Acne - the Natural Way
Updated Apr. 08th, 2024
Acne results in the development of pimples or pustules and comedone (blackheads and whiteheads) from blocked hair follicles and increased secretions in the sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands produce sebum, which is a mixture of oil and wax. This sebum lubricates the skin and prevents water loss. Acne commonly appears on the face, upper back and upper arms and chest, as these are the locations of the highest concentration of sebaceous glands in the body.
Acne is a chronic skin condition that most often affects males and females in their adolescent years. Adult acne is an issue for some individuals, as well as hormone related acne for females (premenstrual acne, or acne during pregnancy). Although the problem is not life threatening, it can be disheartening. It can lead to lower self-esteem & a negative body image.
Types of Acne
Acne vulgaris (or cystic acne) is the clinical name for what most of the general public refers to as acne. It is effects the hair follicles and oil secreting glands of the skin. It manifests as blackheads (open comedones), whiteheads (closed comedones) or pimples/blemishes. Acne conglobate is a more severe form of acne that causes deep cysts and often causes significant scarring.
What causes acne?
Nutritional deficiencies (poor diet), food intolerances, exposure to environmental toxins, stress, genetics, hormonal imbalances, and some pharmaceutical drugs can cause acne.
Toxic overload
The skin is the largest organ in the body, and therefore plays a huge role (literally) in detoxification. One method the body has of excreting toxins is through sweat (through pores in the skin). These toxins can lead to irritation/inflammation of the skin, manifesting itself as acne. If there is a disruption in detoxification, as in the case of constipation, and toxins are allowed to build up in the body longer, these excesses can also lead to acne. There are some great detoxification tips in our article.
Are we OVER cleaning?
Hygiene does play a role in the development of acne, but not in the way you may think. Over-washing/stripping the skin of its natural oils can cause an excess of sebum, as our skin over compensate for the loss. Bacteria get stuck in the oil and the resulting immune reaction causes inflammation. Over washing and repetitive rubbing of the skin also weakens skin integrity, making it more vulnerable to bacteria and infection, and therefore acne.
Hormones!
Hormonal changes, including increased testosterone, estrogen and progesterone, cause acne in adolescence and premenstrual, as well as during pregnancy. These hormones, again, increase sebum production. Scarring of the skin is the only long-term consequence of acne and is usually due to picking at the skin.
Other Factors
Chronic or severe stress can exacerbate acne, as can personal care and household products. Many prescription medications, such as corticosteroids can also cause or aggravate acne. Humidity and hot temperatures, as well as sweating (due to hot weather, wearing fabrics that won’t allow the skin to breathe, and intense exercise regimes), can also play a role in acne development. An acidic internal environment may also exacerbate acne.
Conventional Treatment
There are several conventional treatments for acne that come with their share of negative side-effects. Accutane is a medication taken orally that, although proven to reduce the production of oil, can cause depression, nosebleeds and headaches. This medication can even lead to bone loss. Doctors take great care in prescribing Accutane to women of child-bearing age because of the pill’s dangerous side-effects for reproduction – a pregnancy test is typically administered. Topical treatments such as benzoyl peroxide and anti-biotic creams can cause more harm than good for sensitive, acne-prone skin, including painfully dry-skin and dependence to avoid increased sebum production. Both topical antibiotics and oral antibiotics (prescribed to kill acne-causing bacteria) affect the body’s regular digestive processes and can lead to improper immune and intestinal functioning resulting in chronic yeast and bladder infections. Allergic reactions to medications are commonplace and can even cause more acne.
Some Natural options
To fight acne topically tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract and lavender essential oil are good choices. They can be added to hot water for a steam treatment or diluted and dabbed on the skin. There are also many cleansing products available with one or more of these antibacterial agents. Colloidal silver is an antibiotic that can be applied topically. Green clay masks also help to detoxify the skin and draw out acne blemishes.
Dietary changes and stress reduction are the main stays of acne prevention. All foods that promote detoxification of the body are essential. They include high-fiber foods and lots of water.
Avoid any foods that you are sensitive to Dairy products and foods high in refined sugar, are high among the food culprits of acne. Keep alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, fried foods, processed foods and iodized salt to a minimum. Eat foods high in zinc such as whole grains, sunflower seeds and raw nuts. Eat lots of fruit for its water content and alpha-hydroxy acids. Eat raw foods that contain oxalic acid like almonds, beets, cashews and chard. Individuals fighting acne may also benefit from an alkaline diet. See more on acid/alkaline balancing in the article.
Digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid and probiotics to aid in the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food and along with the previously stated dietary recommendations can prevent/treat acne due to poor nutritional status. Vitamin A, E, zinc and selenium can also play a role in terms of boosting nutrients related and clearing skin. Essential fatty acids are important for skin repair. Using herbs such as vitex or supplementing with DIM, D- Glucarate or Sulforaphane may also help to treat premenstrual acne or acne related to hormone imbalance. Dandelion and milk thistle are excellent for supporting healthy detoxification, ultimately leaving the skin clearer and healthier!
For myself, I have figured out that my skin will break out about 5 days after I consume dairy. Cheese seems to be the worst culprit. I can get away with having some dairy a few times a week but I definitely can't consume it everyday.
Hello Raquel,
Dairy is a big culprit of acne. Dairy causes inflammation and can irritate the skin and cause congestion. Great that you were able to be aware of that link to make the necessary changes.
Stay healthy & well!
I have had success in treating acne with Tea Tree Oil. It works faster than store bought topical creams that I have tried. My dilution is 2 drops Tea Tree oil to 40 drops Carrier Oil. Currently I am using Almond Oil. Any carrier oil should work just as well. All purchased here at National Nutrition. One small bottle goes a long way!
Great information.
Hello Matthew,
We love to hear it! So glad to hear your feedback and that the articles and knowledge are serving you well.
Have a healthy day!
I use Tea Tree Oil for a lot of ailments. Acne is one of them! I apply a 2% concentration as soon as I see a new pimple. If I catch it quickly, it's usually gone by the next day.
My daughter has had a lot of trouble with acne. She seems to eat pretty clean, but it continues to be an issue for her despite having tried a number of over the counter Pharma remedies. It seems like she does have a lot of stress in her life so trying to reduce that will definitely be helpful, but we will follow the recommendations in the article as well as finding ways to reduce stress and or anxiety in her life. It seems to be a little bit worse during her cycle which makes sense as hormones do play a roll in acne.
Hello Scott,
Thank you for sharing. Hormones do play a large roll in acne and breakouts, as does diet, lifestyle and stress. When the body isn't in equilibrium, it needs to detox and the skin is the largest detoxing organ. If you'd like to learn more about supporting stress and anxiety naturally check out our articles on those topics as well as adrenal health.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/stress/
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/anxiety/
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/adrenal-support/
Have a healthy day.
Thank you for this article! I still get breakouts as an adult and feel like I've tried everything! I haven't tried herbal formulas before and they say what you feed the inside shows on the outside, going to try milk thistle, wish me luck!
Enjoyed this article! Acne can be such a complex issue with so many causes.. For me, stress is huge. It’s a guarantee that I’ll have a breakout a couple days after a particularly stressful day.
I’ve been able to reduce breakouts with a face-washing and moisturizing regimen that includes some essential oils mentioned in this article. Basically, I’ve blended a facial moisturizing using a base of jojoba oil and adding grapefruit and tea tree EOs to this. I apply a few drops right after washing my face. It works wonders for me.
Hello Andria,
Indeed, acne can be a complex issue, with differing underlying conditions for each person. Thank you for sharing your protocol and what has been working for you. Jojoba and grapefruit oils are very beneficial for skin health with their nourishing, antioxidant and anti bacterial benefits. If stress triggers break outs for you, have a read through this article to help you manage stress, naturally.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/stress/
Stay healthy & glowing
Having a good diet is so key to preventing acne. Avoiding things like sugar and dairy I believe has helped me a ton because they cause inflammation.
I love how this article has helped me understand that taking the right supplements can also help with acne because they will help the body absorb the nutrients it needs. Also, I like how it mentions that getting enough water and fibre will help as well as this is key to helping the body detoxify itself and give it time to heal from the inside out.
Hello Paul,
Indeed, our skin shows us what's going on inside. Often acne shows that we need to eat more whole foods that don't cause inflammation or there's a toxin accumulation where a gentle and healthy detox may be what's needed. We're glad you enjoyed this article and thank you for sharing your thoughts.
If you're looking for natural detox supplements, check out this article too:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/detox-101/
Have a healthy day!
