Natural acne cures

[CoolStuff]

I'm gonna try:
lemon juice (how exactly do you rub it? just take a slice and squeeze and rub? lol)
rubbing garlic
orange peels
maybe cucumber, because I notice it's just a general face deficiency.

I don't think it's stress, it's the summer. I stopped using the Stridex pads since I realized they barely make a difference, and I want to go natural. I also stopped worrying about acne for at least a year now, I just started thinking about it again today. I often touch my face so that could be a problem.

What do you think works for you?

Oh and also of course diet, crap in, crap out, but I've already started eating healthier.

[dmauder]

Hi CoolStuff:

For me, it's been diet all the way. I've never tried any natural remedies for acne, but I probably should. I'm almost 40 years old, my skin is very oily, and still get acne from time to time. But -- I know exactly how to prevent it... If I avoid dairy products at all cost, I rarely ever get a pimple.

Also, I've tried going vegetarian and even vegan for 1-2 weeks stretches. During those little "experiments", I've noticed my skin isn't as oily, it looks much healthier, and I don't get pimples.

Hmm... You'd think I could stick to a healthy diet with all those benefits.

Anyway, let us know the results if you try some of the natural things you mentioned.

Dave

[CoolStuff]

I am a teenager so that doesn't help, but still the worse should have passed by now.

Yeah food helps, I forgot I am eating some chocolate. I am trying to avoid meat and dairy, but right now I don't wanna go completely vegan.

Thanks

[dennis08]

Take a shower. Don't eat Pizza and greasy foods. Wash your face with soap often but don’t scrub. Nice and easy.

[Sam988]

i had acne too, but used Isotretinoin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and it worked wonders

i know you're looking for natural stuff, but if it ends not working out, use isotretinoin, it ends with all the acne in no time for as long as you are taking the pills, and after you've been taking it for 1-2 years (depending on your dosage) you can stop taking the pills and the acne will never be back anymore.



btw, i had severe acne, so just cleaning my face 3 times a day and not eating junky food & chocolate didnt work

[CoolStuff]

Yeah I wash gently with soap. I don't eat too much grease anymore. I take a shower daily.

It's actually pretty bad on my back, probably from before.

[StarFish]

I use medicated apricote scrub + olive oil soap on my face. Most brands of soap are horrible for your skin! They dry your skin out way too much. For Spot treatment use Bert Bee's acne spot treament, it's all nature and works for me.

I've do use Proactive when my skin goes super crazy on me (like it did when I went to Costa Rica) but once it clears enough the above mentioned stuff works wonders.

Oh, and drink lots of water.

[pinky]

on Folk Medicine Archive i read that H202 (hydrogen peroxide) is good for acne, as well as ACV (apple cider vinegar). I've been using the h202, no real results yet.

I'm transitioning back to a vegetarian diet so hopefully that will help as well as the avoidance of dairy.... but i loves me some milk!

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by pinky

but i loves me some milk!

Milk and chocolate are probably the two worst offenders... and, whatever you do... don't ever squeeze any pimple... as it will force some of the toxic fluids into the inter-cellular tissues and create additional problems...

The very best of luck to you...
.

[JimC]

I started getting acne when I was 12 and it's just now starting to go away (20 now). My worst points were between 14-16 where, they were the times I was trying out various acne medicines, oddly enough. I tried everything from Stridex, to creams, to doctor prescribed pills. They all made it worst.

There are 2 things that will guarantee you clean skin:
Hygiene + Time

Just keep your face clean with good soap and water, make a habit of not touching it, and give it a few years. Teen acne is almost impossible to get rid of with any kind of medicines, because it's a natural part of some people's growth, and it will go away eventually.

PS As far as back acne goes, I got that about 16 and I still have it... all I can say is keep that clean as well, lotions couldn't hurt either.

PPS Also, despite belief, grease does not directly affect acne. You could rub a juicy hamburger all over your face and it wouldn't hurt it... unless it was dirty- the bacteria would.

