Last Updated on 20 March 2025 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
When it comes to solutions for Acne, it has been found that the general public has been opting for more natural products so often at the clinic we see patients who are seeking advice specifically for their skin (1). Here we discuss the Naturopathic perspective to acne and look at the common factors that contribute to Acne, focusing on hormone imbalances and the Western diet as major drivers.
Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the skin found in about 80% of young adults and adolescents. (1) It also affects 64% of adults in their 20s and 43% in their 30s (2) either as persistent post-pubescent acne or adult-onset acne. It can vary in appearance and severity, but generally, acne will appear as initial lesions called comedones (whiteheads and blackheads) and as it progresses, papules, pustules and cysts can form. (3) Sebum, produced in sebaceous glands of the skin, fuels the inflammation in acne. An increase in sebum provides an appropriate setting for bacteria growth and indirectly contributes to the inflammatory phase. (3)
As multifactorial disease Acne has many contributing factors including: (2) (4) (5)
- Genetics and family history
- Environmental factors including smoking, occupational exposures, sun exposure
- Occlusive cosmetics containing lanolin, petrolatum and certain vegetable oils
- Stress
- Hormonal issues, especially androgens and Pregnancy
- Western Diet
Hormonal influences in addressiong Acne Naturally.
Androgenic stimulation of sebaceous glands is always important to consider (2) and is one reason why the Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP) effectively treats hormonal acne in females. Post-pill acne is a common complaint, since in the 3-6 month period after stopping the OCP a rebound production of sebum and circulating androgens occurs. Another common presentation is a premenstrual flare-up, which occurs in 70% of female acne patients (5). It is caused by an increase in the ration of the androgen testosterone concerning oestrogen. (2) In Naturopathy, it is a major consideration to address androgenic hormone imbalances in both males and females regarding acne treatment strategies due to its influence on sebum production.
Pregnancy in addressing Acne Naturally.
A Pregnancy can often worsen acne since, among the physiologic changes of pregnancy, a rise in serum androgen levels results in increased sebaceous gland activity. (4) It is vital that women seek safe prescriptive advice if they are actively trying to conceive, pregnant, or lactating since treatment options like retinoids in women of childbearing age is limited due to being teratogenic (potentially causing congenital disabilities). (5) A guided approach is best in these cases, which may respond well to simple dietary changes and appropriate and safe therapeutic application.
The Wicked Western Diet in addressing Acne Naturally
A Diet is a powerful tool for the influence on our skin health and addressing Acne naturally. Acne is absent in populations who don’t consume refined sugars, grains, milk and dairy products. (2) Acne specifically in adults is associated with a Western diet, defined as high milk consumption, high glycemic load and high-calorie intake. (2) The androgenic hormones present in dairy products can affect androgen-sensitve receptors, thus stimulating sebum production. Changes to the diet can be a big step towards resolving acne’s inflammation and improving digestive health influences skin health greatly, known as the Gut-Skin axis.
Treatment strategies for addressing Acne Naturally.
G Treatment approached can include counteracting androgens, decreasing sebum production and decreasing inflammation (6) and may include diet change, herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, referral for Acupuncture and topical applications. Ensuring our patients feel supported to overcome any mental health obstacles associated with their acne such as poor self-image, depression and anxiety, leads to a negative impact on the quality of life, (4) is a top priority. While it may take 3-6 weeks until an improvement can be observed, (1) addressing Acne is possible.
