The Seasonal Light Connection to Acne: Understanding the Root Cause & Finding Your Healing Path
Acne is more than just a skin condition—it's a signal from your body that something deeper is out of balance. If you’ve noticed that your breakouts follow a seasonal pattern, worsen in the winter, or improve with sunlight exposure, you’re not alone. Emerging research suggests that light, circadian rhythms, and mitochondrial health play a significant role in the development and healing of acne.
Understanding the connection between seasonal light changes, hormones, and skin function can help you take control of your healing process. Instead of masking symptoms with harsh treatments, we’ll explore ways to work with your body’s natural rhythms—including how sunlight, red light therapy, and natural skincare like tallow can support your journey to clear, resilient skin.
Why Light Matters for Acne
Our skin isn’t just a passive barrier—it’s a dynamic, light-sensitive organ that interacts with our environment in ways science is still uncovering. The skin and brain originate from the same embryological tissue, meaning that circadian rhythms, sleep, and light exposure influence skin health just as much as they affect mental and metabolic health.
The Problem: Lack of Natural Light & Too Much Artificial Light
- Many people today spend the majority of their time indoors, under artificial light and behind screens, which disrupts natural circadian signaling.
- Exposure to blue light and non-native electromagnetic fields (nnEMFs) (from devices, Wi-Fi, and artificial lighting) has been linked to hormonal dysregulation, increased inflammation, and impaired skin repair.
- Seasonal acne flare-ups often correspond with shorter days, lower vitamin D levels, and increased exposure to artificial indoor lighting.
How Sunlight Can Heal Acne
- UV light kills acne-causing bacteria (P. acnes) and reduces oil production.
- Morning sunlight (without sunglasses or sunscreen) regulates circadian rhythms, which impacts hormonal balance and inflammation.
- Red light therapy (which mimics certain benefits of sunlight) has been shown to reduce acne severity by reducing inflammation and promoting mitochondrial repair.
Winter & Acne: Many people experience worsened acne during colder months. This is likely due to:
- Reduced Sunlight Exposure → Lower Vitamin D & Melatonin Production → Increased Inflammation & Oil Production.
- Increased Blue Light Exposure from screens and indoor lighting → Circadian Disruption → Hormonal Imbalances.
- Seasonal Stress (e.g., holidays, workload changes) → Increased Cortisol & Inflammatory Responses.
A Surprising Connection: Electromagnetic Forces & Skin Health
Dr. Kruse’s research highlights the role of Coulomb forces (electrostatic forces in our body) in skin conditions like acne. When the skin's electrical charge is disrupted by poor light exposure, it can impair mitochondrial function and lead to skin imbalances.
Acne, Hormones & Light: The Missing Link
Acne is often linked to hormonal fluctuations, but what controls those hormones? Light.
How Light Regulates Acne-Related Hormones
- Melatonin & Cortisol – Proper light exposure helps regulate melatonin (nighttime repair) and cortisol (stress response). Poor light habits can cause higher cortisol, lower melatonin, and increased skin inflammation.
- Vitamin A & Skin Regeneration – Vitamin A (retinol) plays a major role in skin cell turnover, barrier function, and acne healing. Artificial light exposure and poor circadian rhythms can impair Vitamin A metabolism in the skin, leading to acne and inflammation.
- DHEA & Testosterone – DHEA, an adrenal hormone, increases in response to morning sunlight exposure. This is crucial for balancing testosterone and estrogen, which affect oil production and acne severity.
Menstruation & Acne: Women may notice acne flares around their cycle, which are influenced by light, stress, and hormone fluctuations. Tracking light exposure along with menstrual patterns can help identify environmental triggers.
How to Heal Acne with Light & Seasonal Awareness
Healing acne isn’t about following one strict regimen—it’s about reconnecting with nature’s cycles and understanding your own body's rhythms.
1. Get Sunlight Daily
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Morning Light (Within 30 Minutes of Waking Up)
- Helps set your circadian rhythm, lower stress hormones, and improve vitamin D levels.
- Get at least 10–30 minutes of direct sun exposure without sunglasses or sunscreen.
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Midday Sun (For Vitamin D)
- Aim for 10-20 minutes on bare skin (face, arms, or legs).
- If you’re in a region with weak winter sun, consider a vitamin D lamp or supplementing as needed.
2. Use Red Light Therapy
- Morning Red Light (Before Sun Exposure) – Prepares the skin to absorb more natural sunlight.
- Evening Red Light (After Sunset) – Supports mitochondrial repair, reduces inflammation, and improves sleep quality.
3. Limit Artificial Light at Night
- Reduce screen time after sunset or use blue-light blocking glasses.
- Use candlelight, red light bulbs, or salt lamps instead of bright white LED lights.
4. Support Your Skin with Tallow-Based Skincare
Tallow (rendered animal fat) is rich in bioavailable vitamins and fatty acids that help repair the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and support the skin’s natural healing processes. Unlike synthetic moisturizers filled with preservatives, emulsifiers, and stabilizers, tallow:
- Provides essential fatty acids (like stearic acid) that deeply nourish the skin.
- Helps lock in moisture without clogging pores.
- Contains natural fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K—all crucial for skin health.
For those with acne-prone skin, the specific blend of oils in your tallow-based products can make a difference:
- Some people with acne do really well with tallow products made with squalane oil—like those in Fatskn's Face products—which is lightweight, non-comedogenic, and mimics the skin’s natural sebum.
- Others (perhaps more) find that tallow combined with jojoba oil works best for them. Jojoba oil, featured in the majority of Fatskn's products, is Caitlin’s favorite oil because of its balancing properties—it closely resembles human sebum and helps regulate oil production.
While working on deeper healing through circadian rhythm alignment and light exposure, using the right tallow-based skincare can help keep your skin calm, hydrated, and resilient. Finding what works best for your unique skin type—whether squalane or jojoba—can be part of your personalized healing journey.
Your Skin Is a Reflection of Your Light Environment
Acne is more than just a surface issue—it’s a reflection of your body’s overall energy balance. By focusing on light exposure, circadian rhythm alignment, and supportive skincare, you can give your body the tools it needs to heal naturally.
If your acne follows a seasonal pattern, pay attention to your light exposure habits. More time outdoors in morning sunlight, reducing blue light at night, and supporting your skin’s natural healing processes with tallow can make a profound difference in clearing your skin and optimizing overall health.
Ready to Take Control of Your Skin?
Start today by: ✅ Getting morning sunlight daily
✅ Reducing artificial light exposure at night
✅ Using red light therapy for skin healing
✅ Choosing tallow-based skincare over chemical-laden products
Your skin will thank you!
References:
KRUSE CPC#52 - Sunlight, Eczema and Coulomb Force
KRUSE Hormone CPC#1 - DHEA
KRUSE Brain Gut #4 - What was Homo's solution?
KRUSE Brain Gut #16 - Adrenal Fatigue Fx
KRUSE Winter Solstice Special Blog
KRUSE Quantum Biology #10 - Hormones 102