Want clear, acne-free skin
for life?

Most participants will begin to see changes within 3-7 days of following the protocol, in the form of a reduction of redness, inflammation, and bumps. Depending on the severity of the acne and underlying root cause(s), full or substantial acne clearance can take between 4-12 weeks, with some requiring a little longer.

The program walks you through a proven 3-step process to uncover the underlying root cause of acne, and then reverse it through targeted dietary and lifestyle changes.The specific recommendations will vary based on your root cause(s).

Primarily you’ll be altering your diet (removing pro-inflammatory, pro-acne foods such as dairy, sugar, etc.) and replacing it with nutrient dense whole foods that support healthy, clear skin.

Secondly, it entails the use of gentle, natural skincare products to treat current outbreaks and scarring while improving the texture of the skin (sold seperately).

Third, you’ll get lifestyle recommendations – for example on managing stress, sleep, movement, etc- to further help address the underlying root cause of your acne.

The dermatology curriculum is set by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) which doesn’t yet fully acknowledge the extent to which diet plays a role in acne.

The (AAD) teaches that there are three causes of acne:

• Overproduction of oil by enlarged oil glands in the skin
• Blockage of the hair follicles that release oil
• Growth of bacteria, called C. acnes, within the hair follicles

These may be the causes of a specific acne lesion, but they’re not the root cause of why you have acne. What is causing the overproduction of oil? What is causing the blockage of hair follicles? What is causing the overgrowth of C. acnes in hair follicles?

In the 70s dermatologists were taught there is no link between diet and skin. More recently, with a growing body of evidence linking certain foods, such as refined sugar, dairy, and refined carbohydrates to acne, there is an increased awareness and recognition of this potential, although, in practice, it’s rarely addressed in favor of relying on topical and oral pharmaceuticals.

There are now over 100 studies implicating dietary and lifestyle factors as the true underlying cause of acne. If you’ve tried everything else, and nothing has worked, it’s time to address the underlying root cause(s).

The vast majority of over the counter zit treatments use either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. No matter what brand you choose, they’re pretty similar.

For some people, benzoyl peroxide may improve mild to moderate forms of acne. However, despite being on the market for years, the precise mechanism for how it works is unclear. It has an antibacterial effect against C. acnes, the bacteria associated with acne, and dries out the skin which causes flaking, but, according to a large review in the journal Drugs, it doesn’t have an effect on oil production or cell production and turnover. This suggests it may offer temporary relief while in use, as opposed to stopping the issue and preventing new acne from forming down the line. This is an example of a remedy that targets the symptoms, not the underlying cause.

Salicylic acid unclogs pores to treat and prevent pimples. It doesn’t have any effect on sebum production and does not kill bacteria. Like benzoyl peroxide, when you stop using it, its effects stop, too. Your pores will get clogged again and pimples will come back, making it a temporary treatment, not a long term solution.

If you’ve been using acne cleansers or treatments with these ingredients, yet have not achieved full acne clearance for any length of time, it’s time to consider treating the underlying root cause(s) of the clogged pores, overgrowth of bacteria, and overproduction of oil, not just the topical symptoms.

TOPICAL RETINOIDS include Retin A, Differin, Retinova, and Isotrex.

Retinoids, which are synthetic derivatives of Vitamin A, have been the cornerstone of conventional acne therapy for the last 40 years. They work by preventing the overgrowth of cells that line the hair follicle. This prevents the pore from clogging and resulting in an acne lesion.

The research supporting retinoids suggests they should be expected to offer a 50% improvement in cases of mild to moderate acne. This is not an ideal treatment, as they can cause flare-ups or worsen the appearance of acne in the initial 4-6 weeks of use, causing skin to become red, dry, and irritated. Wouldn’t it be better if your skin just got better, instead of having to get worse first? The Clear Skin by Marlowe Plan shows you how.

TOPICAL ANTIBIOTICS

Topical antibiotics kill the bacteria associated with acne, C. acnes, which may result in fewer pimples. They may also have an anti-inflammatory effect, which can help explain their efficacy. While they may work short-term, topical antibiotics are not a long-term solution, as the bacteria eventually develops a resistance to the antibiotic, plus they can cause more serious issues. Since your skin is an organ and absorbs much of what you put on it, the antibiotics can find their way into widespread circulation throughout your body. This can disrupt the balance of other natural and healthy bacteria or microbiomes in your body, particularly in your digestive tract; although rare, cases of c. difficile infections and colitis resulting from topical antibiotic use have been reported.

Like sticking your finger in a hole of a sinking ship, this approach treats a symptom, not the cause. For full, long-term acne clearance, you must figure out why your body is out of balance and what is causing the excess bacteria to begin with.

ANTIBIOTICS
Taking oral antibiotics to treat acne by killing excess C. acnes bacteria has been a treatment method prescribed by dermatologists for decades. But along with killing the bad bacteria, antibiotics also kill the good bacteria in other parts of your body. Most notably, because of their effects on the gut microbiome, prolonged or multiple courses of antibiotic use has been associated with an increased risk of gut disorders, including inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

BIRTH CONTROL
Because birth control alters the hormones, specifically by reducing the levels of androgens in the body (which stimulate sebum production), it’s often prescribed as an acne treatment for women.

Like all prescription medications, birth control comes with side effects, ranging from relatively minor weight gain and mood swings to more serious blood clots and increased cancer risk.

Because of the implications and lasting effects birth control can have on the body, it is wise to pursue alternative routes to clear skin.

ISOTRETINOIN (ACCUTANE)
Generic Names include: Amnesteen, Sortret, Claravis, Absorica

Isotretinoin hit the market under the brand name Accutane in the 1980s, quickly becoming a best-selling prescription drug to treat acne, despite being linked to birth defects, Crohn’s disease, IBD, ulcerative colitis, depression, and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

While undergoing a course of isotretinoin (about 4-6 months) leads to permanently clearing up acne in about 50% of cases (hence its popularity), Accutane’s maker, Roche, stopped production of it in 2009. The halt came after its patent ran out and it had racked up over 1,000 lawsuits from patients and their families who had experienced negative side effects from taking the drug. There are now numerous generic versions on the market.

If you’d rather heal acne naturally without the negative side effects, check out the Clear Skin by Marlowe Protocol.