Our Amazing Naturopaths at Brisbane Livewell Clinic
Shella Hall (Sunshine Coast and online)
Amy Angus (Wavell Heights and online)
Jen Strachan (Cannon Hill and online)
Nicole Odlum (Wavell Heights and online)
Dominique Johanson (Wavell Heights and online)
Locations We Service – Naturopathy
Naturopath Caloundra
Naturopath Wavell Heights
Naturopath Cannon Hill
Naturopath Sunshine Coast
Naturopath Noosa
Naturopath Brisbane Northside
Naturopath Brisbane
Naturopaths Brisbane
Brisbane Naturopaths
Naturopathy Brisbane
Naturopaths Near Me
Best Naturopaths Near Me
Best Naturopath Near Me
Natural Therapies Brisbane
Therapists Brisbane
Relevant Naturopath links
- How Naturopathy Can Help You Recover Your Health
- Seeing a Naturopath: The Ultimate Guide
- Naturopaths
- Guide to Seeing a Children’s Naturopath
- The 6 Naturopathic Principles that Protect a Naturopath’s Patients
- ADHD Naturopath
- Brisbane Wellbeing
- Natural Dispensary Brisbane
- Achieving Good Health With A Holistic Approach
Why You May Wish to Consult a Naturopath
Gut Health
- Leaky Gut Syndrome – Symptoms, Causes and Gut Repair Support
- Naturopath for Gut Health
- Solving Gut Issues by Treating SIBO
- SIBO Test Brisbane
- Daily Ritual Gut Health
- 6 Digestive Problems that Cause Weight Gain
- How Stool Testing Helps IBS Sufferers Part 1: Digestive Markers
- How Stool Testing Helps IBS Sufferers Part 2: Microbial Markers
- Can Irritable Bowel Syndrome Cause Weight Gain?
- Gut Health with Parasite Cleanse
- Natural Parasite Cleanse Australia
- The Gut-Brain Connection to Mental Health
- The Gut-Brain Connection: How to Feed Your Brain
- Controlling Constipation and Bloating
- How Stool Testing Helps Find the Causes of IBS and Other Digestive Health Problems
- Gut Health Specialist Brisbane
- Gut Microbiome Testing Australia
- Gut Health Test Australia
- Probiotics for Thrush
- What is Leaky Gut Australia?
- Daily Ritual Gut Health: Finding Your Best Daily Rituals
- Addressing SIBO for Gut Health Improvement
- Gut Health, Diet & Nutrition
- Improve Your Gut Health Brisbane
- Naturopath Gut Health
Perimenopause and Menopause
- 3 Lifestyle Changes Women Need to Make After 40
- Guide for a Happy Menopause
- Menopause Clinic Near Me
- What is Menopause?
- Perimenopause
- Acupuncture for Perimenopause and Menopause
- Menopause
Hormone Health
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Hormone Testing Brisbane
- Find Reliable DUTCH Test Providers Near Me and Look After Your Hormones
- Take an At Home Hormone Test – DUTCH Hormone Package
- Hormonal Health and Thyroid Issues
- PCOS and the Insulin Connection
- Identifying Insulin Resistance
- Looking at Luteal Phase Deficiency
- Experiencing Painful Periods? Here’s What Might Be Causing It
- Test Cortisol at Home
- Cortisol Test Australia
- How to Get Hormone Levels Checked in Australia
- Blood Analysis Cost in Australia
Thyroid Issues
- When You Suspect You Have Thyroid Issues
- Subclinical Hypothyroidism: When You Suspect You Have a Thyroid Issue
- Thyroid Disorders from a Naturopathic Aspect
- Thyroid Health for the Winter Months
- Thyroid Disease: A Brief Guide to Common Disorders
- Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s
- Thyroid
- Hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease
- Naturopath Herbs for Thyroid Health
Detox and Cleansing
- Heavy Metal Toxicity: Strategies for Detoxing
- Detoxing Your Lifestyle, Not Just Your Body
- Heavy Metal Detox for Kids
- Naturopathic Detox Cleanse
- Naturopath Detox
- Do I Need a Heavy Metal Detox?
