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.
Castor and Olive Oils
Posted by Lisa (Marathon, Fl) on 06/30/2010
★★★★★
I have been using 20% Castor oil with 80% All Natural Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil for acne. That is the mixture for normal skin. Oily skin: use 30% Castor and 70% Olive oil. Dry skin: 10% Castor and 90% Olive oil. Before I take a shower, (no soap at all and a dry face) I put less than a .25 cent size on the palm of my hand rub together to warm and massage into face (or even on an incoming pimple anywhere on the body). Warm a facecloth with very warm water and place over (opens pores) do this a couple of times. Use hot (don't burn yourself, silly) water on the same cloth and wipe away. My skin has never looked so clear and clean. I have been doing this for about a month. Pimples/blemishes disappear quickly. Your skin will lose it's dryness/oiliness naturally and return to normal. The oils DO NOT clog pores, they clean naturally and will remove makeup also. ENJOY!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Wyevon (Midland, Ontario Canada) on 04/23/2010
★★★★★
Hi! Over the last few years I've found my "cure" for pimples. First, remove the sources. I found that products (pomades, mouse, gels ect..even conditioner)on the part of my hair that touched my face/shoulders was garanteed to give me pimples. Hand creams and even some hand soaps would give me pimples if I touched my face! Use a hand soap that rinses clean.
Here's my regimen: I wash with pure (saponified) oil soaps, scented with natural oils. Then, as a toner, you can use 3% h2o2 (carefull not to touch brows or eye lashes, it will bleach it, trust me).
Moisturiser? A big culprit in causing pimples. For over 15 years now my favorite has been jojoba oil. It's the only one that actually will keep the sebum flowing instead of clogging pores. Sebum (aka oily skin) will harden, clog pores, cause painful pimples.
What I use when I get the ocasional pimple (or should I say the start of one, deep/painfull or otherwise)? The best that I've found was simply mixing a bit of unpasturized honey with plain witch hazel (any pharmacy carries it). The ratio is about 1 to 8. If it's too sticky, where makeup won't go on properly, dilute some more. It's quite watery. Keep in a small bottle. Will last a long time. Rub on pimples 2-3 times a day to stop them from even coming to the surface. Honey is antibacterial and moisturizing. You don't get the awefull red/drying flaking effect of most acne creams. Keeps it from getting infected.
I also always had a problem with pimples on my back, chest and arms. Solution? A good old fashion body brush. Go figure!! As long as I regularly brush my skin (when it's dry) with a plant fiber body brush, I have clear skin! The brushing removes the dead skin cells that (you guessed it) BLOCK YOUR SKIN PORES!!! Shower AFTER brushing to wash away the dead skin.
What have I learned? Pimples occur when your skin is trying to remove toxins from you body and it can't find an exit because of CLOGGED PORES!!!
PS: I'm curious to see if this works for anyone else...
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.
Pantothenic Acid
Posted by Amanda (Hot Springs, Ar, Usa) on 03/27/2010
i am not sure if this is the reason for your experience, but i have always heard that you should take all the b vitamins instead of one by itself because if you just take one, you could cause an imbalance in the others.
Zinc
Posted by Zubia (Dubai) on 02/24/2023
Which brand of zinc do you think he used in 2010? Please tell me.
Vitamin C
Posted by Azg (Toronto, On) on 01/10/2010
★★★★★
I'd been having troubles with my skin lately and for another reason (broken capillaries) I had been taking very large doses of Vitamin C internally (with Lysine)... it's still to early to tell if it's working. But I noticed a MARKED IMPROVEMENT in the condition of my skin in regards to breakouts... they were diminishing dramatically. So I decided to apply it topically. You can Ascorbic Acid powder in a variety of health food store, and if you go to your local large beauty store there is a famous brand that sells a topical vitamin C powder (it's very expensive - sourcing out ascorbic acid powder is definitely cheaper). Mix a tiny tiny scoop (maybe 1/16th of a teaspoon) into your moisturizer every morning and apply it. You may feel a tiny sting from the vitamin C but it shouldn't be uncomfortable and it should disappear almost instantly. If the sting lasts, you've used too much powder! You'll notice an immediate improvement in your skin and I bet you'll be acne free within a week... Do this only in the morning - no need to overload your skin at night. Plus Vitamin C is a very powerful anti-free-radical and anti-aging product.
