This season, FabFitFun is thrilled to introduce a truly groundbreaking brand: CLEARSTEM. We’re excited to highlight three powerhouses in Fall Add-Ons: the BOUNCEBACK Peptide Powerhouse Serum, CELLRENEW Collagen Stem Cell Serum, and HYDRAGLOW Stem Cell Moisturizer.
Our Senior Buyer of Skincare + Bath & Body, Teagan recently had the opportunity to sit down with brand founders Danielle Gronich and Kayleigh Christina to delve into the CLEARSTEM origin story, their distinctive product philosophy, and what makes their brand a genuine game-changer in the beauty industry.
The CLEARSTEM Origin Story
So, let’s kick things off at the very beginning! You both have such compelling personal stories that led to the creation of CLEARSTEM. Can you take us back to those early days and share what sparked the idea for a brand that tackles both acne and aging, especially given your own journeys?
K: I met Danielle because I was one of her acne patients myself! I was at my wits’ end trying to clear up hormonal acne without going on prescriptions. As an integrative nutritionist, I really wanted to get to the root of what was going on, but nothing worked until I found Danielle at the San Diego Acne Clinic.
She was able to help me clear up my severe hormonal acne in just two months AND prevent scarring. Her methods were unlike any others I had ever heard of before. Danielle and I really clicked and were on the same wavelength, so we decided to join forces and start CLEARSTEM to empower more people with this revolutionary—but common sense—approach to acne.
CLEARSTEM focuses on 1) no pore-clogging ingredients, ever in our topical products, and 2) solutions that are both internal and external, and 3) creating products that also help your skin age well, since many acne sufferers are well past their teen years!
We have extremely high standards with our formulations because we don’t want our customers to ever have to suffer the way we did.
Danielle, you’re known as “The Acne Guru” and have achieved an incredible 98% success rate in clearing patients’ skin at your San Diego Acne Clinic. For our readers who might not be familiar, that means nearly everyone who walks through your doors sees a significant improvement in their acne. And Kayleigh, your personal success story with Danielle’s holistic approach is so powerful. How did your individual expertise and experiences converge to form the unique vision behind CLEARSTEM?
D: Because both Kayleigh and I dealt with severe acne, we both really understand the mental and emotional toll that acne can take on someone’s life. We truly believe that clear skin changes everything — it’s not just a cosmetic or vanity issue. With CLEARSTEM, we are truly on a mission to help change people’s lives, and that’s what drives us every day. We are obsessed with getting the best results for our customers.
Our customers are always the first thing on our minds. When we created CLEARSTEM, it came out of a very honest place of realizing that what we needed for acne didn’t exist in the world. The products that WE wanted for our adult, acne-prone skin didn’t exist. And since we both had experience helping people heal through different methods, we were able to tap into that with creating CLEARSTEM products and a message that connected with people.
The concept of clean skincare and haircare with zero pore-clogging ingredients, while also preventing premature aging, feels revolutionary. What were some of the “aha!” moments or key discoveries that made you realize this was a gap in the market that CLEARSTEM could fill?
D: Having studied biology and having a deep understanding of ingredients led me to spot the issues in the current skincare landscape.
I knew that it was possible to create formulas that helped with acne and aging simultaneously, even though it had not been successfully done before.
In my clinic, one of the first things I do with any patient is have them bring in ALL the products they use on their skin (skincare, makeup, even haircare) and check the ingredient labels for pore-clogging ingredients. Pore-clogging ingredients are a huge acne trigger for acne-prone people, and it’s something that is hardly ever talked about. But the impact of pore cloggers is real, and the extremely high success rate of my patients at San Diego Acne Clinic is proof.
When Kayleigh became a patient, during those visits, we would end up talking for hours about the issues in conventional acne care: one was that pore-clogging ingredients were missing from the conversation. And Kayleigh’s passion for helping people heal using food and internal support was also a big part of those chats. Acne is an internal and external issue, so why wasn’t it being treated that way?
