This would also be my first question! Most clients start noticing changes in their skin after about 6–8 weeks, with more significant improvements typically showing after around three months. Skin cells take roughly 28–40 days to turn over, so change takes time and acne that has been present for years rarely clears in weeks.

In our first few sessions we'll aim to uncover what’s really causing your breakouts. Your gut health, blood sugar balance, stress levels, hormonal patterns and nutrient status all play a role.

What I ask of clients is a committed 3-month window. That's enough time to make meaningful changes, track progress honestly and adjust the plan. Most people see enough improvement in that time to feel the approach is working and some continue beyond that to maintain and build on their results

This is really common, and it doesn't mean nutrition can't help you. Clients often come to me having tried cutting foods such as dairy and sugar but found those changes alone weren't enough to shift the underlying picture. Acne has multiple potential root causes (and is often a perfect storm of more than one): gut dysbiosis, hormonal imbalance, liver detoxification chronic stress, specific nutrient deficiencies. When we work together, we look at the full picture systematically with the aim to get to the root of things and make a plan that’s going to work for you and your unique circumstances.

I’m a certified and registered Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist and I have first-hand experience of living long term with acne. I take a root-cause approach, mapping your unique health picture including how your hormones, gut health and nervous system interact. I don’t treat symptoms in isolation and I don’t offer a one size fits all ‘solution’. The goal isn’t just short-term improvement, but helping your body come back into balance so you can feel and look well long-term.

It can be surprising and distressing when acne appears in your 40s and 50s.

You may feel frustrated because:

• your skincare routine hasn't changed

• your diet hasn't changed

• treatments that used to work no longer help

Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause can influence oil production, inflammation and skin health. Together we'll explore the factors contributing to your breakouts and create a personalised plan that supports both your skin and your overall wellbeing.

It’s very common for people to try multiple approaches without seeing lasting results because they’re missing a clear, personalised strategy. Without understanding your unique root causes, it’s easy to end up guessing and that can keep you stuck.

Some supplements are often very helpful for acne but I'm not in the business of handing you a bag of 15 bottles or even one ‘magic pill’ and sending you on your way.

Supplements are used strategically, to fill specific gaps or support particular processes and we always start with food first. Any recommendations I make will be clearly explained so you understand what you're taking and why. As your health improves, we'll review and reduce supplementation where it's no longer needed.

My aim is to add what your body and skin need rather than focus on restriction. I will work closely with you to make sure changes are tailored to you and designed to be realistic, sustainable and hopefully enjoyable too!

Stress and food anxiety are themselves inflammatory and can worsen acne, so the psychological relationship with food matters too. My approach is collaborative, we work with your lifestyle, preferences and capacity for change, not against them.

The initial phase does require some attention, reading labels, trying new meals, perhaps prepping food slightly differently and I won't pretend there's zero adjustment. But my goal is always to fit recommendations around your real life, not an imaginary version of it where you have two hours to cook every evening. I'll ask about your schedule, your cooking confidence and your typical week before making any suggestions. Quick breakfasts, simple batch cooking, and easy swaps are all part of the toolkit.

I will meet you where you are. Many clients come to me while on topical treatments, the pill, or even Roaccutane, looking to support their body nutritionally through that process. I'll always ask about current medications and work within that context. If anything we discuss feels relevant to share with your GP, I'll help you do that.

Yes. I have a special interest in adult acne, but I support people with I wide range of issues and chronic conditions. If your body feels out of balance, I work to understand why and support you as a whole.

Almost certainly, yes and the fact that you're experiencing these things together is actually very useful information. In nutritional therapy, we don't see bloating, fatigue, hormonal symptoms, and acne as four separate problems.

Bloating and acne very frequently share a root cause. Gut health and an imbalanced microbiome, low digestive enzyme production, or increased intestinal permeability (sometimes called 'leaky gut') — drives both digestive discomfort and systemic inflammation that can show up in the skin. The gut-skin axis is one of the most exciting and well-researched areas in nutritional science right now and it's central to how I work.

Fatigue alongside acne often points toward blood sugar dysregulation, thyroid function, iron or B12 deficiency, or adrenal stress — all of which also have a direct impact on skin health. If your energy is low, your body is under strain, and the skin is often one of the first places that strain becomes visible.

Feeling generally 'out of balance' — mood shifts, poor sleep, PMS, low libido, irregular cycles — can indicate hormonal imbalance.

So when clients come to me with acne plus a cluster of other symptoms, I don't treat the acne in isolation. I work on the whole picture and what clients often find is their energy, digestion and sense of wellbeing improve as well as their skin. The skin is a mirror. When the inside is healthier, it tends to show.

It is absolutely not too late. I’ve been there and I know first-hand how this feels. Adult acne, particularly in women over 30, is actually increasing and many of my clients have been dealing with their skin for a decade or more before finding an approach that works. Long-standing acne often points to chronic, underlying imbalances that simply haven't been identified or addressed. The length of time you've had acne doesn't reduce how well your body can respond to the right support, it just tells us there's likely a root cause worth uncovering. Some of the most rewarding results I've seen have been with clients who'd almost given up hope.

Honest communication is the most important thing if this happens. Sometimes the timeline is slower than hoped and we need to look at why. It might be a missing piece we haven't yet identified, in which case at this point I might suggest further testing such as a stool test, or something in the plan that needs adjusting. I'll never just keep repeating the same advice if it's not producing results. If after a committed period we've genuinely exhausted nutritional avenues, I'll tell you that too, and help you think about what other support might be worth exploring. You won't be left feeling like you've failed — sometimes acne is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach.

This is one of the most common practical challenges my clients face, and it's completely valid. Most of what I recommend is built around whole, balanced food — it's rarely so specialist that you'd need to cook two separate meals. Where there are specific things you need to avoid or add in, we'll find ways to do that with minimum disruption. I'll also never ask you to make your diet a source of tension at home, the stress that causes isn't worth it.

Your first session is an in-depth conversation lasting around 75–90 minutes. We go through your full health history, not just your skin, but your digestion, energy, menstrual cycle (if relevant), stress levels, sleep and diet. Acne rarely exists in isolation, and understanding the whole picture is what allows me to build a plan that actually works for you. You'll leave with a clear plan of action. Nothing is rushed, this is where the real detective work begins.

While there's no single food that causes or cures acne, nutrition can play an important role in supporting skin health during perimenopause and menopause.

The foods you eat can influence inflammation, blood sugar balance, hormone metabolism and overall wellbeing all of which may affect your skin.

My approach isn't about following a restrictive diet or cutting out lots of foods unnecessarily. Instead, I help you identify the factors that may be contributing to your breakouts and create a realistic plan that supports both your skin and your health.

Absolutely.

Many of my clients are using HRT, spironolactone or other medications when they come to see me.

Nutritional therapy is designed to complement, not replace, medical care. My role is to help you understand the wider factors that may be influencing your skin and support your health through nutrition and lifestyle changes alongside any treatment recommended by your healthcare team.

I always encourage clients to continue working with their GP, dermatologist or specialist where appropriate.

It's very common for skin to change during pregnancy and after birth.

Following delivery, hormone levels shift rapidly as your body adjusts to life after pregnancy. At the same time, many new mums are navigating disrupted sleep, increased stress, nutritional demands and the challenges of caring for a baby, all of which can influence skin health.

If your acne has worsened postpartum, you're not imagining it, and you're certainly not alone.

The good news is that there are often several areas we can explore to better understand what may be contributing to your breakouts and support your skin during recovery.