PPPS Have lots of vitamin E! (vegetables, pills, slim fast)

[groove88]

Originally Posted by CoolStuff

I'm gonna try:
lemon juice (how exactly do you rub it? just take a slice and squeeze and rub? lol)
rubbing garlic
orange peels
maybe cucumber, because I notice it's just a general face deficiency.

I don't think it's stress, it's the summer. I stopped using the Stridex pads since I realized they barely make a difference, and I want to go natural. I also stopped worrying about acne for at least a year now, I just started thinking about it again today. I often touch my face so that could be a problem.

What do you think works for you?

Oh and also of course diet, crap in, crap out, but I've already started eating healthier.

Acne is a real puzzle to solve and for the most part everyone has to find there own cure. Usually the science of it comes down to out of control insulin levels, allergies or intolerancies, hormones, a challenged immune system. The immune system has diffent response to threats in the body, some how the acne respone is a delayed one, which is why they think acne usually happens 1-5 days later from the culprit, e.g some bad food etc.
Staying off greasy food is a dam good start, essentially what you need to aim for is keeping your body clean and healthy as possible. Eating lots of veg, drinking lots of water, staying off soda, donuts, i.e refinded sugar.
Drinking lemon or apple cider vinegar is a good start too,maybe note it all in a journal, give it a few weeks see what happens

[Matthew Shea]

FWIW, I've read that Zinc is essential to clear skin. Perhaps a supplement would help.

Definitely stop touching your face. That kills me every time, even at 33.

WRT greasy foods, for me the problem isn't so much the food, it's that you get the grease on your skin, especially around your mouth. The grease will clog the pores and then it's all over. That's another thing that'll get me every time.

Also, Neutrogena makes a skin clearing facial soap for men that's pretty decent. I use it before and after shaving every day.

[John Hill]

Here is an idea to stop acne now with alternative cure. If you think you will get acne you probably will, if you never give any thought to acne perhaps you won't have an acne problem. I am not convinced it is evenly slightly a passed on genetic condition.

John

Attracting People.com

[CoolStuff]

Nah I don't think about acne. When I first started getting it I did, then just stopped after a few months. As I said I never even noticed back acne for a while. I made this post after looking closely at my face for some reason, and noticed i actually had a lotta acne, mostly in the same areas, looking like they're reading to break out but never do. so maybe it's from the past? *shrug* i put some lemon juice but haven't even looked at it since then (a few days ago?)

[groove88]

Originally Posted by John Hill

Here is an idea to stop acne now with alternative cure. If you think you will get acne you probably will, if you never give any thought to acne perhaps you won't have an acne problem. I am not convinced it is evenly slightly a passed on genetic condition.

John

Attracting People.com

of course theres genetic weakness's that are passed down. I don't have to think about acne at all if im clear but if i slip on my diet i will break out regardless. I guess if i think about growing a third nipple it might kick off tomorrow at lunch time?

[Jugga J]

Cool Stuff. If you are clever just take this advice.

Just -

Exercise.

3-5 miles running a day should do it. Then you will have no problems what-so-ever.


Exercise increases the circulation in your face and stabilizes hormones, I was so annoyed that no one told me this Godly piece of information before I figured out why no teenager in all the professional football academies has acne.

Diet is such an overrated way to clear acne, I did a strict 6 week one and it did f*** all. Although it its best to just stay off the sugary food. But don't be over conscious about it.

Chemicals are awful, you get annoyed and start applying more and more and then you just make it worst, so don't use them. If you really wanted to use something use Tea Tree Oil Gel, its a natural antiseptic. But don't over-do it.

Exercise should take about 7 days before you see them great effects.

[honeybee]

I have suffered from acne for many years (15+ yrs), and have tried nearly everything in the book, except for isotretinoin. It is basically the only "cure" the medicine has to offer, but can be expensive and a hassle (if you're female, you have to do a lot of blood work/birth control to qualify to use it), which is why I’ve not gone to those lengths quite yet.

