Nutrients

What's behind your breakouts, and how to find out.

Infographic: people with acne have about 3 times higher odds of low vitamin D and about 9 ng/mL lower levels
Acne causes

Vitamin D and Acne: Can Low Vitamin D Cause Breakouts?

People with acne tend to have lower vitamin D, and lower levels go with more severe acne. Here's how vitamin D works in your skin, who runs low, why megadosing blind can backfire, and how to check your level at home.

9 min read
Open bottle of iron tablets beside a glass of water and a small dish of pumpkin seeds on a kitchen counter
Acne causes

Can Low Iron Cause Acne? Why Your Iron Is Worth Checking

Iron feeds oxygen delivery, skin repair, hair and energy, and low iron is common. Acne drivers differ for everyone, so here's how iron fits in, why not to supplement blind, and how to check your levels at home.

8 min read
Cast-iron pan of sauteed spinach next to a bowl of red lentils and a lemon on a kitchen counter
Acne causes

Low Ferritin and Acne: What the Research Actually Shows

Low ferritin hasn't been proven to cause acne, but iron stores matter for skin repair and are easy to misread. Here's what the research shows and why testing beats guessing with supplements.

7 min read
Supplement bottles and red capsules on a bathroom counter with a hand reaching for one
Nutrients

Can Vitamin B12 Cause Acne? What the Research Says

High-dose vitamin B12 can trigger sudden breakouts in some people. Here is what B12 acne looks like, why it happens, and how to tell if your supplements are the problem.

4 min read