

The Healthy Skin Show
Jennifer Fugo, MS, CNS, Clinical Nutritionist
Ready to finally get to the bottom of your skin issues?If you’ve been searching for answers beyond the standard prescriptions and creams — welcome! The Healthy Skin Show is your go-to podcast for sensitive skin warriors who are ready to dig deep, challenge the status quo, and uncover the real root causes behind stubborn skin problems that just won’t quit.Hosted by clinical nutritionist Jennifer Fugo — a leading expert in functional nutrition for chronic skin conditions — each episode takes you on a journey through the latest research, empowering strategies, and overlooked connections between your gut, liver detox, immune system, and skin.Whether you're dealing with eczema (atopic dermatitis), psoriasis, rosacea, chronic hives (urticaria), histamine intolerance, perioral dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, or something your doctor can’t identify, this show offers real, practical insights to help you heal from the inside out.You'll walk away with eye-opening ideas, practical tools, and a fresh perspective on how to support your skin naturally — all without rigid food rules or trendy fads.Tune in and take the first step toward healthier, calmer, more resilient skin — and a body that finally feels like it’s working with you, not against you.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 17, 2020 • 38min
173: Malassezia: The Bug Behind Many Fungal Skin Problems w/ Dr. Julie Greenberg
Ever heard of malassezia? No? You're not alone! This organism is not very well known, but it is actually a huge contributing factor toward skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, tinea versicolor, and certain types of acne. My guest today, Dr. Julie Greenberg, is a licensed ND who specializes in integrative dermatology. She is the founder of the Center for Integrative Dermatology, a holistic dermatology clinic that approaches skin problems by finding and treating the root cause. Dr. Greenberg hold degrees from Northwestern University, Stanford University and Bastyr University, and received advanced clinical training at the Dermatology Clinic at the University of Washington Medical School and at the Pediatric Dermatology Center at Seattle Children’s Hospital. She is also the Program Chair of the Naturopathic & Integrative Dermatology series on LearnSkin.com, a learning platform for integrative health care professionals. Join us as we talk about malassezia, a bug that is responsible for several fungal skin problems. Has malassezia been found to be the cause of your skin rash? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: What is malassezia? What's the relationship between malassezia and seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff)? Why is the skin pH important? What happens when the pH of the skin is too high? Is there a test to look for malassezia? What other skin conditions are linked to malassezia? Are there any topical or dietary solutions for malassezia? Why you should not apply undiluted essential oils directly to the skin. Quotes “Over 50% of adults will have some form of dandruff in their life. That's usually a non-inflammatory form of seborrheic dermatitis.” [2:42] “Our skin, many people are surprised to learn, is also supposed to be relatively acidic, like four, 4.5 to five, 5.5, and when the skin becomes more alkaline, or has a higher pH, it cannot defend itself as well, and we do get problems.” [5:04] Links Find Dr. Greenberg online Healthy Skin Show ep. 107: Symptoms Of A Staph Infection On Your Skin Healthy Skin Show ep. 149: How Staph Aureus Wrecks Your Skin w/ Dr. Julie Greenberg Gut Dysbiosis and Its Role in Skin Disease: A LearnSkin course I co-authored LearnSkin Naturopathic and Integrative Dermatology SeriesReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Dec 10, 2020 • 16min
172: Why Use Zinc Cream For Skin Rashes
Can zinc applied to your skin help skin rashes? As you heard in episode #169, zinc is REALLY important for your skin! People mostly focus on consuming zinc in their diet as well as getting additional zinc through supplementation. This is important because your body doesn’t make zinc… it must be consumed in some way so that your body has ample access to it. But one often overlooked point in this conversation is the impact that zinc used topically can have on your skin. Not just for general health, but also to potentially help reduce itchiness + inflammation too! And this is why I created the Z+ Rebuilder skin cream… because of how helpful zinc can be. So let’s talk about how topical zinc can be helpful and the different ways you can add it to your protocol! In this episode: Benefits of zinc applied topically to your skin Where zinc is stored in skin tissue How potent is topical zinc to sun exposure? Can zinc help with itchy, inflamed skin? Understanding dry skin + its connection to zinc How to use zinc topically Quotes: Zinc is found in the epidermis at a concentration of five times more than in deeper skin layers. Research demonstrates that zinc status may play a role in your skin’s ability to hold in moisture + avoid being so itchy.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Dec 3, 2020 • 35min
