer (free interactive tool) <<NEW LINK NEEDED>> Courses page (where all of Katie's tools and courses live) Work With Us + Connect Ready to start? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Need one-on-one help? The Clear Skin Solution includes an HTMA for every client plus custom protocols and support for your whole six-month journey. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E31. What "Third Party Tested" Actually Means on Your Supplements

That "third party tested" label on your supplements, peptides, and protein powder probably means a lot less than you think it does. In this episode, Katie and Cris get spicy on one of the most misunderstood phrases in the wellness world: "third party tested." Cris breaks down the four levels of testing, from a company grading its own homework to truly independent watchdog testing, and explains why the version on almost every bottle tells you nothing about whether the product is actually safe. From peptide purity tests that skip heavy metals, to what the FDA does and doesn't check, to mushroom powders that are mostly starch, to how Amazon's warehouse system lets counterfeits slip into brand-name listings, this one will change how you read a label forever. If you've ever bought something because it said "third party tested" and felt safe, this is the episode for you. In This Episode We Cover The four levels of testing and why "third party tested" sits closer to the bottom than you'd expect. Why a peptide can test 99.5% pure and still never get checked for mercury, lead, or arsenic. How the 1994 DSHEA law means the FDA doesn't approve supplements before they hit the shelf. Why the FDA inspects only about 5% of supplement facilities each year, in their own director's words. How "mycelium on grain" mushroom products can be 30 to 40% starch with almost no active compounds. Why Amazon's commingled inventory means even a brand's official listing can ship you a counterfeit. Resources & Links Mentioned ConsumerLab (independent supplement testing organization) Labdoor (independent supplement testing organization) Clean Label Project (independent testing and certification organization) NSF Certified for Sport (third-party certification to look for) USP Verified (third-party certification to look for) NOW Foods Quality & Safety (supplement brand that publicly tests supplement quality and publishes testing results, including investigations into counterfeit products sold on Amazon) NOW Foods Amazon Authenticity Guide (how to identify authentic NOW Foods products when shopping on Amazon) The HTMA Testing Package The DUTCH Testing Package Work With Us + Connect Ready to start working on your skin? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E30. The Real Reason Your Acne Isn't Clearing (Even Though You're Doing Everything)

If you feel like you're doing all the things for your skin and still stuck, this episode is the reset you need. In this episode, Katie and Cris get real about why "doing all the things" usually isn't the answer for clearing your skin. They break down the free, boring, daily foundations most people skip or do in the wrong order, why being educated isn't the same as being accurate, and why the body has a built-in order it needs before skin can change. From under-eating and the shiny object trap to lifestyle stacking and tracking your non-skin wins, this one will talk you off the ledge the next time you feel like you need to add one more thing. If you've ever thought "I'm not doing enough," keep this episode in your back pocket. In This Episode We Cover Why "I'm already doing all of this" is the most common thing they hear, and what's usually actually happening. How being educated from podcasts and social media doesn't mean the information is accurate or applied correctly. Why the order you add things in matters more than how much you add (the body's co-reliance on certain mechanisms). What under-eating and under-hydrating actually do to your energy, immune system, and anxious-like behaviors. Why your skin is last in line to change, and the non-skin wins to track instead. How to slow down, simplify, and integrate one foundation at a time so it actually sticks. Resources & Links Mentioned Clearer Skin in 30 Days (the first four weeks of foundations Katie walks private clients through) The HTMA Testing Package Work With Us + Connect Ready to start? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Need one-on-one help? The Clear Skin Solution includes an HTMA for every client plus custom protocols and support for your whole six-month journey. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E28. Client Journey: Monique on Acne, Gut Healing, and Why Slow Progress Still Counts

