When people are assessed acne, a practitioner may ask about the number of spots on the face or body, how long they typically take to heal and whether the lesions are painful and inflamed⁴. Acne spots may be small and red, form pustules or a “whitehead” appearance or form a blackhead or comedone. Spots may be swollen and inflamed or may not affect the surrounding skin. Acne can appear on the face, back and chest with other body areas being relatively spared.

People who suffer from significant acne in adulthood may be screened for other conditions that are linked to acne such as PCOS or hirsutism (excessive unwanted hair growth and crown hair loss in people with ovaries). Most people who have acne in adulthood do not have another underlying disorder. Between 40-85% of menstruating people will report a worsening of acne around the cycle, which makes adult acne an almost universal experience⁵

Although the cause of acne is almost exclusively genetics, there are other lifestyle factors and behaviours that can worsen the experience of acne. Acne has been shown to be worsened by increasing BMI⁶, stress⁷, smoking⁵ and from lack of sleep^8,9.

Acne is a chronic condition that most patients can manage with changes to diet and lifestyle. The genetic nature of acne means that patients may have to work on the health habits that affect their acne ongoing. Many acne commercials can make patients feel as though they can “spot treat” or “cure’ their acne, which can leave people feeling frustrated when their spots return. Most changes that support acne need to be part of a lifelong management plan to support a patient’s nutrition, nutrient status and habits.

Given the bacterial causes of acne, it is not surprising that simple lifestyle tips that decrease bacteria on the skin can have an impact on the development and persistence of acne spots. People who wash their face two times per day¹⁰, use antimicrobial cleansers, and who frequently change their pillowcases and bedding can reduce their acne flare ups by decreasing the amount of bacteria on their skin. Use of masks through the covid-19 pandemic have worsened acne in some people¹¹, which emphasizes the need for effective cleansing to help reduce the effect of bacteria on the face.

Nutrition has the potential to impact skin health in a positive or negative way. Research points towards a Mediterranean diet including nuts having a positive impact on skin health and reducing the likelihood of acne lesions¹². A typical Western diet (which is defined by more refined foods, fast foods and high glycemic index) appears to worsen acne³. Choosing lower glycemic index grains such as whole grains, and fruits and vegetables over simple sugars has been shown to improve acne lesions over time¹³.

Some foods have been implicated in the worsening of acne. Chocolate has been studied in various forms (even in capsules) and may contribute to the worsening of acne in some people¹⁴. People who have a worsening of acne with chocolate may be sensitive to small amounts with chocolate causing an increase in acne lesions as quickly as 3 days^15,16 and as long as 4 weeks after adding chocolate to the diet^14,17.

Dairy has also been implicated in acne because of the molecular mechanism that dairy impacts growth hormones and testosterone production in the skin³. There are many population studies that have linked high dairy intake to higher levels of acne¹⁸. That said, many studies find that the serving size and frequency in the week can likely stay at modest levels in most patients with acne, without causing a worsening of spots^19,20.

Green tea appears to possess some antimicrobial properties that have been studied to support patients with acne. Both topical and oral green tea extract (not drinking the loose tea) appear to help reduce acne lesions²¹

Zinc supports a healthy immune system and decreases acne lesions.²² Zinc has also been studied in combination with other treatments for acne such as antibiotics and enhances the overall treatment effect.²²

Vitamin D deficiency also appears more common in patients with acne, however it’s difficult to determine if levels are lower due to a reduction in sun exposure or for some other reason². If a person’s vitamin D levels are low, they may have an improvement in their acne lesions by being supported with vitamin D.^23,25

Probiotics are an emerging area of dermatology and have been studied as a way to combat the overgrowth of acne forming bacteria such as Propionbacterium acnes.²⁶ Probiotics may help to decrease the growth of P. acnes on the skin and also appear to reduce sebum production, improving acne by two mechanisms of action. Some preliminary trials have also considered probiotics as a therapeutic option for treating acne. The results have been promising and also showed a reduction of antibiotic-related side effects typically seen when treating acne with antibiotics alone. ²⁶

Healthy oils such as omega-3 and borage oil both equally improve skin health and reduce acne lesions.²⁷

Smart Solutions GLA oil provides the skin with anti-inflammatory benefits of Omega-6 while also supporting skin hydration and elasticity. It also helps reduce redness and & skin inflammation, commonly associated with acne. 

One of the most empowering messages to deliver to people about their adult acne is that it is not their fault. Although there are lifestyle and nutrition options that may improve the management of acne, acne is a genetic condition that is worsened by hormones and bacteria, not something that patients cause by their lifestyle or choices.

People can feel empowered in their acne journey to know that there are simple strategies that can reduce the frequency and severity of acne spots over time and can support people alongside their conventional care or as a stand-alone treatment option.

If your acne is creating a challenge for your mental health, ensure that you talk to your health care provider about treatment options. Skin health is an important part of overall health and can have a significant impact on quality of life and self-esteem if left untreated.

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