Updated: July 15, 2025
Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, leading to whiteheads, blackheads, or inflamed pimples.
When sebum and keratin build up inside a pore, it can form a white acne (whiteheads, closed comedones). If the trapped sebum is exposed to air and oxidizes, it darkens and turns into a black acne. (blackheads, open comedones)
When bacteria invade a clogged pore, it leads to inflamed acne, causing painful, pus-filled breakouts. If left untreated or severe, it can result in permanent scarring. Early and proper care is key to preventing worsening and lasting marks.
Kampo Self-Check for Acne
White or Black Acne
Inflamed Acne
Kampo’s Perspectives on Acne
From the Kampo medicine viewpoint, acne is often associated with internal imbalances such as Blood-Heat, Liver Heat, Stomach Heat, and especially Damp-Heat. Hormonal fluctuations and emotional stress can lead to Liver Qi stagnation, which increases internal heat and causes it to manifest on the skin as inflamed acne. Kampo also considers digestive health, bowel movements, and overall vitality when diagnosing and treating acne.
- Wetness Medicine Link – Acne begins with clogged pores caused by excess sebum production. This can be triggered by hormonal changes, stress, and diet. When bacteria invade the clogged pores, inflammation occurs, resulting in inflamed, red, and often painful acne. Red acne is viewed as the body’s inflammatory response to bacterial infection. Whiteheads and blackheads are differentiated by oxidation—whiteheads are closed and unoxidized, while blackheads are open to air and oxidized.
- Tea Care – Hatomugi (Job’s Tear Tea) + Dandelion Root + Licorice Root targets oily skin, inflammation, and detox — ideal for acne caused by sebum overproduction. This blend helps reduce dampness, clear stomach heat, and soothe inflammation.*
How Kampo and Western Medicine View Acne Together
Both Western and Kampo systems see acne as a result of external and internal factors. Western medicine focuses on oil, bacteria, and inflammation, while Kampo looks deeper into internal imbalances like heat, dampness, and Qi stagnation for personalized treatment.
- Sebum overproduction (Western) → In Kampo, this may correspond to patterns like Stomach Heat or Damp-Heat, which can lead to oily skin and clogged pores.
- Hormonal changes and stress (Western) → In Kampo, these relate to Liver Qi stagnation, which builds internal heat—especially Liver Heat—that often appears as skin eruptions.
- Bacterial infection and inflammation (Western) → In Kampo, this is seen as the manifestation of Heat toxins or Blood-Heat, which create redness, swelling, and pus in the skin.
- Whiteheads and blackheads (oxidation in Western) → Kampo sees skin blockages as signs of internal imbalances like poor digestion or unresolved dampness, rather than focusing on oxidation.
Kampo Therapy Q&A
Q: Can Kampo support acne-prone skin?
Yes. Kampo takes a holistic approach by focusing on internal balance—like digestion, stress, and heat buildup—that may be linked to breakouts. It helps support the body’s natural functions and encourages healthier, clearer skin over time.*
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Instead of self-diagnosing, we encourage you to consult a qualified healthcare provider for proper guidance and care.
