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.
Vitamin A
Posted by Frances A (Jacksonville, Florida) on 11/29/2009
★★★★★
Recurring boils and similar large, painful pimples
After age 21 I had terrible huge pimples. When my pharmacist told me that some derms prescribed Vitamin A, I started on it immediately.. It was like a miracle, a moderate miracle. The huge deep pimples stopped and my skin improved in other ways.
I used to take 50,000 units a day but now I would limit myself to 25,000 units per day. Just be patient and don't stop the treatment.
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.
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!
Epsom Salt
Posted by Anne (Thunder Bay, Ontario) on 10/17/2009
Epsom Salt baths for acne treatment
Hello : ) I am 31 years old and have been dealing with moderate acne since puberty. I have tried everything from popular name brand acne cleansers, hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil, prescription acne cream, not wearing make-up, cutting sweets out of my diet, cutting junk food out of my diet, steam bathing the face, exfoliating facial cleansers, overnight acne treatment creams and birth control. Among all of those treatments, only staying on birth control seemed to make any real difference, however, it did not make the acne disappear entirely during menstruation.
I am now 20 weeks pregnant and the hormones have been wrecking even more havoc with the skin on my face since pregnancy. I also developed a rash on my tummy. As a result of reading many different solutions on the internet, I decided to give an Epsom Salt bath a try. I have been taking these baths each night for the last 4 nights and have seen remarkable improvements, such as:
- The little white bumps (that have been on the back of my upper arms since puberty) have almost disappeared altogether
- The rash on my tummy has disappeared entirely
- The few hard "under-skin" bumps/cysts on my face (which have stubbornly been there for a couple of months) have virtually disappeared
From my readings on the internet, bacteria (that causes acne) cannot be live in a salty environment; therefore, washing with the salt water kills the bacteria.
I have simply poured 1 to 2 cups of Epsom Salts into a full bath tub of warm/hot water and stirred the salt around in order to dissolve them into the water. I bathed for 10 to 15 minutes and rinsed my face a few times. I highly recommend this treatment to anyone with acne problems.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Barbicristi (Desert Hot Springs, Ca) on 01/25/2012
Hey I would like to know where do you get the epsom salt?
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
Olive Oil
Posted by Wellsprings (Tarboro, Nc) on 10/12/2009
★★★★★
I started using olive oil for Hidradenitis suppurativa and it worked so well, I tried it on my face for blackheads and whiteheads. Now I rarely get a bump. Put the olive oil on every morning and every night; it soaks in quickly. It is also great for keeping suntanned legs from looking dry and chalky.
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!!!
Cornmeal and Aloe
Posted by Venise (Kingston, Jamaica) on 06/24/2009
★★★★★
When I was a teenager I had very very bad acne. I used CORNMEAL. I got a jug of hot water, washed my face before with soap and faucet water then soaped my hands then add some cornmeal and massage my face. I leave it on and steam my face with the hot water covering my head with a towel while holding it over the jug of hot water (he will have to come up for air sometime) I then wash the face with warm water. This opens the pores. I then squeese some of the bumps but try not to tear the skin.
After that I wash my face with faucet water and soap. I then applied small amounts of baking soda to this face (this will burn a little bit.) Sometimes at nights or when I was home for a weekend I mix the CORNMEAL with ALOE VERA and leave it on my face overnight or for a day. THIS WORKED WELL FOR ME. Be minded though that some acne may be caused by anxiety, in which case exercise will help.
Castor Oil
Posted by glegs1992 (Weatherford, Texas) on 06/23/2009
★★★★★
I have struggled with acne for years and finally (at 42 year old) found a solution - castor oil! I found the cure on this website. I put about a quarter sized dollop in my palm then rub into my face. Let sit for 2 or 3 minutes, then take a hot wash cloth and lay it on my face for about 30 seconds. I repeat that 2 times and after the final time "steaming" with the washcloth, I scrub my face with the washclooth. I follow up with a cotton ball soaked in ACV or hydrogen peroxide then finally an oil free moisturizer. Hope it works for ya'll!
Castor Oil
Posted by Tussy (Clinton, Iowa) on 06/23/2009
Hi glegs I wanted to know how long befor you saw results because I tried this before with no results. Also did it work for blackheads and whiteheads?
Castor Oil
Posted by glegs1992 (Weatherford, Texas) on 06/24/2009
Hi Tussy! It took a week or 2 to get results because initially it pulls everything out. Once I got past that point, I saw improvement. I mainly get the cystic acne and it works great on it. Also, I started taking Turmeric and that seems to help! Good luck!
Juicing
Posted by Angie (Missouri) on 06/21/2009
★★★★★
I have suffered from acne to most of my life. It started when I was probably 12 or 13 and now I am 39 years old. I too have tried so many natural things, things from store, been to the dermatologist when I was younger. what I started doing last summer was making me green smoothies. my recipe is 1/2 or sometimes more of water, some ice cubes, then I add things like celery, cucumber, small amount of fruit like apples, blueberries or whatever you have on hand and always put lots of spinach, I never measured it, but probably approx 2 cups of spinach. after I started doing this, my acne started improving and almost all the whiteheads were gone, except for an occasional, I also had a breast lump that dissapeared. you can add other veggies or fruits, but to me I think one of the key ingrediants is the spinach. I have gotten away from drinking them for the past 2 months and I see my face is slowly starting to break out again, so I know I need to start drinking them again. this would be worth a try and I would give it a couple of weeks to work.
