A Naturopathic Doctor’s Favorite Herbs to Help Reduce Acne from Within

Waking up with new breakouts that seem to pop out of no where can be so frustrating. Dealing with acne as an adult can be incredibly frustrating, especially when the breakouts seem to come from nowhere.

In my tool box to help heal acne, as a naturopathic doctor who specializes in acne, are many herbs that help to heal the body from within by reducing inflammation, cleansing the body of toxins, and helping to support hormones. I’ve seen countless women achieve clearer skin through a holistic approach. Incorporating certain herbs into your daily routine can provide powerful support for your body’s internal balance, reducing the likelihood of acne flare-ups.

Let’s explore some of my favorite herbs that work from the inside out to help you manage acne. These natural remedies can easily fit into even the busiest schedules and are designed to help you reclaim your clear skin.

Disclaimer: the information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat. Make sure you contact your doctor if you think you have a medical problem.

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links.

Why Herbs Can Help Manage Acne

Dealing with acne is like having a check engine light come on in your car. It’s a sign that something deeper is going on and needs to be address. Imbalances like dysbiosis, hormonal fluctuations, inflammation, and sluggish detoxification can all contribute to acne breakouts. Herbs can play a key role in addressing these root causes by promoting detoxification, balancing hormones, and reducing inflammation.

The best part? Herbs are pretty easy to incorporate into what you’re doing already! Whether you start to consume more herbs through through teas, tinctures, or supplements, herbs are easy to add to your daily routine and offer long-term benefits for your skin.

Dandelion Root: The Detoxifying Powerhouse

One of the first herbs I recommend for acne support is dandelion root (Taraxacum officinalis). While you may think of it as a common weed, the root is a powerful detoxifier that’s particularly beneficial for the liver. Since the liver is responsible for filtering out toxins and excess hormones, its function is critical for maintaining clear skin.

How Dandelion Root Supports Your Skin

Dandelion root helps flush out toxins that can build up in the body and contribute to inflammation, some of the major triggers for acne. Dandelion root stimulates digestion with it’s bitter taste, helping with the flow of digestive juices, another key element of clear skin. I often recommend dandelion root to women who are dealing with high estrogen due to a sluggish liver and high toxins. Personally, I’ve seen significant improvements in my skin when I drink dandelion tea regularly, especially when combined with a clean diet.

How to Incorporate Dandelion Root

The easiest way to enjoy the benefits of dandelion root is through tea. A warm cup of dandelion root tea in the morning or evening not only supports liver detox but also helps reduce inflammation in the body. It’s also included in my herbal tea blend, Skin TeaTox, which offers a convenient way to get your daily dose of skin-loving herbs.

Green Tea: The Antioxidant Superstar

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is another herb that does wonders for the skin. You might already be familiar with green tea’s reputation for being packed with antioxidants, but did you know it can also help with acne? Green tea contains a compound called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which has potent anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce sebum production, a main culprit behind acne breakouts.

Green Tea for Hormonal Acne

For women who struggle with hormonal acne, particularly those annoying breakouts around the jawline and chin, green tea can be a lifesaver. Studies have shown that the antioxidants in green tea can help balance hormones like insulin and androgen levels (like testosterone and DHT), which are often linked to acne.

How to Incorporate Green Tea

I like to recommend replacing morning coffee with green tea or matcha. And if you’re a coffee lover like me, I usually will consume green tea later in the morning after my coffee or will have one day a week where I enjoy green tea instead. There is still caffeine in green tea, but you’ll find that if you’re sensitive to caffeine in coffee, you may not have that reaction with green tea. Green tea contains L-theanine which can help reduce the “caffeine jitters” that you may get with coffee.

Burdock Root: The Blood Cleanser

If you’re looking for an herb that helps purify your system and keep your skin clear, burdock root (Articum lappa) should be on your radar. Known for its ability to cleanse the blood, burdock root helps the body eliminate toxins by enhancing detox and cellular metabolism, making it a fantastic herb for acne sufferers.

