Why You Still Have Acne: 7 Hidden Reasons No One Told You About

If your skin keeps flaring up no matter what you try—this one’s for you.

You’ve cut out dairy and sugar. You’ve swapped your skincare routine. You’ve even gone makeup-free in hopes your skin might “just breathe.”

But the breakouts keep coming back.

If this sounds familiar, please know: you’re not doing anything wrong. You simply haven’t been given the full picture.

Acne isn’t about being dirty or lazy—it’s about how your body is processing (or struggling to process) stress, food, hormones, and inflammation on a deeper level.

Let’s uncover 7 hidden root causes of acne that go way beyond surface-level solutions—and what you can do to start shifting your skin (and your health) from the inside out.

1. Your Skincare Isn’t the Problem (But Your Routine Might Need a Reboot)

Let’s clear this up (pun intended): acne isn’t caused by dirty skin. In fact, over-washing, over-exfoliating, and layering too many “miracle” products is one of the fastest ways to damage your skin barrier and keep your breakouts coming.

The goal isn’t to scrub your acne away—it’s to support your skin’s natural healing.

Inside The Acne Solution, I teach a more skin-friendly approach that works with your skin’s rhythm instead of fighting it. Here’s a generalized overview of what that looks like:

AM Routine (Keep it Clean, Calm & Protected)

Start with a gentle cleanse — or skip it entirely if your skin feels dry or sensitive. I love this one from Clearstem.
Always use clean, soft towels — The Clean Skin Club towels are a game-changer. They’re single-use, ultra-gentle, and clinically shown to improve the skin barrier, reduce redness, and boost hydration. Always pat, never rub.
Apply a serum with antioxidants, like the Collagen Infusion Serum to protect and nourish.
Follow with a lightweight moisturizer — Hydraglow is a favorite for a dewy, balanced finish.

Don’t forget SPF! — My go-to’s: Sunnysidekick and YouAre Sunny. Both offer excellent protection without clogging pores.

🌙 PM Routine (Cleanse, Calm, Repair)

Gently remove makeup and cleanse with the same morning cleanser and your clean towels.
Optional toner if your skin isn’t too dry.
Apply a clarifying serum like Clearity to support nighttime repair.
Use a spot treatment for cystic breakouts, and pimple patches like Mighty Patch for whiteheads.
Seal it in with a hydrating moisturizer, and don’t forget your lips—hydrated skin heals faster.

✨ Want to try my favorites? Use code CHLOEW15 for 15% off your Clearstem order.

The takeaway? You don’t need 12 steps. You need consistency, calm, and products that support—not sabotage—your skin’s natural barrier.

2. Blood Sugar Swings That Wreak Havoc on Your Skin

Every time you skip a meal, snack on something sugary, or start your day with just coffee, your blood sugar takes a hit. That spike in glucose triggers insulin, which does more than manage energy—it also ramps up oil production and androgen hormones (like testosterone).

This internal rollercoaster is a huge trigger for adult acne—especially if you deal with chin or jawline breakouts.

How to balance blood sugar (without going keto):

Always pair carbs with protein and fat. Swap a plain piece of toast for one with avocado and eggs, or fruit with nut butter.

👉 The Magic Trio: Protein + Healthy Fat + Fiber-rich Carbs

Try this:
Glowy Skin Breakfast Bowl

2 pasture-raised eggs (protein + healthy fat)
½ avocado (fat + fiber)
Sautéed greens like collard greens, spinach, or swiss chard (fiber + antioxidants)
½ cup complex carbs like baked sweet potato or quinoa
A sprinkle of hemp seeds or dulse flakes for minerals

Don’t skip breakfast. A protein-rich morning meal helps stabilize insulin all day.

Instead of obsessing over what to eliminate, think about what to add to your meals that supports steady energy and nourishes your skin.

