Natural Acne Treatment Toronto
Personalized, root-cause care from a Toronto naturopathic doctor with over 20 years of experience treating complex and persistent acne cases
If you’re struggling with persistent acne that keeps coming back – despite creams, antibiotics, or skincare routines – there is often an underlying cause being missed.
Dr. Makoto Trotter, ND focuses on identifying and treating the root drivers of acne, including:
- Hormonal imbalances (PCOS, PMS, cycle-related acne)
- Gut health and digestion (IBS, SIBO, Leaky Gut Syndrome)
- Chronic inflammation
- Stress and nervous system dysregulation
Book a consultation to get a personalized acne treatment plan.
Naturopathic acne treatment starts with trying to understand the underlying cause of your breakouts.
If you’re reading this, you are likely frustrated with your acne and feel like you are at a dead-end. Perhaps you are sick of the side effects of your current acne medications or they are no longer working for you. Perhaps you want to avoid taking pharmaceuticals altogether and prefer a more natural approach.
Dr. Makoto is experienced with helping many patients in similar circumstances and he is here to help you understand and improve your skin.
Dr.Makoto Trotter, ND shares his Top 5 Tips to Heal Your Acne
What is Acne?
Acne affects both teenagers and adults and can become chronic when underlying causes are not addressed. It can be persistent and stubborn in some cases. Typically, acne starts during or shortly after puberty and may be short-lived. But, in some cases, it may take years or even decades to resolve without intervention.
Conventional options usually consist of antibiotics, prescription medications and topical creams. Unfortunately, you may find that your acne stubbornly returns when the prescriptions are discontinued.
There are many organ system disruptions that may affect your acne such as a hormonal imbalances, digestive conditions, stress, dehydration, use of certain skincare and cosmetic products and even certain food allergies and sensitivities.
Learn more about the different types of acne.
If you are frustrated with acne medication, know that there are natural acne treatment options that are safe and effective.
Do I have to rely on acne medication?
It is useful to talk to a dermatologist to review conventional approaches for acne. These options typically include prescription topical creams or oral medication. The goal of these conventional dermatological approaches is to either modulate or suppress hormones, kill bacteria, promote skin turnover or inhibit oil glands in the skin.
Be aware that though these options may benefit your acne in the short-term, they can also have side effects, which can range from mild to serious.
Consequently, it is good to be understand all of your options so that you can make an educated decision about what works best for you.
What if I want to avoid medication for my acne?
You may prefer to avoid using medication for your acne. Alternatively, you may have tried medication and it has not been successful at treating your acne or the adverse effects have been intolerable. In any of these scenarios, then this may be a point where you want to consider a more natural solution to healing your acne.
My acne is taking over my life!
Yes, acne can consume your life. It can affect you mentally and emotionally. Furthermore, it can hold you back from socializing, achieving success, being intimate and most importantly, loving yourself. As a result, acne can damage your self-esteem and affect your quality of life.
Fortunately, you do have natural acne treatment options and you are not alone. We are here to support you to explore all the options available and find the right approach for your skin.
How would visits work for natural acne treatment?
- Review your skin care regimen and recommend modifications to support sensitive acne-prone skin
- Comprehensive intake to discuss your skin, digestion, hormones and many other body systems that are impacting your acne
- Discuss the connection between emotions, stress and your breakouts and strategies to improve your stress
- Review previous diagnostic tests and reports relevant to your health
- Discuss test options that are relevant to treating your acne
- Recommend a diet plan that is designed to reduce inflammation, re-balance hormones and heal your acne
- Recommend nutrients and supplements to support your skin health
- Discuss herbal medicine options for your acne
- Potentially incorporate acupuncture to re-balance hormones to heal your acne
What about my skincare routine?
Dr.Makoto is well-versed and experienced in assessing and recommending the appropriate skincare products for your specific needs and skin status.
His approach is realistic and he prefers to recommend products that are right for your skin type, have as natural and gentle ingredients as possible and are not overinflated in price.
He is a fan of Korean skincare, specifically those that are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, use natural ingredients and keep your skin adequately hydrated for our climate.
It is essential to find the right skincare not just for your current skin needs, but also to ensure they are safe to use for your long-term health.
What is a natural approach for my acne?
