Your Face Deserves Better Than Beef Tallow - An Interview with Kelsey Burris, Owner of Glo with Kelsey
Hey Girl Gang listeners! Today I’m really excited to do a recap of our interview with our dear friend, Kelsey Burris, owner of Glo with Kelsey. Kelsey is our second “Woman of the Season” for 2025 and we love that she could discuss this topic with us. She’s funny, intelligent, and the type of person you should definitely take advice from if you need help in the skincare department. For those of you who may be new to our podcast and blog, these “Woman of the Season” interviews aim to showcase women all over the world who are making an impact in people’s lives. Once we do an episode with this woman, we will follow up with an interview - QA style - so you can learn more about her background, fun facts, and we will dial into more of the topic we discussed in her episode. Let’s dive into our episode with Kelsey:
Your Face Deserves Better Than Beef Tallow Episode Recap:
In our latest Girl Gang Podcast episode, we tackled the confusing world of skincare with our special guest Kelsey, a registered nurse who owns her own aesthetics practice. The conversation revealed important truths about skincare that can help anyone navigate the overwhelming sea of products and advice that bombards us daily.
One of the most enlightening aspects of our discussion centered around the difference between medical-grade skincare and drugstore options. Kelsey explained that the key distinction lies in the form and concentration of active ingredients. For example, vitamin C (a skincare superstar) comes in different molecular structures. L-ascorbic acid, commonly found in cheaper products, is unstable and often neutralized when mixed with other products. Meanwhile, THD Ascorbate, though harder to pronounce, is lipid-soluble, meaning it can penetrate skin cells more effectively and remains stable regardless of how you use it. This explains why some products with seemingly similar ingredients deliver vastly different results.
The conversation debunked several skincare myths along the way. The idea that you need a complex 12-step routine? Unnecessary, according to our expert. Kelsey emphasized that good skincare revolves around understanding your specific skin type and focusing on four key steps: cleansing, treating specific concerns, moisturizing, and sun protection. This simplified approach is not only more manageable but potentially more effective than overloading your skin with products that might counteract each other.
We also discussed some trendy but questionable skincare practices. Beef tallow, which has gained popularity on social media, received a firm warning from Kelsey, who described it as "mega comedogenic" – essentially guaranteeing breakouts by clogging pores and trapping bacteria. This highlights how not all "natural" products are beneficial for skin health. On the other hand, pure aloe vera received approval as a gentle, soothing option.
Sun protection emerged as perhaps the most critical aspect of any skincare routine. Kelsey shared the sobering fact that just two sunburns per year significantly increases one's risk of skin cancer later in life. She recommended mineral sunscreens containing zinc and titanium oxide for their ability to scatter light rays rather than absorbing them. Chemical sunscreens, while convenient, may contain ingredients that the FDA considers questionable.
Throughout our conversation, we touched on personal routines, sharing our own skincare journeys and the products that have worked for us. What became clear is that consistency matters more than complexity. Finding products that work for your specific skin concerns and using them regularly yields better results than constantly switching to the latest trend or using expensive products incorrectly.
Beyond skincare, Kelsey shared insights about her journey from bedside nursing during the pandemic to entrepreneurship. Her story highlighted important life lessons about balance, prioritization, and not letting fear prevent you from pursuing your goals. She spoke candidly about managing multiple priorities – running a business, working hospital shifts, pursuing advanced education, and maintaining personal relationships – offering valuable perspective on how to determine what deserves your energy at different times.
The episode concluded with a powerful reminder about setting boundaries and reframing negative situations. Kelsey's approach to dealing with difficult circumstances – consciously choosing how to respond rather than reacting instinctively – offers wisdom that extends well beyond skincare.
Listen now!
Chapters to check out:
0:00 Meet Kelsey: Nurse and Aesthetics Expert
3:19 Natural Skincare Revolution
6:34 Medical-Grade vs. Drugstore Products
11:28 Skincare Basics: Cleanse, Treat, Moisturize
17:58 Acne Struggles and Treatment Options
22:11 Skincare Routines: The Hosts Share
39:45 Balancing Business, School, and Self-Care
52:04 Setting Boundaries and Managing Priorities
58:09 Episode Wrap-up and Resource Information
Kelsey’s Post-Episode Interview QA:
Now that you’ve caught up on the episode itself, let’s learn more about our guest! I gave Kelsey a set of interview questions so we could get to know her better, learn some fun facts, have that skincare advice written down, and dive more into her process of becoming a business owner!
The Basics
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Kelsey’s Answer: I was born and raised in the St. Louis area, surrounded by family and friends. While I dream of moving states (and continents), the relationships I have here keep me grounded & my desire to travel has led to many memorable trips!
