Clear Skin from the Inside Out: How Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Can Help with Acne

Clear skin starts from within

Acupuncture helps the body find balance, and the skin simply follows

Teenage Acne: Why the Pill or Accutane Aren’t Always the Answer (and What Your Skin’s Trying to Tell You)

Ah, teenage acne — that uninvited guest that shows up right before picture day and seems to have zero respect for personal space. Most of us are told the “solution” is to just hop on birth control or try Accutane. And sure, those can work… for a while. But here’s the thing: they don’t fix why your skin is freaking out in the first place. Once you stop, the acne often comes right back — sometimes angrier than before.

Your skin isn’t out to get you. It’s trying to communicate. Acne is your body’s way of waving a little flag that says, “Hey! Something’s off in here!” Usually, that “something” has to do with hormones, diet, stress, or digestion (and sometimes all of the above — because bodies love to multitask).

What’s Really Causing the Breakouts

Let’s break it down:

  • Hormones: When testosterone or estrogen aren’t playing nice, oil production and inflammation can spike.

  • Digestion: If your gut’s out of balance — think bacterial overgrowth, yeast, or sluggish detox — your skin might be the one paying the price.

  • Diet: Sorry, but yes… dairy and sugar are repeat offenders here. They can trigger inflammation and mess with hormone balance, basically inviting pimples to the party.

  • Stress: Cortisol (your stress hormone) loves to stir the pot, increasing oil and inflammation when life gets hectic.

Testing = Clarity (Not Guesswork)

Instead of throwing random products or prescriptions at your skin, we like to find out what’s really going on.

  • The DUTCH Test shows how your hormones are behaving — and whether stress or metabolism issues are behind those breakouts.

  • The GI-MAP Test checks what’s happening in your gut — like bacteria, yeast, or food sensitivities quietly fueling inflammation.

When we have real data, we can create a plan that supports your body’s unique needs (instead of just silencing symptoms).

Acne Through the Lens of Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acne isn’t just a surface issue—it’s often a reflection of what’s happening inside the body. The skin is seen as a mirror of internal balance. When your systems are in harmony, the skin naturally glows; when there’s imbalance, signs like breakouts, redness, or inflammation appear.

In TCM, acne is often linked to heat, dampness, and stagnation within the body:

  • Heat causes inflammation, redness, and cystic breakouts.

  • Dampness leads to oily skin, clogged pores, and stubborn pimples.

  • Qi and blood stagnation can result in deep, painful acne or acne that leaves marks.

Each person’s skin tells a different story — that’s why treatment in TCM is never one-size-fits-all.

How Acupuncture Helps

Acupuncture works by restoring balance to the body and promoting healing from within. When it comes to acne, acupuncture can:

  • Reduce inflammation and redness by cooling excess heat

  • Regulate hormones that may be causing breakouts

  • Improve circulation to help detox and repair the skin

  • Ease stress, a major trigger for hormonal acne

Many people notice clearer skin and improved sleep, digestion, and mood — proof that their whole system is coming back into balance.

Herbal Medicine for Clearer Skin

Chinese herbal medicine beautifully complements acupuncture. Herbal formulas can:

  • Cool internal heat and inflammation

  • Support healthy detoxification through the liver and digestive system

  • Balance hormones naturally

  • Nourish the skin and promote healing

Common herbs used for acne may include:

  • Huang Qin (Scutellaria) – to clear heat and calm inflammation

  • Bai Hua She She Cao (Oldenlandia) – to fight bacteria and toxins

  • Dang Gui (Angelica) – to nourish blood and support skin repair

Your herbal formula is always customized — addressing the root cause, not just the surface symptoms.

Simple Steps to Start Healing from the Inside Out

Ready to give your skin some love? Start here:

  1. Ditch dairy. Try cutting it out for a few weeks and see what happens.

  2. Dial back the sugar. Your skin (and hormones) will thank you.

  3. Load up on veggies. Especially greens and cruciferous types for liver support.

  4. Add in skin-loving nutrients. Zinc, vitamin D, and fish oil are heroes here.

  5. Get a personalized plan. Because no two breakouts are the same.

Healing Beyond the Surface

Acupuncture and herbal medicine help your body heal from within, creating lasting changes instead of temporary fixes. By addressing hormonal, digestive, and emotional imbalances, your skin becomes a reflection of internal wellness — not just a target for topical treatments.

Acne is annoying, yes. But it’s also information. When we listen to what your body’s trying to tell you — instead of trying to silence it — we can find balance, calm inflammation, and finally get to the clear skin you’ve been chasing.

Ready to stop fighting your face and start understanding it?
Come see us for a customized acupuncture and herbal consultation. Together, we’ll find the root of what’s going on and help your skin — and your confidence — shine from the inside out.

Megan Lott