As adults with acne who want to age well, we were extremely frustrated with the fact that there weren’t products on the market that were safe for both acne and aging – normally, they cancel each other out. We noticed that many anti-acne products destroy your barrier and age you faster, while most anti-aging products break you out.
For us, we didn’t want to have to compromise, so that was a big pillar of our formulations at CLEARSTEM from the beginning.
The CLEARSTEM Product Philosophy
CLEARSTEM is known for targeting acne and aging simultaneously – a truly innovative approach. Can you share a bit about the science or philosophy behind how your products achieve both clear and youthful-looking skin?
K: When we started CLEARSTEM, we noticed that most anti-acne products age you, while most anti-aging products break you out.
But we didn’t want to compromise on either, so being both anti-acne and anti-aging has been a pillar for CLEARSTEM formulas from the beginning.
We achieve this by making sure our products are not drying or aggravating to the skin barrier. We also pack our formulas with collagen-stimulators like plant Stem Cells, Peptides, and Backhuoil. We always focus on making sure our products are really hydrating and soothing, even if they have active ingredients for acne in them.
We also formulate anti-aging products that are free from the pore cloggers found in many competitors. For example, our BOUNCEBACK Fine Lines serum contains Tri-Peptides with collagen stem cells to noticeably reduce signs of aging, and it’s safe for people with acne-prone skin.
Truly the best of both worlds!
Building a Stellar Team & Women in Leadership
I’ve had such a wonderful experience working with your Head of E-commerce, Emily Laats – she’s absolutely fantastic, and her passion for the products and brands is palpable! It’s clear you’ve built an incredible team around you. What’s your strategy for finding and nurturing such talented individuals?
K+D: That is so great to hear! We have focused on building a team based on our core values:
- Be One with the Customer
- Energetic and Solution Oriented
- Obsessed with Personal Mastery
- Communicate with Love and Respect
Our values are more than just lip service. We take them really seriously and focus on hiring people who truly embody our values, so that our team is not only talented but also aligned with our culture.
We have executive coaches on our team available to anyone who wants to utilize them, allowing them to focus on personal and professional development as much as they want. With a team that is focused on being the best version of themselves, it overflows into their work.
Also, almost everyone on our team has struggled with acne at some point in their life, which really helps us all be passionate about the purpose of CLEARSTEM.
Innovation & Future Vision
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of CLEARSTEM? Are there any new innovations, product categories, or initiatives you’re particularly passionate about exploring?
D+K: Yes, we have made an advanced brightening toner called BRIGHTMEUP® that is completely transforming people’s skin. It will be coming out in August! We’re extremely excited about it because most toners are underwhelming and can be damaging for the skin barrier. This one is a total game-changer for brightness, while helping support your skin’s hydration. We can’t wait for it to come out!
Finally, for someone just starting their CLEARSTEM journey, what’s one piece of advice you’d offer them for achieving their best skin ever?
D+K: Remove pore-clogging ingredients from your skincare, makeup, and haircare! You can check for pore-clogging ingredients with the Pore-Clogging Checker on our website.
Quick-Fire Fun!
Teagan: What’s your go-to song to listen to when you’re getting yourself pumped up for a big day?
Kayleigh: Oh gosh, so many, usually something punk rock from the late 90s/early 2000s or 2000 hip hop. It would have to be Anthem Part Two by Blink-182 or Country Grammar by Nelly.
Danielle: Yeah! by Usher
Teagan: Of course, what goes in your body affects your skin and outer glow as well. What’s your go-to healthy snack when you’re working?
Kayleigh: Bone broth or Rawr bars
Danielle: Dairy-free yogurt with chia seeds and cinnamon
Teagan: If you could give your younger, acne-struggling self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Kayleigh: My girlllllll, you got this, you are so loved, you are so valued, just stay curious, work hard, and use CLEARSTEM.
Danielle: Remove dairy and eggs from your diet and pore-clogging ingredients from any skincare products.
You can shop CLEARSTEM products in FabFitFun’s Fall Add-Ons Sale open now to Annual Members and opening August 14th for Seasonal Members.
Xx, The FabFitFun Team
