Acne is one of the most common skin concerns we see in our practice.

Most people are told the same things:

• Use stronger products
• Dry it out
• Try another prescription

But for many people, these options might improve it temporarily, or it also comes with negative side effects.

Our approach with acne and functional dermatology looks at the internal imbalances that may be contributing to the inflammation, oil production, hormonal disruption, and impaired skin healing that comes with acne.

Acne develops when pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. 

Where is this inflammation coming from?

For some people, the root issue may be hormones.
For others, it may be gut dysfunction, blood sugar imbalance, chronic stress, nutrient deficiencies, or inflammation.

And the thing is…these are ALL connected.

We ask:

• What is driving inflammation?
• What systems in the body may be out of balance?
• Why is the skin struggling to heal?

Our goal is not just “clearer skin, but a healthier system and body overall.

Hormone Imbalances

Hormones play a major role in acne development. Some patterns we see are:

• Androgens/testosterone dominance
• Estrogen imbalance
• Cortisol and stress hormones

Hormonal acne often appears along the jawline or chin, before the menstrual cycle, perimenopause and periods of high stress.

But we can’t just say “it is a hormonal imbalance”.

We have to ask WHAT and WHY are the hormones off?

The Top Acne Triggers

1. Gut Health 

When the gut microbiome becomes imbalanced, it can increase systemic inflammation and affect the immune system, detoxification pathways, and nutrient absorption.

We often explore:

• Gut dysbiosis
• Food sensitivities
• Constipation
• Bloating or digestive symptoms
• Candida overgrowth
• H. pylori
• Leaky gut patterns

2. Blood Sugar Imbalances

Blood sugar swings can contribute to:

• Increased oil production
• Inflammation
• Hormonal disruption
• Cravings and stress eating cycles

High insulin levels may also increase androgen activity, which can worsen breakouts.

Imbalanced blood sugar can mean eating too little (or too much) meals and foods too heavy in carbs & sugar, and lack of protein.

3. Chronic Stress + Nervous System Dysregulation

Elevated cortisol can:

• Increase inflammation, negatively affect hormones, alter gut health, disrupt sleep and slow the skin healing process.

Many people notice their acne worsens during (and after) periods of emotional stress, burnout, poor sleep, or nervous system overload.

4. Nutrient Deficiencies

There are many vitamins & nutrients that are critical for healthy skin, hormones and more!

• Zinc
• Vitamin D
• Omega-3s
• Iron
• B vitamins
• Protein intake

We can evaluate these with a micronutrient test and see where your body needs support. We will recommend certain foods and also ways to support gut health, so the body can properly break down & digest these important nutrients.

Every patient is different, but depending on symptoms and history, some of our functional testing may include:

• Comprehensive stool testing (assessing gut health & digestion)
• Hormone testing
• Micronutrient testing
• Food sensitivity testing
• Inflammatory markers 
• Thyroid hormones
• Blood sugar and insulin markers

Our Goal? Support the Body So the Skin Can Heal

Healing acne is never about one “magic” supplement or trigger. It is a combination of many lifestyle factors and optimizing the body’s physiology.

RECAP:

To improve acne, we need to focusing on:

• Reducing inflammation
• Supporting detoxification pathways
• Improving gut health
• Balancing blood sugar & optimal nutrient levels
• Supporting hormones like estrogen & progesterone
• Optimizing sleep and recovery

Acne Healing Takes Time

One of the hardest parts about healing acne, or any skin issue, is how emotionally exhausting it can feel. Whether you’re a parent seeing your child suffer from it, or feeling embarrassed as an adult thinking, “Why am I getting breakouts?” It can be frustrating when you’ve followed the conventional approach of products/creams and have no relief.

Our approach is focused on education, personalization, and understanding the body as an interconnected system…not just treating isolated symptoms.