Dermatrol (Clear)™

TCM herbal formula for acne vulgaris and rosacea — regulates and balances hormones; antibiotic against Propionibacterium acnes; anti-inflammatory; antiallergic; clears Lung heat and detoxifies skin; clears Liver and Kidney fire; drains pus; purges heat downward

⚠️ Contraindicated in cases of cold or deficiency. Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Not for long-term use — do not take continuously for more than two months. California Prop 65 warning: "This product contains Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei). Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools, or abdominal pain because Da Huang may worsen these conditions and be harmful to your health. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea or if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition."

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Acne vulgaris (acne and pimples) in youth and adults

  § Inflammatory types: papules, pustules, cysts

  § Non-inflammatory types: blackheads, whiteheads

* Rosacea

Background: Acne vulgaris is the formation of comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, and/or cysts as a result of obstruction and inflammation of hair follicles and the sebaceous glands. Acne is common in youths and increasingly common in older individuals (up to age 40) due to modern dietary and lifestyle habits. Those most prone include youths experiencing hormonal fluctuations, women with irregular menstruation, and people under excessive stress. The most common cause in puberty is overproduction of sebum due to androgen stimulation. Acne can also be caused by improper hygiene leading to excessive growth of acne-causing bacteria. If not treated properly, acne may leave behind physical and emotional scarring, leading to lifetime self-esteem issues.

TCM differentiation — acne location indicates organ pathology:

— Forehead acne → Heart heat — patients tend to think and worry excessively (students under academic and social stress); treat with Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae), which sedates fire in all three jiaos, especially the Heart

— Nose acne → Stomach and Spleen heat / digestive system — patients tend to stay up late and have inflammatory bowels after spicy foods; treat with Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis), which clears fire from the middle jiao

— Chin acne → Kidney imbalance / hormonal dysfunction — tends to occur in females around menstrual cycles when hormone levels fluctuate; treat with Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis), which clears heat in the lower jiao

— Cheek acne / stress-triggered acne → Liver qi stagnation or Liver fire; treat with Hu Zhang (Rhizoma et Radix Polygoni Cuspidati), which clears Liver heat and Liver fire

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Yin Yang Huo (Herba Epimedii / Epimedium / Horny Goat Weed): one of the most effective herbs to influence production and release of sex hormones — corticosterone, cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen; potent antibiofilm activity against Propionibacterium acnes (study of 119 plants — marked antibiofilm activity at subinhibitory concentrations, indicating killing of microbial cells is not the only mode of action; icariin, resveratrol, salidroside identified as active compounds); anti-inflammatory

— Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae / Scutellaria Baicalensis): antiandrogenic — inhibits androgen receptor signaling pathway (regulates sebaceous gland function and excessive sebum production); antibiotic; anti-inflammatory

— Hu Zhang (Rhizoma et Radix Polygoni Cuspidati / Japanese Knotweed / Polygonum Cuspidatum / Resveratrol source): potent antibiofilm activity against Propionibacterium acnes (same study as Yin Yang Huo); clears Liver heat and Liver fire; anti-inflammatory — inhibits iNOS and COX-2 gene expression in macrophages (compared favorably to baicalin and berberine)

— Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis / Coptis / Goldthread / Berberine source): clears fire from middle jiao; antibiotic (berberine); anti-inflammatory

— Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis / Phellodendron / Berberine source): clears heat in lower jiao; antibiotic (berberine, MRSA); anti-inflammatory

— Bo He (Herba Menthae / Peppermint): clears wind-heat from exterior; antiallergic and anti-inflammatory — suppresses histamine release and prostaglandin D(2) synthesis from mast cells (allergic asthma model)

— Zao Jiao (Fructus Gleditsiae / Gleditsia / Chinese Honeylocust): clears dampness; drains pus; antiallergic and anti-inflammatory — suppresses histamine release and prostaglandin D(2) synthesis from mast cells

— Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei / Rhubarb Root): drains all heat out of the body through laxative and purgative functions; clears fire; anti-inflammatory; see Prop 65 warning above

— Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae / Gardenia): clears excess heat and fire throughout the body; sedates fire in all three jiaos, especially the Heart; anti-inflammatory (TNF-α inhibition in endothelial cells)

— Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae / Forsythia): clears wind-heat from exterior; antibiotic; anti-inflammatory

— Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis / Platycodon / Balloon Flower): guides herbs to the Lung; clears heat and eliminates toxins from Lung and skin

— Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae / Angelica Dahurica): clears dampness; drains pus; anti-inflammatory — inhibits LPS-induced NO, PGE2, and TNF-α production via MAPK and NF-κB pathways

— Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis / Coix / Job's Tears): clears dampness; drains pus; anti-inflammatory — inhibits nitric oxide and superoxide production in macrophages

— Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong / Chuanxiong / Ligusticum): invigorates blood circulation; removes blood stasis; relieves pain; anti-inflammatory — phthalide lactones inhibit LPS-induced TNF-α production and TNF-α-mediated NF-κB activation

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Hormone regulation / antiandrogenic — Yin Yang Huo (corticosterone↑, cortisol↑, testosterone↑, estrogen↑, sebum regulation); Huang Qin (androgen receptor signaling pathway↓, sebaceous gland function regulation)

