Cystic Acne
Natural Remedies

Natural Remedies for Cystic Acne

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 Stephanie (Napa, Ca) on 12/08/2016
★★★★★

Cystic Acne - I tried everything! Vitamin A is the winner, hands down. I have been giving my son 30mg of zinc for months but it wasn't until I added vitamin A (20,000iu) to the routine that we started to see some real progress. No more cyctic acne!

It took about 5 days to start seeing a noticeable difference, it's been 20 days and it's almost as if he never had the problem in the first place. Purchased the Vitamin A capsules from a major health food store, just research and purchase the best brands and you will see results.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kelsea (Ventura, Ca) on 01/29/2016
★★★★★

Guys, after dealing with cystic acne for 3 years I have finally found something that works for me... and possibly you too! I know this is a long entry but I swear to you it works.

I had clear skin all through high school and began getting cystic acne in college. I am 24 years old now and my skin is finally clear.

I have experimented with SO many different things hoping to find a cure: yogurt facial masks, grapefruit seed oil extract, lavender oil, vitamin E oil... nothing ever reduced the inflammation, soothed the redness or reduced scaring like the regimen I am about to share with you.

For one, I have completely eliminated Sodium Laureth Sulfate from my shampoos, body washes, face washes, washing detergent, etc. It is a harsh chemical that gives most products the bubbly lather. Key word: it is HARSH!

Second, I have eliminated all dairy from my diet which has helped immensely. Dairy is full of hormones meant to raise calves, it combined with our own is overhaul for our bodies.

Lastly, I want to share the ALL NATURAL things I've been using that have cleared my face 100%.

I use a gentle face wash every morning and follow it with Apple Cider Vinegar as a toner, and lastly coconut oil as a moisturizer.

Every other night I switch off with a home made coffee facial scrub and manuka honey mask + a tumeric/honey spot treatment.

Apple Cider Vinegar toner- equal parts water and ACV on a cotton swab all over the face.

-this evens out the PH balance on your face ridding of blemishes and uneven skin tones.

Coconut Oil- about a teaspoon should cover your entire face... I let it set until its almost dry then wipe off the remaining.

- I know, adding oil to your already oily face is scary.. but it tricks your face into not creating as much oil and also has antibacterial properties all the while moisturizing it

Home made scrub- I took a 1/4 cup used coffee grounds, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil an 1-2 melaluca (tea tree) oil and mixed these all together.

Scrubbing your face very gently for a minute every other day gets rid of all the excess dead skin cells that may block your pores and trap oil under the skin, leading to build up, and eventually.. acne.

When you rinse off this scrub your face feels SO soft.. wipe off the extra coconut oil and wah-lah.

Manuka Honey Mask- I genuinely think this portion of my face regime has been the most impactful.

Manuka honey helps with inflammation and scars. It has antibacterial properties and does a good job moisturizing as well. This specific honey is extracted from the tea tree plant and is extremely raw. It is a bit pricey but worth the money. You simply take this and smear it all over your face. Leave it on as long as possible! Seriously, I'd leave it on over night if it wouldn't get all over my bed. When you rinse it off.. your face feels so refreshed and rejuvenated.

The last thing I'll share is a quick spot treatment that SERIOUSLY works.

Simply take a small amount of honey and add the tumeric spice until you've created a paste like consistency and add it to any incoming, inflamed or ongoing acne. The tumeric will instantly reduce inflammation and redness and speed up the healing process.

Tumeric has been my saving grace..

Be warned though that it does stain your skin slightly, nothing that wont come off with a little facial cleanser though!

PLEASE, give this a try.. you can buy most of these products at most health food stores.

LET ME KNOW!!!!


Coconut Oil
Posted by Activemom (Monmouth County, Nj) on 03/12/2014
★★★★★

After each pregnancy, cystic acne would appear. I had no idea what it was. It was like a clogged pore and then after five pregnancies, it progressed to huge cysts that would stay for months and they were all over my body. I avoid people and wear long sleeves all summer, as it has even gone down my entire arm. After five years, after the final pregnancy, I finally saw a doctor who diagnosed me with cystic acne. It has been horrible and such a blow to my self esteem. I just hide most of the time. I started taking oral antibiotics, monodox, and an avar cream, sodium based, which helped, but didn't solve my problem. One cyst on my face in particular that just persists and refuses to go away. It is extremely painful and extremely obvious.

