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The 5 Types of Acne & How to Fix Yours Fast!

types of acne

If you’ve ever felt like your acne just won’t go away no matter what you try, there’s a good chance it’s because not all acne is the same. Understanding what type of acne you have is key to treating it effectively and finally seeing long-term results.

In this guide, we’re breaking down the five types of acne, the root causes behind each, and the best way to approach treatment. Once you identify which type of acne you’re dealing with, you can stop wasting time on random treatments and start addressing the real issue.

The 5 Types of Acne and What Causes Them

1. Lymphatic Acne (Cystic Acne, One-Sided Acne, or Recurring Acne)

  • Where It Appears: Often on one side of the face, around the ears, jawline, and neck
  • When It Shows Up: Keeps coming back in the same spot, usually deep, inflamed, and cystic

Root Causes of Lymphatic Acne:

  • History of strep infections or ear infections
  • Removal of tonsils or adenoids, which impacts immune function
  • Poor lymphatic drainage, leading to toxin buildup

2. Insulin-Resistant Acne (Hormonal Acne During Ovulation)

  • Where It Appears: Commonly on the lower face, jawline, and chin
  • When It Shows Up: Typically during ovulation (mid-cycle breakouts)

Root Causes of Insulin-Resistant Acne:

  • Impaired ovulation leading to irregular cycles
  • Excess testosterone production, which increases oil and leads to clogged pores
  • PCOS or metabolic imbalances affecting insulin sensitivity

3. Gut Imbalance Acne (Persistent Acne on the Chest, Cheeks, and Back)

  • Where It Appears: Cheeks, back, and chest
  • When It Shows Up: Present all month long, doesn’t seem to follow a cycle

Root Causes of Gut Imbalance Acne:

  • SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) or gut dysbiosis
  • Leaky gut leading to inflammation and poor nutrient absorption
  • Candida overgrowth contributing to skin and digestive issues
  • Deficiencies in key nutrients, especially vitamin B and copper

4. Poor Detoxification Acne (Hormonal Acne Before or During Period)

  • Where It Appears: Along the jawline, chin, and lower face
  • When It Shows Up: Right before or during your period

Root Causes of Detoxification Acne:

  • Excess estrogen & low progesterone, leading to hormone-related breakouts
  • Sluggish liver struggling to detoxify excess hormones
  • High endotoxins from poor gut health, increasing inflammation
  • Excess iron, which fuels bacterial overgrowth and oxidative stress

5. Stress Acne (Breakouts Worsened by Anxiety, Poor Sleep, and Overwhelm)

  • Where It Appears: Forehead, temples, and along the jawline
  • When It Shows Up: During high-stress periods, poor sleep, or intense emotions

Root Causes of Stress Acne:

  • Too much intense exercise, which raises cortisol
  • Chronic stress from work, relationships, or lifestyle
  • Poor sleep, which disrupts skin repair and increases inflammation
  • Low-carb or restrictive diets, which can stress the body and lead to imbalances

How to Treat Acne Using the Root Cause Approach

Most acne treatments only focus on the surface, but real healing happens when you address acne from the inside out. This is exactly why I teach a 4-pillar approach to healing acne inside my program Root Cause Radiance.

1. Nourishment: Supporting Your Body with the Right Foods

Your skin thrives when your body is well-fed and well-nourished. Restrictive diets can make acne worse, especially if they lead to blood sugar crashes, stress, and nutritional deficiencies. Instead of cutting out food groups, I focus on adding nutrient-dense foods that help balance hormones, heal the gut, and reduce inflammation.

  • Prioritizing protein, healthy fats, and fiber at every meal
  • Eating enough to support your metabolism and hormone function
  • Using food as medicine to reduce breakouts naturally

2. Skin Barrier Repair: Healing Acne from the Outside In

Your skin is a reflection of what’s going on inside your body, but that doesn’t mean topical skincare doesn’t matter! If your barrier is compromised, no amount of internal healing will give you that clear, healthy glow.

3. Detoxification: Clearing Out Excess Hormones and Toxins

If your liver and lymphatic system aren’t clearing out toxins effectively, your skin will try to do the job for them—leading to breakouts, especially around the jawline and chin.

  • Supporting liver detox with key foods, herbs, and lifestyle shifts
  • Incorporating gentle detox practices like castor oil packs, infrared saunas, and sweating
  • Ensuring gut health is optimized so toxins don’t recirculate in the body

4. Stress Management: Reducing Cortisol & Calming Inflammation

Stress is a silent acne trigger, and most people don’t realize how much it’s affecting their skin. Chronic stress throws hormones out of balance, weakens digestion, and slows detoxification. Learning how to build resilience to stress is just as important as any other part of your routine.

  • Daily walks, breathwork, EFT tapping, or meditation
  • Prioritizing sleep and recovery instead of over-exercising
  • Learning to manage stress so it doesn’t show up on your skin

The Real Secret to Clear Skin? Addressing the Root Cause

If you’ve been treating your acne with endless creams, antibiotics, or trendy skincare products but nothing is working, it’s because acne isn’t just a skin issue—it’s a whole-body issue.

Healing acne for good requires getting to the root cause and supporting your body from the inside out. That’s exactly what I teach inside Root Cause Radiance, my 6-week online course designed to help you balance your hormones, heal your skin barrier, detox effectively, and manage stress—all the pieces needed for long-term, clear skin.

If you’re ready to finally understand why your acne is happening and get the exact steps to heal it naturally, check out Root Cause Radiance. Your skin (and your confidence) will thank you! 💛

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