Acne
Gabriel treats acne from INSIDE OUT: acne is external manifestation of internal imbalance (hormones, gut, inflammation, detoxification).
11 identified
12 recommended
11 to test
3 modalities
Gabriel's Approach
Gabriel treats acne from INSIDE OUT: acne is external manifestation of internal imbalance (hormones, gut, inflammation, detoxification). Protocol: 1) Balance hormones (reduce androgens, improve estrogen metabolism), 2) Reverse insulin resistance (key for most acne), 3) Heal gut (gut-skin axis), 4) Eliminate food triggers (dairy, high-glycemic), 5) Support liver detoxification, 6) Reduce inflammation, 7) Optimize skin nutrients (zinc, vitamin A, omega-3), 8) Topical support (natural antimicrobials, don't over-strip skin). Acne is NOT skin disease—it's systemic issue showing up on skin.
Root Causes
Why Conventional Fails
Topical treatments: Benzoyl peroxide, Salicylic acid, Retinoids (Retin-A, Differin), Topical antibiotics; Oral medications: Antibiotics (tetracyclines—doxycycline, minocycline), Isotretinoin (Accutane—severe acne), Birth control pills (women), Spironolactone (women—anti-androgen); Procedures: Extractions, chemical peels, laser treatments.
Topical treatments address surface bacteria/oil but don't address root cause (hormones, gut, insulin, inflammation), Oral antibiotics: destroy gut microbiome (worsens gut-skin axis, often relapses after stopping, antibiotic resistance), Accutane: very effective BUT severe side effects (birth defects, depression/suicide risk, dry skin/lips/eyes, liver damage, requires monthly monitoring, permanent meibomian gland dysfunction), doesn't address WHY excessive oil production/inflammation occurring, Birth control pills: suppress natural hormones, side effects, acne returns after stopping, Spironolactone: potassium retention, dizziness, irregular periods, conventional approach focuses on suppressing symptoms (reduce oil, kill bacteria) rather than addressing hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, gut dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies.
Your Complete Protocol
A comprehensive, tiered approach combining supplements, herbs, and advanced therapies
Your Protocol for Acne
Choose the level that's right for your healing journey
Essential Protocol
What's Included
- Zinc 30-50mg (CRITICAL—anti-androgen)
- Vitamin A 10,000-25,000 IU or Cod Liver Oil
- Omega-3 2-4g/day
- DIM 200mg
- Burdock Root (Niu Bang Zi) — Clears heat and toxins from the blood that cause acne breakouts
- Turmeric (Jiang Huang) — Reduces inflammation and helps heal acne lesions
Available through Fullscript
Practitioner-Grade Protocol
Practitioner-Grade — Not Available on Amazon
What's Included
- Standard Process whole food protocol
- Lophatherum and Gypsum Formula (Qing Wei San) — Clears heat from the stomach and lungs that rises to cause facial acne
- Coptis Decoction to Resolve Toxicity (Huang Lian Jie Du Tang) — Powerfully clears heat toxin that manifests as inflamed, cystic acne
Whole food supplements by Standard Process
Complete Protocol
What's Included
- All Practitioner-Grade supplements & herbs
- BPC-157 (tissue repair + gut healing)
- Thymosin Alpha-1 (immune modulation)
Standard Process + Matter peptides
Recommended Treatments Near You
In-person therapies that complement your protocol
Red Light Therapy
$25-75 per session
Specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light penetrate tissue to boost cellular energy, reduce inflammation, and accelerate healing.
The Cryo Studio
West Hollywood • Sunset Strip
First session free with any package
Next Health
West Hollywood • Robertson
10% off all services with Gabriel
HigherDOSE
West Hollywood • Melrose
$15 off infrared sauna session
Recommended Supplements
Key Lab Markers
Dietary Guidance
Eliminate dairy completely (4-6 week trial minimum—dairy increases IGF-1, androgens, worsens acne), low-glycemic diet (eliminate sugar, refined carbs), avoid whey protein, increase omega-3 foods, zinc-rich foods, vitamin A foods, anti-inflammatory whole foods diet, organic, fermented foods, adequate hydration, green tea, some benefit from ketogenic diet (lowers insulin), food journal.
Lifestyle Factors
Stress management (cortisol worsens acne), adequate sleep (7-9 hours), avoid touching face, change pillowcases frequently, don't over-wash or strip skin (disrupts skin microbiome), use gentle natural cleansers, topical: tea tree oil, manuka honey masks, niacinamide (B3) topical, LED red/blue light therapy, don't pick or pop, sun exposure moderate, avoid harsh chemical skincare, exercise (reduces stress—but shower immediately after), manage gut health.
Recommended Treatments
Mind, Body & Spirit
Evidence-based practices that complement physical treatment protocols
Mind
Stress Management for Clear Skin
strongReducing cortisol and stress hormones that trigger breakouts.
Meditation for Skin Health
moderateMindfulness practice to reduce inflammation and improve skin healing.
Body
Exercise for Hormonal Balance
moderateRegular movement to improve insulin sensitivity and balance androgens.
Spirit
Self-Acceptance Work
moderateHealing shame and self-esteem issues related to visible skin condition.
Emotional Mapping
emergingUnderstanding emotional triggers and patterns that precede breakouts.
Curated for Acne
Supplements + Chinese herbal medicine
Standard Process + classical TCM
Standard Process + advanced peptide therapy
Find a Practitioner
Connect with specialists who treat Acne using root-cause approaches.
Browse PractitionersEducational purposes only. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any treatment protocol.