Blood Sugar-balancing superstars to include:

Cinnamon (in smoothies, oats, or coffee)

Chia seeds (add to yogurt or make pudding)
Leafy greens (throw into everything—soups, eggs, smoothies)
Apple cider vinegar (a splash in water before meals can reduce glucose spikes)

Bonus Tip: Take a 10-minute walk after meals. Post-meal movement helps your body use glucose more efficiently, reducing the hormonal domino effect that can trigger breakouts.

3. The Hormone Imbalance No One's Tested You For

Did your doctor ever test your DHEA-S? Or your free testosterone? Most standard hormone panels only look at estrogen and progesterone—if anything.

But here’s the thing: androgens (like testosterone and DHEA) are often behind deep, cystic breakouts in adults—especially along the jawline and neck.

And what drives those androgens? Often it’s:

Blood sugar imbalance
Stress (more on that below)
Post-birth control rebound
Poor hormone detox via the liver

What to do:

Eat in a way that supports hormone metabolism. Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, arugula, and cabbage contain compounds that help your liver break down excess hormones.
Use castor oil packs over your liver. It’s an old-school remedy that supports lymphatic drainage and detox—without expensive supplements. Look for cold pressed, hexane-free, 100% pure organic castor oil. I like this bundle that includes the cloth pack: Queen Of The Thrones
Consider functional testing. The DUTCH Test gives you a complete hormone map, including how your body is processing and eliminating hormones. This is also one of the functional tests I offer with each client who works with me through The Acne Solution.

4. Gut Issues That Show Up On Your Skin

You can’t have healthy skin without a healthy gut. Period.

If you’re dealing with bloating, constipation, food sensitivities, or even anxiety alongside your acne—your gut is likely part of the picture.

A damaged gut lining (a.k.a. leaky gut), an overgrowth of bad bacteria, or low stomach acid can all lead to:

Poor nutrient absorption (like zinc and vitamin A, both critical for skin repair)
Inflammation that travels to the skin
Increased histamine, which worsens redness and sensitivity

How to start healing:

Hydrate with intention. Start your day with warm water + lemon + a pinch of sea salt to jumpstart digestion and support stomach acid.
Ease into fermented foods—your gut will thank you. Start small with just one spoonful of sauerkraut at lunch. This gentle intro gives your microbiome a dose of beneficial bacteria without overwhelming your system (especially if your gut is feeling sensitive). As your digestion strengthens, try to include one fermented food with each meal for ongoing support. Some tasty, gut-loving options include bubbly kombucha, creamy kefir, spicy kimchi, and raw aged cheeses. Your gut—and your skin—will glow from the inside out.
Include gut-healing nutrients daily. Bone broth, collagen, aloe vera juice, digestive enzymes/bitters, and L-glutamine are great foundational supports.

Use functional lab testing to uncover the root of your gut imbalances. The thing about gut issues is that there is no sure way to address them without knowing the exact imbalances that are at play. For example, taking certain probiotics when you are dealing with an overgrowth of opportunistic bacteria or histamine issues can actually exacerbate the problems at play, rather than benefiting them. This is why I often use GI-Map testing with clients who come through The Acne Solution, so we can create a plan tailored to their unique needs.

5. The Stress-Acne Feedback Loop

Stress is a powerful acne trigger—and not just because you’re “stressed out.”

Chronic stress raises cortisol, which throws off your blood sugar, depletes key nutrients, and signals your skin to produce more oil.

Even worse? High cortisol can disrupt your sleep, digestion, and hormones… which only leads to more breakouts.

Here’s how to calm the chaos:

Practice “nervous system hygiene.” Just like brushing your teeth, do 5 minutes of box breathing, grounding, or quiet journaling every day. Your hormones (and your skin) will thank you.
Prioritize sleep like it’s medicine. It’s not just about quantity—it’s about quality. Aim for 7–9 hours of deep, restorative sleep, and start winding down at least an hour before bed by dimming lights and stepping away from screens.

