Acne vulgaris holds a unique place in the realm of cosmetic dermatology, as it is often experienced as much more than simply a ‘skin’ concern, but rather that of an aesthetics concern. As such, outside of managing the signs of skin aging, acne treatment is one of the most sought-after services in an aesthetics practice. Our goal in this course is to complement, yet extend beyond, the standard ‘textbook’ Naturopathic approaches to managing acne. With a primary focus on topical therapies, this course is designed to provide a variety of unique facets for acne care in your Naturopathic Aesthetics practice, including: 

• Assessment tools to establish and monitor acne lesion severity, sebum severity, clinical photography tips, and patient-experience measures; 

• To determine those acne-appropriate types of skin cleansers, moisturizers, serums, toners, spot-treatments, and oil-absorbing products; 

• Recommendations for frequency of skin cleansing; 

• To explore the acne-related research behind, and methods to maintain, an optimal skin barrier, skin pH and skin microbiome; 

• A detailed review of both established cosmeceutical ingredients (including retinoids, salicylic acid and tea tree oil), as well as emerging cosmeceutical ingredients (including ceramide-based topicals, niacinamide, topical probiotics, and Vitamin C) for acne treatment; 

• A review of unique oral supplements to consider (including probiotics and green tea).

This course will also provide a series of quick-reference charts outlining those cosmeceutical ingredients to consider for managing: skin oiliness; reducing inflammation; preventing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (at the spot of previous acne lesion); and in managing skin erythema and sensitivity. 

Learning Objectives 

• Understand the key pathogenic processes which contribute to acne lesion formation

• Identify and distinguish between inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions

• Review traditional treatment strategies from both conventional and Naturopathic approaches

• Review the role and implementation of various acne lesion and sebum assessment tools for clinical practice

• Review key techniques in using clinical photography in before/after assessment

• Understand the role and benefit of an acne-focused patient reported outcomes measure assessment, along with a perceived stress assessment, in acne management

• Explore and discuss common myths surrounding acne and cosmeceutical product use

• Review the role and benefit of skin barrier support in acne management

• Explore the structure, nomenclature, and evidence-based use of ceramide-containing cosmeceuticals in managing acne

• Review the goals of skin cleansing, the various classes of skin cleansers, and roles of specialty cleansing products

• Identify which cleanser types are best for use in acne management

• Understand the recommended, and research-based, frequency of facial skin cleansing

• Review the various types of moisturizing ingredients and serums, and their role in acne

• Understand the role of toners, facial masks, and oil-absorbing ingredients/products in managing acne

• Explore cosmeceuticals used in acne lesion spot treatments

• Understand the role and connections between skin pH and acne 

• Identify methods to maintain an optimal skin pH

• Review research surrounding established/traditional cosmeceuticals used in acne treatment

• Review research surrounding emerging cosmeceuticals used in acne treatment

• Identify cosmeceutical active ingredients beneficial in limiting excess oiliness/surface sebum

• Identify cosmeceutical active ingredients providing an anti-inflammatory action

• Identify cosmeceutical active ingredients for the prevention of acne-associated post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

• Identify cosmeceutical active ingredients for managing acne-associated facial redness and skin sensitivity

• Review novel & emerging oral supplements researched for use in acne

• Explore the emerging data surrounding the role of the skin microbiome 

• Review researched associations between both topical and oral probiotics and acne pathophysiology 

• Identify topical and oral probiotics cited in acne research, and found in a growing number of cosmeceuticals