Thank you to the man who suggested coconut oil. I cannnot begin to express in words how you have helped me. Within two days, my facial cyst has gone down to where I can see the healing skin and the reduction of the build up of fluid underneath the skin. It was sitting in my pantry all along.....

After insurance costs have changed and the price of medicine has escalated greatly, I decided to research alternative natural remedies and this site is amazing. I will continue to use this as a first resource in remedies for my family.


Dietary Changes
Posted by Ashley (Canada) on 02/11/2015
★☆☆☆☆

Doesn't help everyone. I'm vegan, gluten free, sugar free, eat 100% organic and natural foods, nothing processed, exercise daily, use only natural skincare products... I have beautiful soft skin on my body, untreated long glossy hair, strong hard nails... But when it comes to my face? Disaster zone.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lowstomachacid (NY, NY) on 10/28/2012

I just have to tell all of you who are seeing results from ACV, this may be because you have low stomach acid and the ACV is helping you digest fats better so they're not ending up in your blood stream and then your skin. I just began taking HCL supplements and my face is starting to get better. It's not great but finally it's starting to look better. A few years ago I had stomach problems and took Nexium and then had a huge acne outbreak. It wasn't until I googled and googled that I found out that low stomach acid causes acne. I just went off the birth-control pill and I'm finding myself with awful cystic acne all over my chin, cheeks, forehead even above my eyes! And they all hurt. It's been rough. I know the problem is internal and I know I have other symptoms of low stomach acid so I just started this new regimen of a pill with each meal. Using ACV was on the list of other options to use if you have low stomach acid so that may be your problem as well if taking it orally is helping to clear up your face. I'm going to increase my dosage of HCL and also start using the ACV as a toner. Hope this works!

Urine Therapy
Posted by HoraceGrant (Atlanta, GA) on 05/03/2009
★★★★★

Urine to cure cystic acne. I just want to say urine really does work. In the past I have had to have my dermatologist give me cortisone shots directly into the nodule. This is extremely effective but becomes a hassle and pricey. I have to say urine on a cotton swab has essentially the same results. I recommend taking a swab of your first urine in the morning and hold it with some light pressure for about a minute.

Thanks earth clinic


Urine Therapy
Posted by Jennifer (Lansing, IL) on 05/12/2007
★★★★★

Urine really works for acne. I get really deep or cystic acne. The kind you can't pop and if you do it just gets worse and leaves a scar. After reading about using it for acne on this website, I just had to try it for myself. I peed on a cotton swab when I woke up and held it for a minute or so on the pimple. After just a few minutes it seemed to have brought the pimple to a head. The next day I did it again and now it's almost gone. This will be the way I handle my cystic pimple from now on. Try it and see!


Urine Therapy
Posted by Erin (Seattle, WA) on 01/11/2007
★★★★★

I'm really surprised this hasn't been posted, but the real remedy to acne or cystic acne is your own urine! Soak a cotton ball (first morning pee is best)hold it on the pimple, repeat every time you urinate, the pimple will go away. Contrary to popular belief, human urine is sterile and contains your own wasted antibodies. Don't knock it until you try it, it really works!

Lavender Oil
Posted by Miracles (Santa Monica, Ca, United States) on 07/11/2013
★★★★★

I thought it was crazy that something as simple as lavender oil could actually work on my cystnic acne - after going to doctors for cortisone injections to reduce inflammation and expedite the healing. But you must try Lavender Oil and put it on your acne as soon as they develop. The swelling will go down immediately and the pimple/cystic acne will come to a head within 24-48 hours. Thank you to Earth Clinic and everybody who writes in for these wonderful cures!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kiana (Atlanta, Ga) on 02/17/2016

Hi,

Can you post the recipe? I'm having a hard time finding the original post. Thanks!

EC: Here is her original post:

[YEA] I am a 43 yr old woman. About ten years ago I started suffering from terrible cystic acne. I am taking testosterone blocker and minocycline. Nothing worked. I also use Duac gel which is an antibiotic and peroxide. Still nothing worked. Tryed thousands of combinations of medications and home remedies. Yesterday I read this blog on apple cider vinegar....thought what the heck. I will try it. I took 2 tablespoons in a glass of water and dabbed some on the exsisting cysts. Then that evening did the same thing only using the cider as a toner.

Today my acne is almost completely clear. Why, I do not know. But be assurred this is no joke. My dermatologist is going to freak out. I am very active in the gym etc. Now I can go in and strut my stuff with confidence.

