How External Triggers and Internal Imbalances Combine to Cause Acne Breakouts
Acne isn’t just a skin issue, but rather a reflection of your gut, brain or metabolic health. When your gut microbiome is unbalanced, for example, inflammation can spike, affecting your hormonal production and therefore causing breakouts. Epigenetics, or the way your environment influences your genes, can switch on acne-prone genes when stress, diet and toxins come into play.
External triggers such as an unbalanced skin microbiome, irregular skin cell turnover, excess sebum, and harsh skincare products can further damage the skin barrier and worsen acne.
To effectively treat acne, it’s essential to address both internal and external factors. This means rebalancing your gut and hormones, managing stress, ensuring proper hydration, getting enough sleep, exercising, and choosing skincare that supports, rather than disrupts, the skin’s natural balance.
How Toxins Contribute to Acne Breakouts
Toxins, both from the environment and within the body, contribute to acne by setting off biological processes that lead to inflammation and oxidative stress. When pollutants like particulate matter, heavy metals, or chemicals from skincare products enter the body, they can penetrate the skin and enter your circulation. This triggers the immune system to release proinflammatory molecules called cytokines, which promote inflammation, not only in the skin but throughout the body. In addition, toxins cause the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are unstable molecules that can damage cells when present in excess - this is what we refer to as oxidative stress.
This combination of inflammation and ROS overproduction leads to an increase in sebum (oil) production by the sebaceous glands. Sebum, which normally helps protect the skin, becomes excessive and mixes with dead skin cells, blocking pores. The clogged pores create an environment where acne-causing bacteria, such as Cutibacterium acnes, can thrive, resulting in breakouts. The link between ROS, inflammation, and excess sebum production highlights how toxins can disrupt skin health and lead to acne.
How the Skin Diligent Acne Kit Effectively Treats Acne from the Inside & Out
Skin Diligent’s Acne Kit represents the next generation of acne solutions, using an epigenetic approach to targeting acne. This new kit replaces our previous Acne-Prone Skin Kit, offering a more advanced, dual approach to healing your skin from the inside out. By targeting both the root causes of acne and the skin itself, the kit avoids the negative side effects often associated with harsh medical acne treatments.
The Acne Kit includes two skincare steps and one food supplement, featuring cutting-edge ingredients designed to better address blemishes and imperfections. At the heart of the kit is our second-generation Regulation Serum, a revolutionary epigenetic formulation that de-stresses skin cells and enhances their ability to replicate into healthy cells. As acne is an inflammatory condition, reducing inflammation is also a key focus of this powerful serum.
Skincare Step 1: Triple Action Cleanser:
Most cleansers are over 90% water and can contain harsh ingredients which can damage your skin barrier. A damaged skin barrier can promote inflammation and aggravate acne. In contrast, Skin Diligent’s Triple Action Cleanser is gentle, pH-balanced, and won't strip away your skin’s natural oils. It contains 86% glycerin as well as probiotics and a botanical resin, the Protium heptaphyllum, to gently cleanse, soothe, and rebalance the skin microbiome.
Skincare Step 2: Regulation Serum:
Our Regulation Serum’s revolutionary epigenetic formula addresses nearly all surface factors that contribute to acne. It regulates sebum production, targets blackheads and spots, reduces redness, and improves overall skin health. The serum also helps prevent deep scars, which is one of the most challenging aspects of skincare, as scarring is notoriously difficult to treat once it forms.
Alleviating hyperpigmentation is another large challenge, but this serum visibly attenuates dark spots, with some disappearing altogether. It’s a powerful solution for both acne and post-acne marks, making it an essential tool for clearer, more even-toned skin.
As a gentler alternative to harsh acne treatments, the serum is suitable for regular use or as an SOS treatment for occasional breakouts. Its multi-tasking formula strengthens the skin barrier while tackling blemishes. Additionally, it brightens acne marks, UV sunspots and other types of hyperpigmentation by reducing cellular stress and inhibiting the enzymes responsible for melanin production.
Skin & Stress Food Supplement:
Stress is a major factor affecting both teenagers and adults, and studies have shown a clear link between stress and acne. When you’re stressed, your body produces higher levels of cortisol, a hormone that can increase oil production in the skin, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. Managing stress is crucial, and food supplements that support skin health and help regulate stress can be effective in reducing acne.
The Skin & Stress Food Supplement replenishes micronutrients in the body that are lost to excessive stress, and that people who suffer from acne are lacking. The natural vitamin C is from Acerola cherry. Combined with zinc and magnesium, it contributes to the normal formation of collagen, the normal functioning of the skin, the immune system and the nervous system. Vitamin C, copper and vitamin E provide an antioxidant action. Finally, vitamin B6 helps regulate hormonal activity.
By combining Skin & Stress with these two skincare steps, you can effectively target acne and its root causes using a dual approach. Externally, our Regulation Serum targets spots, blemishes, hyperpigmentation and prevents scarring, and our Triple Action Cleanser, cleanses, adds probiotics and rebalances the skin's microbiome. Internally, our Skin & Stress supplement allows you to heal your skin from the inside out by targeting micronutrient imbalances and targeting stress.
Clinical Trials + Testimonials:
How to Use:
Take the Skin & Stress food supplement with food to avoid upsetting the stomach: 3 capsules once a day with breakfast or lunch, with water (avoid coffee or tea 1 hour before or after, caffeine interferes with the absorption of vitamins and minerals).
Use skincare products twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. If you wear heavy makeup, use a gentle makeup remover prior to cleansing.
Step 1, Triple Action Cleanser: Apply a dab of product to damp face and massage gently for 30 seconds. This cleanser doesn't foam. Rinse and pat dry.
Step 2, Regulation Serum: Apply 3-4 drops only on and around the spots. Leave to dry for 1 minute.
Step 3 optional, Vitamin C Serum-in-Oil: Apply 3-4 drops around the face. Apply this step to boost the skin's antioxidant levels and to moisturise.
How to Effectively Target Both Acne and Premature Skin Ageing for Clear, Healthy Skin
When dealing with multiple skin concerns like acne blemishes and premature ageing, a comprehensive approach will deliver better results. Here’s the regime we recommend:
Food Supplement:
- If your acne is stress-related, choose Skin & Stress
- For acne linked to hormonal imbalance or gut dysbiosis (signs include digestive issues or bloating), opt for Skin & Biotics, which contains probiotics, prebiotics, and essential vitamins and minerals
For Skin & Biotics, take 2 capsules with food to prevent stomach discomfort, along with water. Avoid tea or coffee an hour before or after, as caffeine can interfere with vitamin and mineral absorption. The capsules are gastro-resistant for better absorption.
Skincare Steps:
Use the following skincare products twice daily - morning and evening. If you wear heavy makeup, start with a gentle makeup remover.
Morning Regime:
- Triple Action Cleanser: Apply a small amount to a damp face, gently massage for 30 seconds, then rinse and pat dry.
- Regulation Serum: Apply 3-4 drops directly on and around blemishes. Allow 1 minute to dry.
- Cellular Hydration: Apply 3-5 drops across the face.
- Vitamin C Serum-in-Oil: Apply 3-5 drops across the face.
Note: Steps 3 and 4 act as a day cream, so a separate moisturiser is often unnecessary.
Night Regime:
Follow Steps 1, 2, and 4, then finish with the Exosome Advanced Night Cream.
For simplicity, you can opt for the Quartet Bundle, adding the Regulation Serum and your preferred food supplement.