Acne · Damp-Heat Accumulation Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 7 min
Body Area: Face/Skin
Pattern Overview
Damp-Heat Accumulation is a common pattern in acne, characterized by seborrhea with inflammation, cystic acne, oily skin, nodules, painful lesions, and pustules. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the skin, causing sebaceous gland inflammation, cystic lesion formation, and severe acne.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|---|
| Primary Symptoms | Cystic acne, nodules, oily skin, pustules, painful lesions |
| Associated Symptoms | Sticky mouth, yellow urine, constipation, irritability |
| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse |
| Pathogenesis | Damp-Heat accumulating in the skin |
| Etiology | Poor diet, spicy and rich food intake, alcohol consumption, stress |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Quchi (LI11) | Lateral end of the elbow crease | Clears Heat and detoxifies |
| Hegu (LI4) | Dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals | Disperses Wind and clears Heat |
| Yinlingquan (SP9) | Below the medial condyle of the tibia | Transforms Dampness and drains Heat |
| Fenglong (ST40) | 8 cun above the lateral malleolus, 2 cun lateral to the tibial crest | Transforms Phlegm and Dampness |
| Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 3 cun above the medial malleolus | Regulates Dampness and nourishes Blood |
Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reducing method; may combine with cupping to drain Damp-Heat.
Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Yin Chen Hao Tang (茵陈蒿汤) or Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (黄连解毒汤)
Composition:
Artemisia (Yin Chen Hao), Gardenia (Zhi Zi), Rhubarb (Da Huang), Scutellaria (Huang Qin), Coptis (Huang Lian), Phellodendron (Huang Bai), Licorice (Gan Cao)
Action: Clears Damp-Heat, detoxifies, and reduces cystic lesions.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|---|
| Cystic acne | Add Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao to clear Heat and detoxify |
| Oily skin | Add Bai Xian Pi, Ku Shen to reduce sebum |
| Painful lesions | Add Ru Xiang, Mo Yao to relieve pain |
| Constipation | Add Da Huang to drain heat |
Western Mechanism Reference
Seborrhea with inflammation, elevated fatty acid content in sebum, and NF-κB inflammatory pathway activation. Damp-Heat Accumulation corresponds to cystic acne, where elevated sebum fatty acid content and NF-κB pathway activation contribute to severe inflammatory lesions.
References
- Dermatology of TCM - Acne with Damp-Heat Accumulation.
- Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Damp-Heat → Clearing Pathway.
- WHO. (2023). Skin health. World Health Organization.
Explore More
- Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for skin health.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM dermatology.