If you've been doing everything right and your skin still isn't where you want it, Monique's story is the reminder you need that slow progress is still progress. In this episode, Katie and Cris sit down with Monique, one of Cris's clients in The Clear Skin Solution, to walk through a year-long healing journey that was anything but linear. They get into how her acne work opened the door to deeper gut healing, why H. pylori and a mysterious bloating pattern needed more than a food-elimination approach, and how specialized lab testing finally gave her answers when standard advice kept falling short. Monique also shares how nervous system regulation became the biggest lever of all, and why learning to feel safe around food changed everything. From migraines to bowel health to a vacation that proved her body was finally responding, this one is full of hope for anyone who feels like their case is "too complicated." In This Episode We Cover Why Monique's journey took a full year and how the "time, patience, and consistency" trifecta made the difference. How a mysterious gas and bloat pattern pointed to something deeper than a single food trigger. Why nervous system regulation turned out to be the single biggest lever in clearing her skin and calming her gut. How specialized lab testing (viral markers, thyroid, liver, and more) gave answers that standard advice missed. What happened on a relaxed four-day vacation that proved her body was finally responding. Why food fear and symptom reactivity feed each other, and how structured reintroductions helped break the loop. Resources & Links Mentioned The HTMA Testing Package Functional Blood Lab Bundle Work With Us + Connect Ready to start? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Need one-on-one help? The Clear Skin Solution includes an HTMA for every client plus custom protocols and support for your whole six-month journey. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

SO4E27. Our Biggest Pet Peeves in the Health and Wellness Industry (And Why They Matter for You)

If you've ever watched a wellness influencer's 3-hour morning routine and felt like you'll never measure up, this episode is your permission slip to let that go. In this episode, Katie and Cris throw out their planned topic and get spicy and unfiltered about their biggest pet peeves in the health and wellness space. They get into why "perfect routine" influencer content quietly makes people feel inadequate, why Cris thinks affirmations actually support a lie for most people (especially anyone with acne), and why visualization works where repeating "I am beautiful" falls flat. They go from the toxic pressure for practitioners to look and live perfectly, to the body shaming and cruel comments Katie has faced about her weight and fertility, to the algorithm that quietly rewards online cruelty. If you've ever felt like you're not doing health "right," this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. In This Episode We Cover Why the 3-hour, 46-step influencer routine is quietly making people feel like they can't be healthy at all. How inadequacy is the hidden root underneath almost every wellness pet peeve they name. Why Cris says affirmations "support a lie" for most people, and what she has them do instead. The difference between repeating "I am beautiful" and actually visualizing the feeling you're after. Why "you're thin, so you're legit" is one of the most damaging standards in wellness. How the algorithm rewards nasty comments, and the one question to ask before you leave one. Resources & Links Mentioned The Secret (book Katie read at age 12, mentioned in the affirmations conversation) Julie Daniluk (Canadian nutritionist Katie worked for starting in 2015) Kathleen Cameron (mentioned for dropping affirmations in the manifestation space) Work With Us + Connect Ready to start? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Need one-on-one help? The Clear Skin Solution includes an HTMA for every client plus custom protocols and support for your whole six-month journey. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E26. GLP-1s and Your Skin: What Ozempic Is Really Doing (And What Happens When You Stop)

