Lipidome and Microbiome Profile of Acne

We will look at acne subjects, and controls.

We will look at four things

1. skin lipidome

2. skin microbiome

3. gut microbiome

4. blood lipidome

Investigators will assess this in acne participants before and after doxycycline and compare
them to controls.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Aged 15 and older

- Subjects/parents/legal guardian is able to read and comprehend study procedure and
consent forms.

- Have already been prescribed Doxycycline by their physician for acne or to be eligible
to be prescribed Doxycycline for acne

- Have acne that is diagnosed by a board certified dermatologist.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Those who have received systemic antibiotics within four weeks of starting the study.

- Those who have received systemic isotretinoin within six weeks of starting the study.

- Those with seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, or polycystic ovary syndrome

- Those who are pregnant, prisoners or cognitively impaired.

- Those subjects who are currently using proton pump inhibits (as studies have shown
this may impact the gut microbiome) (4)

- Those who have a BMI greater than >30 kg/m2, as studies have shown a reduction in the
variability of intestinal microbes within this population (5).

- Those who have initiated or changed brand of oral contraceptive pill within 4 weeks of
starting the study.

- Those who have autoimmune disorders as this group has been shown to have an altered
microbiome (6)

- Those who have diabetes (6), immunodeficiencies (7), inflammatory bowel disease (6),
hypercholesterolemia, as these groups have been shown to have altered gut microbiomes

- Those who have taken oral probiotic supplements (8) within 4 weeks of starting the
study

- Given the nature of the instructions that need to be adhered to for accurate
collection of samples and this data, non-English speaking individuals will be excluded
from this pilot study.

- Allergies to the tetracycline group of antibiotics

- Those who do not fit the inclusion criteria