The Connection Between Our Skin Health and Our Processes of Elimination
Last month I hosted an event with a friend who is an integrative nutritionist. Together we focused on healing from the inside out and explored the idea that food is medicine. And yes, that includes herbs.
One thing I always like to clarify is that herbs are not supplements.
Plants and herbs exist at the culinary level of use. They are foods. They contain hundreds of naturally occurring compounds that interact with the body in ways we're still discovering. Long before herbs were put into capsules or extracted by medical companies, they were being added to broths, meals, teas, and daily rituals because people recognized the profound impact they could have on health.
The main topic I shared about at the event was skin health.
I emphasized that skin health is 70-80% reflective of our internal health and this surprised many of the attendees. Often times when we get a skin concern we reach for something topical, and while this is helpful to a degree, sometimes this can only fix the issue after it’s arose. Meaning this concern started in the internal body and is now presenting itself on the skin and this can actually take time. Our body gets flooded with toxins and waste and guess what? It gets pushed out through our biggest organ, our skin!
Ironically, this realization came from my own skin and my journey with acne and other skin concerns.
Let’s go back a few years..
What started as teenage acne followed me well into adulthood and became one of the most frustrating, emotional, and humbling parts of my wellness journey.
At 17, I was prescribed hormonal birth control to help "control my acne." Not even by a dermatologist but by a gynecologist and at the time, I didn't question it because I was young and assumed the professionals knew best.
Years of inflammation, puffiness, weight gain, mood swings, heavier periods, and ironically, very little improvement in my skin occured and when none of their recommdations worked and I kept going back to them they finally referred me to a dermatologist and that was the worst decision. All they did was prescribe me more medications.
There were retinols, benzoyl peroxide washes, medicated creams, antibiotics.
My skin became more irritated. My confidence became more fragile and I started believing that maybe this was just how my skin was always going to be.
Maybe you've had similar thoughts. Maybe you've been told your symptoms are normal.
Maybe you've spent hundreds of dollars trying to find the one product that finally changes everything.
Maybe you've become so frustrated that you've started avoiding mirrors, photos, or social situations altogether.
If that's you, I want you to know I understand. It is so emotionally exhausting and when nothing seems to help, it can start to feel hopeless.
The Shift That Changed Everything
Around age 29, I finally decided to approach my skin differently.
By that point, I had already spent years focusing on food and exercise and considered myself health-conscious. I had stopped all the prescription acne products at 22 and got off the birth control at 24. I thought I was doing all the "right" things, yet I was still experiencing cystic acne, inflammation, irritation, hyperpigmentation, and flare-ups across my face, chest, and back.
That's when I met a naturopathic dermatologist who changed the course of my health.
Instead of focusing only on my skin, she asked questions about my entire body.
She suggested an IgG food sensitivity panel.
I discovered I was regularly eating foods my body was reacting to. Foods I considered healthy and never would have suspected. I then began to realize the real damage this was causing me more than just how my skin looked. Those feelings of fatigue, brain fog, bloating and poor digestion all made sense.
I wasn’t sure this was really going to help but 3 months after removing the inflammatory foods, my cystic acne disappeared. 6 months later, my skin looked better than it had in years.
I was finally able to address what was happening internally.
My Internal Approach To Skin Wellness
This is around the time I began studying herbalism, digestion, hormones, and holistic wellness and realized something. All of those symptoms weren't random, they were the side effects of a toxic terrain that needed deeper support.
I began to understand how the body operates as a whole system. When ailments arise we tend to isolate that one symptom, organ or system but when our body is overworked and stressed our systems tend to slow down. It can only take on so much. So naturally our digestion weakens, our immune system weakens, our lymphatic system gets backed up, our liver isn’t detoxing fully and guess what? We aren’t able to absorb nutrients fully from our foods (so that “healthy” salad full of vibrant greens isn’t getting digested properly and a lot of the minerals and vitamins aren’t getting dispersed into the body) which would support skin health and then our liver can’t properly eliminate all the toxins and our skin, our largest organ gets the short end of the stick.
This is where major skin concerns like acne, eczema, rosacea, dermatitis, and so on stem from. The toxins start to get pushed out through our skin and our skin doesn’t have the filtration system like our internal organs do. It is all a cycle and making sure we start to care for our bodies internally is the first step to better skin health.
That realization inspired two of the blends I created for skin support. Not because I wanted another skincare product but because this is something deeply personal to me and I wanted to support the systems that influence skin health in the first place. And if I’m being honest, we really need this level of support more than ever with the state of our food system, pollution and other toxins we come in contact with. Our systems are overloaded and tired.
Inner Glow is a herbal tea for liver health to support your liver’s natural detox processes to promote clear skin naturally.
This caffeine-free blend helps reduce acne, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation by supporting natural detox pathways, digestion, and circulation. This is going to be your best natural skin care!
Your skin tells a deeper story - one shaped by digestion, hormones, detoxification, and internal balance. When these systems become sluggish or overwhelmed, the skin often steps in as an organ of elimination, leading to breakouts, congestion, and inflammation.
Created to support the body at this root level, with a strong focus on the liver: one of the most important organs for skin health. The liver is responsible for processing hormones, filtering toxins, and supporting nutrient metabolism. When these pathways are functioning optimally, the skin can return to clarity, softness, and balance.
