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.
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 06/24/2009
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!
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 06/23/2009
★★★★★
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!
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.
Aloe Vera, Milk Thistle
Posted by Molly (Rocky Mount, NC, USA) on 06/13/2009
★★★★★
I have struggled with weight issues since childhood. I can look sideways at a piece of cheesecake and gain five pounds. However, this all change recently with the addition of this wonder supplement to my diet. A few months ago, I began a popular portion-control diet that is low in fat. In 9 weeks, I'd lost 12 lbs. I then added a new fat blocker to my regimen. I began noticing quicker results with weight loss BUT I still suffered from low energy levels, yeast overgrowth, severe cystic acne... among other ailments. Searching for acne remedies here on earth clinic, I read one lady's entry which advocated the use of aloe vera and milk thistle. In the past week, after consuming approx. 10oz of Aloe Vera Juice per day, taking 250mg of milk thistle with each meal, and washing my face with apple cider vinegar water, I feel like a new person! In the past week, my acne has healed about 60%, my vision is clearer, I don't need massive amounts of stimulants to wake me up in the morning, my eczema is vanishing, I have plenty of energy, my dry and cracking heals have begun to heal, and I've lost 6lbs!
Acne Tips
Posted by Janine (Hacienda Heights, CA) on 06/10/2009 1 posts
I am an aesthetician and treat acne clients on a regular basis. The first thing I teach my clients is how to wash their face. When washing your face use a good quality product and apply it using a light hand, don't press or push to hard. You do not want to stimulate more oils by pressing to hard. Use a very light touch in circular motions for 1 to 2 minutes. Yes, 1 or 2 minutes, you want to cleanse the skin and the pores. Always use a clean wash cloth with warm (not hot) water to rinse your face. It is important to use a wash cloth to pick up the oils from the face as well as exfoliating . (this is one thing I find that most of my acne clients don't do), but when you think of it we use some kind of cloth to wash our dishes, our cars, or the counter top. Washing in the morning and evening should be enough. So make sure you have plenty of clean wash cloths on hand.
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!
Urine
Posted by Jerry (Belen, NM) on 05/24/2009
★★★★★
I have a medication induced acne on sensitive skin. After suffering for many, many, years I ran across "urine therapy" and tried it out of desperation. After researching the use of 'urine' I decided to try it instead of more medicated shampoos, salves, and antibiotics. It did what my many doctors and Rx's over the years couldn't do in just under two months! For the last two years I gloated to the doctor and skin specialists shaming them for prescribing antibiotics for more than twenty years when antibiotics are only good for ten days. Then one doctor examined me and asked if I wanted him to prescribe some urea for me! No thanks doc I have my own pharmacy and laughed my way out of his office. Okay, I was bad!
Then a couple of weeks ago I treated myself to a pedicure and enjoyed the experience so much that I subjected myself to a facial not realizing that I was fixing to destroy all the good efforts I had achieved. The scrub felt good; the message felt better; the mechanical scrubber and steamer did its job as I relaxed in the chair. Then the facial mask was applied and finally a scented oil rubbed in. The next day pimples were erupting all over again! Back to the urine therapy which is slowly undoing the damage done by that great facial! Okay, I should have known better, but since I solved the problem, and two years had passed, I thought it might make my skin cleaner.
Back to the urine therapy and no more facials. As I looked in the mirror and felt my beard I could feel what the facial had done. Immediately I recalled lessons learned in curing my skin just two years ago:
First, you must have a balanced diet and exclude ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS from your diet.
Second, you must not use SOAP, any kind of soap on the face. Why, because sensitive skin only requires the solvent WATER to clean. Straight from the faucet use water that is neither real cold or warm. Soap changes your skins pH balance!
Third, the warmer the water the more your pores open up--the colder the more they tighten up. Once we get our natural skin pH back with urine therapy eruptions will cease to become a problem then apply cooler water, but NEVER SCRUB OR WASH in circles for this opens and spreads subterranean vessels where infections are being fought off.
