Medical Library Series with Mighty Kids: Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in children and teenagers. At Mighty Kids, we believe that understanding acne on a deeper level can help you manage and prevent it more effectively. Our supplements do not force a reaction or override normal responses in the bodies systems – they simply provide the body with the nutrients that it needs to heal itself.

What is Acne?

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that happens when the pores (or hair follicles) in the skin become clogged. It can show up in several forms:

Comedones – these are blackheads and whiteheads (blocked pores)
Papules and pustules – small red bumps and pus-filled spots
Nodules and cysts – deeper, painful lumps under the skin

Acne most commonly appears on areas with a high number of oil glands, such as the face, back, and chest. Acne is diagnosed clinically by a doctor through a skin examination.
Several factors can increase your risk of developing acne, including:

Family history – acne often runs in families
Cosmetics – certain skincare and makeup products can clog pores
Steroid use – both prescription and performance-enhancing steroids may contribute

What is the Pathophysiology Behind Acne?

Acne develops due to a combination of factors happening beneath the skin:

Increased Sebum (Oil) Production
- Overactive sebaceous glands create excess sebum, which can block pores.
- During puberty, hormones (especially androgens) stimulate oil glands in the skin to produce more sebum, hence why acne is more prominent during puberty.
Follicular Hyperkeratinization
- Normally, skin cells shed from the pores. But in acne, these cells (keratinocytes) clump together and block the follicle, trapping oil and debris.
Bacterial Overgrowth
- A specific bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) thrives in these blocked, oily pores. It triggers the immune system to respond, contributing to inflammation.
Inflammation
- Inflammatory cells infiltrate into the follicle leading to the development of papules, pustules, nodules and cysts

Mainstream Medicine Problems

Doctors may recommend a combination of topical or oral treatments. These include:

1. Benzoyl Peroxide

Reduces P. acnes bacteria and prevents bacterial growth by releasing oxygen in pores
Breaks up skin cells to unblock pores and reduces inflammation
⚠️ Can cause dryness, peeling, and irritation

2. Topical Retinoids (like tretinoin or adapalene)

Promotes turnover of skin cells preventing them blocking follicles
Regulates sebum production
Mild anti-inflammatory effects
⚠️ May cause irritation and are not ideal for very sensitive skin

3. Topical Antibiotics (like clindamycin or erythromycin)

Reduces P. acnes bacteria
⚠️ Long-term use can lead to resistance and skin sensitivity

The Mighty Kids Natural Approach

At Mighty Kids, we’re committed to supporting health with science-backed nutrients. While acne is complex, research shows that certain supplements can help reduce both the number and severity of breakouts, without the side effects associated with conventional treatments.

Among the many positive effects that our supplements are known to have, here’s how they can help with acne:

Zinc (in the Mighty Kids Multivitamin) fights acne by:

Reducing inflammation by blocking pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-1.
Inhibiting P. acnes bacteria by interfering with bacterial enzymes and disrupting cell wall function.
Decreasing sebum production by inhibiting an enzyme that produces androgens

Shop the liposomal Mighty Multivitamin with methylated and active forms of nutrients

Evidence:

Systematic review (Yee Be et al, 2020): Patients with acne had significantly lower zinc levels, and oral zinc supplementation significantly reduced papule count and inflammation.

Vitamin D3 fights acne by:

Reducing inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines (lowering TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6).
Reducing growth of P.acnes by stimulating the production of antimicrobial peptides in the skin (such as cathelicidin)

Get the highest bioavailability liposomal vitamin D3/K2 here.

Evidence:

Systematic review (Podgórska A et al, 2021): Vitamin D deficiency correlated with acne severity. Supplementation improved both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions.

Omega-3 fights acne by:

Suppressing pro-inflammatory mediators, including leukotriene B4, a molecule directly linked to increased sebum production and acne inflammation.
Balancing immune responses, preventing excessive inflammation.
Helping to restore skin barrier function, which can reduce redness, dryness, and sensitivity.

Shop here for our kid-approved Omega 3 with no fishy taste.

Evidence:

Systematic review (Shields A et al., 2023): Omega-3 supplementation reduced acne severity, and lead to a decrease in inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions after 10 weeks.

Vitamin C fights acne by:

Reducing oxidative stress and calms inflammation in acne-prone skin.
Inhibiting melanin production, which can fade post-acne hyperpigmentation.
Supporting collagen synthesis, improving skin texture and healing acne scars.
*speak to a member of our team about using our vitamin C supplement topically, or see our many posts on our Instagram page about this!

Get the liposomal vitamin C with hundreds of 5 star reviews, and proven absorption that’s 21x higher than a standard vitamin C powder.

Evidence: