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.
Tea Tree, Witch Hazel, Aloe
Posted by Laura (Franklin, Tn) on 10/24/2011
★☆☆☆☆
I've tried tea tree oil/witch hazel lotion and aloe vera but it doesn't work :[ I have the red sore pimples all over my butt and down my thighs and it's making me extremely self conscious, do you know of any other remedies?
Borax
Posted by Maria (Syracuse, Ny) on 09/08/2011
★★★★★
I have tried some of the remedies on the Earth Clinic site for bacne. I have had bacne my whole adult life. After using the 20 Mule team Borax on a back brush every morning in the shower my back is clear of acne! It did take about 2 months for it to clear up. I am so glad to have found this site. I love how my back looks now.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Vanessa (Clovis, Ca) on 07/29/2011
★★★★★
Have had acne since early teens and I'm now 22 and have tried EVERYTHING! I saw all of these post about ACV and decided to try it. I've been on it for about 3 weeks and have seen a really big difference in my shin. My chest is completely clear and back 90% better. Face 99% better! :)
I can't drink ACV with water, it's horrible! So I've been just taking a measuring spoon 1 tablespoon of the ACV one in the morning and one at night and having a glass of water in my other hand and gulp the ACV first then quickly drink glass of water right after.
I've also been using ACV on a cotton ball each night as a toner on my face chest and back and sleep on it and shower in the morning. It has worked wonders. I will use this tool for the rest of my life! :)
Apple Cider Vinegar, Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Misty (Somewhere, Indiana, Usa) on 07/16/2011
★★★★★
Another "yea" for ACV/TTO. My favorite method of application is to soak some cotton in vinegar (the pasteurized cheap stuff works), then add 1-3 drops tea tree oil. I then use tape or an adhesive bandage to stick the cotton over the acne sore. I leave it there for hours. Even new pimples can disappear (or at least significantly shrink) in less than a day using this method.
Warning: I advise using this method only on non-sensitive areas. If you experience painful burning, this may not be the right method for you. The area will be a little red, especially if you use a larger piece of cotton than is your pimple.
Witch Hazel
Posted by Andrea (Vacaville, Ca.) on 06/07/2011
★★★★★
YES!!!!!!!!!!!! I too have tried EVERYTHING! I never had acne until my late 30's.... WITCH HAZEL was a miracle worker! I applied several times a day over affected area(s). I also used TEA TREE oil & Aloe Vera to lighten. Also, baking soda is a great wash/exfoliant/bath soak! .... DON"T BUY anything approved by the FDA..... It's all a scam!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Piper (Toronto, On) on 03/15/2011
★★★★★
Salt. It occurred to me that when I swam in the ocean my skin cleared up, so I started to take salt baths. I use about a 1/4 cup of rock salt. Also rub individual pimples or affected area with wet salt crystal. Dries and heals quicker.
Sesame Oil
Posted by Meghan (Belle Vernon, Pa, Usa) on 10/21/2010
★★★★☆
I also have the red sore butt pimples... I tried the sesame seed oil last night... When I looked in the mirror this morning they were already lighter and not sore. Thanks goodness for this website and finding great, inexpensive, natural remedies!!!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Louis (Sydney, Australia) on 09/02/2010
Look in encyclopedia under 'Grover's Disease'
Dietary Changes
Posted by Toriterese (Madison, Wi ) on 08/25/2010
I've wondered about dietary changes for chest acne. I have done alot of changes to address my facial acne, and have noticed a direct link to dairy and facial acne. Any suggestion what chest acne would be? I've refined my diet pretty well... Can't figure this one out.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Piper (Toronto, On) on 08/14/2010
Your daughter seems very young to be getting acne, let alone on her back. Acne seems to be a condition that you manage rather than cure. She may be prone to break out so maybe evaluate remedies on the basis of improving rather than eradicating. I have used UV light (tanning beds). UV kills bacteria. I use a led light (hand held) on face breakouts. Baths. Epsom salt or borax. Keep trying. I have had problems with acne since I was a teenager and I am now 44 years old. I don't believe it has everything to do with hormones, or what you eat. I eat well and still have problems. The more I read, the more I believe that demodex mites are part of the problem. We all have mites. I just believe that in some people, these become more of a problem. As I have gotten older, I have gotten acne in more places than just my face. I believe this is mites spreading. I have just started treating myself with borax, baths and drinking. I went to the doctor to see about getting treated for mites. He hadn't heard of demodex, but he is referring me to a dermatologist.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Pb (Cape Breton, Ns) on 07/06/2010
I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's issues with acne. I've been doing alot of reading and personal experimentation on acne as it's an issue for me too.
