Dani On The Loose

  • HOME
  • START HERE
    • START HERE
    • Affiliate Disclosure
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
    • Vegan Nutrition FAQs
    • Plant based Recipes
    • Clean Beauty
    • Travel
    • City Restaurant Guides
    • Nontoxic Home
    • Sakara
    • DOTERRA ESSENTIAL OILS
  • Discount Codes
  • SEARCH

How I Healed My Chronic Acne Naturally

January 9, 2021

how-i-healed-my-chronic-acne-naturally-dani-on-the-loose

Hi guys! Ok so, let’s just dive right in. My skin story. I feel like this post has been a long time coming! I’m honestly super nervous to be this vulnerable with you but as cheesy as it may sound, I know deep down that this will help so many people who may be in the same boat I was – struggling with…dun dun dun…ACNE.

Yes, I have talked about this here and there on Instagram or the blog and a lot with my one on one clients, but today I’m giving you my whole story of how I healed myself from a lifelong chronic struggle with acne. I’m turning 30 this fall and I’m forever going to work to manifest no more breakouts. Mark my words! But, let’s start with my background and the laundry list of things I’ve tried. I’m sure you can relate to some of these, if not ALL.

 

How I Healed My Chronic Acne Naturally

Before pictures are from a few bad flare ups in the last 2 years. After pictures are of my skin in the last 3 months. No filters or makeup. I tried to dig up some old pictures from when I was going through a flare up in high school or college but I tended to hide it really well. 

How I Healed My Chronic Acne Naturally

 

MY SKIN BACKGROUND

I started getting breakouts specifically of whiteheads and inflammatory acne when I was about 13 and a freshman in highschool. I know, TYPICAL. To be clear, I did not suffer from a lot of cystic acne, more so blemishes all over my T-zone. The breakouts would come and go every few months throughout the years. Sometimes really bad and sometimes not that bad, and I never quite had clear skin.

I kept thinking I would outgrow it. Over the course of the next 16 years I visited countless dermatologists, doctors, estheticians, naturopaths, and more. You name it, I’ve probably tried it- sulfur scrubs, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, ProActiv, Retinol, Doxycycline, antibiotics, spironolactone, Accutane, chemical peels, extraction facials, microdermabrasion, multiple diets, detoxes, and more. And what’s funny is I actually have very sensitive, fair skin. Yet for YEARS I stripped it and scrubbed it dry.

MY SKINCARE HOLY GRAIL

No matter what I did I couldn’t seem to get my acne flare ups under control. That is, until I combined these three things: 1) a whole foods, gluten free and plant-based diet, 2) a natural skincare regimen, and 3) visualization meditations. I worked to improve gut and hormonal imbalances and manage stress while removing prescription drugs from the dermatologist and switching to a clean skincare routine without any sort of topical drying agents like retinol, benzoyl, salicylic acid, etc.

GOING PLANT-BASED

When I first went plant-based back in 2016, I immediately noticed a shift not only in the health of my skin but how I felt everyday in my whole body. I lost weight, had more energy, barely got sick EVER after suffering from chronic sinusitis (another story for another time), and overall felt like I had been woken up after being asleep at the wheel my whole life. There was this new found energy and feeling of purpose. I had no idea I could feel this good everyday and that I had been living my life everyday just feeling ok.

Thanks to my new diet, over the next few years my skin was better than it had been since I was 13. I didn’t have to take any medications from the dermatologist and I could handle any flare ups with over the counter cleansers containing just some sort of low dose of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. 

WHY IT’S OK TO TAKE A PRESCRIPTION DRUG

Then, out of nowhere I got a really bad flare up when we moved to California a few years ago. I finally got so fed up that I went to a few dermatologists for the first time in over 3 years. When I finally landed on one, they insisted a low dose of spironolactone in combination with  a sulfur based cleanser would do the trick. Ugh.

I really DID NOT WANT TO TAKE the spironolactone. Plus, I had already taken this drug before in the past during a bad flare up. I really did not want to take anything internally because when my Mom got diagnosed with stage 4 cancer back in 2011 (almost 10 years ago at this point!), I went full force on switching to a nontoxic lifestyle and swore I would avoid prescription drugs at all costs. No more birth control or z-packs for me. I was going au naturale. 

