Acne: Understanding the Root Causes Beneath the Surface

Acne is often seen as a cosmetic issue, but it’s actually a signal—your skin’s way of telling you that something deeper is out of balance. While topical products can help manage symptoms, long-term, lasting results come from understanding and addressing the underlying causes of acne.

 

🔍 What Is Acne?

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects the sebaceous (oil) glands and hair follicles. It typically shows up as:

• Whiteheads and blackheads (clogged pores)
  
• Papules and pustules (inflamed red bumps and pimples)
  
• Cysts or nodules (deep, painful, under-the-skin acne)
  
  

Acne most commonly occurs on the face, chest, shoulders, and back, where sebaceous glands are most active.

✅ The Four Core Factors That Drive Acne

1. Excess Sebum (Oil) Production

• Triggered by hormonal activity, especially androgens like testosterone.
  
• Sebum provides a perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria and clogged pores.
  
  

2. Abnormal Shedding of Skin Cells (Hyperkeratinization)

• Dead skin cells don’t shed properly → they mix with sebum → clog pores.
  
• This process often worsens under oxidative stress, poor skin barrier health, or inflammation.
  
  

3. Bacterial Overgrowth

• Specifically Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes), which thrives in clogged, oily pores.
  
• These bacteria trigger an immune response → inflammation and pus.
  
  

4. Inflammation

• Both local (skin-level) and systemic (whole-body) inflammation can drive acne.
  
• Inflammatory cytokines aggravate the skin, making pimples red, swollen, and painful.
  
  

🧬 Root Causes of Acne (Beneath the Surface)

🔹 Hormonal Imbalances

• High androgens (testosterone, DHT) increase oil production.
  
• Often seen during puberty, menstruation, PCOS, or high stress.
  
• Hormonal acne typically appears along the jawline, chin, and lower cheeks.
  
  

🔹 Blood Sugar & Insulin Spikes

• Diets high in sugar and refined carbs trigger insulin and IGF-1, which stimulate oil production and increase androgen levels.
  
• Leads to deeper, cystic breakouts.
  
  

🔹 Chronic Stress & Cortisol

• Cortisol increases oil production and inflammation.
  
• Stress also disrupts hormonal balance and slows wound healing → longer-lasting acne.
  
  

🔹 Gut Health & Dysbiosis

• Leaky gut and imbalanced gut microbiome can lead to systemic inflammation.
  
• Poor gut function affects detoxification and hormonal clearance, especially estrogen.
  
• Constipation, bloating, or food sensitivities are common in acne-prone individuals.
  
  

🔹 Liver Detox Overload

• If the liver is sluggish or overwhelmed (due to toxins, medications, poor diet), it can’t properly clear hormones and inflammatory metabolites → skin takes over the burden.
  
  

🔹 Nutrient Deficiencies

• Common in acne:
  
  
  • Zinc – anti-inflammatory, regulates oil glands.
    
  • Vitamin A – supports cell turnover.
    
  • Vitamin D – modulates immunity.
    
  • Omega-3s – reduce inflammation.
    
    

🔹 Genetic Factors

• Genes influence:
  
  • Oil gland sensitivity to androgens.
    
  • Skin barrier function.
    
  • Inflammatory reactivity.
    
    
• Common SNPs may include variations in TNF-α, IL-1, or androgen receptor genes.
  
  

🧼 Are Topical Products Enough?

Topical treatments (like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids) can help clear pores and reduce bacteria. But they don’t address the internal imbalances driving acne. Often, people chase stronger and stronger products, which can damage the skin barrier and worsen sensitivity.

For lasting results, a holistic approach is key.

 

💡 Functional Root-Cause Solutions for Acne