This is what I've come up with so far for myself. I'm speaking as someone with skin that's extremely sensitive to breakouts!
-as far as diet goes it seem iodine in salt can be an issue for some people in terms of causing acne
-I would take her off all commercial body or face washes as I found that these can exacerbate acne in people with sensitive skin. Also any soap made from animal fat or animal products can cause breakouts and make acne worse. I use all-vegetable handmade soap (that I make myself or buy at specialty stores from private craftspeople). Remember that her shampoo/conditioner can coat the skin of her back so be careful of that too
-I would also recommend against any commercial moisturizing creams or lotions. Natural oils are very healing and you can find lots of info online. In particular jojoba oil can actually help regulate skin sebum. I found a mix of about 30 ml jojoba oil with added essential oils such as lavender and tea tree oil (maybe 6 drops of each) prevents breakouts. I apply like 2x/day like you would any face lotion, and I use a few drops on a cotton ball as a toner on my neck & back
-for new breakouts, a concentrated mix of a few drops of jojoba oil and a few drops of oil of oregano (antifungal and antibacterial; buy the kind with the highest carvacrol content) can stop the breakout. It stings a bit!
-Dead Sea salt is very healing to bathe in and can also be dissolved in a bit of water to dab on breakouts to help healing ( I put some on at night). Regular sea salt doesn't seem to help me at all.
-supplements of Vit C and Vit A can help too but make sure to research Vit A dosage carefully or check with your doctor
Good luck, let us know it goes!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Lor (Greensboro, Nc) on 05/31/2010
★★★★★
Backne Treatment/Cure
My son is only 14 and was suffering from Backne(acne on the back) for about a year. It was getting worse from sweaty sports and it got to be that he would not remove his shirt so I could examine it. When he finally agreed I was sad b/c he was young and already suffering with body issues.
I went to work investigating and trying different products. I read about a TX of Apple Cider Vinegar and Tea Tree oil.
He started treating himself by GENTLE washing with acne face wash and DRYING of back (no scrubbing or harsh cleaners). He then uses Stridex pad to further clean. He then dabs on Tea Tree oil with a cotton square and then dabs on Apple Cider Vinegar with a clean square.
The results are amazing. He does this at least once a day and often twice during sports or when needed. He is very impressed by the results and I am thrilled by the all natural ingredients and expense $10 for a bottle of TTO and $2 for a quart of ACV. He has been doing this for 6 months now.
The one caveot is the smell of the TTO. It really stinks. You will get used to it so dont be afraid. Also it will dissapate after 20 minutes. My son usually goes with out his shirt for 20 minutes and no one has commented on any smell so he is happy.
He has classmates that are on all kinds of medicine and tx from dermatologist and still dont have the kind of results that we have had.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Loraine (Queens, Ny) on 05/22/2010
Thank you Cameron/Tony for your response. I'll try these alongwith the diet change. If it works, I'll make sure EC knows!! Thank you again.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Tony (London, Uk) on 05/20/2010
I have to say, having suffered for years, stopping using all non-natural toiletries has worked wonders. I use no soap and my back and face have cleared up loads.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Zay (Cape Town, South Africa) on 05/20/2010
Hi Lorraine, Lisa is correct in saying that your daughter needs good nutrition. I can advise if you are interested. You can contact me at azfries and it is at hotmail dot com Looking forward to hearing from you. Zay
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Cameron (Brisbane, Qld, Australia) on 05/20/2010
Hi Loraine, I think it has already been said but you need to fix her diet first and foremost.
I battled with acne for a lot of my adult life and found that Vitamin C in regular doses helped enormously. Build up the dose slowly as Vitamin C can cause stomach cramps and diarrhoea, also use Aloe Vera on the acne, it may feel like its drying out her skin but do not try anything else over the top of the Aloe. Apply the Aloe Gel as often as possible, this is a wonder for skin. Address the diet though, exclude all sugar as a priority and be patient.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Loraine (Queens, Ny) on 05/19/2010
Thank you Lisa, Kerry, for your info. I really do appreciate it. God Bless.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 05/19/2010
Hi Loraine,
I'm sorry your daughter is experiencing this but you must really explore her diet. The acne is not the source of the problem but rather the outcome. All the outer remedies are not going to cut it. Go to the root source which is what she ingests. If she is eating the Standard American Diet (SAD), that is the source right there. The body needs whole foods and lots of greens for it to find its balance. Begin by cutting out ALL processed foods and adding in greens. The ratio should be 80/20 greens to other whole foods. It may sound difficult but, do it in stages if you must. As you change the balance, her body will actually begin to crave greens and healthy food. Especially when one sees the direct correlation between what goes in our bodies and what the state of our health is this becomes a "no brainer"!
