Few skin concerns draw as much attention as acne. From the poorly timed spot before a big event to persistent breakouts that seem impossible to shift, acne can affect both your skin and your confidence.
The challenge is that acne doesn't have a single cause. Hormones, genetics, diet, stress, skincare habits, and even gut health may all play a role, which is why finding the right approach often requires looking beyond the surface.
What Causes Acne?
Acne occurs when pores become blocked with excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. This can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, inflamed spots, and more severe forms of acne.
While acne develops through the same basic process, the factors that trigger breakouts can vary from person to person.
Hormonal changes are often a key driver, particularly during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, but genetics, stress, certain medications, and lifestyle factors can also influence how the skin behaves.
Understanding what may be contributing to your acne is often the first step towards finding an approach that works for you.
Understanding Acne in Teenagers
Teenage acne is largely driven by the hormonal changes that occur during puberty.
Rising androgen levels stimulate the sebaceous glands, causing the skin to produce more oil. This excess oil can combine with dead skin cells and increase the likelihood of blocked pores and breakouts.
For many teenagers, acne appears on the face, chest, shoulders, and back. While it often improves with age, some people continue to experience acne well into adulthood.
Understanding Acne in Women
Hormonal fluctuations are one of the most common causes of acne in women.
Breakouts may occur around the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, or throughout perimenopause and menopause as hormone levels change.
Some women also experience hormonal acne linked to conditions such as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hormonal imbalances associated with PMOS can increase oil production, making breakouts more common.
Similarly, conditions such as endometriosis may influence hormone levels and can contribute to acne in some women.
Adult acne in women is more common than many people realise, and, frustratingly, it can persist long after the teenage years have passed.
Understanding Acne in Men
Men often produce higher levels of testosterone, which can stimulate oil production and increase the likelihood of acne.
Excess sweat, friction from sports equipment, and shaving can also contribute to skin irritation and breakouts.
While the causes may differ slightly, the same underlying factors are often involved: excess oil, blocked pores, inflammation, and bacteria.
What's the Best Acne Treatment?
The truth is that there isn't a single acne treatment that works for everyone.
While cleansers, spot treatments, and prescription medications can all play a role, the most effective approach often depends on what's causing your breakouts in the first place.
For many people, acne is treated as a surface-level problem. The focus tends to be on finding the right face wash, serum, or moisturiser to clear the skin.
While these products can be helpful, they don't always address the factors that may be contributing to acne from within.
Skin health is influenced by a wide range of factors, including hormones, stress, sleep quality, nutrition, and overall wellbeing. This is why some people continue to struggle with breakouts despite following a consistent skincare routine.
Rather than looking for a quick fix, it can be helpful to take a more holistic approach.
Supporting your skin both externally and internally may offer a better foundation for clearer, healthier-looking skin over time.
Understanding the Gut-Skin Connection
Scientists have begun exploring the gut-skin axis – the relationship between gut and skin health.
Several reviews have examined the role of the gut microbiome in inflammatory skin conditions, including acne, and suggest that the balance of gut microorganisms may influence inflammation, immune function, and skin health.
This doesn't mean that poor gut health directly causes acne; it remains a complex condition influenced by hormones, genetics, lifestyle factors, and skincare habits.
However, evidence suggests that skin health is shaped by more than what we apply to the surface of our skin.
The body functions as an interconnected system, with factors such as diet, stress, sleep quality, and digestive health all playing a role in overall wellbeing.
The Link Between Blood Sugar and Skin Health
Blood sugar balance may also influence skin health. Diets high in refined carbohydrates and sugary foods can cause blood sugar levels to rise rapidly, leading to increased insulin production.
This may contribute to inflammation within the body and can affect hormones involved in oil production, both of which have been linked to acne development in some individuals.
Looking after your metabolic health may benefit more than just your energy and mood.
Alongside supporting overall wellbeing, stable blood sugar levels may help create an environment that supports healthier-looking skin.
Supporting Clearer-Looking Skin From Within
While there is no magic cure for acne, supporting your overall health is an important part of any skincare routine.
A balanced diet, good hydration, quality sleep, and effective stress management can all contribute to healthier-looking skin.
For some people, nutritional support may also help bridge gaps in their daily routine and support skin health from within.
Arella Skin Gummies have been formulated to support skin health as part of a broader wellness approach.
Rather than focusing solely on the skin's surface, they provide targeted nutrients that complement a healthy lifestyle and skincare routine.
We’ve developed our gummies with factors like inflammation, skin health, and overall wellbeing in mind, recognising that healthy-looking skin is influenced by what is happening inside the body as well as on the surface.
Alongside Arella Skin Gummies, we recommend supporting the skin barrier with plant-based liquid collagen supplements.
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that helps maintain the skin's structure and hydration. While collagen isn’t an acne treatment, supporting overall skin health can be part of a broader approach to achieving healthier-looking skin.
Explore our bundle and save options for skin support.
Women experiencing perimenopause or menopause may also wish to explore targeted nutritional support. Arella Pause has been developed to support wellbeing during this stage of life and can be incorporated into a wider self-care routine.
Remember that consistency is key: taking your supplements daily while drinking enough water, eating balanced meals, and getting enough sleep is the best way to support your skin.
Read our guide to the best vitamins for skin health.
Other Ways to Support Acne-Prone Skin
There is no guaranteed way to prevent acne, but certain habits may help support healthier-looking skin and reduce the likelihood of future breakouts.
A consistent skincare routine is often a good place to start. Gentle cleansing can help remove excess oil, dirt, and impurities from the skin without causing unnecessary irritation.
When choosing skincare products, look for formulations designed for acne-prone skin and avoid using too many active ingredients at once. Overloading the skin with harsh products can sometimes cause irritation and make existing breakouts appear worse.
We know this is a hard one, but resisting the temptation to pick or squeeze spots is equally important. Picking at blemishes can increase inflammation, delay healing, and raise the risk of scarring. It can be helpful to apply an acne patch to remove the temptation.
Keeping makeup brushes, pillowcases, and towels clean can also help minimise the build-up of oil, dirt, and bacteria that come into contact with your skin.
If your acne is severe, painful, or leaving scars, it may be worth seeking advice from a healthcare professional or dermatologist who can recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Supporting Your Skin Every Day
At Arella, we understand how skin troubles can impact your confidence. We've designed our range of supplements to support your skin and overall wellbeing from the inside out.
Healthy skin is about more than what you apply to the surface. By taking a balanced approach that considers nutrition, lifestyle, and overall wellbeing, you can give your skin the support it needs every day.
Wherever you are on your skin health journey, small, consistent steps can make a meaningful difference over time.
For more tips and advice, follow us on Facebook and Instagram or view our other beauty guides.
