Acne is a common skin condition that can show up as pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and cysts on the face, chest or back.  Acne occurs when pores in the skin become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria.  Changes in hormones as a teenager tend to increase oil production on the skin resulting in an increase in acne.  While acne is common among teenagers, acne can also occur in adults, in particular women around their periods and sometimes in perimenopause.

A shift in hormones is not the only cause of acne.  Diet, high stress levels and genetics also play rolls in who develops acne and its severity.  Dairy, high sugar intake and a poorly functioning digestive system can all worsen acne.

Our Naturopathic approach to treating acne involves looking beyond only topical skincare.  While skin care is important, we work to determine if there are foods that may be worsening your acne and help your digestion function optimally.  We also use herbal medicine to balance the hormone fluctuations to help reduce acne.  While you can’t choose your genetics, we help look deeper into all of the other possible causes of acne to help improve your skin’s health and appearance.