Yogurt
Posted by Vanessa (Portland, Or, Usa) on 12/30/2009
★★★★★
I use yogurt for acne, usually when I start to break out, but it's gentle enough to use it everyday. I mix it with honey and lemon (a few drops of both then apply to my face and let it dry. Sometimes I leave it on overnight, but most of the time I dont because it isnt a pleasant feeling to have dried yogurt on your face for hours. Its not harsh and always does the trick. I find it helps all skin problems, its calms the skin and reduces swelling, reduces redness, shrinks pores, cures pimples and seems to do an amazing job at smoothing the face.
There are lots of other recipes for yogurt masks on the net, just do a google search!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Gaynor (Manaton, Uk) on 12/25/2009
I have had problems with increased dryness, increased wrinkles and rough skin on face and neck after treatment using ACV, HP and Borax plus teatree/lavender oil for breakouts of rosacea which I previously had under control for a while but now it's back- I am injesting coconut oil through cooking- I am also using aloe vera to moisturise skin and yoghurt face masks- this helps reduce roughness/dryness. I have been doing Mini beet protocol for two months to try to help skin issues- some improvement but I need to do this longer term I think. I do have a lot of energy from MBP.
Best of luck.
Skin issues take a while
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Juno (West Hollywood, California) on 12/22/2009
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
This is a desperate question to Ted.,
I have been reading and loving this website for a while now. and have been using many of the remedies suggested here like ACV Molasses and OP. I have also been using Lecithin granules as per Ted's suggestion for acne. And doing urine therapy. (for at least 4 month now)
However, while my acne and melasma have somewhat improved and my energy - greatly improved, I have developed a strange side effect to which I can not find the reason or a cure.
The skin on my neck looks like lizard skin and it feels terrible, do dry as if it's about to crack. Also the skin under my eyes has worsened and I have a lot more wrinkles.
This question is for Ted, please help me find out what could be causing this, I feel so old because of this "new" look and it seems to be getting worse fast!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 12/22/2009 490 posts
Hi there,
The way you describe your neck sounds like you need help in a hurry.
My suggestion is to use Extra Virgin olive oil, coconut oil or if either of these sound unpleasant, add about l ounce of of cold pressed castor oil to your favorite lotion and use that on your neck. (Anyone who loves the smell
of castor oil as much as I do can easily identify what is probably the most effective ingredient in Avon's expensive neck oil - I have never found any product containing castor oil to completely succeed in covering up its odor, even when advertised as odorless castor oil.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Tamara (Fort Collins, Co) on 12/23/2009
Juno, I remember Ted posting something recently (11/01/2009) about oil pulling that Lecithin pulls oil from the body. Maybe what you're experiencing is you're losing too much oil? For me, if I don't have enough good fats (omega-3s and coconut oil) in my system my skin loses its suppleness and starts to dry out and, especially my lips, start to crack. I even start to get pimples because my skin tries to compensate for the drying out by producing more oil. I agree with Joyce that you should start applying some soothing oils to your skin but maybe start supplementing with them as well? I read a book describing the benefits of coconut oil and remember it saying that it helps the skin cells keep water in them (instead of the water getting immediately flushed into the blood stream) and helps them to keep hydrated and plump. I eat a small amount of EVCO several times a day and my skin glows without blemishes. Hope it gets better!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Juno (West Hollywood, California) on 12/24/2009
Tamara and Joyce, thank you so much for your response and suggestions.
I will try avoiding Lecithin granules for a while and adding VCO to my diet. I do take 2 pills of Omega 3 and one of Flax seed oil every day. And I do use oils on my skin (Avocado, Peanut and Olive oil depending) but none of this seems to have any effect on this horrible feeling (like my skin is cracking) and look.
Another thing I've been doing for a long time now is drinking a pot of green tea every day. I tried to research and see if green tea might have this effect, but couldn't find anything that would suggest that.
I will keep you posted on any changes.
Thank you.
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!