But I think this is an important piece of my skin story that I wanted to share- hear me when I say this because it may surprise you. It’s OK to turn to a prescription drug sometimes to help your symptoms. *CAVEAT* But the long term solution to your problem needs to also incorporate nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. 

HOW MY SKIN AFFECTED ME EMOTIONALLY

My skin has affected my self confidence so bad that I have experienced what I believe to be mild depression and major self esteem issues. If getting a prescription from the dermatologist is going to help clear your skin while you work on making healthy lifestyle changes, I 100% SUPPORT THAT. 

On top of this, I felt some shame in turning to a prescription drug again for my skin and I know now I should not have felt this guilt. For myself and my mental health, I had to do it. I don’t want to waste one more day hiding in my house, not letting my husband hang out with me, or not going to dinner with my friends solely because I am embarrassed of my appearance.

And if you’re out there right now, in that place, please know I am here for you and I know what you’re going through. Trust me when I say it WILL get better and you WILL come out the other side. 

Phew, okay, serious moment over LOLZ. But I had to go there if I’m going to tell this story with complete honesty! Also ugh please do not at all feel sympathy for me when reading this- it’s so not what I want. I’m only doing this to help other women and get my saga off my chest. I am all good peeps! Ok, let’s move on, shall we? 😉

PLANT-BASED AND GLUTEN-FREE

After visiting the dermatologists, I started working with a new functional medicine doctor at Parsley Health. Through a blood draw, I learned I tested high for sensitivity to gluten. Up to this point I had been 100% plant based but was still eating mostly sprouted, organic gluten. I then slowly transitioned gluten out of my diet and replaced any gluten I was having with gluten-free options- like brown rice breads or almond flour tortillas.

This seemed to improve my overall health and the health of my skin even MORE. I also worked with Parsley to follow a gut healing and hormone balancing protocol through certain supplements. 

However, I recently have fully cleared my skin and have remained clear the past almost 6 months by incorporating these additional two things with my plant-based gluten-free diet. 1) Using only a natural skincare line for topical product application and 2) daily visualization meditation (aka manifestation). I know, soooo woo woo- but hear me out because this shit fucking WORKS. And I am living proof. There’s also so much science behind this I had no idea! Your body listens to your thoughts, and what you tell your brain, for real.

NATURAL AND NON-TOXIC SKINCARE

For the first time EVER I gave up my topical anti-acne solutions. I have been a long time proponent of toxin free living and it’s what my business is based around in addition to a more plant-based diet. But skincare was always the one thing I couldn’t find a suitable super nontoxic option for. 

I had tried DIY solutions like castor oil and jojoba cleansing along with brands like True Botanicals, Doterra HD Clear, and many others- nothing worked for me. That is, until I found Averr Aglow. This is not a plug but I had to shout them out because they have been a huge part of my clear skin success story. Now, this may not work for you and maybe another clean skincare brand works better- great. You do you. I think the important thing is to give your skin a break from the traditional chemical treatments prescribed for acne. Especially because of my 15+ years of use! (PS I feature this brand and more in my Clean Beauty Guide.)

After about 2 full weeks in on my new skincare regimen, I was APPALLED my breakouts had not worsened and were actually almost completely GONE. I felt like I was looking at my 12 year old self in the mirror. I was enthusiastic about my newfound secret weapon.

VISUALIZATION MEDITATIONS AND MANIFESTATION

It’s very important to note that in addition to using Averr Aglow products I started doing daily (and sometimes twice daily) clear skin meditations. I have meditated for a few years now but I never heard of being guided to envision your face without any blemishes. Needless to say, I was hooked. Plus, I was shocked at how it actually started working. And I credit this technique the most to keeping my skin the clearest it has been since I was a pre-teen over these past 6 months. I originally heard Melissa Wood Health talk about how she used meditation to heal her acne. Unfortunately, I had a really hard time actually finding a meditation. I eventually came across this one on YouTube. The guys voice is really soothing. I also used Mimi Method meditations. Eventually, I think I will create my own!