My regime is:

Morning: Wash face with Oil free cleanser
use apple cider vinegar as a toner with cotton swab
(smell will go away in a second) drink 2 tablespoons in an 8 oz glass of water
afternoon 1-2 tablespoons in a glass of water)

night: Wash face with Oil free cleanser
use apple cider vinegar as a toner with cotton swab
(smell will go away in a second) drink 2 tablespoons in an 8 oz glass of water

Kroger or walmart vinegar works great.....

So for $3.49 I cured my acne or at laest kept it at bay I was spending

$99.00 month minocycline
$68 month aldactone
$70 month duac gel
$20-60 month on every over the counter thing I could find and thought would help

You may contact me if you need advice etc.

Happy in the Sun
Sandra D Grnwd, In


Alkalizing
Posted by Kimberly (Rancho Cucamonga, California) on 12/28/2011
★★★★★

Hello, Yes a change in the body's ph balance will help cystic acne. I am a Licensed Esthetician. I must say that I am not a doctor and it is not in my scope to medically treat and so on... I learned about all of this through my son having a very severe and embarrassing skin ailment. We went to doctors and tried pills, creams, etc. The only thing that worked and it worked fast too was antioxidant alkaline water. We used the 2.5 ph water directly on his shin and he drank lots of the 9.5 water to cleanse and detoxify the acidic environment inside which was causing the exterior problem. It really works!

Turmeric
Posted by Ejstewart73 (Las Vegas, Nv, USA) on 12/18/2009
★★★★★

YEA for Turmeric!

I suffered for years with cystic acne/boils due to monthly hormonal changes, and was placed on oral contraception, antibiotics and topical retinoids to mitigate the problem, with little success. Now that I am trying to conceive, I'm unable to take these prescribed medications (and I'm also tired of the cost).

I came across this website looking for natural cures for many ailments yesterday. I ran to the store to buy Turmeric as soon as I read these testimonials, because I HAD two huge, throbbing cysts on my face, and another one that was in the beginning stages (red bump, itchy). After ONE DOSE, I am already noticing a huge difference. I took the following last night around 8pm:

1 tsp Turmeric
1 tsp Honey (to taste)
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1 c Hot Water
2-3 tbsp milk (to taste)

The taste reminds me of Chai so it doesn't bother me at all.

I also applied a hot compress for about 10 minutes to the worst one before I went to bed, and applied antibiotic cream.

I woke up this morning, took a shower and the worst two boils had come to heads. Once the pus drained, they were still somewhat red, but completely flat and no more pain and throbbing. The other one that was forming is reduced in size and redness completely gone!

Thanks to EarthClinic.com and all readers for their suggestions and feedback. I look forward to trying other remedies including those using ACV.


Dietary Changes
Posted by Elisabeth (Belfast, Ireland) on 04/08/2009
★★★★★

My son's SEVERE cystic acne has improved WONDERFULLY since he eliminated DAIRY products from his diet. Previously had been on antibiotics but as soon as he stopped these, the cysts returned. PLEASE share the good news with others.


Turmeric
Posted by Jennifer (Covington, LA) on 07/11/2008
★★★★★

Turmeric and Cystic Acne: I have been battling acne since I was about 26, I am turning 40 this year. I have seen the doctor and taken his useless antibotics, clearly they didn't work. I realized that artifical sweetners caused major breakouts and have completely stopped using them. This has helped a lot but not completely. After reading how many things Tumeric was great for, I added this to my supplements. I noticed in just one day how much the breakouts I had were clearing up. I take 1200 mg a day in capsule form. The flair ups are not as bad and go away much quicker, in just a day or two. Usually they start to form and clear up before completely breaking out. Not to mention how great I feel, no more body aches!!


