Glowing Skin Set: get glowing skin tips from the past three weeks from Salus Integrative Medicine. Great skin starts from the inside, out!
Acne is a common skin problem with a seemingly endless list of potential causes; from hormones and genetics to diet and allergies (4). While many recommend topical treatment options, understanding the deeper reasons behind your acne can help heal and prevent future breakouts.
What Causes Acne?
Acne is a sign of inflammation in the body as a response to bacteria getting past the skin’s barrier. Typically, when bacteria attempt to enter the skin, the pores produce an oily substance from special glands, which prevent bacteria from growing. If these oil ducts are clogged or not producing enough oil, bacteria will have space to grow (1). Once the bacteria growth enters the body, white blood cells will be sent to attack the bacteria.
Most treatments focus on preventing bacteria growth on the skin or managing oil production. While these treatments may solve the surface-level problems, they do not address many other potential causes of acne. At Salus Integrative Medicine, we aspire to treat the whole person, not just the temporary elimination of acne. As acne is typically a symptom of a larger problem, we can create a treatment plan combining both conventional medicine and highly effective, science-based, medical treatments to support your whole body.
Addressing Inflammation
Some studies suggest that high levels of inflammation in the body can increase the likelihood of more intense acne breakouts as the skin’s normal processes are destabilized (1). Managing the amount of overall inflammation in the body can aid in preventing reoccurring, larger, or more painful acne. Abnormal hormonal levels like increased stress hormones or PMOS (previously PCOS), or sensitivity to normal hormonal shifts can also increase the likelihood of acne breakouts (4).
Allergies are recognized by their immune and inflammatory responses in the body. Managing allergies, stress, and supporting gut health can reduce overall inflammation, reducing the likelihood of intense acne symptoms. Finding underlying causes of inflammation can not only improve overall health and wellness, but it can support your skin’s ability to keep breakouts at bay.
Nutrition Support
Anti-inflammatory foods and supplements are crucial in managing your body’s immune responses. Quality probiotics support anti-inflammatory molecules which can help prevent and heal acne lesions (3). Yogurts or other fermented milk products can also have a similar effect, depending on your skin’s sensitivity to dairy. When used in combination with other treatments, these supplements can increase skin healing and support long-term skin health. Probiotics, in particular, tend to have minor side effects and stabilize the skin’s barrier, preventing acne breakouts (2).
“Increasing evidence suggests a potential link between a high glycemic index diet and dairy product intake with the development of acne” (2).
Swapping processed foods, simple carbs, and sugars, for whole grain, high fiber, and high-protein foods might help keep acne flares at bay. Balancing simpler carbs with healthy fats and high protein can help slow the overall digestion rate, keeping blood sugar levels more stabilized (5). When blood sugar levels are more stabilized, hormone and inflammation levels tend to stay more stabilized.
Try Increasing:
- Low glycemic index food (vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, etc.)
- Clean proteins and organ meats
- Anti-microbial herbs (oregano, thyme, basil, and mint)
- Healthy fats (monounsaturated and omega 3 fatty acids)
- Quality probiotics
- Regular cardiovascular exercise
- Practicing stress management
Try Decreasing:
- Processed foods
- Stress
- Alcohol
- Sweet drinks, juices, and smoothies
- Whey protein shakes
Drink Responsibly
Alcohol can be a major cause of inflammation and should be limited. Ensure you are drinking clean filtered water and consider herbal teas for an ultra-hydrating alternative. Sweet drinks, juices, smoothies, and whey protein shakes can cause you to consume too much sugar which can increase the likelihood of an inflammatory response in the body.
Schedule an appointment at Salus Integrative Medicine to create a plan for your acne or other skin frustrations. Dr. Lisa Mainier can help support your skin inside and outside, rebuilding your best skin yet!
Sources:
(1) Huang L, Yang S, Yu X, Fang F, Zhu L, Wang L, Zhang X, Yang C, Qian Q and Zhu T (2024) Association of different cell types and inflammation in early acne vulgaris. Front. Immunol. 15:1275269. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1275269
(2) Li, Y., Hu, X., Dong, G., Wang, X., & Liu, T. (2024). Acne treatment: research progress and new perspectives. Frontiers in medicine, 11, 1425675. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1425675
(3) Cruz, S., Vecerek, N., & Elbuluk, N. (2023). Targeting Inflammation in Acne: Current Treatments and Future Prospects. American journal of clinical dermatology, 24(5), 681–694. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-023-00789-1
(4) Sutaria AH, Masood S, Saleh HM, et al. Acne Vulgaris. [Updated 2023 Aug 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459173/
(5) Clinic, C. (2025). What Is the Low Glycemic Index Diet? In Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/low-glycemic-index-diet