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Kelsey’s Answer: I received my Associate Degree in Nursing from St. Charles Community College, went on to get my BSN from Central Methodist University and am currently about halfway through a Doctorate Family Nurse Practitioner program at Goldfarb School of Nursing.
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Kelsey’s Answer: I’ve always loved the combination of critical thinking and technical, hands-on skills, which made ER nursing perfect for me. I realized early on in my career that I yearned for more, which led me to take the leap into aesthetic medicine and start my own business! The fluidity of the art + science of aesthetic medicine with the delicacy of precise treatments has offered a fulfilling creative outlet & the opportunity to meet so many great clients, many of whom I now consider friends.
Fun Facts and Personality
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Kelsey’s Answer: I will always be passionate about animal rescues and sanctuaries! Especially those that rehabilitate injured and medically-complex cases. While I personally am unable to foster, I donate to different organizations a few times a year. My favorites are SAMS Senior Animal Mutt Sanctuary and Stray Rescue STL.
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Kelsey’s Answer: I am currently learning both Spanish and to play the piano! Slowly but surely.
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Kelsey’s Answer: My ideal free day would include sleeping til 8am, a slow morning with my husband, and a walk in the sunshine with the dogs.
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Kelsey’s Answer: My husband and I have two dogs that we adore.
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Kelsey’s Answer: Take the leap, because it never becomes less scary. You just become more brave and resilient.
Focusing on Your Business
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Kelsey’s Answer: As part of the Just GLO aesthetic medicine network, I have never felt less-than based on my gender as it relates to intelligence or capability, and that has truly been the most inspiring part of this whole journey. I am lucky enough to be part of a community that values individuality and has supported so many successful female business owners! Their success inspires me to continue through challenges, as there will never be success without obstacles.
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Kelsey’s Answer: It’s all about balance! Time and task management is an absolute must. Decide which part of your life will get what % of your energy for the day and stick to it. You can’t do it all in one day, but if you plan it just right, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at all you can accomplish in a year!
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Kelsey’s Answer: I define success as the ability to choose how to spend my time and the ability to continue to pursue both personal and business-related passions. If I can wake up and decide to take the day off to relax, I am richer than any amount of money could ever make me.
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Kelsey’s Answer: Knowing that I have had a positive impact on my clients personally and that they feel excited and happy to come see me!
Skincare Advice
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Kelsey’s Answer:
Cleanse
Tone
Treat (vitamin C, hyaluronic acid in the AM, hyaluronic acid, retinol in the PM)
Moisturize
SPF in the AM
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Kelsey’s Answer:
Vitamin C (THD ascorbate): acts as a brightening agent + neutralizes free radicals created by the sun’s radiation within the cells. Free radical neutralization minimizes oxidative stress, which is a key mechanism of cellular damage leading to hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and photoaging. This formulation of vitamin C contains molecules small enough to enter cells to create change & is molecularly stable, meaning it can sit on your shelf for a year and be mixed with other products while remaining effective, unlike many other forms of Vitamin C. Check your labels!
Hyaluronic Acid: a powerful hydrating ingredient that holds 1000x its weight in water! Did you know that ⅔ of your total body water is within your cells? Mixed-weight HA, like in the Laroche Posey HA + B5 serum, provides both surface level and intracellular hydration for long lasting relief of dryness. This is perfect to layer under other ingredients that may be a bit more drying, such as vitamin C or retinol, to prevent irritation and flakiness. For my dry girlies, use twice a day every day!
Micellar Water: while not a treatment, this product effectively removes dirt, oil, SPF, and makeup prior to cleansing. If you prefer to just cleanse, make sure to rinse and repeat to ensure your skin is adequately clean before the rest of your skincare routine!
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Kelsey’s Answer:
AN Skin & Beauty, Laroche Posey
Sunscreen options: Mineral is my personal favorite. Powered by zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, mineral sunscreens reflect and scatter UV rays away from the skin, as opposed to chemical sunscreen that absorb the rays then dissipates them as heat from the skin. While mineral sunscreens sometimes have a light tint to them and require a bit more “rubbing in”, there are many great tinted options that function beautifully as light makeup. My personal favorite is the AN Skin Hydraglow matte tinted SPF. There is also a glowy version for those who have drier skin!
Thank you, Kelsey!
This is where the magic happens!
Girl Gang goes to a wedding!
We hope you enjoyed this episode of Girl Gang Podcast. What’s your skincare routine? What brands do you love? Text us your recommendations with the text option in our episode description!
So until next time - stay bold, stay empowered…
Rachael & the Girl Gang
