Acne Info

While acne truly is a multi-factorial disease, meaning it has many causes, several things are certain about it:

1. It affects people living in modern, industrialized societies more than those living in hunter-gatherer societies. It is theorized that excessive calories activates the Growth Hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) pathway which causes the proliferation of acne. People who have Laron Syndrome, a growth hormone receptor deficiency, do not develop acne or cancer.
2. It is made worse by male hormones (androgens).  Acne typically develops during puberty and is a hallmark of the disease polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women who have elevated levels of androgens.
3. Acne lesions contain an overgrowth of the bacteria Proprionibacterium acnes.
4. Acne lesions are often irritated and inflamed
5. Acne lesions contain a hyper proliferation of keratinocytes (skin cells) that get trapped along with sebum (oil)
6. Some nutrient deficiencies are associated with acne such as zinc.

Treatment of acne then, should focus on the causes of acne.

1. Reduce caloric intake which reduces activation of the IGF-1 and GH pathway and acne.
2. Reduce the effects of DHT which increases sebum and oil production.
3. Antibiotics can be used again P. acnes bacteria. However, antibiotics have negative effects on the digestive system which consists of many helpful gut bacteria called probiotics. We recommend topical antibiotics such as benozyl peroxide or zinc.
4. Reduce inflammation by avoiding scratching or touching of the face. You can also supplement your diet with things that reduce inflammation: plant extracts such as ginger or Boswellia serrata, fish oil, as well as probiotics.
5. Many prescription acne products are vitamin A derivatives which inhibit the proliferation of keratinocytes.
6. Supplement the body with zinc.

On this site we will analyze and grade acne products based on how they work in terms of these mechanisms.

Sources:

1. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/479093
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21054577
3. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-4362.1982.tb03188.x