The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Pantothenic Acid
Posted by Caitlyn (Bloomfield, Mi Usa) on 03/02/2011
★★★★★
After literally trying everything under the sun, I came upon this article from a naturopathic doctor (link to copy and paste is below post). I've seen much discussion about B5 (pantothenic acid) for acne, but the amounts you need to take are excessive. This article explains how you can take L-Carnitine to boost the benefits of B5, necessitating a lesser amount. (L-Carnitine fumarate is the more absorbable form of it-- just google L-carnitine fumarate; many places to purchase will show up. This worked much better for me than regular L-Carnitine)
While they recommend 750 mg. of B5 with 250mg. of L-Carnitine 3x per day; I took 1000 mg. of B5 with 500 mg. of L-carnitine. (Mainly because the capsules I purchased came as 500 mg. Each, so I took two B5 and one L-carnitine per dose. I've found if I'm having a problem, adding an extra dose or 2 (making 4 or 5 times a day) works better and much faster, then you can lower the doses per day for maintenance.
Additionally, Vitex (chaste berry herb), and saw palmetto are very, very helpful and safe for hormonal acne.
Pantothenic Acid
Posted by Lita209 (Sanford, Fl, Usa) on 06/25/2010
★★★★★
Pantothenic Acid - B-5 is also great for acne. This is the only thing that worked for me; megadosage of Panthotenic Acid.
Pantothenic Acid
Posted by Bridget (Citrus Heights, Ca 95610, Ca) on 03/26/2010
panothenic acid (vitamin B5) caused my hair to turn dry and brittle and some fall out.
i tried panothenic acid, 3 grams a day, to cure my acne and within 5 days my hair became very dry and very frizzy with some fall out. i researched this on acne forums and found a lot of the same feedback. it did make my skin a little less oily but the hair problems are not worth it to me. this is the only change i made so i believe it was the B5.
Replied by Amanda
(Hot Springs, Ar, Usa)
03/27/2010
Replied by Cl503
(Oregon)
02/17/2016
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Pantothenic Acid
Posted by Codysmom (Alexandria, Va) on 11/19/2009
★★★★★
I've been taking vitamin B5 for past five years and that has kept my face clear. I used to get really deep and big boil type of cysts on my nose and chin. The pantothenic acid helps by preventing the pores of your skin from clogging. I always have B5 on hand. I take five capsules a day and my face is clear. I occasionally skips and my acne comes back and all I have to do is double or quadruple the dose for a few days and my face is clear again. It is the best stuff I've come across for acne. I also apply benzoyl peroxide (generic drugstore brands) on my nose and chin to kill the bacteria that may get on my face. This combined with the B5 has kept my face clear of acne and I am over 40.
Pantothenic Acid
Posted by Sophie (Portland, Oregon) on 10/12/2009
★★★★★
I was suffering from acne and tried many different treatment such as high does of Vitamin A, E, Zinc, turmeric, apple cider vinger, coconut...I really was really desperate. My face continued to breakout and it had been going on for about two years. When I went for a facial the girl did extractions and it just really aggravated the problem and she told me to try this new onion ointment wow my skin really went from bad to worse. So I did some research on Panthothenic Acid also known as B5 and I began to take it not the super high doses that Dr Leoug suggests (I only weigh 100 pounds and I'm hypersensitive ) I would take between 4000- 5000 mg a day of Panthothenic Acid along wtih 200 mcg Selenium. My understanding with supplements is that you have one day a week where you do not take any so I rest on Sunday! My face is now completely clear it is glowing and no blemishes of any sort. I know we are all different gentically but this worked for me and hopefully it will help you
Pantothenic Acid
Posted by Lita209 (Sanford, Fl, USA) on 09/25/2009
★★★★★
I finally figure out how to tell acne sufferers what to try without looking like I am advertising any company! I feel responsible for letting everyone else know what worked for me. After over 30 years suffering with acne I know how devastating this can be. Look for all the information on Pantothenic Acid that you can get. Look for Dr. Lit-Hung Leung who conducted the study! There is a lot of information, message boards on B5 for the treatment of acne. There are a lot of vitamins shops on and off line that you can get it from, but you need to learn how to take the dosages and for how long. I hope every acne victim at least take a look at this and consider. My only regret is not knowing about it 30 years ago!!!
Pantothenic Acid
Posted by Jess (Johnson City, TN) on 02/26/2007
★★★★★
I have suffered from severe cystic acne, the most severe, painful, and deepest of acne for at least 13 years (since puberty). I've tried everything. Nothing topical worked because the acne was so deep. I finally found the cure! A form of vitamin B5, pantothenic acid, in extremely high doses cured my acne completely! I have been taking 10g of pantothenic acid a day for almost a month. Within a week I could see huge results and within two weeks I was completely clear. I'm so glad I decided to try this instead of trying Accutane like the rest of my family. If you decide to try this build up to 10g/day over the course of a week (if not, it can cause stomach upset) and continue the 10g/day regimen for 2 months. After that you can gradually decrease the dosage down to a maintenance dose of 1-2g/day. This information is supported by a study done by Dr.Leung in China. The initial 10g/day dosage is extreme-the pills mostly come in 500mg doses which ends up being 20 pills/day but if you're desperate like me then it's worth it. I split mine up into 2 doses/day and dissolve the pills in a drink. It doesn't taste good but its better than having to take so many pills. I've read that smaller doses work but it may take longer to see results.