Urine
Posted by Jerry (Belen, NM) on 05/25/2009
To EC:
No, I did not have to drink it EC, although that was my next step. Pat fresh urine on your face with two cotton pads the size of silver dollars. In my case I use warm water directly hitting the face, or a hot towel soak first. This opens the pores! Quickly apply the fresh urine liberally while the pores or open by patting the face. This can be done easily in a morning shower. The rest of the urine can be applied to the hair. I stopped using shampoos except maybe once a week and hair-skin acne cleared up. Your grey hair will become stronger and healthier, what do you think about that? My hair actually looks better now un-shampooed! Air dry your face or infected area. After you feel the face is dry go back to the bathroom and pat cold water on your face. This will close the pores tight and allow your white cells to fight the infection just under the skin.
Jerry, Belen
EC: Thank you for the update!
Baking Soda
Posted by Brenda (Northyork, Ontaio) on 04/19/2017
Yes my face also got a reddish burn scar that never happened before. I also had to stop it.
Urine
Posted by Sam (Melbourne, Victoria) on 04/14/2009
★★★★★
I cured my pimple using my own fresh urine in the morning. I just dab it in a cotton and apply all over my face. I then wash it after 30 mins . Then after that, I use the mixture of ACV and green tea for the rest of the day. My skin has never been better.
Steam
Posted by Nature Lover (Grand Rapids, Michigan) on 03/29/2009
★★★★★
Background: I had a problem of adult acne for several years. I used to have at least 2-3 active zits over my face. I tried everything: OTC Acne products, ACV, H2O2, and went to a dermatologist for creams and Zyrtec. Then I cam across steam bath at my apartment complex. Within a week my skin was great, no acne problems for months! And then the Steam bath was out for repairs and my problem slowly crept back. So I bought a 'Steam facial' on Amazon for about $30 and it works almost just as great.
Measurements that worked for me: Steam bath/ steam facial: 10--15 minutes, three times a week. I make sure my face about 5 drops of sweat trickles down on the towel. I saw dramatic improvements within a week. In steam bath, I make sure the heat is enough to accelerate my heart without any pain or discomfort.
My results: I haven't used ANY skin medicines for 5 months and going strong! It also helps get rid of any cold/ cough symptoms. My wife saw her back-ache vanish.
I have used many remedies from this site and I thought I should share this very natural, no-chemicals-involved remedy with you.
Steam
Posted by Tee (Chicago, IL) on 03/29/2009
I got a good question for everyone about acne. Does anyone know how to diminish those holes in your face sometimes associated with acne? Are there any foods, supplements, or techniques that can help with this.
Steam
Posted by Rosy (Orlando, Fl) on 03/31/2009
This is for Tee from Chicago, I use baking soda to scrub my face and it helps so much with acne scars. I have the red forever blotches and they faded to almost nothing after scrubing with baking soda every night. An added bonus is that it makes my face less oily too. You could try to use a mixture of apple cider vinager and porixide to cleanse your face after wards, but beware that the h202 will bleach your hair and eyebrows.
Steam
Posted by Lucy (Sydney, Australia) on 08/29/2012
Peroxide? I don't think that putting something that harsh on your skin is a good idea.
Yogurt
Posted by Katie (Seattle, WA, USA) on 03/16/2009
★★★★★
Yogurt cured my acne. I used plain yogurt (about 1/2 tbsp to 1 tbsp) with live cultures sometimes mixed with a few drops (2-3) of honey. Some people prefer to mix it with honey because it softens the skin, although it isn't necessary. When I applied the yogurt to my face, I just applied enough for there to be a layer about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. But, if the yogurt is spread on too thick, it will slide down the face and becomes a mess. I leave the yogurt on until it dries (about 45 minutes to an hour), but some people suggested to leave it on overnight. Then I simply washed it off with warm water.
After applying the yogurt mask, my face always feels smoother and has a more even complexion. Some suggest the uric acid in the yogurt is what helps with acne, although I cant confirm that to be true, I can say it has worked for me.
Thank you Earth Clinic, I love this website so much!
Sandalwood and Rose Water
Posted by Dianna (Austin, Tx) on 03/07/2009
★★★★★
i love sandalwood powder! what i do is i wet my face and dip my damp fingers into the powder rub it between my hands and scrub my skin gently. then i also use a warm wet cloth and let it sit for a minute and then wipe off the powder and rinse my face with warm and then cold water several times. afterwards i will put a few drops of either VCO or jojoba oil on my face - and sometimes after this at night i will also use a layer of castor oil. my pores have never been happier!
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by JEM (Fort Worth, TX ) on 02/15/2009
★★★★★
I kept getting breakouts on my chin and around my mouth. I somehow stumbled onto blackstrap molasses. I take two tablespoons a day (in Stash's double spice chai tea- really good) and it really seems to help. No new breakouts. Just the fading red marks from the old ones. I pretty certain it's the molasses because I stopped taking it for about a month while I was on vacation and the acne came back within a week.
I also did some research- blackstrap contains copper which helps skin repair itself and a bit of zinc which when taken consistently has the effect of an antibiotic/anti-acne prescription. Just make sure you get the right ratio of zinc and copper- they block the absorption of each other and can cause an imbalance.