Of what I have tried, the best possible combination for maintenance (sort of like StarFish’s use of medicated apricote scrub + olive oil soap) has been:
daily exercise, plenty of water, wash twice a day with gentle cleanser, exfoliate twice a day with astringent, and the key element, skin/hair/nails vitamin supplements (loads of B, A and E vitamins, plus various other minor elements to help your body repair and maintain the keratin and collagen in skin/hair/nails.)

When I have a breakout, I switch to ProActive for a couple of weeks till I’m cleared up again. It’s not foolproof, but it’s working for the meantime.

[NotesMaeve]

My skin seems to be clearing with vegetarianism. Today is day 14 of my 30 day trial. I use medicated apricot scrub to keep things under control, and that works okay, with the occasional dose of Noxzema. I haven't had any of those huge red cysts in awhile. Something is working I guess, but still get little whiteheads/blackheads. Ick.

Also, occasionally fasting helps me out. Fasting for two days now until 7 PM tomorrow night. We'll see.

[madgeylou]

i've heard that sunshine can help acne -- can you sit outside for 15 minutes or so with your shirt off? it's worth a shot anyhow.

[beautyscientist]

I agree that isotretinoin is really effective - but it is a mainstream pharmaceutical so isn't at all natural.

The closest natural treatment is rosehip oil, which contains some close analogues. Neals Yard and Artful Teasing do products rich in rosehip oil in the UK. I would think that there is something along the same lines in the US.

The link between diet and acne has never been proved scientifically as far as I know, though the benefits of a natural diet are probably worth it even if it doesn't help with your spots.

[bdp]

My acne disappeared the week I stopped eating animal products. My wife had the same experience.

[sirkinm]

As mentioned in one of the above posts, apple cider vinegar is a folk remedy for many things, including acne. There are many, many testimonials on the web attesting to its effectiveness. You can use it in the bath or dilute it and put on your face, but the most effective way seems to be to take a tablespoon or two in water.

The problem: Most people find it repulsive. Personally, I've been using it in water for a few months -- it has single-handedly cured my acid reflux, which was becoming debilitating. My little brother started adding it to a bath because he has bad acne, and it helped a lot, but he refuses to drink it.

Now that I'm accustomed to the taste, drinking it is not so bad. It's kind of like wine, which becomes more tolerable after a while. Unfortunately, it never becomes enjoyable, like wine. If I pour too much in my water, I still can hardly drink it. I always brush my teeth after too, because I'm scared that the acid content will wear away my tooth enamel.

The good news: It's very cheap, even the organic kind (which is recommended). Moreover, now they have pills! They are more expensive but still don't break the bank. I'm not sure how effective the pills are for acne, but I'm trying to get my brother to take them (he has problems swallowing pills).

Listen -- I was skeptical of this cure, especially because it was featured in that bestselling book "Cures They Don't Want You to Know" (or something like that) by that one bozo scam artist, but this one truly seems to work. I definitely think it's worth a try!

[Jugga J]

Originally Posted by bdp

My acne disappeared the week I stopped eating animal products. My wife had the same experience.

If all you had to do was cut out animal protein it would be easy. But a teenager 's sebum production is going to be a lot higher than your own as an adult. So unfortunately for him or her, just doing that won't work.

[bdp]

Jugga J, I did not mention the age at which I cut out animal products and eliminated my acne. At any rate, it works for many people regardless of age.

The 3 main triggers for acne are dairy products, processed sugars, and refined vegetables oils. I have also found that increasing green vegetable intake can make a difference.

Anybody that tells you diet doesn't affect your complexion is misinformed. Through diet alone I have successfully eliminated severe dry skin, severe eczema and mild acne.

[beautyscientist]

BDP,

Acne is a very difficult condition to explain and it may well be that you get similar effects in different indviduals from different causes.

I did a review of the effect of diet on acne about six years ago. At that time there was no strong evidence of any general effect of diet on acne. I haven't kept up to date on the scientific literature since then so something may have made it into print since, but a quick google search hasn't thrown anything up and I think it would have been big news if a link was shown.