Pantothenic Acid
Posted by Cindy (Milwaukee, WI)
★★★★★
I have had acne for years - was geting worse till I saw a site w. info on B5 for acne - B5 helped my acne.. About B5 - I'm not sure how/why it works - I take about 3,000 mg/day. But, it can cause hair loss - remedied by taking L-LYSINE (1,ooo mg), BIOTIN (1,ooo mg) and I also take Alpha Lipoic Acid 300mg.The B5 worked immediately for me- strange.
Parsley
Posted by Frances (Ontario) on 12/02/2005
★★★★★
I have used a compress made of chopped fresh parsley steeped in hot water. It heals existing pimples quickly and drastically reduces redness.
Peppermint Tea
Posted by Heather (San Diego, California) on 03/04/2013
★★★★☆
Yeah. Better but not cured for hormonal acne.
Have used this for six months. If I drink several cups of this per week, I notice fewer breakouts. Although it did not cure my hormonal acne, I wouldn't be without it because the improvement is noticeable.
Other thing that helps is either raw carrots consumed on an empty stomach and activated charcoal caps (they both do the same thing so take either/or.)
Peppermint Tea
Posted by Karen (Johannesburg, South Africa) on 08/18/2011
★★★★☆
I've suffered from chronic hormonal acne for more than 20 years. I stayed on birth control pills during most of the time because it was the only thing that kept me consistently clear (any combined pill seemed to work for me). After leaving my job and losing my health insurance I found that the drugs were too expensive and started looking for a natural remedy.
After more than a year of giving everything I could think of a try, I finally started to see results with peppermint tea. Took about 2 weeks to start noticing improvement. It's not a 100% cure but it's something of a small miracle after being so completely unresponsive to everything else. 1 - 2 unsweetened strong cups a day seems to do the job. And I quite enjoy the taste.
After doing some research I think this only works for androgen-type hormonal imbalance ie. Too many male-type hormones. I believe the effects are similar for men. Spearmint, which I can't seem to find, apparently works as well.
Pickle Juice
Posted by Dannae (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) on 11/09/2009
★★★★★
I am 75 years old, have had acne since I was 13, and while in the years of raising my children, not many problems with acne, till in my early 60's. Now there are these bumps under the skin, they sometimes get inflammed, but require a needle to get them, and their little roots out. so it leaves scars. I tried the ACV, teaspoon in cup of water, but the best way I like it, is from Dill Pickle juice, and it also works for coughs, and colds. I am not consistant with it, but going to try it now diluted to 1/2 teaspoon to cup of water, for sinus by spraying it into them.
Try smelling some of the stuff that comes from pimples, think you will be surprised!
Potato
Posted by Shelby (Hamilton, Missouri) on 01/08/2008
★★★★★
Well if you see you have or are coming up with acne, and you want to get rif of it fast take out a potato, peal it, and cut a slice out. then, get a band-aid and band-aid the potato slice to the area, sleep with it on over night, you should see results the next day. NOTE: DO NOT COOK!!!!
Probiotics
Posted by Tina (Houston, Us) on 03/12/2012
★★★★★
High probiotic foods like Kefir, Kombucha, Sauerkraut and also freshly juiced green organic vegetables are a great way to eliminate Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis. Good gut health is key to removing and improving any skin conditions. Took me about 3-4 months to restore to normal.
Probiotics
Posted by Yvonne Vefik (Rocklin, CA) on 07/19/2008
★★★★★
After 10 years of suffering from food allergies.. and many prayers to God, I discovered Acidolphilus quite by accident. I broke out in large boil like bumps all over my face when ever I ate any dairy products. Milk, ice cream,cheese and yogart was elimnated from my diet. I constantly had antibiotic prescriptions from doctors for whenever I broke out.I was looking for an allergy cure and started taking acidolphilus. It cured my food allergies and now I enjoy ice cream and milk again! It took about 30 days to completely clear my face and then I kept taking it for a year. And it's cheap! You can buy it at Walmart. What I discovered after doing research is that when you take too many antibiotics, it kills all of your bad and GOOD BACTERIA. SO the acidolphilus restored my good bacteria to fight infections!!! HOPE THIS HELPS EVERYONE! Oh! I sugggested this to my young teenager daughter-in-law who had pimples and she said her face cleared up right away and now she is also using it regularly!! MAY GOD BLESS ALL WHO READ THIS!