- Heavy Metal Detox Australia
Insomnia and Sleep Health
- Save Your Sleep with What You Eat
- Insomnia Linked to Mineral Deficiency
- Solving Insomnia: Naturopathy’s Five-Step Solution
- 5 Ways Insomnia Can Affect Your Life and What You Can Do About It
- Natural Treatment for Insomnia
- Naturopathic Remedies for Insomnia
Autoimmune Conditions
Mental Health
- The Gut-Brain Connection to Mental Health
- The Gut-Brain Connection: How to Feed Your Brain
- Treating Depression with Naturopathy: What You Should Consider
- A Naturopath’s Guide to Improving Mental Health
- Naturopathic Anxiety Medication
- Naturopath Anxiety
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): How a Naturopath Helps
- Pyrrole Disorder
Women’s Health
- Women’s Health
- Naturopath Women’s Health
- Women’s Health Week: It’s All About Women’s Wellness and Wellbeing
- Treating Vaginal Thrush the Natural Way
- The Lowdown on Low Libido
- Experiencing Painful Periods and What’s Causing Them
- Regulating Menstrual Cycles with Chaste Tree
- Painful Periods and Naturopathy
- Preventing Post-Pill Acne
Fertility and Pregnancy
- Pregnancy
- Pre-Pregnancy Fertility Care with Naturopathic Nutrition
- Fertility Naturopath Brisbane
- Acupuncture and Naturopathy for Pre-Conception Care
- Pregnancy Care and Naturopathy
- Maximising Nutrition Before and During Pregnancy
- Getting Quality Sleep in the 3rd Trimester of Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Wellbeing and Naturopathy are Great Partners
- Naturopathy for the Management of Constipation During Pregnancy
- Prenatal Naturopath
- Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
- Keeping Calm About Colic
Men’s Health
- Men’s Health
- The Sperm Health Decline
- Better Prostate Health with Natural Medicine
- Naturopathy and Men’s Health
- Support Your Thyroid Health Naturally
- Men’s Health Supplements
DNA Testing
- DNA Testing & Personalised Medicine
- DNA Testing Brisbane
- DNA Testing Brisbane, Australia
- Methylation Test Near Me
- Testing Functional Medicine
- Genetic Methylation Test Brisbane
- DUTCH Test Providers Near Me
- Full Genetic Testing Australia
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Food Intolerances and Allergies
- 7 Useful Strategies for Overcoming Food Intolerance
- Hayfever and the Gastrointestinal Immune System
- Food Intolerance, Hypersensitivity, and Allergies Explained
- Everything You Need to Know About Food Intolerance
- Food Allergy Testing Near Me
- Food Intolerance Testing Brisbane
- Food Allergy Testing
- Food Intolerance Testing
- Food Intolerance Testing Package
- How to Get an Allergy Test in Australia
- Food Intolerance and Food Allergies: Why are they so Different?
Weight Loss
- Can Irritable Bowel Syndrome Cause Weight Gain? (IBS)
- Naturopathy for Weight Loss
- Natural Weight Loss for Summer
- A Naturopathic Approach to Achieving an Ideal and Healthy Weight
- Intermittent Fasting: A Naturopath’s Guide to Success
- Weight Loss Naturopath
- Kick-Start Weight Loss: 5 Science-Backed Tips
- Combining Therapies for a Healthy Weight
- Naturopath’s Weight Loss Programme
Nutrition and Mineral Deficiencies
- Nutrition and Naturopathy: Healthy Diet
- Optimising Nutrition for Skin Health
- The Seriousness of Sugar
- The Importance of Mindfulness and Meditation in Natural Medicine
- Nutrition Deficiency: Visible Body Look Signs
- Helping Cardiovascular Disease in Women
- Sports Nutrition and Your Ideal Protein Requirements
- Creating a Healthy Diet for Good Health and Wellbeing
- Maximising Nutrition Before and During Pregnancy
- Nutrition and Naturopathy: Healthy Diet
- Combining Therapies for a Healthy Weight
- Intermittent Fasting: A Naturopath’s Guide to Success
- Iron Deficiency and Anaemia: When Things Go from Bad to Worse
- Naturopathic Medicine: What You Need to Know
- National Herbal Medicine Week
- The Role of Nutrition and Naturopathy in Wellbeing
- Clinical Nutrients
- Mood & Food
Parasites
- Natural Parasite Cleanse Australia
- Parasites from Traveling
- Natural Treatments for Those Pesky Parasites
- Clean Your Body of Parasites
- Parasite Cleanse
Exhaustion / Tired
Healthy Eating
Naturopath Health Screening