Fourth, do not use oils or alcohol on your skin. The skin is the largest organ of your body. It continues to regenerate itself ever so many days. If you do take baths make sure you use Nature's solvent, clean good pH water to bath with. The more alkaline or acidic soaps you apply to the skin the more difficult it is for the skin to adjust its pH balance. Sensitive skins cannot adjust to these sudden changes. By the way, a soak in a clean bath tub full of good water is equivalent to drinking eight glasses of water a day, but ask any nutritionist and they cannot tell you where that guideline comes from for it has not been established.
Fifth, all of your body organs are pH Alkaline in nature. It only stands to reason that the more acidic your water the harder it is for your body to repair itself. Your blood is 7.4 alkaline and doctors say that if that blood changes just 4 tenths of one percent you will die in either direction! A good dose of pineapple is pH 10 and so is watermelon. This is where drinking water should range. Investigate your water pH content along with looking at your diet. Researchers have known for years that ANY TYPE OF VIRUSES WILL NOT GROW IN AN ALKALINE SOLUTION! Cancers, viruses, and other diet related problems usually boil down to bad water supply! Check it out please.
Don't you just wish there was a mask you could put on and take off without disturbing your face? Hahahahahaha
EC: Just to clarify, did you drink your urine (one method) or apply it topically? Thanks...
Calamine, Witch Hazel
Posted by Seven (Neosho, Missouri, USA) on 05/23/2009
★★★★★
I have adult acne (I'm 34f) due to hormonal imbalance and problems with my digestion. They tend to bother me a great deal causing me to pick at them and otherwise make them worse. I tried a lot of different expensive commercial products without success. The ingredients usually burned and inflamed my skin and didn't do anything for the acne.
Finally I came across an "acne cure" that people were paying up to sixty-dollars per ounce on the Internet. I found out that it was simply Calamine lotion and witch hazel and I already had that in my medicine cabinet. I tried it out and it works great.
I wash my face good in the evening, use witch hazel as a toner then apply the Calamine lotion. (I am going to see if ACV works better then Witch Hazel after reading about it here on this site.) The Calamine dries up the acne usually overnight and has always made it better including really deep hard nodule type of acne.
Chamomile lotion doesn't prevent or otherwise cure acne but it does dry up outbreaks extremely rapidly, keeps the acne from itching and being irritated and doesn't burn, sting or otherwise have side effects that I have experienced. I wish I had known about this as a teen.
Baking Soda
Posted by Sid Davis (Springfield, Missouri USA) on 05/07/2009
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I read that some people use baking soda on the face for acne, and since I have had a life long problem with minor acne, I thought I would try it. I wash my face twice a day, once in the morning when I shower, and once before bed, so I bought a large box of baking soda and poured it into a plastic kitchen storage container so I could easily scoop out a hand full to use instead of face soap. I wet my face and hands first and then used the gob of baking soda like I would a face scrub.
It quite definitely cut back on outbreaks, and what few did develop were very mild. I am guessing that the sodium in the baking soda is killing bacteria on my face (like when you pour salt on a garden slug).
The only problem I have is that where I have had a pimple develop it seems that it takes an extra long time to heal, and that it leaves what looks like a little reddish burn scar which is something that never happened when I did not use the baking soda. I think the whatever is killing the bacteria may also be damaging the new tissue that grows to heal where the pimple was.
Has anybody using baking soda on their face for acne experienced this problem?
