Struggling with acne? Tried all the creams? But, What’s the root CAUSE?

Do you struggle with breakouts? Or is it even worse than that?

I remember a time in my life when I couldn't leave the house without putting on a full face of makeup and then carrying said makeup with me to reapply multiple times throughout the day because I was so ashamed of my skin. I couldn't have even dreamed of a time like now when I walk around most days without any makeup at all.

It was a long road. Many doctors wanted to put me on long-term antibiotics (worst decision ever for my gut health), Acutane, and a litany of topical creams. It took a long time and a big realization that acne happens from the inside out. Because there's an imbalance going on internally, whether with the digestive system or hormones. Once I understood THAT coming up with a plan to heal and knowing that none of those pills and creams were the answer became much easier.

Though acne is most common during puberty and adolescence (I had it into my 20s, unfortunately), women of all ages can experience pimples and breakouts. Acne commonly appears on the face and upper body in the teenage years, while adult acne is more often limited to the chin and jawline (where hormonal and digestive breakouts most commonly happen). Adult acne can cause us to become extremely uncomfortable, as people think they should be "past that stage" and often feel like they are alone in their struggles. For so many people, acne is not just a cosmetic problem - it can also affect their emotions, stress, and self-esteem.

For this reason, it's so important to understand the root cause rather than just slathering on all these topical creams so that you can actually fix what's causing the problem in the first place. As unfortunate as acne can be, it's actually a sign from our bodies telling us that something is going on internally and that there may be an imbalance of some kind within. Acne serves as a visual symptom for various conditions. This is good news because it's a roadmap that can point us in the right direction towards healing. If we address the root problem, the imbalance will be corrected and the acne will disappear.

So in this newsletter, I wanted to outline the potential root causes of acne for you. You can do testing, which is part of the work I do with clients, to see what's causing the issue for you. From there, we work to address the underlying cause for YOU so that you can heal from the inside out.

Birth Control Pills

These are high in synthetic progesterone, which can lead to breakouts.

Your Period and Hormonal Imbalances

Many women experience premenstrual breakouts, which can be caused by the release of progesterone after ovulation in the luteal phase. We can do things to bring more balance and prevent those breakouts.

Poor Digestion and Constipation

Properly eliminating waste products and toxins is essential for clear skin. If there is a backup in the colon, wastes and toxins can start surfacing through the skin. Food intolerances and sensitivities can also cause poor digestion, leading to wastes and toxins surfacing through the skin.

Candida Overgrowth

An overgrowth of candida can cause hormonal changes in the body that can encourage the liver to produce substances that inhibit healthy sebum production.

Stress

Stress increases the risk of acne by drying out the skin, ramping up oil production, and increasing levels of stress hormones that age the skin. Excessive amounts of sudden and prolonged stress may cause changes in the brain and body chemistry; acne may be one of the results of that change in chemistry.

Food allergies

Food sensitivities occur when your immune system mistakenly identifies food as a threat and launches an immune attack against it. This results in high levels of pro-inflammatory molecules circulating throughout the body, which incite acne.

Poor Diet

Diet can affect hormones that, in turn, make acne worse. For example, milk and foods with a high sugar content can cause a rise in insulin levels, altering other hormones that can affect the skin.

Environmental Toxins

Pollution causes build-up on your skin and clogs your pores.

Overly Acidic Body pH

The skin's barrier is only slightly acidic for a reason: to keep moisture in and bacteria out. If it's too acidic, you'll increase your chances of inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and acne.

Thankfully, treating acne often involves making just a few simple changes to one's diet and lifestyle from a really holistic approach. Working with me, we find out the root cause for YOU, as well as holistic, long-term solutions regarding diet, supplementation, herbs, and lifestyle to help treat and prevent it.