I wish you both the best, Lisa
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kerry (Port Alberni, Bc, Canada) on 05/19/2010
Just my personal experience, I used to have pretty bad acne on my face as a teen. What I found that worked best for me was to use a washcloth that was soaked in water that was as hot as I could stand. I'd lightly wring it out and put it on my face, leaving it there to open the pores. Then I'd scrub with the washcloth, fairly firmly. Then I'd repeat the process again.
It helped with my acne and kept it down quite a bit. Other teens that I went to school with tried it as well and it worked for them as well. I hope it works for your daughter as well, it can be quite frustrating.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Loraine (Queens, Ny) on 05/18/2010
★☆☆☆☆
Hello Everyone: I do hope someone can help me here. My eleven year old daughter has the worst acne on her back ever. I have tried everything - milk thistle, borax, apple cider vinegar, zinc etc and nothing is helping. She feels very frustrated and is so depressed. Any recommedations would be greatly appreciated. Also, the marks are unsightly. Please advice what can be used to fade them. Thank you EC so much.
Dietary Changes
Posted by C.S.M (VERO BEACH, FL) on 03/19/2009
Popular Low-Glycemic Diet Shows Promise as Acne Treatment
This study was reported at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology today.
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters Health) Mar 09 - Most patients with acne report an improvement in their condition when they follow the low-glycemic diet originating in Florida known as the South Beach diet, researchers reported here at the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
Panta Rouhani, PhD, with the University of Miami, and colleagues analyzed 41-item questionnaires completed by 2,528 patients who said that they were on the diet at the time they completed the survey and 467 who were not following the diet.
"Today, it is generally accepted by dermatologists that diet and acne are not related; however, this notion is based on only two primary references," the authors wrote in their poster presentation.
"Diet is a well-recognized factor in acute and chronic hyperinsulinemia," they added. "Recent evidence suggests that diet-induced hyperinsulinemia triggers a hormonal cascade, eliciting an endocrine response that simultaneously triggers unregulated epithelial growth and keratinization as well as androgen-mediated sebum secretion."
The South beach diet mimics the nutritional characteristics of diets found in non-Westernized populations known to be acne-free, they said. It is free of processed foods, cereal grains, dairy products, refined sugars, and refined oils and almost entirely comprised of unprocessed fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, fish, and seafood.
Whether adherence to a low-glycemic diet can alter acne in Western populations is unknown.
In the study, patients with acne lesions (75.3%) were asked if any changes in their skin occurred and whether these changes were improvements in their acne.
Overall, 86.7% reported noted skin changes to be improvements (90.7% of those on acne treatment versus 81.7% of those untreated, p < 0.001).
Most (86.7%) noted these improvements within 3 months of starting the South Beach diet (58.0% of those on acne treatment versus 42.0% of those untreated, p = 0.34).
Of patients on conventional acne treatment, 91.0% either reduced the dose or amount of treatment they were using.
The investigators said that the improvement in acne after a low-glycemic diet suggests that lifestyle factors such as nutrition may indeed play a role in the pathogenesis of acne.
They added that future research is needed to further clarify the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism and independent roles of nutrition, weight loss, and exercise.
Borax
Posted by Pam (Garner, NC) on 02/20/2009
I would like to know the recipe for 20 mule team borox body wash.
Witch Hazel
Posted by Missy (Wheeling, WV) on 02/02/2009
★★★★★
WITCH HAZEL FOR ACNE AND THEN SOME... I am 36 years old. I had very mild acne in my teen years, but these past 6 months have been horrible for me. I have very painful, large boils on my back, smaller ones on my shoulders, neck, and face. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to be working and I ended up being put on tetracycline. I found this site and began using witch hazel as a toner. Combined with the antibiotic therapy, the witch hazel has proven to be a miracle. Even on the medicine, I will still have a boil or two appear, mainly on my upper back. A cotton swab with witch hazel and guaranteed within a couple of days, they will be gone! It can be drying, so please moisturize. I've spent hundreds on products and for 97 cents, you can't beat this miracle product! Plus, ladies, wetting toilet paper and cleaning with it after a bowel mvmt. really helps with hemmoroids! Honest!
