Understanding Functional Approach to Acne: What Your Skin Is Trying to Tell You

Digestive Acne - found on lip, forehead, cheeks and chin

Acne is often misunderstood as a surface-level skin issue caused by poor hygiene or excess oil. But in reality, acne is a signal—a reflection of what’s happening inside the body. When we take a closer look at the type and location of acne, we start to uncover valuable clues about internal health.

Blackheads: Mucus and Lymph, Not Dirt

Contrary to popular belief, blackheads aren’t caused by dirt. They are oxidised oil and cellular waste, often linked to mucus congestion and sluggish lymphatic flow. This can happen when the body is trying to purge toxins or excess mucus it can’t eliminate through the bowels or liver. Supporting lymphatic drainage, hydration, and gentle detoxification can help reduce blackhead formation over time.

Osmosis Skin Clarifier targets mucus build-up in the digestive tract and lymphatic system, helping clear the internal congestion that contributes to blackheads. It supports clearer pores by assisting the body’s natural elimination of waste through the gut rather than the skin. Osmosis Skin Aid adds immune and anti-inflammatory support, further calming the body’s response and improving skin clarity from the inside. Clarify Vitamin A Serum is a gentle, non-drying formula that regulates oil production, unclogs pores, and reduces inflammation. It encourages healthy skin turnover without irritation, making it ideal for skin prone to blackheads or congestion.

Clear Congestion from the Inside Out

By combining Skin Clarifier and Skin Aid internally with Clarify Serum topically, you address both the root cause and surface symptoms of blackheads. This holistic trio helps restore balance, clear blocked pores, and strengthen skin function—without over-stripping or irritating the skin.

Functional Approach to Digestive Acne: Gut Inflammation on the Surface

Breakouts around the cheeks, forehead, lips, or chin often point to gut dysfunction. Low stomach acid, food intolerances, or dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria) can all lead to congestion in the skin. Digestive acne may also be paired with bloating, irregular bowel movements, or sensitivities to certain foods. Addressing these gut imbalances is key to long-term skin clarity.

Osmosis Skin Clarifier helps remove internal mucus and digestive waste that may be blocking detox pathways, while Metagenics DermaClear supports liver function and promotes healthy skin elimination via the gut. For ongoing inflammation or food-triggered breakouts, Osmosis Skin Perfection Elixir works energetically to calm digestive irritation, reduce skin eruptions, and support microbiome balance. Rescue Epidermal Repair Serum contains trioxolane—a stabilized oxygen molecule that calms inflammation, promotes repair, and restores skin immunity. It's ideal for inflamed digestive breakouts and supports a healthy skin barrier while healing irritation.

Balance the Gut, Calm the Skin

Pairing Skin Clarifier, Skin Perfection, and DermaClear internally with Rescue topically offers complete support for digestive acne. This functional pairing targets the source of inflammation, soothes the skin, and restores harmony to both gut and complexion—leading to clearer, more resilient skin long term.

Hormonal & Liver Acne: Clearing From Within

Breakouts along the jawline, chin, and neck are often related to hormonal imbalances and liver congestion. During times of hormonal fluctuation (teens, menstrual cycles, stress), excess hormones need to be cleared by the liver. If the liver is sluggish, toxins may purge through the skin instead—leading to inflamed or cystic acne.

Osmosis Skin Defense binds and neutralizes toxins that may contribute to skin purging. It supports the liver and lymphatic system by removing heavy metals, pesticides, and estrogenic compounds that interfere with hormone balance. This helps reduce the internal toxic load, giving the skin a chance to calm and repair.

Rescue Epidermal Repair Serum contains trioxolane, a stabilized oxygen molecule that targets skin inflammation, strengthens the skin’s immunity, and promotes faster healing of blemishes. It’s ideal for calming cystic or inflamed acne, especially when used consistently in the affected areas.

Heal from Both Ends

By pairing Skin Defense internally with Rescue topically, you create a synergistic approach—clearing the cause while calming the skin. This helps reduce breakouts, soothe sensitivity, and strengthen the skin barrier for long-term clarity.

A Functional Approach

At SWAN – Skin, Wellbeing & Nutrition, I take an inside-out approach to acne. Using skin mapping, hair testing, digestive support, toxin clearance, and barrier-repairing skincare, I help you uncover and heal the root cause—giving you real, lasting results. This is combined with targeted in-clinic treatments such as facials tailored to your skin type, facial massage to support stress release and lymphatic drainage, LED light therapy, and more—each chosen to calm inflammation, restore balance, and accelerate healing.

Your skin is talking—are you ready to listen?

👉 Book your consultation at www.swanskinandnutrition.com

By Sarah Tumulty - Your Skin Nutritionist

Functional Skincare Practitioner & Nutritionist