1. WHY YOU STILL HAVE ACNE

Acne is a symptom—not a condition. It's the result of internal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and a disrupted skin barrier. Conventional treatments often make things worse by over-drying and irritating the skin.

Root causes include:

• Blood sugar spikes → increase sebum and androgens
• Chronic inflammation → fueled by seed oils, stress, and poor sleep
• Leaky gut → allows toxins into circulation, triggering skin flares
• Poor detoxification → overburdens the skin as an elimination organ
• Hormonal dysregulation → from PCOS, estrogen dominance, or cortisol surges
• Overuse of harsh skincare → weakens the lipid barrier and microbiome
• Deficiencies in zinc, omega-3s, magnesium, and B vitamins

2. THE FUNCTIONAL BEAUTY™ APPROACH

Functional Beauty addresses the source—not the symptom. We don’t fight the skin. We support it, internally and externally.

5 Core Strategies:

Reduce inflammation

✅Heal the gut + support detox pathways

✅Balance hormones and insulin

✅Rebuild the skin barrier

✅Restore the skin and gut microbiome

3. SUPPLEMENTS TO HEAL FROM WITHIN

Skin health starts in the gut, liver, and lymphatic system. These curated supplements target the key internal imbalances that drive acne:

• NutraChamps Omega-3 Fish Oil – Lower inflammation and regulate oil production
• Ancient Bliss Zinc Complex – Antibacterial, reduces sebum, and accelerates healing
• Collagen + Bone Broth Protein – Repair leaky gut and rebuild skin matrix
• SBO Probiotics + Digestive Enzymes – Support digestion and microbial balance
• Inositol (Myo + D-Chiro) – Powerful for hormonal acne and PCOS
• Liver Detox (Milk Thistle, TUDCA) – Enhance bile flow and hormone clearance
• Alpha Lipoic Acid – Stabilizes blood sugar and regenerates antioxidants
• Magnesium Glycinate – Supports stress relief and cortisol balance

4. DIET & LIFESTYLE FOUNDATIONS

Acne cannot heal on a poor foundation. Food is your first medicine.

REMOVE:

• Sugar, dairy, gluten, seed oils, alcohol, synthetic sweeteners
• Tap water with chlorine and fluoride (use a high-quality filter)

ADD:

• Wild fish, flax, and chia for omega-3s
• Cruciferous veggies for hormone balance
• Bone broth and marine collagen for gut lining
• Matcha, turmeric, ginger for anti-inflammatory support
• Filtered water with trace minerals for hydration
• Sweat, lymphatic movement, and quality sleep

5. SKINCARE INGREDIENTS: WHAT TO USE & WHAT TO AVOID

Not all “acne-fighting” ingredients are helpful. Many worsen inflammation and long-term sensitivity. Here’s what to look for—and what to leave behind.

WHAT TO USE:

• Niacinamide – Calms redness, regulates oil production, and strengthens the skin barrier
• Salicylic Acid – A BHA that exfoliates inside pores, ideal for blackheads and oily skin
• Retinyl Esters or Bakuchiol – Gentler alternatives to prescription retinoids for acne and texture
• Azelaic Acid – Calms inflammation and targets C. acnes bacteria
• Hypochlorous Acid (e.g., Tower 28 Spray) – Antibacterial and barrier-friendly
• Hyaluronic Acid + Beta Glucan – Hydrate without clogging or disrupting microbiome

WHAT TO AVOID:

• Benzoyl Peroxide – Linked to benzene contamination, damages microbiome
• Essential oils – Citrus, mint, lavender, and others often trigger irritation
• Fragrance (even natural) – One of the top causes of perioral dermatitis
• Synthetic preservatives (like phenoxyethanol) – May disrupt skin’s ecosystem
• Over-exfoliation – Damages the lipid barrier and worsens inflammation
• Toners with alcohols – Drying and microbiome-disruptive

6. TOPICAL ROUTINE (THE TBD METHOD™ FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN)

Now that your skin is supported internally, here’s how to care for it externally—without stripping, sensitizing, or inflaming.

AM Routine:
1. Cleanse – One Love Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser
2. Mist – Tower 28 SOS Rescue Spray
3. Activate – Versine Azelaic Acid Serum
4. Protect – Bloomeffects SPF 50 Tinted Serum
5. Spot Treat – Clean Skin DermaDot Patches

PM Routine:
1. First Cleanse – Blubiome Nourishing Oil Cleanser (removes makeup, SPF, impurities)
2. Second Cleanse –One Love Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser
3. Mist – Tower 28 SOS Rescue Spray
4. Activate – Versine Azelaic Acid Serum or TAHNYC Niacinamide 5% + Peptides Antiaging + Wrinkles Serum
5. Treat – TAHNYC Noir Perfecting 0.5% Retinol Liposome Face Serum (rotate with Ere Perez Phyto-Retinol Elixir)
6. Seal – Earth Harbor Obscura Detoxifying Reset Ampule 

Use Earth Harbor Glow Juice Refining Enzyme Mask 1x weekly in place of active treatments to gently exfoliate and promote cell turnover.

7. LIGHT THERAPY FOR ACNE: RED + BLUE LIGHT

Blue Light Therapy kills acne-causing C. acnes bacteria, regulates oil production, and reduces inflammation—all without damaging or drying the skin barrier.

A 3-minute session with the Solawave Wand (Red + Blue Light) can:

• Kill acne-causing bacteria
• Soothe inflammation and redness
• Accelerate healing and reduce scarring
• Support circulation and collagen regeneration

→ Shop the Solawave Wand

8. START HERE: THE ACNE BUNDLE

A curated routine for barrier repair and inflammation control, featuring clean, microbiome-safe ingredients.

• Gentle Cleanser
• Soothing Mist
• Hydrating Serum
• Spot Treatment
• Weekly Enzymatic Exfoliant
• Face Oil

→ Shop the Acne Bundle

9. TAKE THE NEXT STEP: HEALING ACNE NATURALLY COURSE

The full framework to heal your acne from the inside out. Learn to identify your root cause and use diet, skincare, and lifestyle tools to support permanent change.

[→ ENROLL IN THE COURSE]

The supplement recommendations provided in this guide are not medical prescriptions. They are carefully curated as cleaner, more thoughtful alternatives to many mainstream options, chosen based on ingredient integrity and alignment with Functional Beauty principles. These suggestions are meant to support overall wellness and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition.

Please consult with your physician or healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are currently taking medication.

Some of the products recommended may contain affiliate links. This means The Beauty Doctrine may receive a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Every product mentioned has been independently vetted for quality and safety. Your trust is paramount, and commissions are only earned on items we genuinely stand behind.