SO TO SUM IT ALL UP

My story is a perfect example of why we HAVE to look at the body and the person as a whole- both physical and emotional health is important and we have to find balance with BOTH. Just as I learned back when I was getting certified to become a holistic health coach- you can eat all the kale in the world and a 100% perfectly “clean” diet but if you are not addressing the health of other areas of your life you will never achieve optimal well-being. 

And this is how I work with my clients too. I always say- food is the foundation. Once we get that under control, we have to dive in and explore all these other areas of your life that make up YOU. How is the health of your daily work and career? What are your relationships like? Are you going to a job everyday that sucks your soul out of your body? Are you in a toxic relationship? Then we have to dig to get to the root cause of some of the physical symptoms you may be experiencing. It’s not one size fits all and I hope my story can inspire and motivate you to use this new year to dig deep and get CLEAR.

 

Are you struggling with your skin? I would love to know in the comments below. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading!

Until next time,

XO – Dani

 

Leave a Comment · Clean Beauty

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

WELCOME, HERE IS WHAT YOU’LL FIND AT DANI ON THE LOOSE

HOLISTIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR THE GREEN GIRL ON THE GO – FOCUSED ON HEALING ACNE FROM THE INIDE OUT

Categories

  • City Restaurant Guides
  • Clean Beauty
  • Dallas
  • Health Coaching
  • Holiday
  • Holistic Lifestyle
  • LA
  • Nontoxic Home
  • Plant based Recipes
  • Sakara
  • Travel
  • Vegan Nutrition FAQs

LET’S GET SOCIAL

  • Amazon
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Snapchat
  • TikTok
  • Twitter

daniontheloose

Last weekend’s b-day trip to see my parents (mom Last weekend’s b-day trip to see my parents (mom has been working with EuroMed foundation for alternative cancer treatments, great resource for anyone needing it!!) and have a little Labor Day weekend reset! Had the best time visiting my fave Scottsdale/Phoenix restaurants @kaleidoscopejuice & @tocayaorganica .Also was obsessed with @civanaresort and had a fun time forcing Garrett to do a sound bath mediation with me lolz. The spa & on site restaurants were sooo good, super health conscious and lots of gluten + dairy free and vegan options. The matcha pancakes and homemade hot sauce were to die for. 
Until next time, AZ! 💚🌵🏜️🎂🎈🍾
French Riviera bringing me back to life!! Best tri French Riviera bringing me back to life!! Best trip living off bread, champagne, and perfecting my “bonsoir” and “merci” lolz.
Check out Part 1 caption with a lot of my wellness travel must haves 🇫🇷🤍

#europeansummer #healthytravel #southoffrance
France Part 1 - went to @cannes_lions festival wit France Part 1 - went to @cannes_lions festival with @dearmediastudio - such a cool experience to see all things creator economy, advertising, influencer marketing, and brand innovation. 

Favorite Wellness Hacks that got me through all the meetings & networking events:

- @d.o.s.e.y travel supplement case filled with @arrae.co bloat, @sakaralife multi vitamin and metabolism powder, @clearstemskincare acne supplement, @cymbiotika super greens, vitamin C, Zinc, @maryruthorganics vitamin D, and much more.
- travel size nebulizer to kill any germs and viruses that might get in the lungs from airplane circulated air, crowded spaces, etc
- @purity_coffee organic one cup on the go coffee tea bags
- @boiron homeopathic jet lag medicine and travel kit 
- @livelarq filtering water bottle 
- my @ninjakitchen mini travel blender for smoothies on the go (posted about on my TikTok, it was a game changer!) with @artisanamarket cashew butter packets and @truvani plant based protein packets 
- @doterra immunity boosting on guard hand sanitizer, wipes, essential oils digest zen and deep blue, their nontoxic deodorant & sunscreen stick 
- @sakaralife plantbased protein bars, energy effervecents, and detox tea 
- @bungalow.cafe.cannes for juices, smoothies, healthy eats and the best avocado toast when I needed a break from pasta 
- also my @cholulahotsauce travel packets because I can never find hot sauce in Europe and need it with lemon on everything lolz 

Xo, D

#wellnesstravel #healthytravel #canneslions #cotedazurfrance
@dearmediastudio 2nd annual IRL event in Austin th @dearmediastudio 2nd annual IRL event in Austin this past weekend- I remember @michaelbosstick describing the company vision to me about community events 5 years ago (before I had the amazing team we do now & when the brand partnerships department was literally just me, myself, & i lolz!) Fast forward here we are again with over 500 people coming to see some of their fave creators in person, experience brand activations, & spend the day with us! Super rewarding to see all this come to life after the behind the scenes planning since last year. Lucky to work with such incredible people & brands.

