My name is Robert Smetana. I studied molecular biotechnology, but as often happens in the natural sciences, I ended up moving somewhere else. During my studies, my great interest in nutrition science developed.

At this time, I had been suffering from acne for almost ten years. Since it was very severe at times, I was repeatedly recommended to use isotretinoin - better known under the trade name Accutane.

Isotretinoin is usually the most effective acne medication. I did not want to take it, though, because of a family history of bad side effect on this drug. So I asked my dermatologists again and again if I should pay attention to my diet in order to improve the symptoms. The answer was usually a deviant "No, diet has nothing to do with it.".

It was first during my college years, when I was able to understand scientific literature, that I had the idea to finally find the answer myself. Were there really no scientific studies on nutrition and acne? Turns out: Not even close! I was amazed at how much I found, excited about all the helpful insights and shocked at the fact that none of my dermatologists seemed to know about it. The reason for this is, among other things, that practically no nutrition science is taught in medical school.

With this blog I want to provide every acne patient, but also dermatologists, nutritionists and other healthcare professionals with a science-based and referenced resource to enable effective nutritional therapy for acne.