#MOTHERMUSE Danika Jane

Danika is a naturopath, corneotherapist & Transformational Coach. With the strong belief that every woman deserves to feel good in their body and with the expertise to help get you there. 

We chat to Danika on all things Naturopathic Healing and how looking after your skin barrier is key to healthy happy skin.

Firstly, what is a corneotherapist? And how are you different to other skin experts

Corneotherapy is the science of restoring and maintaining the skin barrier (stratum corneum). As a corneotherapist I will always have your skin barrier health front of mind when designing a customised skincare regime. This philosophy is different to the mainstream beauty industry which is heavily focused on stripping and breaking down the barrier (think lots of exfoliation, derma planing, microdermabrasion and chemical peels) for quick results whilst we are focused on adding in nutrients and building strength and resilience in the skin for long term results.

Your best tips to prevent premature ageing of the skin? 

SPF! Every day, regardless if it is winter, summer, sunny or cloudy, we have UVA rays all of the time which cause DNA cell damage and oxidative stress. Other important tips are to use antioxidants in your skincare (think vit A, C, E, Green Tea, CoQ10) to help with collagen rebuilding and avoid excess sugar as this causes glycation which results in irreversible tissue damage and reduced skin elasticity.

Why is it so important to use skincare free from hormone disrupting chemicals?

There are certain chemicals in skincare, SPF and makeup that are absorbed into the skin and can mimic and interfere with our own hormones, leading to possible hormonal imbalances like acne, period problems, fatigue, emotional dysregulation and infertility. Studies have found that the average woman is exposed to 200 chemicals before leaving the house in the morning, so using products with hormone disruptors will definitely add up over time.

What do you look for in an SPF? 

I always make sure my SPFs don’t have hormone disrupting chemicals in them. These include Octocrylene, Oxybenzone, Homosalate, Parabens (to name a few). I also prefer a zinc oxide based SPF as this is great for acne prone skin and has broad spectrum protection from damaging UV rays. Lastly, I never want to see fragrances, colours or barrier irritating ingredients. This is why I love MOTHER SPF - ticks all the boxes!!!

What is your skin microbiome? And why is it super important? 

The skin microbiome is a complex ecosystem of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that reside on our skin. Yes, we are covered in bacteria! It's essential for maintaining skin health as it protects against pathogens, regulates inflammation, and supports the skin's barrier function. A balanced microbiome is crucial for clear, healthy skin, and disruptions can lead to issues like acne, dermatitis and eczema.

What ingredients do you recommend to stay away from to maintain a healthy skin microbiome?

For a healthy microbiome you want to avoid harsh soaps like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) that   strip the skin of natural oils and good microbes. Preservatives like parabens and strong antibacterial ingredients like triclosan or chlorphenesin disrupt the microbial balance (similar to what antibiotics do to our gut microbiome) and synthetic fragrances irritate the microbiome and cause inflammation.

Any tips on deciphering a skin care label or knowing what to look out for in your skincare?

It can be super tricky to decipher the long list of ingredient names, that’s why I have a whole module in my acne healing program to help my clients understand exactly what is in their products and what the ingredients are doing to their skin. But a few tips you can use when you’re in the shops: you don’t want anything with fragrance, parfum, numbers (CI 42090), petrolatum, alcohol denat, benzoyl peroxide, phthalates, parabens, mineral oils or an essay length ingredient list! 

We know stress can cause acne, what are your favourite ways to regulate your nervous system? 

Stress definitely is a huge driver of acne! It increases inflammation, breaks down the bonds in your skin barrier, reduces nutrient absorption in the gut and dysregulates the immune system. The most simple nervous system regulation tool is deep belly breathing, this tells the brain that it is safe and can properly create hormones, repair the body and digest nutrients. You’d be surprised how many people just don’t breathe properly! I also love ocean swims, meditating, saunas, somatic movement and cycle syncing to keep my nervous system regulated. I go in depth teaching nervous system expansion techniques in my program, it’s such an important part of acne healing! 

What wellness tool or ritual have you introduced in the last 5 years that has profoundly impacted your health for the better?

I feel like I’ve introduced so many things haha but facial reflexology has been a game changer. Different points in the face correlate to different organs and using a reflexology tool I massage these points regularly to help improve circulation, enhance lymphatic drainage, and support the body’s natural healing processes, including better digestion and hormone balance. It’s also super relaxing and always leaves my skin looking more relaxed and glowy. 

Lastly, you have created your signature acne healing program CLEAR SKIN CLUB. Can you give us a brief outline of what the program includes and where we can sign up!

Yes! Clear Skin Club is a culmination of my 10+ years of personal and professional experience treating acne. It combines my expertise as an Acne Naturopath and a Corneotherapist, helping the women inside the program heal their acne internally and topically (so we get incredible results). When you enrol you get an Advanced Skin Analysis Consult with me so I can help formulate you the perfect skincare routine. You also get a Comprehensive Naturopathic Consult with my team (who are incredible) which will set you up with an internal plan to treat your root cause of acne. PLUS you get a library of self paced modules, resources and trainings from me to learn the exact method to heal your skin, hormones and gut health for long term results. It’s honestly a life changing program that I am so proud of. The sign up link is on my Instagram @danikajane.wellness