Acne is often triggered by a combination of factors that lead to the overproduction of oil, clogged pores, and inflammation. Most available treatments focus on drying out the acne on the surface disregarding the root causes, which are most often internal. 

Understanding these causes can help you take targeted action:  

• Hormonal Imbalances especially during puberty, menstruation, or menopause can increase oil production and trigger breakouts. 
• High-glycemic foods, dairy, and processed foods can contribute to inflammation and exacerbate acne. 
• Elevated cortisol levels from stress can increase oil production and inflammation, worsening acne. 
• Harsh or pore-clogging products can irritate the skin and block pores, leading to breakouts. 
• Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria on the skin can contribute to acne lesions.

1. Avoid inflammatory foods like conventional red meat, such as steak and hamburgers, processed meat, such as bologna, bacon, sausage and lunchmeat, commercial baked goods such as snack cakes, pies, cookies and brownies, bread and pasta made with white flour, deep fried items such as French fries, fried chicken and doughnuts, foods high in added sugar, such as candy, jelly and syrup, sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda, bottled or canned tea drinks, and sports drinks, trans fats, found in margarine, microwave popcorn, refrigerated biscuits and dough, and non-dairy coffee creamers.
   
   
2. Opt for healthy oils like olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil. These oils can work as antioxidants or anti-inflammatory agents to promote the healing of damaged skin, moisturize, reduce scarring, and treat skin conditions like acne.
   
   
3. Incorporate gut-healing foods like bone broth, pineapple, garlic, kimchi, sauerkraut, apple cider vinegar, ginger and supplements; such as L-Glutamine and Marine Collagen. This can support gut health and reduce acne severity.
   
   
4. Zinc plays a role in regulating oil production and reducing inflammation. It's often used in acne supplements. Found in red meat, seeds, legumes and nuts.
   
   
5. Vitamin A supports skin health and can help manage acne when taken in the appropriate form and dosage. Organ meats, orange veggies and leafy greens are great sources.
   
   
6. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can assist in calming the skin.
   
   
7. Use Blue Light Therapy on active acne spot to speed up healing.
   
   
8. Use a clean skincare routine that targets infammation, reduces breakouts while supporting skin balance and withoutout overdrying the skin.

1. Blue Light Therapy: Target acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation. For example, Tända Clear (TC) is a 414nm blue light-emitting diode (LED) treatment that is scientifically and clinically proven to kill the P. acnes bacteria that causes mild-to-moderate acne.
   
   
2. .Salicylic Acid: A beta hydroxy acid, BHA, that penetrates pores, dissolving dead skin cells and unclogging pores, reducing blackheads, whiteheads, and inflammation. It can come as cream, lotion, liquid, gel, ointment, pad or wipes.
    
3. Retinoids promote cell turnover, prevent clogged pores, and reduce the formation of acne lesions. They also help improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of acne scars.
    
4. Niacinamide: A form of vitamin B3 that reduces inflammation, regulates oil production, and strengthens the skin barrier, minimizing redness and pore size.
   
   
5. Tea Tree Oil: Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil helps reduce the severity of breakouts and soothe irritated skin. 6. Azelaic Acid has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing acne and rosacea, and even out skin tone. 

This course introduces you to the best way to treat acne. It points you in the right direction, highlights some common culprits that contribute to acne breakouts, and includes foods, herbs and teas that have been shown to help you on your way to clearer skin.