WHAT CAUSES ACNE?
- Acne is an inflammatory and bacterial condition of the skin.
- Hormone imbalance stimulates the sebaceous (oil) glands of the skin, making acne particularly common in infancy, adolescence, during menses, and menopause.
- Acne is more than a skin issue, resulting from many factors: stressed adrenals, food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, hypoglycemia, and many environmental toxins that contribute to weakened immunity and hormonal problems.
- Skin is a major detoxification organ that is affected by toxins absorbed through the colon and by a congested, overworked liver. The liver has a direct effect on hormone excretion, poor liver function increases the buildup of acne-producing steroids in the body.
Holistic Approach
- A holistic homeopathic approach to acne can help you get rid of this problem without the damaging side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.
- Homeopathic liver detox (the most gentle/effective way), nutritional support with Tissue Cell Salts, and vital skin vitamins, A, C, D, E, and zinc are essential in skin healing.
- Detoxification of the intestines is a key strategy, as well as the elimination of dairy, sugar, and processed foods.
- It is important to only use gentle skin healing products and treatments. A proper skincare routine and skincare products can be very beneficial in the treatment of acne.
- Antibiotic suppression and/or harsh topical treatments have significant side effects and negative long-term effects on the health and skin.
DIET:
What to avoid?
- Avoid refined sugars, colas, and sugary soft drinks – it induces an adrenal surge and triggers oil glands to make more sebum.
- Avoid processed and refined carbohydrates – reducing consumption of high-carbohydrate foods reduces the amount of sugar available to bacteria.
- Avoid non-organic pasteurized dairy – hormones in milk can interact with our hormones, confusing our body’s endocrine system and signaling breakouts.
What to do?
(fruits, vegetables, meat, grains)
- Take vitamins A, C, D, E, and Zinc.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Switch from pasteurized milk to raw grass-fed milk. Raw milk provides many gut-healthy probiotics and enzymes.
SKIN CARE:
What to avoid?
- “Wash less”- washing too much or rubbing too hard can injure the skin. Using a gentle exfoliating soap and water twice a day is enough.
- Do not dry out oily skin - drying the skin with alcohol or other harsh topical solutions does not eliminate the pus that clogs pores. It only tightens the skin and makes the natural elimination of sebum and dead skin cells more difficult.
- Do not over-exfoliate your skin - Your skin has a natural barrier that protects it and helps to retain moisture. Using harsh facial brushes and scrubs or cleansers can damage the outer layer of the skin. Over-exfoliation can lead to more breakouts, inflammation, and hypersensitivity.
What to do?
- Gentle skincare routine for acne- instead of irritating the skin and causing more damage, good products will help heal the skin and prevent breakouts. My absolute favorite skincare lines that I have used with great success are Societe Clinical Skin Care and Environ Skin Care.
- Get Corrective-Purifying with Cool Peel Level 1 facial. I have a lot of experience when it comes to chemical peels and facial treatments. Aggressive chemical agents can cause more damage than good. I prefer Environ Cool Peel Technology, which is the most intelligent, non-invasive system. It is scientifically proven to safely and effectively improve the appearance of red inflamed skin, assist to purify pores, and loosen congestion, leaving the skin healthier, clearer, and smoother.
RECONSIDERING ACNE:
A New Perspective on Causes and Treatment
Acne is a prevalent and often difficult-to-treat skin condition that affects individuals of all ages. While traditionally viewed as a hormonal disorder, emerging theories suggest that acne may actually be linked to a metabolic issue—specifically, a deficiency in vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). This theory challenges conventional wisdom and offers new insights into the nature of this common skin ailment.
Conventional View: Hormones and Sebum
The traditional explanation for acne centers on hormones, particularly androgens, which stimulate sebaceous glands to produce excess oil. This oil clogs pores, creating an environment where Propionibacterium acnes thrives, leading to inflammation and acne. However, this theory struggles to explain why acne affects men and women equally despite significant differences in androgen levels, or why it persists in some adults long after hormonal fluctuations stabilize.
The B5 Deficiency Hypothesis
Dr. Lit-Hung Leung first proposed that acne might stem from a deficiency of vitamin B5. This essential nutrient plays a critical role in fat metabolism and the synthesis of steroid hormones, including androgens. During puberty, pregnancy, or stress, when hormone production increases, the body's demand for B5 also rises. A deficiency in B5 could impair the body's ability to metabolize fats, leading to excess oils being excreted through the skin, clogging pores, and causing acne.
Diet and Modern Lifestyles
The hypothesis gains support from observations of indigenous populations who, despite experiencing puberty, rarely develop acne. Their diets, rich in unprocessed, nutrient-dense foods, contrast sharply with the Western diet, which often includes "empty calories" from highly processed foods lacking essential vitamins like B5. Consuming such foods may deplete the body's B5 stores, exacerbating acne.
Supporting Evidence and Treatment
Clinical trials using high doses of B5 (up to 10 grams daily) have shown promising results in reducing acne severity, particularly in cases of long-standing or severe acne. This suggests that the body’s B5 reserves may take time to replenish. While conventional treatments focus on managing symptoms, addressing potential B5 deficiency through dietary changes and supplementation could provide a more holistic and effective solution.
Implications for Skin Health
This theory reframes acne as a consequence of modern dietary practices rather than an inevitable hormonal imbalance. It also highlights the importance of the B-vitamin complex in maintaining skin health and challenges healthcare practitioners to consider nutritional factors in treating skin conditions.
By shifting the focus from hormones to metabolism and nutrition, the B5 deficiency hypothesis offers a new avenue for understanding and managing acne, emphasizing dietary balance and nutrient sufficiency as key factors in achieving clear, healthy skin.
Reference
Energique Pro. (2025, January 2). Is acne a vitamin deficiency? Retrieved from https://www.energiquepro.com/is-acne-a-vitamin-deficiency/
Homeopathic claims are based on traditional practices and are not supported by established medical evidence. These claims have not been evaluated by the FDA.
The statements provided have not been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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