171: Can A Root Canal Cause Eczema, Psoriasis or Other Skin Rashes? w/ Dr. Kelly Blodgett
Did you know that a root canal could be a possible root cause for other health issues? My guest today is Dr. Kelly J. Blodgett, a recognized leader in holistic and integrative biological dentistry, a published researcher, author, and top clinician. His educational background in psychology, traditional dentistry, naturopathic medical dentistry and integrative biological dental medicine provides him with a unique perspective as a healthcare provider. He understands and respects the interconnectedness of oral health, systemic health and the feelings and emotions which accompany most people’s dental experience. Dr. Blodgett’s professional vision is to reverse the negative stereotype associated with dentistry by sharing loving care in an environment free from judgement. Join us as we talk about whether root canals are linked to eczema, psoriasis, or other skin conditions. Has your root canal been linked to your skin condition? Tell me about it in the comments! In this episode: Why do people get root canals? What can go wrong after a root canal? How could an infected tooth impact other tissue in the mouth? What to do if you've had a root canal that you suspect may be linked to other health issues you experience Quotes “Somewhere between 15 and 20 million root canals will get done in the United States this year. That's a lot of environment created that will breed infection in people's jaw bones, which is going to infect their entire health.” [8:23] “There's this whole infectious aspect to root canal treated teeth and I've sent probably a couple of 100 teeth to a DNA lab over the last three to four years. Every single one I have sent has come back teeming with bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.” [5:50] Links Find Dr. Blodgett online How to find a holistic dentist Follow Dr. Blodgett on Facebook | Instagram | TwitterReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Nov 24, 2020 • 36min
170: Vitiligo 101 + Alternative Treatment Options w/ Dr. Raja Sivamani
This is my first episode on vitiligo, and my guest today is here to lay some groundwork about this condition, as well as other depigmentation conditions that are mistaken for vitiligo. My guest today is Dr. Raja Sivamani, a board-certified dermatologist who practices at Pacific Skin Institute. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology at the University of California, Davis and Director of Clinical Research and the Clinical Trials Unit. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the California State University, Sacramento. Dr. Sivamani engages in clinical practice as well as both clinical and translational research that integrates bioengineering, nutrition, plant science, cosmetics, and skin biology. With training in both Allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine, he takes a holistic approach to his patients and in his research. Join us as we talk about the causes of vitiligo, possible treatment options, and why it is so important to get an accurate diagnosis. Have you been diagnosed with vitiligo? Tell me about it in the comments! In this episode: What is vitiligo? How do you get an accurate vitiligo diagnosis? Other conditions that can cause pigment loss in the skin How to support skin that is losing pigment Sun exposure considerations when your skin loses pigment Integrative approach to vitiligo Quotes “You'll see patches of pigment loss, either on the face or on maybe, say, the arms or the trunk. And in some people, you can lose all of the pigment on the skin. But in most cases, that's not what happens. What happens is it's in set areas along the body.” [1:33] “Vitiligo's actually perhaps several different diseases all wrapped into one umbrella, or different variants. The standard thought is there's an autoimmune component, but there are other thoughts as well that there's too much oxidative stress in the body.” [20:41] Links Find Dr. Sivamani online Attend the 2020 Integrative Dermatology Symposium (for practitioners + now 100% online) Healthy Skin Show episode 076: What You Need To Know About Acne, Accutane & Antibiotics w/ Dr. Raja Sivamani Healthy Skin Show ep. 142: Psoriasis 101: What You Need To Know w/ Dr. Raja Sivamani Healthy Skin Show ep. 159: Grover's Disease: Lifestyle + Diet Shifts To Implement w/ Dr. Raja Sivamani Jennifer's appearance on the LearnSkin podcast: An Inside-Out Approach: The Role of Nutritionists and Nutrition in Healthy Skin Follow Dr. Sivamani on Facebook | Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Nov 19, 2020 • 13min
169: Why Is Zinc So Important For Your Skin?