Supporting Liver and Lymphatic Detoxification

Burdock root works by supporting both the liver and the lymphatic system. When these systems are functioning efficiently, your body can better handle the toxins that contribute to acne. The lymphatic system helps to move the toxins out of cells and to the liver, and the liver helps to process those toxins. This herb is also anti-inflammatory, making it ideal for calming angry, inflamed breakouts.

How to Use Burdock Root

Burdock root tea is a great way to reap the benefits of this herb, and it's another key ingredient in Skin TeaTox. Drinking a cup or two daily can help reduce acne flare-ups and support clearer skin over time.

Spearmint: The Hormonal Acne Fighter

If you experience hormonal acne flare-ups, particularly around your menstrual cycle, spearmint (Mentha spicata) is an excellent herb to add to your routine. Spearmint is known for its ability to reduce androgens, the male hormones that can trigger acne in women like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

The Science Behind Spearmint for Acne

Several studies have shown that drinking spearmint tea can help lower androgen levels in women, resulting in fewer hormonal breakouts. I’ve personally seen many of my clients experience a reduction in hormonal acne after consistently incorporating spearmint into their routine.

How to Incorporate Spearmint

The best way to use spearmint is by drinking it as a tea. A cup of spearmint tea twice daily has been shown to significantly reduce hormonal acne. The best thing about spearmint tea is the tastiness of it! I don’t know about you, but I love anything mint. If you're busy, don’t worry—it’s already blended into Skin TeaTox to make it easy for you to get your spearmint fix and support your skin.

Keep in mind, spearmint and peppermint, while they are from the same family of herbs, they are different and they do have different medicinal actions!

Hibiscus: The Antioxidant-Rich Skin Support

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is another herb that’s packed with skin-loving antioxidants. Rich in vitamin C and polyphenols, hibiscus not only supports skin health from the inside but also helps fight oxidative stress, which can contribute to breakouts. The vitamin C is also vital for collagen production in the skin, which many know to be great for helping hair, skin, and nails. When it comes to the skin, collagen is important to help heal acne scars.

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Hibiscus also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm irritated skin and reduce redness. Whether you’re dealing with inflamed acne or sensitive skin, this herb offers gentle support.

Incorporating Hibiscus Into Your Routine

Hibiscus tea is not only delicious but also a fantastic way to support your skin’s health. Hibiscus can be used internally and topically for the skin. Topically, there are many skin care products that contain hibiscus to help exfoliate the skin, reduce pigmentation, and keep your skin hydrated. Hibiscus is one of the key ingredients in one of my favorite cleansers (AHA Jelly Cleanser). Hibiscus is also a key ingredient in Skin TeaTox, offering you a refreshing and effective way to detox and clear your skin.

Milk Thistle: The Ultimate Liver Support

When it comes to supporting and protecting the liver, milk thistle is one of the most powerful herbs you can use. The liver plays a crucial role in processing hormones and toxins, but medications like birth control and ibuprofen can have a huge impact on the liver. And if you’re one of the many women who have been on birth control in the past, it can be helpful to provide your body with herbs that help to heal the liver.

Why Milk Thistle is Essential for Clear Skin

Milk thistle’s active compound, silymarin, helps repair and protect liver cells, ensuring that your liver can process and eliminate toxins effectively. This reduces the chance of toxins contributing to acne.

How to Use Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is often taken in supplement form, but it can also be consumed as a tea.

How to Make These Herbs a Part of Your Daily Routine

Incorporating herbs into your daily life doesn’t have to be complicated. I designed Skin TeaTox to include a blend of these powerful acne-fighting herbs, so you can enjoy clearer skin without the stress of managing multiple supplements. Just a cup or two each day can help support your skin from within, and it’s a delicious, relaxing way to unwind while nourishing your body for clear skin.

Reducing acne naturally is about addressing the root causes from within. Herbs like dandelion, green tea, burdock root, spearmint, hibiscus, and milk thistle offer powerful benefits for detoxifying the body, balancing hormones, and calming inflammation, all critical factors for achieving clear skin.

If you’re ready to take control of your acne and want a simple, effective way to support your skin, try Skin TeaTox. It’s a gentle, herbal tea blend formulated specifically to help detoxify, balance, and nourish your skin from the inside out. Give your body the support it needs and say goodbye to breakouts!