Acne affects millions of people worldwide, yet conventional treatments often focus only on the surface—drying creams, antibiotics, or harsh topicals. At The Beauty Within, we take a deeper, holistic approach by blending Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dermatology with functional medicine. This integration helps us uncover the root causes of acne, customize treatments, and restore clear, radiant skin from the inside out.
In TCM, acne isn’t viewed as a single disorder, but as an outward reflection of different internal imbalances. Some of the most common root causes include:
Lung Heat (肺热): When there’s too much heat in the lungs, it can draw in outside irritants. This build-up creates blockages that turn into inflammation, showing up as redness and breakouts on the face.
Yang Ming Heat (阳明热): Some people are naturally prone to building up heat in the stomach and intestines (the Yang Ming system). When that combines with eating too many rich, sweet, or greasy foods, it can cause congestion. This trapped ‘damp-heat’ eventually turns into inflammation that surfaces on the skin as acne.
Ren & Chong Disharmony (任脉 & 冲脉不调): This pattern often shows up as hormonal acne in women after adolescence. It can be linked to a natural predisposition, emotional stress, or a change in hormone levels due to external factors such as birth control pills. The body then struggles to clear heat and stagnation through the menstrual cycle, so it pushes that excess out through the skin—commonly showing up as chin and jawline breakouts.
Fire Toxin (火毒), Phlegm Heat (痰热), & Blood Stasis (血瘀): as a consequence of the above pathologies, often leading to deeper pustules and nodules that are more inflamed or painful.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, acne is rarely treated with a single “one-size-fits-all” remedy. Instead, practitioners identify the underlying etiology and pathology and then select or modify herbal formulas to target those specific imbalances.
Some herbs that we commonly use for acne include:
Bai Hua She She Cao (白花蛇舌草, Hedyotis diffusa or Snake-tongue Grass) – A cold, bitter herb that clears heat and toxins, helping to reduce inflamed, pus-filled acne lesions.
Jin Yin Hua (金银花, Lonicera japonica or Honeysuckle Flower) – A sweet, cooling flower that eases redness, swelling, and prevents pus formation in early-stage breakouts.
Pu Gong Ying (蒲公英, Taraxacum mongolicum or Dandelion) – A cold, bitter-sweet herb that detoxifies, drains heat, and resolves painful, swollen acne with abscess-like qualities.
These herbs may be combined into formulas, and adjusted with additions or subtractions to precisely match the patient’s individual constitution and acne pattern.
While TCM focuses on energetic imbalances, functional medicine investigates the biological terrain that allows acne to flourish. With specific lab testing, we can uncover hidden root causes such as:
Gut imbalances – Dysbiosis, Candida overgrowth, or H. pylori infections can trigger systemic inflammation and worsen acne.
Hormonal dysregulation – Imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, or androgens can drive oil production and acne breakouts.
Nutrient deficiencies – Low zinc, vitamin D, omega-3s, or antioxidants impair skin repair and immune function.
Gut healing protocols: Addressing microbial overgrowths, supporting digestion, and rebalancing the microbiome.
Hormone support: Using nutrition, botanicals, and lifestyle interventions to regulate cycles and minimize androgen excess.
Topical support: Natural and medical-grade products to:
Reduce oil (sebum) production
Exfoliate dead skin cells that can clog pores
Reduce acne scars and hyperpigmentation
By uniting TCM dermatology and functional medicine, we address both the energetic root causes and the biological imbalances behind acne. This integrated strategy allows us to:
Provide customized herbal and nutritional protocols
Support hormonal and digestive balance
Heal skin gently with minimal side effects
Promote not just clear skin, but whole-body wellness
At The Beauty Within, we see acne not as a surface problem but as a warning signal from within. By combining the wisdom of herbal medicine with functional medicine testing and therapies, we help you achieve clear, glowing skin while restoring internal harmony.
✨ Ready to experience a more natural path to healthy skin? Contact us today to learn how our integrative approach can help you heal acne from the inside out.
