I started seeing Dr. Melissa Cugliari towards the end of last year after struggling with breakouts I just couldn't get under control on my own. I'd dealt with bouts of acne a couple of times before and had always managed to clear it with a good topical routine and a few changes to my diet, but this time it wasn't doing the trick.
Eventually, I realized there was something deeper going on and that I wasn't going to get to the bottom of it by myself. That's when I reached out to Dr. Melissa. Since then, she's helped me tremendously with my skin, and I've also learned so much from her thoughtful, holistic approach to health and wellbeing. I've been telling just about everyone I know how much I adore her, both personally and as a practitioner. It only felt right to introduce her to you too!
Today we're talking about healthy skin, hormones, digestion, cosmetic acupuncture, the habits she recommends to almost every patient, and the products and rituals she swears by.
I hope you enjoy this interview with Dr. Melissa!
PHILOSOPHY
Tell us a little about yourself and your practice. What is your focus in the clinic and what is your overall philosophy when it comes to skin and health?
I am a Toronto-based Naturopathic Doctor and have been in clinical practice for the past 10 years. I primarily treat women, helping them navigate concerns like acne, digestive issues, menstrual irregularities, PMS, and fertility — which are often more connected than they first appear.
My philosophy when it comes to skin and health overall is all about individualization and consistency; what works for one person may not work for another and true healing takes consistent effort over time. My approach is always intentional, methodical and timeless; I love combining the wisdom of traditional medicine with modern science to achieve the best results for patients.
SKIN HEALTH
I first came to see you because I was struggling with acne. Since your approach to skin goes far beyond topical skincare, I’d love to start there—what really is the foundation for healthy skin?
In general, the skin responds not only to what we put on our bodies, but also what is going on internally. In my opinion, the foundation of healthy skin is a healthy body overall, particularly a healthy gut and healthy mind. This gut-brain-skin connection is something I consider with all dermatology patients.
Our gut influences so much more than digestion and when the gut isn’t functioning optimally, the skin can suffer. Mental health is another foundational element of skin health. Chronic stress can trigger or worsen conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea. On the flip side, skin conditions can also impact our mental health.
Rather than focusing on a single product or ingredient, I look at the bigger picture to understand what’s driving someone’s skin concerns. This helps patients achieve more lasting, meaningful improvement.
If you could give everyone three practices to build on that foundation, what would they be?
Prioritize whole, minimally processed foods most of the time to provide the body with the building blocks for healthy skin, spend time in nature without screens to optimize circadian rhythm and hormones, and eat three meals per day around the same time daily to support healthy digestion, blood sugar and to reduce stress.
These practices done consistently over time can work wonders for the skin!
When a patient comes to you struggling with their skin, what’s the first thing you’re looking at?
This is a tough question! I am looking at so many different things in order to build a complete picture of their health. Essentially I want to understand the person behind the skin so I can treat their unique needs and get results.
The key areas I explore are: diet (what, how, and when they are eating), sleep, stress levels, past medical history including childhood health, menstrual cycles when applicable, supplements and medications (which can change the skin for better or worse) and, of course, skincare routine.
Are there any foods, or eating habits, you consistently recommend for healthy skin?
Absolutely - diet is so foundational for healthy skin and skin healing.
When it comes to food, I always come back to simplicity and the basics. I recommend a whole foods diet focused on foods that are minimally processed and nutrient-dense. This includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, wild-caught fish, high-quality meats and eggs, legumes, nuts and seeds, and whole grains like quinoa, buckwheat, and varieties of rice. Olive oil is another staple I often recommend patients incorporate into their meals daily.
Diversity is key for a healthy microbiome. And the microbiome isn’t just the community of microbes that live in our gut—we also have a skin microbiome that plays an important role in skin health. Eating a wide variety of ingredients is one of the best ways to support a diverse, resilient microbiome and, in turn, healthier skin.