However there are persistent anecdotal reports from individuals that particular foods affect their acne - yours being another one. Another good example is zinc, as Mathew mentioned earlier. This hasn't been shown to work clinically, but there is an acne product that contains zinc that seems to work better than very similar products without zinc. There is also a product in France that contains zinc and copper which again fails in the clinic but seems to work miracles on particular individuals.

As a scientist I hate to advocate nonscientific treatments, but it does seem to be be the case with acne that some of them might be worth a punt. They probably won't work but you may be lucky. I wouldn't bother with the urine therapy or homeopathy though.

[elai]

I have "acne" (a bunch of pimples that just dont go away) in my middle chest area for as long as I can remember. I also have a semi-decent amount of body hair there too. I am wondering what could be done in that case. I live in a colder climate so sunbathing doesn't happen much, but I don't do much to the area either.

The exercise idea sounds golden, but how about all of those some of those pimply faced MMA fighters/powerlifters? Or maybe it's the steroids or something.

[Matthew Shea]

That sounds like ingrown hairs, elai. You have to break the pimple and pluck the hair out of it before it'll go away. I tend to get them on the front on my upper legs and around my neck due to the fabric of my clothes rubbing against them.

[honeybee]

Originally Posted by Matthew Shea

That sounds like ingrown hairs, elai. You have to break the pimple and pluck the hair out of it before it'll go away. I tend to get them on the front on my upper legs and around my neck due to the fabric of my clothes rubbing against them.

Ingrown hairs can definitely contribute to acne and visa versa—they are both dysfunctions of follicles (some of them happen to contain hairs).
There are several options that may help you… the key is exfoliation.
The most natural option is the gentle use of a good pumice or other form of scrubby thing (I use a soft bristled brush with a long handle so I can reach my back). You can use it alone, or try it with a body wash that contains salicylic acid (not as natural, I know), which should gently, but chemically assist in shedding the top layer of dead clogging skin cells.
The other thing that I’ve tried with some improvement has been the newer lotions that have come out with beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and/or lactic acid. They are usually marketed at “age fighting” products, but the above ingredients also help to shed the dead layer of skin cells, decreasing the likelihood of forming the clogged pores/hair follicles.

[jdub]

i've been hearing a lot of stuff lately about kefir. My sisters dermatoligist suggested that she start drinking this kefir drink, and I went and got some and it is supposed to be really good for you. You can get it at Kroger and Harris Teeter, near organic food and stuff. Supposedly after about a week or two it will make your acne go away. The drink is like a lowfat strawberry smoothie thats really good for you.
I have found that the best remedy is sunshine + exercise. But I started drinking the Kefir stuff anyway. I didn't see any reason not too, being in college I probably need all the healthy stuff I can get with some of the junk I eat!

[Strangemagik]

WOW nobody ever told me that either but I do notice a difference when I exercise regularly. Just be sure to wash face well in the shower afterwards as sweat will clog the pores more.

Food doesn't "CAUSE" acne.

I've also used toothpaste on annoying breakouts dries it out pretty much over night. Also triple antibiotic ointments like Neosporin work.

Originally Posted by Jugga J

Cool Stuff. If you are clever just take this advice.

Just -

Exercise.

3-5 miles running a day should do it. Then you will have no problems what-so-ever.


Exercise increases the circulation in your face and stabilizes hormones, I was so annoyed that no one told me this Godly piece of information before I figured out why no teenager in all the professional football academies has acne.

Diet is such an overrated way to clear acne, I did a strict 6 week one and it did f*** all. Although it its best to just stay off the sugary food. But don't be over conscious about it.

Chemicals are awful, you get annoyed and start applying more and more and then you just make it worst, so don't use them. If you really wanted to use something use Tea Tree Oil Gel, its a natural antiseptic. But don't over-do it.

Exercise should take about 7 days before you see them great effects.