Turmeric
Posted by Stephanie (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) on 04/17/2008
★★★★★

Turmeric for Cystic Acne. I have had cystic acne on my face for years and have spent thousands of dollars on acne medicine that doesn't work. I finally came upon Turmeric and so far, so good. I apply it to my acne as a paste. I mix Turmeric spice and unrefined sesame oil till it makes a paste. I have been leaving it on for an hour or more a day for the last 3 days. I immediately noticed that the acne comes to the surface and begins to drain and has reduced in size considerably. I am only on day three and had about 7-8 fairly large cystic acne on my face. It is clearing nicely and I will update as to the finished results. Turmeric does turn everything yellow, including your skin. The yellowing of the skin will go away with washing. However, traces of turmeric will be left on your face and will stain pillowcases, sheets, clothing, sinks, and countertops.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Robert (Naples, Florida) on 01/20/2008
★★★★★

Robert's Fungus Saga - Vicks Update

Part One: Feet

Q. Do the ingredients (camphor, eucalyptus, thymol, menthol) work?

A. I've applied the solution on my nails as well as to my entire foot to get rid of all the fungus that might eventually cause a reoccurrence. The results were obvious after 4-5 days: first, the athlete's foot symptoms between my toes rapidly got better and were healed in about a week. Then, at the seven-day point lots of skin started sloughing off all over my feet where the fungus was obviously in hiding -- including the heal callus. I was surprised to see so much sloughing of the skin around the base, sides and top of the toe nails -- this area apparently had been deeply affected by the fungus, but just looked like tough skin that I had become accustomed to expect. Within 2-3 weeks the unaffected new toe nails could be seen at the cuticle. Now, several months later, there is a clear line of demarcation between the old fungal nail, and the new clear nail. I expect that it will be 3-4 more months before all the old nail has grown out and gone.

Q. Is the formulation the right one?

A. After much research and playing kitchen chemist, I learned that coconut oil is a good anti-fungal as well as a great emollient. DMSO doesn't need to be at 25% concentration. 10-15% is sufficient. Oregano Oil is composed of Thymol and University of Western Australia research proved tea tree oil's anti-fungal capability, so I added it as well. The essential oil amounts are at least or a little more than what bio-chemists call the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The formulation I like and use now is:

Revised Formula
1 part Menthol oil
1 part Thymol oil or Oregano oil
1 part Camphor oil
1 part Lemon Eucalyptus oil
2 parts Tea Tree Oil
2 parts DMSO
12 parts Virgin Coconut Oil

There is probably a synergistic (i.e. harmonious working together) effect of anti-fungal herbs, which has been demonstrated in several studies. In one test of ten plant species whose oils were anti-fungal, researchers noted that "combinations of the anti-fungal essential oils increased their activity remarkably." In a similar study, researchers stated that "in all the oil combinations, the anti-fungal potency was found to increase over individual oils."

Part Two: Adult "Acne"

This is where the "saga" starts to get interesting. After my adolescent acne should have cleared up 35 years ago, it got slowly worse. All over the bearded part of my face, what appeared to be sacs of hardened oil under the surface of the skin had been forming nodules. These didn't get infected,'each just grew larger. Over the years I've seen dermatologists who said, because of my otherwise great health, "you're just a middle aged adolescent," blaming it on high testosterone, etc. The apparent acne problem continued and worsened.

I've seen doctors, dermatologists, pharmacists, herbalists, laser specialists, and spiritual healers. I've bought every acne ointment known to man. I took pills, vitamins, and herbs. I changed diet. I get plenty of exercise. Nothing worked. I had extensive surgery to correct the problem three years ago, and within 18 months it looked just as bad as before. As a public speaker and author in my profession, the skin condition was emotionally upsetting and stressful.
Having conquered toe nails, I started researching down the path that maybe the acne was caused by a fungus (although the symptoms didn't look like my feet). Was I surprised when I found:

" Tinea barbae is a superficial dermatophyte infection that is limited to the bearded areas of the face and neck and occurs almost exclusively in older adolescent and adult males. Symptoms include inflammatory, deep, kerion-like plaques and noninflammatory superficial patches and lumps resembling bacterial folliculitis. The hair breaks off below the skin surface. It is caused by several dermatophytes. Trichophyton species are most common. Infection of bearded skin may be the result of autoinoculation from tinea pedis or onychomycosis."

In other words, the mess on my face that had caused me so much grief and been misdiagnosed for decades was caused by the same fungus that gave my feet a problem. Apparently the dermatophytes enter the hair follicle (nails and hair are similar biological structures), then attack the sebaceous gland, feeding off the body oil; then the body's immune system reacts with scaring and hardening the facial oil, leaving an oil nodule. The dermatophytes then migrate to the next follicle, and eventually dozens of affected follicles link as a nodule the size of a pea.

Now it became obvious what had happened: The athlete's foot I got as a teenager went to my toe nails, and, because I was ignorant of the relationship of using a towel on my face that might have been used on my feet or crotch, the fungus got transferred.