Blue light from phones and laptops can throw off your circadian rhythm and suppress melatonin (your sleep hormone). If you’re spending more than 2 hours a day on screens (hi, modern life 🙋‍♀️), consider using blue light-blocking glasses—they're a simple, stylish way to protect your sleep and support clearer skin from the inside out.

Consider magnesium. It’s one of the most critical (and most depleted) minerals in those dealing with acne, stress, and hormonal imbalance. Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including those that regulate cortisol (your stress hormone), support insulin sensitivity, and help balance estrogen and progesterone. If you’re constantly tired, wired, or craving chocolate, your body might be asking for more magnesium.

I recommend magnesium glycinate—it’s a gentle, highly absorbable form that’s less likely to cause digestive upset. This calming mineral can help lower stress, improve sleep (especially if you tend to wake around 2–3 a.m.), stabilize blood sugar, and ease hormone-driven breakouts and PMS symptoms. You can also support your levels naturally with magnesium-rich foods like dark leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, avocados, and even dark chocolate.

6. Food Sensitivities Beyond Dairy & Sugar

You’ve probably heard that cutting dairy and sugar can help with acne—and for some, it does.

But what if your personal trigger isn’t dairy… it’s eggs? Or gluten? Or even that new almond-based protein bar?

Food sensitivities are personal. And when your gut lining is compromised, even “healthy” foods can cause reactions that show up on your skin.

What to try:

Keep a simple food-symptom journal. Note what you eat and how your skin responds over 2–3 days. Patterns often show up with delayed reactions.
Avoid black-and-white thinking. Instead of banning whole food groups forever, focus on healing your gut first, so you can reintroduce foods with less sensitivity.

Be curious, not critical. Food reactions aren’t failures—they’re data.

7. Hidden Environmental Triggers That Could Be Messing With Your Skin

Even if your skincare routine is on point, your skin is still in constant contact with hidden stressors in your daily environment—and they may be sabotaging your glow without you even realizing it.

Let’s start with fabric friction and exposure.

From the seams of your hat to your pillowcase, your skin is regularly exposed to materials that can irritate or inflame. Rough towels, tight headwear, dirty sheets, or even your favorite scarf can cause micro-tears in the skin barrier or introduce bacteria—especially when they’re not cleaned regularly.

Then there are environmental toxins.

Everyday household items like synthetic candles, plug-in air fresheners, certain detergents, and cleaning products can release volatile compounds into your airspace. These invisible toxins can burden your body’s detox systems and contribute to skin flare-ups, sensitivity, or a dull complexion.

Air quality is another big one.

Whether it’s outdoor pollution, wildfire smoke, or stale indoor air, poor air quality can trigger inflammation and breakouts—especially if you’re already under stress or your liver is working overtime. Your skin, being your largest detox organ, often reflects the overload.

Here’s the good news: You don’t need to live in a bubble. Simple shifts in your environment can go a long way.

Try this:

Wash pillowcases, towels, and hats weekly to cut down on buildup and friction.
Choose soft, breathable fabrics and avoid abrasive materials against your skin.
Ditch synthetic fragrances—opt for essential oils or unscented, non-toxic household products.
Invest in an air purifier or open windows regularly to keep your indoor air circulating and fresh.

Your skin is always listening to your environment. By minimizing these hidden stressors, you’re giving your skin—and your whole body—more space to heal, restore, and thrive.

The Bottom Line: Your Skin Is Not the Problem—It’s the Messenger

Your breakouts aren’t random. They’re your body’s way of saying, “Hey, something’s off in here.”

When you shift from fighting your skin to listening to it, that’s when the real healing begins.

You don’t need a prescription or a 12-step skincare routine. You need a plan that addresses your unique root causes—hormonal, metabolic, emotional, and gut-driven.

That’s exactly what we uncover together in The Acne Solution—my signature program that helps you go from frustrated and inflamed to clear and confident in your skin (and your body).

👉 Click here to learn more or book your free clarity call.