* Antibiofilm / antibiotic against P. acnes — Yin Yang Huo + Hu Zhang (potent antibiofilm at subinhibitory concentrations, icariin + resveratrol + salidroside); Huang Bo, Huang Lian, Huang Qin (berberine, MRSA); Lian Qiao

* Anti-inflammatory — Bo He + Zao Jiao (histamine↓, PGD2↓, mast cells); Da Huang, Huang Lian, Huang Qin (topical skin disorders); Bai Zhi (NO↓, PGE2↓, TNF-α↓, MAPK/NF-κB); Chuan Xiong (TNF-α↓, NF-κB↓); Hu Zhang (iNOS↓, COX-2↓); Yi Yi Ren (NO↓, superoxide↓); Zhi Zi (TNF-α↓); Yin Yang Huo (LPS-induced inflammation↓)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Clears Lung heat; detoxifies skin (Huang Qin, Jie Geng, Bo He, Lian Qiao)

* Clears Liver fire (Hu Zhang)

* Clears Kidney fire / lower jiao heat (Huang Bo)

* Clears Heart fire / middle and upper jiao heat (Zhi Zi, Huang Lian)

* Drains pus; clears dampness (Bai Zhi, Yi Yi Ren, Zao Jiao)

* Purges heat downward (Da Huang)

* Invigorates blood; removes stasis (Chuan Xiong)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily. In acute cases, increase to 6–8 capsules three times daily. Do not take continuously for more than two months.

Supplementary formulas: Hard and painful pimples — add Resolve (AI). Infected pimples with pus and abscesses — add Herbal ABX. Excessive heat (red face, red tongue, heat sensation, irritability) — add Gardenia Complex. Excess heat in the Liver — add Liver DTX. Deficiency heat in the Kidney — add Balance (Heat). Constipation — add Gentle Lax (Excess). Stress — add Calm (ES). Hormone-related acne with breakouts during or before menstruation — add Calm.

Folk remedy (clinical note): Mix 2 drops of high-quality wild honey and extra virgin olive oil in a clean bowl. Apply to acne before bedtime and leave on overnight — very effective for acne that has just started to develop and is painful but has not yet manifested in redness or swelling. During the day, apply a thinner amount to prevent breakout. Important: use the mixture immediately after mixing — the same mixture the next day, or applying honey and olive oil separately, is ineffective and may cause more breakouts. Use only high-quality honey and extra virgin olive oil.

Nutrition: Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables — steam, boil, or light dry-fry. Drink more water to maintain normal bowel movements. Consume low-calorie, low-fat, low-carbohydrate foods. Cooling foods to incorporate: tofu, tomato, celery, asparagus, bamboo, seaweed, kelp, bitter melon, cucumber, gourd, luffa, winter melon, orange, grapefruit, pear, banana, papaya, watermelon, white radish, mustard leaf, cactus, Chinese kale, napa, and bamboo sprout — add ~20 pieces of Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii) when cooking to neutralize cold properties and protect the Spleen. Avoid heat-producing fruits: mango, lychee, durian. Avoid spicy, deep-fried, and canned foods. Avoid spicy/pungent/aromatic vegetables: pepper, garlic, onions, ginger, basil, rosemary, cumin, fennel, anise, leeks, chives, scallions, thyme, saffron, wormwood, mustard, chili pepper, wasabi, cardamom. Avoid coffee, alcohol, sodas, and energy drinks. Avoid chocolate, sweets, peanuts, and foods with artificial coloring. Limit sugar and carbohydrates. Minimize meat, especially high-fat meats; avoid processed meats (lunch meats, hot dogs, sausages contain nitrites associated with inflammation).

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): Eat more squash, cucumbers, watermelon, winter melon, celery, carrots, cabbage, beet tops, dandelions, aloe vera, mulberry leaf, carrot tops, lettuce, potato, cherries, papaya, pear, persimmon, raspberries, buckwheat, alfalfa sprouts, millet, brown rice, and mung beans. Drink plenty of water. Blend a cucumber and apply externally — leave on 20 minutes then wash off. Apply plain low-fat organic yogurt — leave on 20 minutes then wash off. Rub watermelon rind on acne. Apply aloe vera to affected area. Drink dandelion and beet top tea. Boil raspberries to a concentrate and wash area with it. For oozing acne: cover area with pearl barley powder overnight and wash off, or mix pearl barley powder with aloe vera gel into a paste, leave on overnight, then wash off.

Lifestyle: Wash face regularly but not excessively — excessive washing increases oil production. After perspiring or washing, dry face with a clean towel. Use natural skin care products without chemicals or artificial ingredients. Use proper moisturizers suitable for your skin type. Rinse off excess facial cleanser, soap, and lotion — residue may cause breakouts. Always remove cosmetics before bedtime. Sleep before 10:00 p.m. and ensure adequate sleep. Drink more water throughout the day. Avoid humidity and sweating, which may trigger acne.

Related Reading

Also see: Dermatrol (Damp) – for weeping, purulent, and wet skin conditions | Dermatrol (Dry) – for red, dry, flaky skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis | Resolve (AI) – for hard, painful pimples and nodules | Herbal ABX – for infected pimples with pus and abscesses | Gardenia Complex – for excessive heat | Liver DTX – for excess Liver heat | Balance (Heat) – for Kidney deficiency heat and hormonal acne | Calm – for hormone-related and menstrual acne | Skin Health Collection | Hair, Skin & Nails Support Collection.