Before you run your son to a clinic, start Accutane, or spend hundreds on skincare treatments, there are a few things that will make a bigger difference than you think.
As a former medical esthetician, I can tell you that acne is one of the hardest things to treat. The truth is, the real progress happens at home, not in the treatment room. Help your son focus on daily habits first, then consider professional treatments later to smooth any leftover scars.
What most people don’t realize is that acne starts with inflammation, not dirt or oil. Hormones, stress, diet, and even sleep can all spark small inflammatory reactions under the skin. Once that inflammation kicks in, oil becomes thicker and pores clog more easily. Calming that process from the inside out is the real key to long-term clear skin.
Here are ten simple but powerful ways to get started.
1. Watch for Hidden Testosterone Triggers in Food
I once had a teenage client who proudly told me he was eating 15 to 20 eggs a week to get more protein. Unfortunately, I’m not sure his skin loved it.
Eggs naturally contain small amounts of hormones like progesterone and testosterone. Eating too many, especially when hormone levels are already high, can sometimes make breakouts worse. For most people, moderation is the key.
Other food-based triggers that can raise testosterone or inflammation include:
• Hormone-fed meat and dairy (choose organic or grass-fed when possible)
• Refined carbs like chips, white bread, and sugary cereals
• Processed protein snacks with soy isolates and sugar alcohols
Better choices:
• Organic or free-range eggs in moderation
• Wild or grass-fed meats
• Complex carbs like oats, rice, and fruit
• Plenty of vegetables, fiber, and water to help the body clear excess hormones naturally
Not everyone will react the same way. Sometimes moderation is all it takes to see a difference, and it never hurts to test small changes for a few weeks and see how his skin responds.
2. Watch for Hidden Testosterone Triggers in Supplements
Supplements can sound harmless, but a lot of what’s marketed to teenage guys for the gym is basically testosterone in disguise. I’ve seen so many teens start using pre-workouts or “muscle stacks” and suddenly their skin changes within weeks.
Watch for:
• Pre-workouts and “test boosters” with D-aspartic acid, creatine, or high-dose zinc
• Whey protein powders that raise IGF-1 (which overstimulates oil glands)
• Multivitamins overloaded with B12 or iodine, which can trigger breakouts
But, not all supplements are bad news. There are a few that tend to support the skin instead of stressing it.
My Go-To Supplements for Clearer, Calmer Skin
• Vitamin C with bioflavonoids for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support
• Digestive enzymes to help the body break down and absorb nutrients more efficiently
• Omega-3 fatty acids from wild fish or high-quality fish oil supplements to lower inflammation and balance oil production
A Note on Zinc
I've recommended zinc to clients as it can be incredibly helpful for some people with acne, but it isn’t always necessary. Too much zinc can also cause new breakouts. If zinc levels are low, the right form and dose, such as zinc picolinate, can help reduce inflammation and support healing, but check with your doctor on this one.
Supplements play a big role in skin recovery. Even with a healthy diet, extra support from vitamin C, digestive enzymes, and omega-3s helps the body restore balance faster.
3. Watch for Hidden Testosterone Triggers in Drinks
Energy drinks are one of those things that sound harmless at first but can quietly work against clear skin. Most are loaded with caffeine, taurine, and artificial sweeteners, all of which can overstimulate the system and throw off sleep, stress hormones, and testosterone balance.
When sleep or stress hormones get out of rhythm, it often shows up on the skin, usually as oilier, more reactive breakouts along the forehead or jawline.
That said, it’s not about quitting everything cold turkey. Some people handle caffeine better than others, and one can here or there won’t make or break the skin.
Try this instead:
• Swap energy drinks for water, bone broth or coconut water
• If he needs a caffeine boost, suggest a small coffee instead of a pre-workout drink
• Keep track of how his skin reacts when he cuts back for a few weeks
Sometimes even a small change, like replacing an energy drink with water, is enough to help calm the skin.
4. Ditch Scented Everything
Laundry pods, dryer sheets, and colognes might smell great, but they’re terrible for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Most are full of fragrance oils, waxy coatings, and chemical softeners that cling to fabric and end up on pillowcases or shirts, which then transfer to skin.
Even if he's washing his pillowcase often, it doesn’t help if it’s coated in pore-clogging residue.
