Understanding acne, pimples, and what to do.

Acne is an inflammatory rash, on the sebum-producing areas of the skin (face, neck, back, chest), that causes pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and cysts. Skin is the most noticeable organ as it covers the entire body; it also reflects the health of the interior. Although acne and pimples manifest on the external surface, it is caused by an internal imbalance. Most common practices attempt to address acne using topical methods while ignoring the root cause of the problem.
Hormones play a major role in acne development. Androgens increase during puberty and stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. Hormonal acne can be driven by fluctuations related to menstruation, PCOS, menopause, stress, increased androgen levels, and individual sensitivity to androgens. These hormonal shifts promote inflammation, excess oil production, clogged pores, and overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria C. acnes. This is why hormonal birth control can either trigger acne or temporarily “clear” it, often acting as a band-aid rather than addressing the root cause.

Studies show foods with a high GI index, processed foods, dairy products, red meat, fatty foods and refined sugars all promote acne and raise insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and insulin. These foods have also been shown to affect levels of hormones involved in acne formation. Fruits and vegetables were shown to be protective against acne and hormones.
Studies also show the gut microbiome of acne patients to be similar and shows less microbial diversity compared to individuals without acne. Current data show that modulation of the intestinal microbiota can influence the appearance and evolution of acne.

Starting with increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet, reducing inflammatory foods (mentioned above), incorporating foods and herbs for liver support such as cruciferous vegetables, rosemary and dandelion tea, checking your zinc status, consuming more omega-3 over omega-6 and increasing hydration is a good place to start. 

Working with a naturopath can address hormone imbalance, insulin resistance, digestive health, increase detoxification, improve antioxidant status, reduce inflammation, facilitate wound healing and regulate the nervous system.