Tea tree oil for acne can work its way into skin pores, helping to disinfect the skin. This essential oil can help unblock the sebaceous glands by penetrating deep into the skin and unclogging the pores. Since acne often forms inside the pores, this is where any acne treatments have to reach.
The oily, dead skin cell plugs will repel water but not oil, which is why tea tree oil offers the perfect solution, particularly for oily, acne-prone skin. It will also destroy the acne-causing bacteria living inside the hair follicles, further reducing the likelihood of acne outbreaks. Besides treating inflammation and soothing the skin, this process of disinfection helps dry out whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples, allowing the skin to return to normal.
Hello Paul,
Tea tree oil is a great natural way to support acne-prone skin topically. However, it's important to remember to properly dilute the oil before applying it to the skin. We would suggest using either grape seed oil or castor oil as a base. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. You may enjoy this article on tea tree and enjoy some of the essential oil recipes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A73P81MZyPo&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5&index=19
Have a healthy day!
This is a great article to get familiar with acne and some things that can cause it! Sometimes it can be frustating to accept if it is your genetics or something out of your control, however it is really inetresting to know that it can be other things too, such as over washing your face! I did not realize that over washing your face could cause acne or weaken the skin integrity so that is something to be mindful of. I also find using gentle and clean products have helped my skin tremendously, I love natural ingredients!
Hello, OH,
We're happy you enjoyed our article and found it informative. Indeed, the skin on your face is fairly delicate and over-washing can cause an imbalance because it strips too many oils away, which your skin needs to keep its barrier healthy. Omega oils are great for helping restore and keep the barrier of your skin healthy as both are lipidic. If you do get a breakout, mixing tea tree oil with your moisturizer or tamanu carrier oil and dabbing it on the spot can also help (just don't let your pets lick your face if you have any as tea tree is toxic to pets).
Stay Healthy & Well!
Acne sucks! I had acne when I was a teenager and my only options back then were proactiv and clean and clear products. Those products irritated my skin and caused my skin to worsen. I wish I knew what I know now about acne so that I could have prevented pesky pimples and irritated skin! There are so many natural treatments nowadays such as tea tree oil and a lot of the other items mentioned in the article, which are good to know!
Hello, Rose with Thorns,
Acne treatments have come a long way and thankfully there are more natural treatments available. Tea tree oil (mixed with a carrier oil) is an excellent option as a spot treatment or to mix a few drops with a face wash. Always keep in mind if you use tea tree oil to not let pets lick your skin as it's toxic to them. Natural or fragrance free skincare products are also popular for clearing skin as there aren't chemicals to irritate the skin like you experienced. We are happy you enjoyed this article and we hope you found some new treatment options. A healthy diet is also an important step in obtaining clear skin, check out our healthy recipes to heal your skin from within:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Have a healthy day!
Wow-I never knew that intestinal toxicity could trigger acne: given the inks between the oral and gut microbiome, I'm not surprised (though I'm a bit embarrassed to be just learning this now as a PhD student studying the microbiome). I also didn't know that the clinical name for a black head is a "comedome"...And, I thought that the idea of stress triggering acne was a myth. Thanks for fixing my misbeliefs; happily educated! :)
Hello, Rachel,
We are so happy that you enjoyed our article and got some good key takeaways from it! Indeed, acne can be the result of many other biological processes or health issues. Unfortunately, stress can wreak havoc on the body in many ways, including hair loss and skin issues such as breakouts. If you'd like to learn more about healthy skin, check out our other articles:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/skin-health/
Stay healthy & well!
Acne is a common skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and finding natural remedies to address it is of great interest. This article provides valuable insights into tackling acne the natural way. Emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach, it highlights various strategies such as maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and practicing good skincare habits. The inclusion of specific natural ingredients and their beneficial properties is informative and encourages readers to explore these alternatives. However, it would have been helpful to also address the severity of acne and when professional intervention might be necessary. Overall, it's a concise and informative read that promotes natural solutions for managing acne.
Hello, Nathaniel,
Acne can often damage self esteem and is frustrating to diagnose the cause. We are glad you enjoyed learning the different causes of acne and natural ways to combat it including supplements and lifestyle changes. If you'd like to find some healthy recipes and water enhancers that can help keep your skin clear, have a look at our recipe page: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Stay healthy & well.