In this episode of To The Root, the host for today is Abby Malloy, who sits down with Clear Skin Lab client Carita to discuss her long and emotional journey with cystic acne and the transition from conventional treatments to a functional, root-cause approach to healing.

After developing severe acne in her mid-20s, Carita found herself struggling not only physically, but emotionally as well. She shares how acne affected her confidence, daily life, and overall well-being, including the frustration and fear that remained even after completing a full course of Accutane. While conventional treatments initially provided temporary improvement, the acne eventually returned, leaving her searching for answers beyond symptom management alone.

Through comprehensive functional testing and personalized support, deeper imbalances were uncovered, including digestive dysfunction, gut imbalances, mineral deficiencies, chronic bloating, fatigue, and stress-related depletion that were contributing to both her skin concerns and overall health symptoms. Abby and Carita discuss the importance of addressing the body holistically and how foundational support for digestion, nutrient status, and gut health became key components of her healing journey.

They also explore the emotional side of healing chronic skin conditions, including the patience required when progress feels slow, the discouragement that can arise during setbacks, and the mindset shift necessary to move away from chasing quick fixes. Carita reflects on how personalized guidance, data-driven testing, and long-term foundational care helped her build confidence not only in her skin, but in her overall health.

Listen now!

Highlights

• Carita’s experience developing cystic acne in her mid-20s after previously having clear skin
• The emotional impact of chronic acne on confidence, mental health, and daily life
• Her experience with conventional acne treatments, including Accutane, antibiotics, and topical therapies
• Why symptom-based approaches failed to address the deeper causes of her skin concerns
• How functional testing uncovered digestive dysfunction, gut imbalances, and mineral deficiencies
• The connection between gut health, nutrient absorption, inflammation, and acne
• Why mineral support became a foundational part of improving energy, digestion, and skin health
• The importance of patience and consistency throughout a long-term healing journey
• How progress tracking and retesting helped provide reassurance during setbacks
• Why restrictive elimination diets were not the long-term solution for her healing process
• The role of practitioner guidance and personalized support in navigating chronic skin concerns
• How addressing overall health improved not only her skin, but also her energy, mood, and confidence
• Why true healing often requires supporting the entire body rather than focusing only on symptoms

Connect with Robyn:

Instagram: @nutritionbyrobyn

Website: https://www.theclearskinlab.com

In this episode of To The Root, the host for today is Abby Malloy, who sits down with Clear Skin Lab client Jamie to discuss her long journey with acne and the transition from conventional treatments to a functional, root-cause approach to healing. After years of relying on Accutane, birth control, topical treatments, antibiotics, lasers, and restrictive diets, Jamie found herself frustrated by temporary solutions that never addressed the underlying causes of her skin concerns.

Following the decision to come off birth control, Jamie experienced severe post-pill acne that significantly impacted her confidence and quality of life. Through comprehensive functional testing and personalized support, deeper imbalances were uncovered, including iron dysregulation, cortisol imbalances, digestive dysfunction, and mineral deficiencies that were contributing not only to her acne, but also to fatigue, poor sleep, and overall stress on the body.

Abby and Jamie discuss the foundational strategies that helped support lasting skin improvements, including prioritizing hydration, balancing meals, supporting digestion, improving stress resilience, and focusing on nutrient-dense foods rather than restrictive elimination diets. Jamie also shares the emotional side of struggling with chronic acne and how gaining a deeper understanding of her body transformed both her skin health and confidence.

This episode offers an encouraging perspective for anyone navigating persistent acne and highlights the importance of addressing the body holistically rather than relying solely on symptom-based treatments.

So, listen now!

Highlights:

• Jamie’s experience with acne began during puberty and worsened after stopping birth control
• The limitations of conventional acne treatments, including Accutane, antibiotics, and topical therapies
• Why temporary symptom management failed to address the root causes of her skin concerns
• How functional testing revealed iron dysregulation, cortisol imbalances, digestive dysfunction, and mineral deficiencies
• The connection between low iron, fatigue, and inflammatory acne
• The role of nutrition, hydration, digestion, and stress management in supporting skin healing
• Why a non-restrictive, nutrient-focused approach made long-term healing more sustainable
• The emotional impact of chronic acne and rebuilding confidence throughout the healing process
• How understanding the body holistically created lasting improvements in both skin and overall wellness

Connect with Robyn:

Instagram: @nutritionbyrobyn

Website: https://www.theclearskinlab.com

In this episode of To The Root, Robyn Spangler provides a clear, evidence-informed breakdown of three common skin concerns: the connection between H. pylori and acne, why breakouts often flare after travel, and the deeper physiological factors that can contribute to persistent neck acne.

Robyn explains how infections like H. pylori rarely occur in isolation—they often take advantage of underlying vulnerabilities such as low minerals, poor metabolic function, or digestive imbalance. She also explores the mechanisms behind post-vacation skin disruptions, from halogen exposure in water to microbiome shifts and changes in environmental toxicants.

For those struggling with neck acne, Robyn emphasizes the importance of evaluating the lymphatic system, iodine status, mineral balance, and gut health, rather than relying on generic or surface-level solutions. Her professional yet practical guidance underscores the core principle of functional dermatology: meaningful, lasting skin improvements come from addressing the internal terrain—not just the symptoms.

Listen now!

If you’re ready to understand your skin on a deeper level and want professional support in interpreting your labs or developing a personalized plan, the Clear Skin Lab team is here to help. Explore our Acne Lab Panel or connect with our clinicians for comprehensive, root-cause guidance tailored to your unique biology.

Highlights:

• The role of confirmed H. pylori in acne and why treatment often fails without addressing root vulnerabilities
• How mineral deficiencies, low stomach acid, metabolic dysfunction, and immune stress set the stage for recurrent infections
• Contributing factors that help pathogens persist, including Candida biofilms, heavy metals, and excess iron
• Why post-vacation breakouts occur: halogen exposure, microbiome disruption, digestive stress, or increased environmental toxicants
• The connection between lymphatic health, mineral status, and iodine levels in cases of neck acne
• The importance of personalized lab data when determining the underlying causes of chronic skin issues
• Why long-term skin healing requires a stepwise, root-cause approach—not quick fixes or one-size-fits-all protocols

Connect with Robyn:

Instagram: @nutritionbyrobyn

Website: https://www.theclearskinlab.com