If you've been quietly wondering whether a GLP-1 like Ozempic is the answer, and what it might do to your skin, this is the honest, no-judgment breakdown nobody's giving you. In this episode, Katie and Cris take a fully neutral, education-first look at GLP-1s and your skin. They break down what GLP-1 actually is (a hormone your body already makes), what the medication does differently, and what really happens in those first months and when you stop. From slowed digestion and rapid fat loss to the gut, the liver, and your minerals, they connect every dot to the skin. Then they walk through how to support your body whether you choose to take one or not, including the natural compounds that work on the same pathways. If you've felt the pull of a quick fix, or you're just curious, this one will help you make an informed choice for your own body. In This Episode We Cover What GLP-1 actually is and why your gut already makes it after every meal. Why the medication's signal lasts days instead of the natural one to two minutes. What happens to your appetite, weight, and blood sugar when you stop, and why ghrelin can rebound. How slowed digestion and rapid fat loss can show up as new breakouts and changed skin. Why bile flow and your microbiome are make-or-break for skin, on or off a GLP-1. The natural compounds (berberine, Ceylon cinnamon, sodium butyrate) that work on similar pathways. Resources & Links Mentioned The HTMA Testing Package The GI Map Testing Package Berberine (mentioned as a natural support for blood sugar regulation and the gut microbiome, short-term use) Ceylon cinnamon (mentioned for post-meal insulin sensitivity) Sodium butyrate (mentioned for gut lining support and GLP-1 release) ConcenTrace Trace Minerals (mentioned for mineral repletion and hydration) Work With Us + Connect Ready to start? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Need one-on-one help? The Clear Skin Solution includes an HTMA for every client plus custom protocols and support for your whole six-month journey. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E25. H. pylori: The Stomach Bug Secretly Destroying Your Skin and Hormones

Over 50% of people have H. pylori and have no idea — and it could be the root cause behind your acne, fatigue, and hormone chaos. Katie and Cris are finally dedicating a full episode to one of the most common findings on their clients' GI maps: H. pylori. In this episode, they break down what H. pylori actually is, how you pick it up, why it's so hard to get rid of, and the very real damage it does to your stomach acid, nutrient absorption, hormones, and skin. They also get into why antibiotics alone often don't work, what a proper eradication protocol actually looks like, and why rebuilding after is just as important as clearing it in the first place. In This Episode We Cover What H. pylori is, how it survives in the stomach, and why so many people have it without knowing. The sneaky symptoms that could be pointing to an active H. pylori infection. Why low stomach acid, iron deficiency, and acne are all connected to H. pylori. How to test for H. pylori and why functional stool testing gives you a clearer picture. Why antibiotics alone often fail and what a natural eradication approach looks like. The critical rebuilding phase most people skip that keeps them stuck in the cycle. Resources & Links Mentioned The GI Map Testing Package Gut Zoomer Testing Package Work With Us + Connect Ready to start working on your skin? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E24. Why Holistic Acne Healing Doesn't Work for Everyone (And How to Know If It's You)

If you've tried everything for your skin and you're wondering whether a holistic, root-cause approach is worth your money, this episode is the honest gut-check no one gives you. In this episode, Katie and Cris get real about something most practitioners won't say out loud: the holistic, inside-out approach to clearing acne isn't for everyone. After more than a decade and thousands of clients, they break down exactly who this kind of work fits and who it doesn't, from the mindset traits that predict results to the patterns that quietly sabotage them. They cover why this isn't a quick supplement swap, why "busy" isn't the disqualifier you think it is, and what a realistic clearing timeline actually looks like. If you want to make sure you're spending your money on something that'll actually help, this one's for you. In This Episode We Cover Why the holistic acne approach works beautifully for some people and falls flat for others. The three traits Katie and Cris see in every client who gets great results. Why "I've tried everything and nothing works" is the mindset most likely to keep you stuck. How self-sabotage and staying comfortable in your discomfort quietly block your skin progress. Why this work leans more on lifestyle than on food or supplements (and why that surprises people). The realistic clearing timeline, from the 6-week anomalies to the clients who needed two years. Work With Us + Connect Ready to start? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Need one-on-one help? The Clear Skin Solution includes an HTMA for every client plus custom protocols and support for your whole six-month journey. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E23. Chronic Acne & Mold Toxicity: The Missing Piece You Haven't Considered