Borax
Posted by Rachel (Montclair, NJ) on 12/21/2008
★★★★★
Borax instead of soap: After reading all of the information about borax on the earthclinic website, I decided to experiment with it. I started using borax in place of the liquid bodywash that I normally used in the shower. I have always had breakouts on my chest and back and have tried everything (acne creams, soaps, kits for problem skin, alcohol, changing laundry detergent) and never had any lasting success keeping my skin clear from breakouts. Well let me tell you, since I started using the borax to wash myself with, my skin is COMPLETELY CLEAR! I've been using the borax now for about two months straight and will never go back to bodywash. I also started using it on my face and I will no longer buy facial cleansers again since the borax works so well. I still do use regular shampoo. I tried using just borax to wash my hair and the first day my hair looked great but the following two days my hair looked terrible. I now add a small handful of borax to my shampoo and use that with very good results. It is winter in NJ right now and usually I have a lot of static in my hair, but the borax seems to be counteracting that. I attribute the lack of static to the borax as that is the only different thing I am doing.
One last thing, the borax that I am using is the stuff you can get in the laundry aisle.
Borax
Posted by Rachel (Montclair, NJ) on 12/21/2008
★★★★★
Borax instead of soap: After reading all of the information about borax on the earthclinic website, I decided to experiment with it. I started using borax in place of the liquid bodywash that I normally used in the shower. I have always had breakouts on my chest and back and have tried everything (acne creams, soaps, kits for problem skin, alcohol, changing laundry detergent) and never had any lasting success keeping my skin clear from breakouts. Well let me tell you, since I started using the borax to wash myself with, my skin is COMPLETELY CLEAR! I've been using the borax now for about two months straight and will never go back to bodywash. I also started using it on my face and I will no longer buy facial cleansers again since the borax works so well. I still do use regular shampoo. I tried using just borax to wash my hair and the first day my hair looked great but the following two days my hair looked terrible. I now add a small handful of borax to my shampoo and use that with very good results. It is winter in NJ right now and usually I have a lot of static in my hair, but the borax seems to be counteracting that. I attribute the lack of static to the borax as that is the only different thing I am doing.
One last thing, the borax that I am using is the stuff you can get in the laundry aisle--20 Mule team borax. I love using borax and I love the Earthclinic website!
Epsom Salt
Posted by Trina (Calgary, Alberta) on 10/23/2008
i agree that the epsom salts is a great help for this. but i was told to stop using ketchup and stop eating cold meats because of the nitrates, i decided to give it a try. now i take the epsom bath for sore muscles because i dont have the body acne any longer... hope this helps
Epsom Salt
Posted by Amanda Rene (Anderson, CA) on 10/22/2008
★★★★★
Prepare a bath as directed on the epsom salt container. Do not use ANY soap, bubble bath, etc in this bath. Soak in it for a couple minutes. Then, using a washcloth, scrub the skin for a minute or so. Soak the area in the bath for 20 minutes. Towel dry. Do this daily or every other day.
I found this out accidentally and I was pleasantly surprised to see it had an effect on my rear-end acne. I've been trying to get rid of it for 2 months! Soap and exfoliators seemed to make matters so much worse. After the first two soaks, the skin appeared softer and no longer red and inflamed. The cyst like formations were going away! I've been doing this for a week now and my skin looks and feels so much nicer now. I still have a few bumps but I bet they will be gone in another week. I hope this works as well for others as it did for me!
Supplements
Posted by Caroline (North Ireland)
★★★★★
A MULTI VITAME AND IRON SUPPLEMENT CAN PREVENT ANCE ON THE BACK YOU CAN GET IT FROM THE CHEMIST BOOTS
Witch Hazel
Posted by Anonymous (Lindenwold NJ) on 05/02/2006
★★★★★
I have had moderate acne on my face and back since I was in the sixth grade. I have been using Witch Hazel after washings (i use neutrogena body clear body wash scrub on my face and back) 2x daily, morning and night on my face and back. I am just starting my third week on this regiment and have seen a lot of improvement. It dries out the pimple extremely fast and you are left with very little marks that fade over time. I still have some pimples and red spots especially on my back but i am confident that by the end of the week I should be clear. I would use a good moisturizer because it does dry out the skin a bit.
Selsun Blue
Posted by Elisa (Warner Robins, GA) on 10/13/2005
★★★★★
To prevent acne marks on back and chest, wash with Selsun Blue. It worked for my ex-boyfriend. He has perfect skin! If you exfoliate every day, dead cells won't clog pores!
EC: Selsun Blue is a shampoo used to treat dandruff.
Aloe Vera Gel
Posted by Jack (New York City, NY) on 12/02/2007
★★★★★
I had bad acne on my outer thighs and butt. Tried all different scrubs and creams but they were never fully effective. Cleaning with which hazel and then putting Aloe Vera gel on my skin has cleared it all up! It has taken a few weeks, but I can visibly see a difference and I'm not getting any new pimples. The Aloe Vera gel (100% with no coloring) has also reduced the redness on my face - it's great stuff!