The bitter roots stimulate digestion and liver function, while the aromatic and adaptogenic herbs help regulate stress and inflammation. This balance of warming movement and gentle cooling support makes it ideal for skin concerns rooted in congestion, hormonal buildup, or sluggish elimination.
✴BONUS✴ This blend was made in collaboration with Tati, owner of Passoni Skincare, while Passoni products support the external, Inner Glow supports the internal journey to radiant skin—because true beauty starts from within.
Formulated for women experiencing melasma, hyperpigmentation, and inflammation, this blend works holistically to enhance skin health while complementing your skincare routine.
*USE CODE: HERBS10 for a discount when shopping on Passoni!
When to Enjoy:
Daily as a gentle detox and skin-support ritual
During hormonal shifts or breakouts
When experiencing sluggish digestion or signs of internal congestion
As a long-term tonic for skin clarity and overall balance
Taste profile: slightly bitter, earthy, and toasty with hints of sweetness from the licorice
Brewing Instructions: Add 1/2 tablespoon of loose herbs per 8 ounces of water to a reusable tea bag, strainer or diffuser and steep at 212°F for 15-20 minutes. My favorite way to prepare is adding the herbs to a carafe, boil water and pour over. Let it steep for recommended time, then strain and cool to about room temperature before placing in the fridge and having cups ready to go!
HAND-CRAFTED | CAFFEINE-FREE
Servings: ~18-20 cups
I formulated Inner Glow to focus on one of the body's hardest-working organs: the liver.
The liver plays an important role in hormone metabolism, detoxification, digestion, and nutrient processing. When these pathways become overwhelmed, the effects can often show up externally.
The bitter roots and aromatic herbs in this blend help encourage healthy digestive function and support the body's natural elimination pathways while also helping create the internal environment that healthy skin depends on.
This is the blend I reach for when I want to support the foundation.
Vibrant is a skin-supporting herbal tea designed to promote clear, radiant skin and deep hydration.
This caffeine-free beauty blend supports detoxification, reduces inflammation, and enhances skin vitality using antioxidant-rich herbs that act as vitamins for skin health. This is going to be your best natural skin care!
Your skin is a reflection of your internal environment. As the body’s largest organ, it plays an active role in detoxification, protection, and renewal. When digestion is supported, hydration is adequate, and detoxification pathways are functioning well, the skin naturally becomes clearer, more even, and more resilient.
Vibrant was thoughtfully formulated to support these internal systems. Rather than focusing only on external care, this blend nourishes the body with plant compounds that help reduce inflammation and encourage proper circulation and elimination which are key factors in maintaining healthy skin.
When the body is nourished and supported at a foundational level, the skin reflects that by appearing brighter, smoother, and more balanced.
Many skin concerns are rooted in internal heat, stagnation, or impaired elimination. Vibrant helps cool and soothe inflammatory states while gently moving lymphatic fluid and supporting circulation. This encourages the body to clear what it no longer needs while delivering nutrients to the skin more efficiently.
✴BONUS✴ This blend was made in collaboration with Tati, owner ofPassoni Skincare- while Passoni products support the external, Vibrant supports the internal journey to radiant skin—because true beauty starts from within.
Formulated for women experiencing melasma, hyperpigmentation, and inflammation, this blend works holistically to enhance skin health while complementing your skincare routine.
*USE CODE: HERBS10 for a discount when shopping on Passoni!
When to Enjoy:
Daily as part of a skin-support ritual
During hormonal shifts, especially luteal and menstrual phases
When experiencing breakouts, inflammation, or dullness
As a long-term beauty and wellness tonic
Taste profile: refreshing, floral, and slightly tangy infusion
Brewing Instructions: Add 1/2 tablespoon of loose herbs per 8 ounces of water to a reusable tea bag, strainer or diffuser and steep at 212°F for 10-12 minutes. My favorite way to prepare is adding the herbs to a carafe, boil water and pour over. Let it steep for recommended time, then strain and cool to about room temperature before placing in the fridge and having cups ready to go! Enjoy up to 2 cups a day.
HAND-CRAFTED | CAFFEINE-FREE
Servings: ~18-20 cups
Vibrant approaches skin support from a different angle.
Hydration, circulation, inflammation, antioxidant support and more.
Many skin concerns are rooted in internal heat, stagnation, or impaired elimination. Vibrant helps cool and soothe inflammatory states while gently moving lymphatic fluid and supporting circulation. This encourages the body to clear what it no longer needs while delivering nutrients to the skin more efficiently.
There is Hope!
If you're struggling with your skin right now, I know how easy it is to feel discouraged. I know how tempting it is to believe that you've tried everything. (younger me would be so ashamed to admit the weird things we put on our face, like men’s aftershave…)
I know how exhausting it can feel when nothing seems to work but I also know what it feels like to finally see progress after years of frustration and see how vibrant and healthy our skin can really be.
It’s all about listening to your body and trying to support it instead of silencing it.
And that's why I share this story.
Not because I have all the answers but because I want you to know there are often more possibilities than we've been led to believe.
I hope this leaves you feeling informed, encouraged, and most importantly, hopeful.
Because healing is possible.
And if there's one thing I've learned over the past decade, it's this:
Please care for yourself now. Your future self will thank you for it.
As always, if you have any questions or are looking for more guidance please reach out. I am happy to help any way that I can.
Email: lunariaherbals@gmail.com