Clear, glowing skin isn’t just about what you put on your face — it’s also about what you feed your body.

Acne can often be driven by nutrient deficiencies, and if your skin doesn’t have the building blocks it needs, breakouts can persist no matter how many creams, medications or topical treatments you try.

The skin is your body’s largest organ, with an incredibly high cell turnover. That means it constantly needs a steady supply of nutrients to repair, renew, and protect itself. Without them, your skin may struggle to heal properly — leaving you more vulnerable to acne.

How Nutrient Deficiencies Cause Acne

Nutrient deficiencies can happen for many reasons, including:

· Eating a diet low in essential nutrients

· Poor absorption due to gut issues

· Increased nutrient loss (for example, from stress or medications)

· Genetic factors that affect nutrient metabolism

In clinic, I often see acne patients with nutrient depletion linked to:

· Restrictive diets or disordered eating

· Food intolerances that lead to avoiding major food groups

· Poorly planned plant-based diets that don’t provide enough protein, fats, or micronutrients such as being vegan or vegetarian.

If your body doesn’t have enough nutrients to support hormonal balance and skin repair, acne often follows.

Why Nutrition Matters More Than Herbs or Supplements Alone

It’s common to want a “quick fix” with herbs, supplements, or skincare products. But if your foundation — nutrients — isn’t there, your skin simply doesn’t have the tools it needs to heal.

Think of it this way: you can’t build a house without bricks. In the same way, your skin can’t repair and thrive without adequate nutrients. You can’t out supplement a poor diet as well. Our diet is the main foundation of our nutrient status.

Common Nutrient Deficiencies Linked to Acne

While each woman’s needs are unique, some deficiencies commonly show up in acne patients:

· Zinc → crucial for wound healing and immune balance

· Iron → supports oxygen delivery and energy for skin cells

· Protein → the basic building block for skin repair

· Healthy fats & omega-3s → reduce inflammation and support the skin barrier

· Magnesium → helps regulate hormones and stress

· B vitamins → essential for energy, detoxification, and hormone balance

Signs You May Have Nutrient Deficiencies Contributing to Acne

· Following a vegan or vegetarian diet without proper planning

· Avoiding entire food groups due to intolerances or digestive issues

· Struggling with disordered eating or calorie restriction

· Eating the same few meals every week (lacking variety)

· Rarely eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, or wholegrains

· Feeling your diet is “bland” or limited

If any of these sound familiar, your skin may be craving deeper nourishment.

How to Support Your Skin with Nutrients

· Eat a rainbow of whole foods — variety ensures you cover your nutrient bases.

· Include quality protein, fats and carbohydrates - at each meal to support skin repair.

· Don’t fear healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and oily fish.

· Support gut health to improve nutrient absorption.

· Consider professional testing to uncover hidden deficiencies and reasons for poor nutrient absorption such as gut microbiome testing.

Your skin is a reflection of your inner health — and nutrient deficiencies are one of the most overlooked drivers of acne.

By nourishing your body with the right balance of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, you provide your skin with the essential tools it needs to heal naturally.

Lasting skin health isn’t about restriction — it’s about giving your body enough of what it truly needs.

To learn more about how to work with me 1:1 to clear your acne, click here.

To access my free Acne Quiz to help you find the root causes of your acne, download it here.

To access all my free acne resources to learn more about how to heal your acne, click here.

Nutrient Deficiencies and Acne: How to Nourish Your Skin Naturally