What Can I Do If I Keep Getting Acne? A Functional Medicine Approach to Clear Skin From the Inside Out

Still Struggling with Acne? You’re Not Alone—And There Is a Way Out

If you keep getting acne no matter what products you try, you’re not alone—and it’s not just a teenage problem. Millions of adults, especially women in their 20s, 30s, and even 40s, deal with persistent breakouts that can feel frustrating, embarrassing, and impossible to treat.

Here’s the truth: topical creams and harsh medications rarely solve the root cause. Functional medicine takes a different approach—looking at the why behind your breakouts so you can heal your skin from the inside out.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the most common root causes of persistent acne, and what you can do to finally break the cycle—for good.

What Is Acne, Really?

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that develops when:

  1. Sebaceous (oil) glands overproduce oil (sebum)
  2. Pores become clogged with dead skin and oil
  3. Bacteria (especially P. acnes) overgrow
  4. Inflammation leads to whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, cysts, or nodules

But the real question is: What’s causing this imbalance in your body to begin with?

Why Do I Keep Getting Acne?

Persistent acne is usually a symptom of something deeper going on in the body. Functional medicine looks for the root causes, which often include:

1. Hormonal Imbalances

  • Elevated androgens (like testosterone or DHT) increase oil production
  • Imbalances in estrogen and progesterone, especially around periods
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common root cause in women

2. Insulin Resistance and High Sugar Intake

  • Elevated insulin triggers androgen production and inflammation
  • Sugar and refined carbs spike blood sugar and worsen breakouts

3. Gut Dysbiosis and Leaky Gut

  • Poor gut health drives systemic inflammation
  • Imbalanced gut bacteria may lead to increased acne and poor nutrient absorption

4. Food Sensitivities

  • Dairy, gluten, soy, or sugar can be inflammatory triggers
  • Many people with acne unknowingly react to certain foods

5. Chronic Stress

  • Stress increases cortisol and oil production
  • It also disrupts the gut-brain-skin axis and delays skin healing

6. Toxin Overload or Poor Liver Detox

  • Your liver processes hormones, toxins, and metabolic waste
  • If it’s overburdened, your skin becomes the backup elimination route

7. Poor Skin Hygiene or Product Reactions

  • Using comedogenic makeup or harsh products
  • Not changing pillowcases or cleaning phones regularly

What Can I Do If I Keep Getting Acne?

Here’s how to start healing acne from the inside out using a functional, holistic approach.

1. Balance Blood Sugar and Insulin

This is foundational. When insulin spikes, it causes your body to produce more androgens, leading to more oil and more breakouts.

Tips:

  • Cut back on sugar, juice, soda, and refined carbs
  • Eat protein and fiber at every meal to stabilize glucose
  • Try a low-glycemic diet (lots of veggies, healthy fats, and clean proteins)
  • Consider intermittent fasting if appropriate

2. Support Healthy Hormone Balance

If you suspect hormonal acne (jawline, chin, and neck breakouts, especially before your period), test your hormones with a practitioner.

Supportive Strategies:

  • Eat cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, arugula) to support estrogen metabolism
  • Take seed cycling or herbal support like DIM, chasteberry, or spearmint tea
  • Manage stress (see below)

3. Heal the Gut

The gut-skin axis is real—imbalances in your gut microbiome often show up on your skin.

Ways to support gut health:

  • Add probiotic-rich foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt)
  • Take a broad-spectrum probiotic supplement
  • Avoid antibiotics and NSAIDs when possible
  • Remove inflammatory foods (gluten, dairy, sugar) for 4 weeks and reintroduce

4. Reduce Inflammation with an Anti-Acne Diet

Focus on nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods:

  • Omega-3 fats (wild salmon, flax, walnuts)
  • Zinc-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, oysters)
  • Antioxidants (berries, leafy greens, green tea)
  • Hydrating foods (cucumber, celery, lemon water)

Avoid:

  • Dairy (especially skim milk and whey protein)
  • Gluten (if sensitive)
  • Processed oils and fried foods
  • Excess caffeine or alcohol

5. Detox Gently and Support Liver Function

The liver helps eliminate used-up hormones and toxins. If sluggish, your skin will take over—and breakouts result.

Ways to detox naturally:

  • Drink lemon water and dandelion tea
  • Eat bitter greens (arugula, dandelion, endive)
  • Avoid chemical-laden cosmetics
  • Support with milk thistle, NAC, or glutathione (under guidance)

6. Manage Stress to Balance Cortisol and Hormones

Stress is one of the biggest acne triggers. It affects everything from your gut and hormones to your immune system.

Practical tools:

  • Daily breathwork or meditation (5–10 minutes)
  • Journaling or gratitude practices
  • Gentle exercise like yoga or walking
  • Adaptogenic herbs (ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil)

7. Use Targeted Supplements (Under Guidance)

Some natural options to consider:

  • Zinc picolinate: reduces inflammation and bacteria
  • Omega-3 fatty acids: lowers inflammation
  • Probiotics: supports gut balance
  • Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate): regulates sebum production (low-dose only)
  • DIM or calcium-D-glucarate: supports estrogen clearance

8. Clean Up Your Skincare Routine

What you put on your skin matters, too.

Look for:

  • Non-comedogenic, fragrance-free products
  • Gentle exfoliation (like lactic acid or mandelic acid)
  • Oil-cleansing for makeup removal

Avoid:

  • Harsh scrubs or alcohol-based toners
  • Picking or squeezing pimples (this increases scarring and inflammation)
  • Dirty pillowcases, makeup brushes, or phones

Final Thoughts: Acne Is a Symptom—Not a Diagnosis

Persistent acne is frustrating, but it’s also a signal that something deeper in your body is out of balance. Instead of masking the problem, functional medicine empowers you to find and fix the root cause.

With the right support—nutritional, hormonal, digestive, and emotional—your skin can truly heal from the inside out.

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, We Treat Acne Differently

We use advanced testing and a root-cause approach to help uncover why your skin is breaking out and build a customized plan to clear it—for good. Whether it’s hormones, gut health, or inflammation, we’ve got real answers and natural solutions.

Book your functional skincare consultation today and take the first step toward glowing, confident skin.

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