3 Habits I Wish I Had Changed in my 20s

You can do everything you’ve been told is “good for your skin” and still end up with worse acne, worse sleep, and a body that feels stuck. We get personal and practical as I share three habits I followed for years that quietly fueled my breakouts, along with the inside-out acne healing lessons I wish I’d learned sooner. If you’ve ever felt like your skin is in charge of your life, this one is for you. First, we talk about sunlight and why avoiding it can backfire. Morning light is one of the strongest signals for setting circadian rhythm, which shapes cortisol and melatonin, sleep quality, immune function, and even nighttime skin repair. We also unpack how sun exposure differs from vitamin D supplements, and why getting outside consistently can support whole-body health when you do it responsibly and avoid burning. Next, we dig into stubborn low ferritin and why “just take iron” often turns into a frustrating loop. Low iron markers in acne can point to gut health issues, including microbial overgrowths and poor absorption, plus broader nutrient depletion from restrictive diets or a long history of antibiotics. Then we cover overexercise and stress physiology, including how intense daily workouts can dysregulate cortisol and keep the nervous system in survival, a state where healing slows down. If you want a clearer roadmap for acne, hormones, digestion, and functional lab patterns, check out my free clear skin masterclass linked in the show notes, and if this helped, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more women can find real support.Watch my FREE Clear Skin Masterclass to learn my method to heal chronic acne.  Based on 20 years of healing acne as a Naturopathic Doctor.Click here to listen now.