Dr.Makoto Trotter, ND, naturopathic doctor uses a holistic approach to assess and improve your acne. He is experienced with seeing patients suffering from acne and understands your struggles and frustrations with your skin. Fortunately, there are effective and safe natural options for acne.
In the first session, he will discuss your history with acne, treatments you have already tried (conventional and holistic), review any laboratory test you have done, assess your current skin care regime, diet, lifestyle, and examine your skin. The goal is to understand the origins of your acne, whether there are triggers from hormones, diet, food sensitivities, stress, lifestyle, or a combination of all of these. In this way, we can create the most appropriate plan.
His goal is to ensure you are educated in understanding your body and have the knowledge to make healthier choices to keep your skin glowing in the long-term.
Dr.Trotter, will work with you to create a realistic treatment plan to address and improve your acne. He uses a combination of diet, nutrient therapy, herbal medicine, lifestyle counseling and in some cases, acupuncture to support your skin health. As a result, he will work with you to achieve vibrant skin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Natural Acne Treatment
Can naturopathic medicine actually clear acne, or just manage it?
Yes – many patients achieve lasting clearance, not just temporary improvement. The key is identifying the specific underlying drivers. When gut health, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation are properly addressed, acne frequently resolves without ongoing reliance on medication or topical treatments.
How long does natural acne treatment take?
Most patients see meaningful improvement within 8-12 weeks of starting a targeted treatment plan. More complex or long-standing cases may take longer. Dr. Trotter will give you a realistic timeline based on your specific skin and health history at your first visit.
Is acne hormonal?
Often, yes. Hormonal fluctuations – particularly elevated androgens, insulin resistance, and cycle-related changes – are among the most common drivers of persistent acne in both teens and adults. Conditions like PCOS are frequently associated with stubborn hormonal acne. The DUTCH hormone test can provide a detailed picture of how hormones are being produced and metabolized.
What is the connection between gut health and acne?
The gut-skin axis is well established. Conditions like leaky gut syndrome, SIBO, and gut dysbiosis can drive systemic inflammation that manifests on the skin. Many patients with chronic acne have never had their gut health assessed – and addressing it is frequently one of the highest-yield interventions.
Does diet cause acne?
Diet is a significant contributing factor for many patients, though triggers vary by individual. Common dietary drivers include high-glycemic foods, dairy, and food sensitivities. A food sensitivity test can identify specific triggers, and a targeted dietary plan is a core part of naturopathic acne treatment.
Do I need to stop my current acne medication to work with Dr. Trotter?
No. Naturopathic care can work alongside existing medications including antibiotics, topical retinoids, and hormonal contraceptives. The goal is to address root causes so that over time, reliance on medication naturally decreases – not to abruptly discontinue anything prescribed by your dermatologist or GP.
Is there a book I can read to learn more about natural acne treatment?
Yes – Dr. Trotter has authored The Complete Acne Health & Diet Guide, a comprehensive resource combining his clinical experience treating acne patients with evidence-based research. It covers diet, lifestyle, hormones, gut health, topical support, and scarring management in detail.
What testing is available for acne at your Toronto clinic?
Testing is tailored to your presentation and may include food sensitivity testing, DUTCH hormone testing, GI microbiome analysis, and LifeLabs blood panels covering hormones, insulin, and inflammatory markers. Not every patient needs every test – Dr. Trotter will recommend based on your specific picture.
Dr. Makoto, ND, shares his knowledge, tips and tricks on achieving clear skin
Dr.Makoto Trotter, ND, has authored a book on treating acne naturally. His comprehensive guide combines his clinical experience in treating acne patients along with evidence-based research to provide you with a thorough diet and lifestyle plan to target your acne.
The Complete Acne Health & Diet Guide contains comprehensive information on the anatomy, pathophysiology and psychology of acne; managing acne from conventional to natural options; how to deal with scarring; topical support and much more.
Dr.Makoto was also on the talk show, The Social, discussing foods that fight acne. To view this and other video clips related to skin health, please visit our media page.
If your skin symptoms are persistent, it may be helpful to review other conditions treated that can contribute to inflammation.
Ready to Work Toward Clear Skin?
If you’re tired of temporary fixes and want to understand the root cause of your acne, we’re here to help.
Book your naturopathic acne consultation and get a personalized treatment plan tailored to your skin.