Supplements
Posted by Selena (Chula, GA) on 04/22/2009
You shouldn't exceed 100 mgs of zinc daily through all sources, my book states 30-80mgs daily. Possible you have other mineral deficiencies as well if you also have BO issues. Try chlorophyll by drinking green drinks or eating lots of parsley and other leafy greens. Preferably raw. Be sure you are drinking lots of pure water (not tap). Most acne and other ailments will clear up from eating a mostly raw fruit and vegetable diet. Be sure your bowels are moving. Try a colon cleanse or adding lots of fiber to your diet. This should help with the BO and the acne. I never had acne as a teenager just an occasional bump here and there. I do go through phases where I will get an area that seems to keep pimples (the kind that you can feel coming 3 days before you can see it) and usually on my chin (where I tend to prop on my hands). When this happens I put oregano oil on that area and this usually puts a stop to them for a while. Oregano burns so you may want to dilute it some with olive oil and keep away from eyes. Apply it with a q-tip to keep from getting it on your fingers and later rubbing it into eyes. I don't dilute mine, but if you have never used it I suggest diluting one drop of oregano oil to 1 tsp. of olive oil, then work your way up to adding more drops if you can take it.
Supplements
Posted by Tee (Chicago, Il) on 04/21/2009
What kind of zinc are yall using?
Supplements
Posted by RL (san antonio, TX) on 04/21/2009
i have been taking about 65 mg of zinc at night plus eating almonds in morning and befor bed for about three weeks & i haven't noticed a difference i hear it takes 4 weeks to work I have also been taking raw shea butter for the black marks.
I've taking 2 1/2 zinc pills before bed each of them 25 mg i guess I'll start taking 3 pills before bed 75mg
i mainly take it for BO and it hasnt changed yet.
Supplements
Posted by Corrie (Baton Rouge, La) on 04/21/2009
I have just started taking Zinc, It is 50mg for 3 times a day. I didn't get if from a book, but found it on several websites.
I think you are supposed to decrease that amount after your face has achieved the desired results.
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 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 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 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.
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!
Sandalwood and Rose Water
Posted by Jackie (Miami, Florida, US) on 03/07/2009
★★★★★
Sandalwood, Rose Water and Warm Water: I have very oily skin and big pores which leads to blackheads. My mom told me about this remedy. Take a spoon of sandalwood powder, add a little rose water to it, making it pasty and apply it to your face. Once the mask dries up, wash it with warm water. Do this once a week. Each day, get a small clean white towel, soak it with warm water and place the towel on your face. This will soften both the skin and the material blocking the pores. Wipe gently. This has help brighten my face and my pores look smaller. I also make sure to change my pillow case often (using cotton pillow cases) and I keep my hair away from my face to prevent them from coming back. I hope this can help everyone else as it did for me. Good luck!
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.
Milk Thistle
Posted by Elena (Stamford, Ct) on 02/13/2009
★★★★☆
im taking a whole body cleanse that has Milk Thistle, and I'm just finishing my first week with it. so far im very happy I have lots of energy, and I haven't been breaking out. my face is starting to clearing up... I'm taking this cleanse to test to see if i would clear my acne, because when I went to Italy for 5 weeks my acne cleared up once I got back to CT I started to breake out all over again, and I eat pretty much everything organic, I even use organic toothhpaste, organic deodorant, and organic hair and face products. I started getting acne when I was about 13 or 14 I stop taking medication when I was 20 now im 23 and still have 3rd grade acne. I have gone to many dermatologists, and have gone on accutane. I became an esthetician and I took basic herbal studies to fine a cure. once I started to change my diet it has helped but it wasn't enough im still researching but im also finding out Brewer's yeast (available at GNC) helps cure acne I haven't tryed it yet but im planing on it after my cleanse which you can get also at GNC but the web sit for it is www.vt.wbclranse.com I recommend looking online for one that cost less. all I can say is research and fine what works for you because everyone is diffrent ex. my older brother took some mediction, and once he got off the medication he was clear and never broke out again, and he has no acne scarring you can't even till he suffered from acne. my older sister started breaking out when she was 15, and now she is 27 and still on medication, and she tried getting off, because its costing alot but she breaks out. don't give up and don't pick I've been really good about not picking and I dont have acne scarring thank god!
