What’s REALLY Clogging Your Pores, Comedogenic Ingredients, Cystic Acne, and Clean Beauty Truth

In this episode of Confidence and Coffee, Ashley sits down with Michelle Doane, founder of Imani Vegan Cosmetics, for a conversation that is equal parts powerful and practical. Michelle shares her story as a Vietnamese American refugee, raised by a single mother, and how surviving unimaginable hardship shaped her resilience. She opens up about living with cystic acne, how it affected her confidence, and the moment that sparked her mission to create clean beauty products that actually work for acne prone and sensitive skin.

They also break down what most people never learn about skincare, including comedogenic ingredients, why product labels are often hidden, how misinformation spreads online, and the simple mindset shift that changes how you see yourself.

What you’ll hear in this episode
Michelle’s refugee journey and the resilience passed down through her mother
Cystic acne, self image, and the “ugly duckling syndrome” many women carry
Comedogenic ingredients, what clogs pores, and why ingredients matter
The 3 P’s of skincare, potency, penetration, proven
How to simplify your skincare routine without wasting money
Mindset, confidence, and the voice in your head that tries to sabotage you
A real conversation on faith, receiving, and the power of words

Favorite quotes
“Do you have a roommate in your head”
“What happens to a weed when you stop feeding it, it dies”
“It can be your darkest moment right now, dawn is coming”

Connect with Michelle
Imani Vegan Cosmetics, shop online and learn ingredients: imani.com
Also available on Amazon

Connect with Ashley
Follow Ashley for coaching, faith based confidence, and new episodes weekly
Subscribe on YouTube and leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Love the episode
Send this to a friend who is tired of feeling stuck in her skin or her thoughts
Leave a rating and review, it helps more women find the show

Support the show

If this encouraged you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe on YouTube. It helps more women find hope, healing, and bold faith.

Disclaimer
Confidence and Coffee is a Christian centered podcast. All conversations are approached through a faith based lens that honors Jesus and biblical truth.

Connect with Ashley:
Order Ashley's New Book Confidence Is An Inside Job
Apply for Coaching with Ashley
Connect with Ashley to be your Next Speaker!
Subscribe to Confidence and Coffee here