What Triggers Acne? Optimizing Hormones & Gut Health

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton sits down with Dr. Bryant Esquejo, ND to unpack acne through a functional medicine lens, moving far beyond the surface to explore what’s really happening inside the body. Dr. Esquejo and Dr. Smeaton also discuss:  Acne as not just a skin condition, but a reflection of imbalances involving hormones, blood sugar, inflammation, and the gut microbiome The science behind acne development, from bacterial activity and oil production to deeper drivers like insulin resistance, androgen metabolism, and chronic inflammation The influence of diet, stress, sleep, and gut health How advanced testing, like hormone metabolite analysis, can reveal hidden imbalances in the body Treating acne as an opportunity to better understand and optimize whole-body health Learn more about Dr. Esquejo and follow him on Instagram @dr.bryant! Check out Dr. Esquejo’s blog post on blood sugar, insulin, and acne, and read our whitepaper on 5a-Androstanediol as a marker of androgen status in women. Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to free educational resources, expert clinical support, comprehensive patient reports, and peer-reviewed and validated research.