If you've tried everything and your skin still won't clear, mold exposure might be the piece nobody's looked at yet. Katie and Cris are diving into one of the most overlooked root causes of chronic acne: mycotoxin burden. In this episode, they break down what mycotoxins actually are, how mold exposure silently disrupts your gut, liver, and hormones, and why your skin keeps flaring even when you're doing all the right things. They also cover where mold hides (including in your food and supplements), who's most susceptible, and why this is absolutely not a DIY protocol situation. In This Episode We Cover What mycotoxins are and how they create a total body burden long after exposure is gone. How mold disrupts the gut lining, microbiome, and drives that chronic skin inflammation. The gut, liver, and hormone triangle and why mold throws all three off at once. Common signs of mycotoxin burden you might not be connecting to your skin. Why mold triggers histamine reactions, mast cell activation, and inflammatory breakouts. What testing options are available and why working with a practitioner is non-negotiable. Resources & Links Mentioned The GI Map Testing Package The HTMA Testing Package Work With Us + Connect Ready to start working on your skin? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E22. The Real Reason You're Not Sleeping (And What to Do About It)

Sleep isn't just rest, and if you're struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep, your body is trying to tell you something. Katie and Cris are getting into one of the most common issues they see with clients: sleep. In this episode, they break down what your body is actually doing while you sleep, why so many people are stuck in that wired-but-tired cycle, and what's really driving the problem — from blood sugar crashes and mineral imbalances to cortisol patterns and gut health. They also walk through their sleep supplement ladder so you know exactly what to try and when, without jumping straight to melatonin. In This Episode We Cover What your body is actually doing while you sleep and why cutting it short matters. The three main types of sleep issues and what each one is signalling in the body. How blood sugar instability, minerals, and cortisol patterns disrupt your sleep. Bedtime hygiene habits that make a bigger difference than any supplement. The sleep supplement ladder: from magnesium glycinate to melatonin and everything in between. What functional tests can reveal about why your sleep won't stabilize. Resources & Links Mentioned The DUTCH Testing Package The GI Map Testing Package The HTMA Testing Package Functional Blood Lab Bundle Traditional Medicinals Nighty Night Tea Traditional Medicinals Cup of Calm Tea NFH Melatonin Spray Work With Us + Connect Ready to start working on your skin? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E21. Hormonal Acne & Your Cycle: Why Your Skin Changes Every Week

If your skin looks like three different people in a month, you're not imagining it, and your cycle is the reason why. In this episode, Katie and Cris break down the four phases of your menstrual cycle and what each one is actually telling you about your skin. They cover the quick hormone 101 (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and the wildcard cortisol), what breakouts mean in each phase based on where they show up, and why the week before your period is the real stress test for your whole body. From jawline cysts to chin breakouts to that "good skin week" that vanishes, this episode will completely change how you read your cycle. In This Episode We Cover Why your skin reacts to the ratio between your hormones, not just one hormone at a time. What's happening in your menstrual phase and why leftover cysts from your luteal phase show up here. Why breakouts in your follicular phase ("good skin week") are a red flag for deeper imbalances. How the testosterone spike at ovulation drives chin and jawline breakouts, especially with PMOS or blood sugar instability. Why the luteal phase amplifies every imbalance already in your body and how to support it through the week before your period. The hidden drivers that get blamed on hormones but are actually gut dysbiosis, sluggish detox, or blood sugar dysregulation. Resources & Links Mentioned The Cycle Almanac Clearer Skin in 30 Dayshttps://katiestewartwellness.com/lp/acne-face-mapping The HTMA Testing Package The DUTCH Testing Package The GI Map Testing Package Acne face mapping guide Work With Us + Connect Ready to start working on your skin? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E20. The Real Reason You're Iron Deficient: What Your Doctor Missed