Next IRL coming SOON to a NEW city in the fall 🎤🎙️📰🎧🏙️🤠
We had to say goodbye to my best pal Caesar aka pu We had to say goodbye to my best pal Caesar aka pup on the Loose this past weekend. I feel like no one prepares you for this kind of grief you experience losing the pet that was ride or die with you through your 20s and all the life changes and growth that decade brings. He was by my side through it all. I got Caesar almost 12 years ago when I was a senior in college, preparing to graduate and then move to NYC. We adopted him from Fuzzy Friends in my hometown Waco, Tx where he was rescued from a puppy mill in Austin. He lived on both coasts during his life (NYC and LA!) and he truly went everywhere with us like Vegas, New Orleans, Palm Springs, Big Sur, and so much more. I can’t thank him enough for the unconditional love and comfort he gave me from 20 to now almost 33. Rest in peace my little angel. Love ya Always and forever🤍🦴🐾🐶
Earlier this month when I became an aperol spritz Earlier this month when I became an aperol spritz gurl 🇮🇹🍝🍕🍹

My fave wellness-y stuff I forgot to take good content of from this trip:
@d.o.s.e.y travel pill case for my millions of supplements - took @arrae.co everything, @cymbiotika super greens, and alot of @doterra vegan Lifelong Vitality 

@livelarq water bottle with built in filter

@superhumanapp travel meditations

@piquelife teas, @drinklmnt electrolytes, and @purity_coffee travel packs

@averraglow clear skin elixir, cleansing nectar, and serums

@sakaralife metabolism powder travel packets every AM and detox bars for snacks

Xo, D
Are the youths calling these DITLs? Lolz Here are Are the youths calling these DITLs? Lolz
Here are the details of some of my go to brands/faves from this day in the life:
-AM meditation: @doterra emotional aromatherapy essential oils kit + @superhumanapp app
-always in my work bag: @piquelife tea, @sakaralife bars, @drinklmnt packets 
-AM smoothie: @truvani is my go to plantbased & clean ingredient protein powder + @artisanaorganics nut butters (protein + healthy fats will keep you full for longer)
-skincare routine w/ nontoxic @averraglow acne fighting products (also love clearstem!!) 
-clean makeup @lawless @crunchicollection 
-smoothie @juiceland here in Austin (my ride or die spot for healthy plant based eats)
-organic and clean wine (only thing I drink at home really) from @dryfarmwines bc extra extra low alc content (some less than 10%) & prevents any hangovers 
-and PM windown red light mask with @higherdose 

Xo, D

#dayintheoffice #dayinmylife #dearmedia #holistichealthcoach #plantbasedlifestyle #nontoxiclifestyle
a New York minute- quick trip last week filled wit a New York minute- quick trip last week filled with work meetings, plantbased restaurants, and a little sibling hang time all in one (my brother is there, shoutout Andrew lolz!)
I lived in NYC for a brief stint in my early 20s over a decade ago and it always re-energizes me when I go back. One of my favorite places in the whole world. So much hustling and good plantbased food this trip. Fave spots we hit up: any restaurant by Matthew Kinney (Bar Verde and Double Zero), Juice Press locations everywhere, Coletta, abcV, and Butcher’s Daughter. Save for these healthy spots your next visit to the city! Xo, D

#plantbasedrestaurant #plantbasedhealth #nyctrip
Load More... On The Loose on Insta

CERTIFIED HOLISTIC HEALTH COACH

LATELY

  • 6 Ways To Remove Toxic Chemicals In Your Home
  • 4 Tips for Rebalancing Gut Health to Clear Breakouts
  • 20 Ways To Start Using Essential Oils

Archives

  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • November 2017
  • October 2017

Copyright © 2025 · Simply Pro by Bloom Blog Shop.