Kayleigh Christina and Danielle Gronich's beauty favorites
Fragrance: Phlur Missing Person Eau de Parfum
Moisturizer: Clearstem Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer
Mascara: Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara
In 2017, Danielle Gronich and Kayleigh Christina founded their skin care brand, Clearstem, after years of dealing with their own skin struggles. Christina, who struggled with cystic acne in her mid-twenties, crossed paths with Gronich after a lack of results led her to Gronich’s skin clinic. Bonding over their shared interest in holistic health, they decided to come together “to provide other acne sufferers with safer, more effective skin care and root-cause solutions for acne and aging,” Gronich says. The brand, which offers everything from cleansers to sunscreens, is known for its anti-aging and anti-acne products, made with ingredients that won’t disrupt your hormones.
For those looking to create their own skin care routine, the founders offer some advice. “Keep it simple,” Christina says, adding that a face wash, a hydrating serum, a moisturizer, an acne-friendly SPF?and a physical and chemical exfoliant are all you need. Gronich, on the other hand, suggests doing “your best to remove all pore-clogging ingredients from your skin care routine” and finding “a great zinc-based SPF that you love.”
Ahead, Gronich and Christina share 10 of their favorite skin and body care products with CNN Underscored.
Gronich’s go-to deodorant is this one from Native, which she notes lasts all day and “reminds her of cookies.” Formulated without aluminum, parabens and phthalates, the deodorant is available in over 13 fragrances, including limited-edition ones like this coconut caramel cookie collab with Girl Scouts.?
The brand’s Lips & Cutes Peptide Lip Treatment is another shared favorite. “I literally cannot live without this,” Christina says. “I only use lip liner, and this is the perfect layering product for it and great for everyday use.” The product, which can be used on your lips — and yes, your cuticles too — can be applied throughout the day as a balm or used as a five-minute lip mask.?“It makes my lips so soft and hydrated that I don’t feel like I need filler,” Gronich says. “The constant hydration and peptides stimulate my collagen so much that I am just always happy with my lips!”?
When it comes to fragrances, Christina singles out this perfume from AAPI-owned brand Phlur, which has notes of jasmine, orange flower and white musk. “This brand is toxin-free, which is rare for fragrance,” Christina says. “I love the way the scent makes me feel. I feel like it’s unique on me.”?
“I love mixing this with my SPF for a no-makeup makeup look,” Christina says. “I love how glowy and easy it is.” Formulated with ingredients like niacinamide, this skin care-meets-makeup product is available in multiple colors and leaves the skin with a natural, glowy finish.??
When it comes to skin care tools, the DiamondBuff Microdermabrasion Tool from Bee Stunning is a go-to for Gronich. “It’s great for unclogging pores and clearing acne scars, and it’s also great for softening wrinkles and signs of aging,” she says. “It’s so multifunctional, and I love it for the immediate results with no downtime!” Made from stainless steel and finely crushed diamonds, this exfoliating tool can be used on wet or dry skin.??
“I love using the NuFace, which is an at-home daily microcurrent massage [device],” Christina says. “It’s the next best thing to getting a professional facial-contouring massage, which I also love to do!” This FDA-approved toning device works to minimize the appearance of fine lines and lift brows. Plus, “it helps tighten and prevent wrinkles,” Christina adds.?
Gronich enjoys dry brushing with this tool from HigherDose. As she notes, it’s “great for daily lymphatic drainage, and I love how it wakes me up and immediately kick-starts my energy.” The body brush, which can be used in the morning or before showering, gently exfoliates the skin, thanks to its horsehair and copper wire bristles.??
Both Gronich and Christina note that this moisturizer from their brand is a must-have. “It’s incredibly moisturizing yet light at the same time, so it doesn’t contribute to acne,” Gronich says, adding that it also “smells incredible.” Similarly, Christina adds that the moisturizer is “life,” explaining “I have such dry skin and have tried every moisturizer on the market — this is the best!” Formulated for all skin types, the moisturizer includes ingredients like squalane and bakuchiol.??
Gronich considers this mascara from clean beauty brand Tower 28, an essential beauty product. The mascara is available in a mini and full-sized version and in black and brown. It’s also water-resistant, smudge-free, buildable and safe for sensitive eyes. As she explains, the mascara is “clean and effective and gives me a natural curl without clumping!”?
When it comes to hair care, one of Gronich’s go-to products is this apple cider vinegar hair rinse. “It keeps my fine hair clean and hydrated, which I love, since I do have to wash my hair often but don’t want to strip the oils,” she says. Formulated with ingredients like argan oil and aloe vera, the dpHUE rinse is paraben-free and helps maintain the natural pH of your hair and scalp.?
