02/12/2025
Acne basics - foundations first 🤓
Before we start working on finding the root cause of a client’s skin presentation, we need to nail the basics otherwise it’s all for naught!🫣
✔️Cut out dairy: dairy increases insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) which activates mTORC1 signalling in the skin, an important driver of acne. Higher IGF-1 = increased sebaceous gland growth, more sebum and increased keratinocyte proliferation, meaning a tendency towards an increase in clogged pores. It may not be forever but cutting out dairy short term takes the load off the skin!
✔️Use less skincare products: acne sufferers are unfortunately marketed harsh skincare products which worsen the skin microbiome. I recommend cleansing only at night (splashing water on the face in the morning is sufficient, before moisturising), and limiting it to a cleanser and moisturiser. We discuss homemade green tea toners (green tea = anti acne) and a targeted serum, but that’s about it! If we overwash, we disrupt the skin barrier = acne can flourish.
✔️Focus on wholefoods: we know processed foods ain’t good the skin! Aim for lots of colour: berries, green tea, turmeric, oily fish, nuts, seeds and leafy greens which reduce skin inflammation and support gut health.
✔️Drink at least 2L water/day: with dehydration we have thicker sebum, uneven skin shedding causing pore clogging and increased skin inflammation.
✔️Aim to open bowels 1-2x daily: if we are constipated, oestrogen and androgens can get reabsorbed ending up in recirculation, worsening acne. It also leads to dysbiosis, and we know an unhappy gut does not equal happy skin! If the cause of your constipation is poor bile flow, there is the potential for poor absorption of important skin nutrients like vitamin A and D.
Basics first for healthy skin✨️