Getting told your iron is low and handed a supplement isn't the whole story — and for a lot of people, it's actually making things worse. Katie and Cris are diving deep into one of the most misunderstood minerals out there: iron. In this episode, they break down everything iron actually does in the body (hint: it's way more than energy), why low iron is rarely just about low iron, and why blindly supplementing without understanding the root cause can backfire fast. From gut infections and low stomach acid to estrogen dominance and pathogen load, this episode will completely change the way you look at your iron labs. In This Episode We Cover What iron actually does in the body beyond energy and oxygen transport. Why low stomach acid is one of the most overlooked reasons you can't absorb iron. How gut infections like H. pylori, candida, and parasites steal your iron. Why supplementing iron with an active gut infection can make things worse. What a complete iron panel actually looks like and which markers matter. How heavy periods and estrogen dominance contribute to iron depletion. Resources & Links Mentioned The GI Map Testing Package The HTMA Testing Package Functional Blood Lab Bundle Work With Us + Connect Ready to start working on your skin? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E19. The Simple Habits Clearing Acne That Nobody Talks About

Katie and Cris are breaking down the lifestyle fundamentals that quietly make or break your skin (and why most people skip right past them in search of the next big thing). From how well you're chewing your food to when you're eating it, these are the foundational habits that support blood sugar, digestion, hormones, and yes, your skin. Simple, free, and wildly underrated — this episode is your reminder that the basics work when you actually do them. In This Episode We Cover Why chewing your food properly is the most underrated act of digestion. How hydration actually works at a cellular level (and why coffee doesn't count). The fruit rule and how food combining can reduce bloating and improve digestion. Why meal timing matters for blood sugar, cortisol, and acne. The PFF method (protein, fiber, fat) for stable blood sugar and clearer skin. How to start stacking these habits one at a time without getting overwhelmed. Resources & Links Mentioned Clearer Skin in 30 Days The Clear Skin Coach AI Work With Us + Connect Ready to start working on your skin? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

S04E18. The Truth About Trendy Skincare: What to Look for in Clean Products

Katie and Cris sit down with Lindsay Nahmiache, CEO of Veriphy Skincare, a Canadian-founded, science-backed brand born out of research at the University of Guelph. In this episode, they get into why ingredient quality matters more than marketing hype, how to spot a white-labelled skincare product, and why less is genuinely more when it comes to your skin. Lindsay also shares what makes Canadian skincare standards different, why fragrance is a hormone disruptor you'll want to ditch, and how the skincare industry is finally starting to shift toward science and simplicity. In This Episode We Cover What photoglycogen (phytospherics) is and why it's a game-changing hydration ingredient. The problem with celebrity and influencer skincare brands and what to watch out for. Why layering too many active ingredients can actually damage your skin. How Canadian skincare regulations hold brands to a higher standard than the US. The skin minimalism trend and why your skin doesn't need 15 steps. What to look for when choosing a clean, effective skincare product. Resources & Links Mentioned Veriphy Skincare: veripyhskincare.com Discount code: KEEPITCLEAR25 (valid until Dec 1, 2026) Follow Veriphy on Instagram: @veriphyskincare Work With Us + Connect Ready to start working on your skin? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏

• Transcript

S04E17. Acne Detox for Spring: Support Your Body the Right Way

Katie and Cris are back with a timely episode all about what an acne detox actually means (hint: it's not a juice cleanse). They break down the key detoxification organs, why the liver and skin are so deeply connected, and why aggressive detox protocols can do more harm than good. From daily hydration habits to nervous system support and seasonal eating, this episode is packed with simple, sustainable ways to keep your detox pathways flowing all spring long. In This Episode We Cover Why spring is the ideal season to support your body's detox pathways. The key detoxification organs and what happens when they get overwhelmed. How a sluggish liver shows up on your skin (and what to do about it). Simple daily lifestyle habits that support detox without the harsh protocols. The best teas, bitter foods, and seasonal ingredients for gentle liver support. Why detox is a daily rhythm, not a one-time event. Resources & Links Mentioned NEW COURSE: The Acne Detox: Clear the Breakouts Your Cleanser Can’t Touch Work With Us + Connect Ready to start working on your skin? Clearer Skin in 30 Days is your next step. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiestewartwellness Loved this episode? Leave us a review, it truly helps more people find the show! 🙏