Acne is poorly understood not only due to its complex and multiple causes, but also due to the perpetuation of outdated science. This results in myths about acne and a certain helplessness for the person suffering from it. In this article, we will provide you with new scientific information, so that you can choose your acne treatment with full knowledge of the facts.
Who is affected by acne?
Approximately 85% of teenagers, 40% of adult women, and around 15% of adult men.
What is acne?
ALL ACNE IS HORMONAL AND INFLAMMATORY. In other words, the various forms of acne that manifest on the skin as pimples (with or without pus), blemishes, blackheads, whiteheads, or other cysts, all originate from inflammation under the skin and are caused by various factors such as hormones, nutrition, stress, gut microbiome imbalance, skin microbiome imbalance, etc.
Teenage acne is mainly due to various growth hormones and sex hormones, which are responsible for the development of their sex organs. At this stage, a diet consisting of high glycemic index foods acts like a spark in a very dry bush.
Adult acne can be due to various factors, but most often, hormonal imbalance, gut microbiome imbalance, and a weakened immune system play a central role.
In all cases, hormones play an important role. In the case of teenagers, the fluctuation is due to the rapid growth of sex hormones; in adult women, the main fluctuation is monthly menstruation; in adult men, the fluctuation is usually due to an external stimulus such as taking anabolic steroids or whey protein to build muscle. There are other reasons for hormonal fluctuations, but these are the most common. "Hormonal acne" has a broader meaning than occasional acne around the chin.
Acne is simply a message, or even an alert from your body about what is happening inside you. Acne reflects the evolving state of your systems. Therefore, a solution that improves your general health is the best way to target acne.
Current acne prescriptions
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Antibiotics |
Roaccutane (Isotretinoin) |
Birth Control Pills |
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Oxytetracycline, Minocycline, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, Azithromycin |
80% efficacy rate |
Controversial acne treatment for adolescents that manipulates hormones during sex organ development |
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Efficacy rate between 0% and 15% |
1/3 of users need a 2nd and 3rd treatment |
Acne often returns as soon as the pill is stopped |
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3-month prescription, or even longer |
6+ months prescription |
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Contributes to STRONG antibiotic resistance |
Suspected of being anti-androgenic (hormone manipulation) |
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Reduces microbiome diversity, sometimes irreversibly |
Very significant side effects |
Prescription creams - Retinoids, Adapalene, Tretinoin, Benzoyl Peroxide, hydrocortisone (steroid cream) - are aggressive chemical treatments for the skin.
The main problem with these treatments:
They are based on 40-50 year old science. All these treatments predate the Human Genome Project (mapping our genetic heritage) and the Human Microbiome Project (mapping our microbial heritage). These latest scientific advancements have exponentially increased our understanding of the human body over the last ten years. By analogy, they can be considered the advent of the internet in human health. And to put this into perspective, prescription acne treatments would be in the pre-internet era.
What are the causes of acne?
1. A panel of different hormones, the main ones being:
- ANDROGENS: High levels of androgens mean higher sebum levels, which causes acne. This hormone is the main link to acne.
- CORTISOL: High levels of cortisol (stress hormones) influence androgens to produce more sebum. High cortisol also means increased insulin, which influences androgens and triggers acne.
- GROWTH HORMONES: These are the growth hormones in adolescents that are responsible for sebum overproduction, which promotes acne.
- INSULIN: High insulin levels influence greater androgen activity. Insulin is linked to nutrition.
- ESTROGENS: Too much and too little estrogen cause acne.
- PROGESTERONE: Low or high progesterone levels also lead to acne.
2. Inflammatory factors. To maintain hormone balance and provide our cells with enough antioxidants and nutrients, it is important to have a good diet.
3. The microbiome. The gut microbiome affects almost all systems in your body, and this includes your hormone balance. A lack of gut flora diversity and leaks caused by a porous gut wall (even slight) can also be causes of acne.
4. Damaged skin barrier, imbalanced pH, are harmful to the skin's microbiome. A damaged skin barrier is an open door to infections (pathogens) and other aggressors like pollution, dirt, and UV. A damaged skin barrier also contributes to skin conditions like acne and eczema, as the skin is too weakened to repair itself. Products like soaps and skincare change the skin's pH, creating a hostile environment for the microbiome.
We now know that drying out the skin and sebum, decimating gut or skin bacteria, and sensitizing the skin with harsh ingredients is NOT the way to treat acne.
What are the alternatives to prescription treatments?
Our formulations: Based on the latest scientific discoveries
Respect the skin's microbiome and improve the gut microbiome.
Improve and respect the skin barrier
Natural and high-tech formulations
Non-sensitizing, non-irritating, non-photosensitizing
You will find more information about Regulation Serum, including test results, here.
You will find the Acne Kit, for a holistic In & Out approach, here.
What type of nutrition should you adopt?
Thanks to the new science of nutrition, a healthy diet now has a new purpose. Given the paramount importance of our gut microbiome in overall health and skin health, you should choose foods that will nourish your gut microbiome. To improve acne, a hormone-related skin problem, you should also prioritize foods that help balance your hormones.
Examples of foods that help nourish your microbiome:
- Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables like oats, broccoli, bananas, apples, cabbage, etc.
- A variety of plant-based foods - aim for a minimum of 30-35 different foods per week (including herbs, spices, seeds, fruits, vegetables) to improve gut microbiome diversity.
Examples of foods that help restore hormonal balance:
- Healthy fats like olive oil, flax seeds, crushed hemp seeds, avocado, nuts.
- Small amounts of protein.
Cut out sugar:
- High sugars (including simple carbohydrates) produce more insulin (hormone). An increase in insulin leads to an increase in androgens. An increase in androgens leads to an increase in sebum and potentially acne or pimples.
- In the case of skin aging, sugar leads to premature aging through a process called glycation. Glycation irreversibly damages collagen and elastin, leading to sagging skin and wrinkles.
It is advisable to avoid foods that can aggravate acne such as cow's milk, processed or fried foods, sugar, and chocolate.
To learn more about diet and acne, click here.
What kind of lifestyle should you adopt?
Exercise increases blood flow, and blood carries oxygen and nutrients to active cells in the body, including the skin. Physical movement is also essential for hormonal balance. Any form of exercise is effective, from brisk walking to weight training. Find an activity you enjoy doing and you'll be more likely to stick with it.
Stress management is another key component of health and healthy skin. Incorporate breathing exercises into your life, even if it's just a few minutes a day. Yoga is an excellent way to combine physical and breathing exercises. In cases of prolonged stress, we recommend taking our Skin & Stress food supplement, rich in antioxidants and magnesium.
Improve your sleep and take time to relax. Stress (via the hormone cortisol) is an aggravating factor for acne, and many people suffer from stress without recognizing the symptoms.