Try this instead:
• Use fragrance-free detergent (like Nellies)
• Skip dryer sheets completely
• If he wears cologne, spray it on clothes, not directly on skin
Laundry and skincare routines should both do the same thing: keep his barrier clean and calm.
5. Shower Smart and Keep the Water Cool
Hot showers might feel great, but they strip the skin barrier and make inflammation worse. Encourage your son to wash his face with lukewarm water only, never hot.
After workouts or sweating, if he can’t shower right away, have him spray his face, chest, and back with hypochlorous acid (like Biome Aid’s Purifying Mist). It’s the easiest way to reduce bacteria, calm redness, and keep pores clear without drying out the skin.
And don’t forget his phone. It’s one of the dirtiest things he touches all day. A quick spray of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) keeps it clean and skin-safe.
6. Rethink “Protein = Muscle”
More protein doesn’t always mean more muscle, especially when it’s coming from whey shakes and processed bars.
Too much whey or dairy can raise IGF-1, which increases oil production. Protein bars often hide sugar alcohols and additives that throw off gut balance, another big factor in acne.
Better fuel:
• Rotate protein sources (chicken, wild fish, lentils, quinoa)
• Try a clean, plant-based protein powder if he needs a supplement
• Add fiber-rich foods to help his body flush out hormones naturally
The goal is strong muscles and clear skin, not one at the expense of the other.
7. Check His Hair Products
Hair products can be sneaky culprits behind forehead or neck breakouts. Many contain ingredients that clog pores, especially when mixed with sweat or friction from hats and helmets.
Top offenders:
• Isopropyl Myristate (one of the worst pore-clogging ingredients)
• Mineral Oil and Petrolatum (often used in heavier, industrial-grade formulas, not the purified skincare versions)
• Coconut Derivatives (including coconut oil, fatty acids, and esters, which can easily clog pores on acne-prone skin)
These create a film on the skin that traps sweat and bacteria. Choose lightweight, non–pore-clogging hair products so if they touch his skin or pillowcase, they won’t trigger breakouts.
8. Build a Simple, Consistent Skincare Routine
Skincare doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. What matters most is consistency and choosing non-pore-clogging products.
Here’s a simple, no-fuss routine your son can follow morning and night:
• Cleanse with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser
• Soothe with hypochlorous acid to calm inflammation and purify the skin
• Treat using a salicylic or mandelic acid serum (this acts as a mild exfoliant)
• Moisturize with a lightweight, non–pore-clogging lotion to protect the barrier
• Use SPF and choose one that’s zinc-based to keep skin calm and protected
Inflammation is what turns a small clogged pore into an angry breakout. Using ingredients that reduce redness and calm the skin keeps the whole process from snowballing.
9. Be Mindful of Sweat and Friction
Sweat itself doesn’t cause acne, but friction, heat, and bacteria trapped against the skin do. Sports helmets, chin straps, and tight collars can make acne worse.
Simple fixes:
• Wash gear regularly
• Wipe down skin or spray HOCl after workouts
If he’s playing sports or hitting the gym, sweat and friction are constant. A quick rinse or a spray of HOCl afterward can make a big difference.
10. Support Your Body’s Detox Pathways
Your skin doesn’t just show what’s happening on the outside; it reflects what’s going on inside too. When your liver, gut, or antioxidant systems are overloaded, breakouts can show up more easily. Studies have found that people with acne often have lower levels of antioxidants like glutathione, which helps defend the body against oxidative stress.
You can support your body’s natural detox and anti-inflammatory pathways by focusing on the basics:
• Protein and amino acids help your body make glutathione, the main antioxidant that supports detoxification and protects your cells.
• NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine) helps replenish those antioxidant stores and calm inflammation from the inside out.
• Omega-3 fatty acids from wild salmon, sardines, mackerel, or high-quality fish oil supplements lower inflammatory hormones and help balance oil production in the skin.
• Hydration and fiber keep everything moving so your body can clear waste efficiently.
Final Thoughts
At its core, acne is an inflammatory condition, not a hygiene problem. Every small step that reduces inflammation, from omega-3s and clean foods to HOCl sprays and zinc, helps the skin find balance again. Consistency wins over harsh products or quick fixes. When the body feels supported, the skin almost always follows.
Want to know why hypochlorous acid is one of the most effective ways to calm skin?
Read The 100-Year-Old Solution to Calmer Skin: The History of Hypochlorous Acid