Acne

Description

A common skin condition caused by clogged hair follicles with oil and dead skin cells, leading to whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and sometimes cysts.

Root Causes

Carbohydrate consumption

[ 1 ] Young Bok Lee et al. (2019) DOI PMCID PMID [ 2 ] Yongqiong Deng et al. (2018) DOI PMID [ 3 ] Brigitte Dréno et al. (2020) DOI PMCID PMID [ 4 ] Laetitia Penso et al. (2020) DOI PMCID PMID [ 5 ] James Meixiong et al. (2022) DOI PMCID PMID [ 6 ] Shereen N Mahmood et al. (2014) Link PMID [ 7 ] Rebecca C Reynolds et al. (2010) DOI PMCID PMID [ 8 ] Katewadee Roengritthidet et al. (2021) DOI PMCID PMID

FODMAP Consumption

[ 1 ] Young Bok Lee et al. (2019) DOI PMCID PMID [ 2 ] Yongqiong Deng et al. (2018) DOI PMID [ 3 ] Brigitte Dréno et al. (2020) DOI PMCID PMID [ 4 ] Laetitia Penso et al. (2020) DOI PMCID PMID

Oxidized fats

[ 3 ] Brigitte Dréno et al. (2020) DOI PMCID PMID

Leaky Gut (Intestinal Permeability)

[ 1 ] Young Bok Lee et al. (2019) DOI PMCID PMID [ 2 ] Yongqiong Deng et al. (2018) DOI PMID [ 3 ] Brigitte Dréno et al. (2020) DOI PMCID PMID [ 9 ] Varadraj Vasant Pai et al. (2025) DOI PMID [ 10 ] Whitney P Bowe et al. (2011) DOI PMCID PMID

Systemic Inflammation

[ 1 ] Young Bok Lee et al. (2019) DOI PMCID PMID [ 2 ] Yongqiong Deng et al. (2018) DOI PMID [ 3 ] Brigitte Dréno et al. (2020) DOI PMCID PMID [ 4 ] Laetitia Penso et al. (2020) DOI PMCID PMID

Treatment Options

Fasting

[ 11 ] Hiba Fathimathul Harshiba et al. (2024) DOI [ 12 ] M Mansilla-Polo et al. (2024) DOI PMID [ 13 ] Jessica Maloh et al. (2023) DOI PMCID PMID

Carnivore Diet

[ 13 ] Jessica Maloh et al. (2023) DOI PMCID PMID

Ketogenic Diet

[ 14 ] Natalia Chylińska et al. (2025) DOI PMCID PMID [ 15 ] Franziska Spritzler et al. (2025) Link [ 13 ] Jessica Maloh et al. (2023) DOI PMCID PMID

Sources

[1] Potential Role of the Microbiome in Acne: A Comprehensive Review

[ 1 ] Young Bok Lee et al. (2019) DOI PMCID PMID

[2] Patients with Acne Vulgaris Have a Distinct Gut Microbiota in Comparison with Healthy Controls

[ 2 ] Yongqiong Deng et al. (2018) DOI PMID

[3] The Skin Microbiome: A New Actor in Inflammatory Acne

[ 3 ] Brigitte Dréno et al. (2020) DOI PMCID PMID

[4] Association Between Adult Acne and Dietary Behaviors: Findings From the NutriNet-Santé Prospective Cohort Study

[ 4 ] Laetitia Penso et al. (2020) DOI PMCID PMID

[5] Diet and acne: A systematic review

[ 5 ] James Meixiong et al. (2022) DOI PMCID PMID

[6] Diet and acne update: carbohydrates emerge as the main culprit

[ 6 ] Shereen N Mahmood et al. (2014) Link PMID

[7] Effect of the glycemic index of carbohydrates on Acne vulgaris

[ 7 ] Rebecca C Reynolds et al. (2010) DOI PMCID PMID

[8] Association Between Diet and Acne Severity: A Cross-sectional Study in Thai Adolescents and Adults

[ 8 ] Katewadee Roengritthidet et al. (2021) DOI PMCID PMID

[9] Gut microbiome in dermatology - A narrative review

[ 9 ] Varadraj Vasant Pai et al. (2025) DOI PMID

[10] Acne vulgaris, probiotics and the gut-brain-skin axis - back to the future?

[ 10 ] Whitney P Bowe et al. (2011) DOI PMCID PMID

[11] Fasting for clearer skin: Review article investigating the impact of intermittent fasting on dermatological conditions

[ 11 ] Hiba Fathimathul Harshiba et al. (2024) DOI

[12] Popular Diets and Skin Effects: A Narrative Review

[ 12 ] M Mansilla-Polo et al. (2024) DOI PMID

[13] The Effects of a Fasting Mimicking Diet on Skin Hydration, Skin Texture, and Skin Assessment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

[ 13 ] Jessica Maloh et al. (2023) DOI PMCID PMID

[14] Effects of the ketogenic diet on skin-potential benefits and risks

[ 14 ] Natalia Chylińska et al. (2025) DOI PMCID PMID

[15] Can keto or low carb diets improve acne?

[ 15 ] Franziska Spritzler et al. (2025) Link