Skin Crisis Foundation advances skin-related research, education, and community outreach — with a special focus on compromised skin conditions and the profound connection between skin and mental health.
"What appears on your skin is rarely just a skin problem. It is a signal from within — one that reflects what’s happening in the body long before it becomes visible on the surface."
The relationship between skin conditions and mental health is complex and bidirectional. Chronic skin conditions affect psychological well-being — and mental health directly impacts the skin. Understanding and addressing both is central to everything we do.
Stress triggers psoriasis. Anxiety worsens eczema. Depression makes recovery harder. And living with a visible skin condition can erode self-esteem, fuel social withdrawal, and create a cycle that's difficult to break without integrated, whole-person care.
"Effective management requires an integrated approach that addresses both the physical symptoms and the psychological impact of skin conditions."
Skin conditions evolve as we do. At every stage of life we track the “why” behind them — from what a mother eats during pregnancy, to the hormonal shifts of midlife, to the immune changes of older age. Most people never connect these deeper forces to what they see in the mirror. We do.
Skin health begins in the womb. A fetus receives nutrients directly from the mother, and many newborn skin conditions are tied to the prenatal environment. By understanding these links, many early-life conditions can be minimized through proactive care.
This stage is often defined by rashes — and the question every parent faces: is this something to treat, or something to watch? We help parents distinguish between common triggers, because the right course of action depends entirely on the cause.
Hormonal imbalances and hygiene transitions create significant skin crises that impact self-esteem and social development during school years.
Adult skin crises are often driven by environmental factors and chronic stress, particularly impacting women during pregnancy and high-pressure career stages.
During pre- and post-menopause, rapid hormone changes cause the skin to become thin and fragile, requiring specialized protective care.
As the immune system naturally declines, older adults face unique skin vulnerabilities, infections, and complications from chronic illnesses like diabetes.
Why We’re Different
Most skincare messaging focuses on fixing the surface. We focus on why the surface broke in the first place.
I founded this organization to educate the public on the confounding factors that impact skin health. We address the full spectrum of crises — from burns and infections to the needs of underserved and rural communities.
Our programs combine cutting-edge research, comprehensive training, and hands-on community outreach to create a world where everyone can achieve optimal skin health.
As a research scientist focused on skincare, I’ve spent my career believing that skin health is whole-person health. Twenty-five years later, I’m more certain of that than ever — and more urgent about it.
What I see, over and over, is that the factors most affecting a patient’s skin are the ones no one told them to connect: what their mother ate before they were born, the stress that went unaddressed for a decade, the dietary pattern quietly driving inflammation, the hormonal shift they were told was “just aging.”
There are so many confounding factors that show up on the skin — and so few places where people can learn about them in plain language. My career has spanned psychiatric nursing, behavioral health consulting, acne research, and therapeutic product development. That gap is why the Skin Crisis Foundation exists.
My goal isn’t just to treat skin. It’s to give people the knowledge to understand what their skin is telling them.
Whether you're a patient seeking resources, a healthcare professional, a researcher, or a community partner — there's a meaningful place for you in the Skin Crisis Foundation.