This episode is bought to you by Quell — to help support rebuilding healthy skin from the outside-in + inside-out! Take 10% off your next order! Use promo code QUELL10 at check out — Get started HERE! – – – Though zinc is most commonly discussed in terms of it’s immune-boosting function, there’s also a lot of interest in it for skin health. Though I’ve touched on zinc before on the Healthy Skin Show, I want to spend some time diving deeper into its benefits as well as problems with over-supplementation. I plan on exploring zinc over the course of several episodes, so stayed tuned as we dive deeper in the coming weeks. For now, I’d like to share with you why you absolutely need zinc if you’ve got rashes, hair loss and other health issues going on! In this episode: Why zinc is so important for your body Does your body make zinc? Where zinc is stored in your body Skin rash conditions and symptoms helped by zinc Best food sources for zinc Why you shouldn’t take zinc with calcium Drugs that deplete zinc (hint: one is topical steroids) How much is too much zinc (and why too much is a bad thing!) Quotes: Zinc is an important antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-itch nutrient needed for over 300 enzymes in your body. Steroids (including those which are used topically) + other common medications can cause zinc deficiency.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Nov 12, 2020 • 36min
168: Misdiagnosis of Chronic Skin Conditions In Skin of Color w/ Dr. Hope Mitchell
Did you know that inflammation shows up differently on skin of color than on white skin? As a result, people of color are often misdiagnosed, because their doctors have not been trained in the different ways skin conditions can present on different skin tones. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Hope Mitchell attended the University of Rochester and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. She obtained her doctorate of medicine from The Medical College of Ohio (MCO). She also completed an internship in Internal Medicine and a Pathology Fellowship while at MCO and a residency in Dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Mitchell is certified by the American Board of Dermatology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Mitchell is an Ohio and Michigan board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist and the founder & CEO of Mitchell Dermatology. With over 25 years of experience in the medical field, she is an accomplished, highly qualified dermatologist and entrepreneur. She has extensive experience in general dermatologic education and treatment, acne/complexion treatment, skin cancer diagnosis, treatment and surgery, as well as cosmetic injectables. Dr. Mitchell has subspecialty interest in hair loss, eczema, hyperpigmentation, skin cancer prevention, and skincare consultations. She is an advocate for mentorship, education and diversity in medicine and dermatology. Dr. Mitchell is a wife and mother of four young adult children. Join us as we talk about how chronic skin conditions are often misdiagnosed in people of color. Has your skin condition ever been misdiagnosed? Tell me about it in the comments! In this episode: How not learning about skin conditions on skin of color can be problematic in getting an accurate diagnosis How does inflammation present in different skin colors? Do patients end up suffering because necessary tests are not run? What should people keep in mind when trying to determine whether what they're seeing on their skin is hyperpigmentation or inflammation? What is the connection between itching and inflammation? How does psoriasis show up in skin of color? Quotes “What I find in my practice is that a lot of patients that I start to see that seek me out because I am a black dermatologist have told me that either they were misdiagnosed, that's what led them to see me. They just didn't feel that their diagnosis was accurate. Or they were told initially that the diagnosis that they had, and they may not have been given a diagnosis, was nothing to worry about.” [3:38] “The other thing that I think throws off the doctor is that inflammation looks very different. It looks very different in skin of color. And so where we've been trained that red looks like inflammation, in skin of color inflammation looks more gray, it looks dark, it may look purple-ish, it may look dark brown.” [5:25] Links Find Dr. Mitchell online Healthy Skin Show ep. 151: How Eczema Changed My Life (So I Could Help Others) w/ Rakhi Roy, MS, RD, LDNReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Nov 5, 2020 • 16min
167: Healthy Sweetener Alternatives For The Holidays
If you’ve ever wondered how you can mindfully reduce your sugar intake, this episode is right up your alley! We know that sugar can trigger skin rash flares, gut problems, and increase inflammation in the body (aside from contributing to blood sugar and hormone issues). While there are a lot of people that would swear to you that sugar is the devil and you should avoid it at all costs, I like to take a more pragmatic approach. We all live in the real world and have to take steps that are practical and sustainable over idealistic (that can lead some on the path to disordered eating). Sugar is all around us… and rather than fearing it, let’s talk about some better options! Options that could reduce sugar intake within your home that won’t have you (or family members) dumping treats in the trash because they taste like artificial chemicals. Nor leave you afraid to eat (which is an unfortunate common problem in our community). Here’s my advice on healthy sweetener alternatives that I often share with my nutrition clients! In this episode: Why I encourage my nutrition clients to avoid trying to go entirely sugar-free My top 4 recommended low or no-calorie alternative sweeteners Pros + cons of specific alternative sweeteners (some can trigger rashes!) Tips for finding lower sugar recipes for treats (so you can enjoy the holidays) Favorite companies that make or use alternative sweeteners Quotes: Food is one of life’s great pleasures and is meant to be enjoyed! Doing so mindfully can make all the difference between throwing in the towel versus staying on track. Certain alternative sweeteners can potentially trigger rashes in some (that look like eczema) or unpleasant gut symptoms like gas or bloating.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Oct 29, 2020 • 35min