Our eating habits are just as important as what we eat. Eating regular meals around similar times each day, slowing down and chewing thoroughly, and allowing at least three hours between our last meal and bedtime can all support digestion, blood sugar regulation, and overall health—all of which contribute to healthy skin.
What are your favourite tools, rituals or habits for supporting healthy skin and getting a natural summer glow?
Manuka honey masks a few times per week, facial massage for a few minutes each morning, and drinking my DRM complexion tea daily are my go-tos.
This summer I have also been really consistent with my own weekly cosmetic acupuncture treatments and it has been keeping my skin radiant, which is great because I prefer to wear less makeup in the heat.
Are there any skincare ingredients you consistently recommend?
Topically, the ingredients I consistently recommend are zinc oxide sunscreen (which protects the skin from the sun and is soothing/healing), Vitamin C (only once the skin is stable), and retinol—even for the body!
Internally, I often recommend certain supplements including omega-3s for skin hydration and to modulate inflammation, bitter herbs for digestion, and lactoferrin to support immune function — all of which help the skin.
What about in-clinic treatments — are there any worth investing in?
It really depends on the person, the treatment, and how consistent someone is willing to be.
Before considering treatments, I always recommend investing in a strong, individualized skincare routine. This is foundational because it is something you are doing every single day.
I tend to favour less invasive treatments that support skin health, especially when the skin is already irritated or inflamed. These treatments often require more consistency and patience, but they can create meaningful improvements over time.
Cosmetic acupuncture is one of my absolute favourites. When performed properly and done regularly, it can support the skin’s natural healing processes, help calm active concerns, promote circulation, and stimulate collagen production, which supports healthier skin and also slows the aging process. I combine cosmetic acupuncture with LED light therapy for an added glow!
EVERYDAY WELLNESS
One of the things I love about your approach is that you use the skin as a window into overall health. With that in mind, if you could recommend three simple practices for better overall health, what would they be?
Going to bed and waking up around the same time daily, staying off screens for the first hour on waking and last hour before bed, and more laughter.
Summer wellness non-negotiables — what are yours?
Walks in nature a few times per week, daily movement, and enjoying all of the fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Is there something you find yourself recommending to almost every patient?
More time in nature! Sounds so cliche for a Naturopath to be recommending this but there are so many benefits — it helps diversify our microbiome, calms the mind, harmonizes our circadian rhythm (which is huge for hormonal balance), and it is beautiful!
Tips for staying healthy while travelling in summer, and still enjoying?
I like to keep it easy for myself and my patients while they travel and recommend bringing my DRM digestion and complexion teas - I developed them for this exact reason: to be able to be out of your normal routine, enjoying all of life’s pleasures while still feeling and looking great. I love to have the complexion tea on waking to keep my skin in good shape and the digestion tea before bed to reduce bloating and support regular bowel movements while travelling.
RAPID FIRE
What’s always in your fridge? A good probiotic, organic berries and organic yogurt (for face masks!).
How about the pantry? Sardines packed in olive oil, local honey, nutritional yeast, Maldon sea salt, and all types of organic green tea.
Go-to breakfast? I love to start the day with a cup of organic bone broth, followed by two eggs, seed bread with avocado or spinach, fresh berries, and green tea.
A skincare product you couldn’t live without? Marie Veronique Multi Retinol Night Emulsion and Vitamin C+E+Ferulic Acid serum, the Activist Manuka Honey Mask, and my DRM Complexion Tea.
Travel wellness essentials? A few supplements, including a probiotic, magnesium citrate and glycinate along with my DRM Digestion tea (this combination is key to stay regular while travelling), my Smythson travel journal, the Manicurist Base SOS clear polish, a cashmere wrap, and a great book.
Favourite SPF: Le Prunier Plumscreen for days indoors and the La Roche Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 invisible fluid—this is sadly only available in Europe, but is amazing nonetheless.
For more from Dr. Melissa Cugliari, you can find her on Instagram (where she shares so many practical, approachable tips) or through her website.
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