Not a single dermatologist who examined my face ever bothered to ask the question: "Do you have toe nail fungus or athlete's foot!"

Using the same solution on my facial outbreaks as on my toe nails (the revised formula with coconut oil), the facial condition is clearing up. Just like with my feet, skin is sloughing off and the nodules are beginning to eject. This is the best result I've seen in years. I expect it will take a few months for the problem to be cured, as the fungus is down below the level of the base of the hair follicle in the sebaceous gland.

Part Three: Chronic Sinusitis

For the last 15 years I've had chronic sinusitis, post nasal drip, clogged nose, etc. I was constantly clearing my throat, and sometimes coughing. I snored a lot, which my wife didn't appreciate, and the snoring actually would wake me up in the middle of the night, leaving me tired in the morning. I seemed to catch colds more easily than before, but I attributed this to my very frequent plane travel.

Doctors prescribed antibiotics, but I they did not fully cure the problem and when I stopped the treatment, every symptom returned. (And I just don't like unnatural treatments.) Others said it was allergies.

I wondered: Could my sinusitis be a fungal problem? More exploring on the internet found the answer:

In 1999 Mayo Clinic researchers found the cause of most chronic sinus infections to be an immune system response to fungus, and that this may kick off a secondary bacteriological infection. It is not an allergic reaction, but an immune reaction.
Again, I felt betrayed by the medical profession. Why hadn't anyone told me this?

I went to the health and vitamin store to look for an anti-fungal nasal spray, and nothing met my requirements or budget ($10-15 for a one ounce bottle of ingredients seemed way out of line.) Here's the formula I "invented:"

1. Rinse out a 1 ounce nasal spray bottle
2. Add one eye-dropper (approximately 1 ML) of Oregano Juice (NOT Oregano Oil -it's too strong and will not dissolve in water)
3. Add a pinch of salt (approximately - ML) (Iodized salt is OK - iodine is a good anti-fungal)
4. Fill the rest of the sprayer with distilled water, and shake well until the salt is dissolved.

Spray as frequently as once an hour until symptoms subside. For me, this solution began working within an hour; most symptoms were gone in three days. And the price of the ingredients per bottle is just a few pennies.

If the oregano/saline solution is too strong for you, dilute in half with water. If you want, you can add a drop of eucalyptus oil with - ML of glycerin, (which will bond the oil to water). I now spray once or twice a day, just to prevent any recurrence.

A very dear friend, who is 75, has had awful sinusitis for years. He heavily cleared his throat every minute or two. I told him of this simple formula, and two days later he called me to say it was working. He then said with amazement: "I don't believe it, we've been talking for over 15 minutes and I haven't had to clear my throat once!"

There are articles and books that claim that some cancers are caused by fungus. If this is true, taking action on fungus early may be very beneficial in the long run. It's time we gave fungus a deeper analysis.


Carrot Juice
Posted by Lillian (Akron, Ohio) on 12/02/2007
★★★★★

I read the feedback on this site and agree with the person who said carrot juice worked for cystic acne. I have suffered from acne since my teens and have a 100% guarantee that works! I found a book called Best Face Forward at a thrift store and did some of the things suggested:

1. I started working out daily to get my circulation going and get my pores revved up.
Remember, your circulation flows upward.
2. I kept my hair washed often to keep the scalp free of excess oils.
3. I ate carrots (raw) and sweet potatoes like they were going out of style! You have to eat plenty of them every day. The vitamin A and E are good for skin, nails, and hair. I also cut out anything fried, like chicken, pizza and french fries, etc. and put no mayonnaise or dressing on my salad.
4. I washed my face with Aveeno oatmeal soap and with Palmer's cocoa butter soap, in that order. The oatmeal dries up the pimples and the cocoa butter fades the scars and dark marks. Any oatmeal soap will work though.
5.I drank plenty of water!

I did this in high school starting in june and by the time school started back in august, my face was clear! I mean not a mark anywhere. My classmates remarked how clear my face was and asked what I had done.Even my mom was surprised and a Mary Kay representative that she worked for who had previously tried to get me to try her products asked what I had done.

I hope this helps somebody. I had tried Retin A and tetracycline, but decided to go with the suggestions in that book. Tetracycline can be hard on the stomach and Retin A smells bad and you need to limit your sun exposure.



NEXT 
Previous Page 1 2 3 4 5 ...6 Next Page
Advertisement