166: Mold + Histamine Connection w/ Dr. Jill Crista
When we think of histamine issues, most of us think of the usual symptoms (e.g. runny nose, congestion, itchy eyes). But did you know that high histamine can also cause behavioral issues and skin rashes, particularly in children? My guest today is Dr. Jill Crista, a naturopathic doctor, best-selling author, and internationally recognized educator on mold illness. She helps people recover their health after exposure to toxic mold. Dr. Crista is the author of Break The Mold: 5 Tools To Conquer Mold and Take Back Your Health. She also provides online training for medical practitioners to help them become Mold-Literate, to efficiently and effectively identify and treat their mold-sick patients. Join us as we talk about mold, mycotoxins, and the connection between mold and histamine issues. Have you discovered your histamine issues are related to mold illness? Tell me about it in the comments! In this episode: Why is mold such a problem? What are mycotoxins? Difference between mold and mushrooms What is MPA and how does it relate to the gut? How is mold related to histamine issues? Why might nettles help? Quotes “These toxins called mycotoxins are designed for that mold to defend its territory. So the very design of these toxins is to kill other living things, mainly microbial, but they do affect human health as well and the pets in that space.” [3:18] “MPA is mycophenolic acid, it's made by a few different species of indoor, toxic mold, aspergillus and penicillium.” [7:32] Links Find Dr. Crista online Dr. Crista's book, Break The Mold: 5 Tools To Conquer Mold and Take Back Your Health Quiz: Is Mold Affecting Your Health? Follow Dr. Crista on Facebook | Instagram Nettle Lemonade recipe Dr. Jill Crista's Find A Doc page Mold Canary Membership - an über private membership forum where those who have been affected by mold and want to work with me (but can't because my practice is full) still have access to me via my Live Q&As, How Tos, Featured lab of the month, Recipes, Notable research, and more. Healthy Skin Show ep. 134: Dealing with Mold & Opening Detox Pathways w/ Toréa Rodriguez, FDN-PReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Oct 22, 2020 • 13min
165: Before You Say No To Antibiotics, Consider This
It’s pretty common to be afraid that antibiotics will wreck your gut microbiome. That fear is pervasive thanks to the many health marketers who’ve convinced people (including myself at one point) that antibiotics were something to avoid at all costs. Unfortunately I’ve found that this approach leads my clients (and those in this community) to feel confused and to avoid treatment when it might actually be the best thing. I find myself sharing this exact information with clients every single week, so I thought I’d share this with you too to help you make better decisions for your skin and health. So before you pass on antibiotics prescribed by your doctor because of what you’ve heard or read, here’s what you should consider first! In this episode: Understanding the fear driving antibiotic use Will antibiotics totally wreck your gut? How to make a decision about whether (or not) to use antibiotics Six questions to ask yourself before taking antibiotics Situations when antibiotics might be the better option How to take probiotics during a round of antibiotics so that they’re effective Quotes: Long-term exposure can reduce gut bug diversity and increase the likelihood of opportunistic overgrowth (like Candida). We’ve been heavily marketed to through many wellness influencers that antibiotics completely wreck your gut and should be avoided at all costs.Ready to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com

Oct 15, 2020 • 32min
164: Mold Illness vs. Mold Allergy w/ Dr. Kasey Holland
Many think they're interchangeable, but mold allergies and mold illness are actually different things! They affect the body in different ways, as my guest today will explain. My guest today, Dr. Kasey Holland, is a licensed Naturopathic doctor. She earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic medicine at Bastyr University in Seattle, WA through a four-year CNME accredited program. While there she completed specialty rotations in environmental medicine, immune wellness, oncology, IV therapy, Parkinson’s disease, emergency medicine and mind body medicine. After this, she worked in an Integrative health clinic that incorporated functional medicine during her residency. This has provided her with exposure to a wide variety of pathologies and patient care in order to serve you better. She has always been passionate about helping people overcome mystery and chronic illnesses. This was further solidified after her own health obstacles. Dr. Kasey's specialties include the toxic trio: chronic EBV, Lyme disease, mold exposure. Join us as we talk about mold allergies and mold illness. Are you allergic to mold? Let me know in the comments! In this episode: How common is mold in the home? Mold illness vs. mold allergy How can mold cause mold illness? Is mold illness connected to fungal organisms (like candida)? Can mold suppress the immune system? Is mold illness a lifelong condition? Quotes “According to OSHA, approximately one in four homes can have water damage that has promoted mold that could cause harm to their health.” [1:11] “Mold illness is when you've actually been exposed to mold and the mycotoxins, and it's affecting your system on a much deeper level.” [2:35] Links Find Dr. Kasey online Healthy Skin Show ep. 150: Understanding Epstein-Barr Virus + Skin Rashes w/ Dr. Kasey Holland Healthy Skin Show ep. 134: Dealing with Mold & Opening Detox Pathways w/ Toréa Rodriguez, FDN-P Dr. Shoemaker's mold lab test list Follow Dr. Kasey on InstagramReady to figure out your skin’s root causes so you can finally fix your skin + break free from meds + flare ups?My virtual clinic works with adults worldwide struggling with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, urticaria, hives, dandruff, perioral dermatitis + more.Trusted by 1000+ clients, we get results WITHOUT restrictive elimination diets.Schedule an assessment call at skinrepaircall.com


