Earth Clinic Mobile: Home Remedies for People and Pets

Hydrogen Peroxide for Acne

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MissR (Chicago, Il) on 09/17/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

IT WORKS FOR ACNE!!! I've used every harsh antibotic and prescriptive topical for acne there is, and pretty much exhausted my options. So dermatologists would just put me back on things I've already tried to see if it will "work this time" or work after the Accutane!A friend told me her boyfriend suffered from acne and his derma was sensitive to bacterial growth. I don't know why the light bulb never went off in my head before. But I thought, "hymmm, maybe I should just try disinfecting my skin..." And what's the first thing a person typically uses to disinfect a small wound - HYDROGEN PEROXIDE! I litterally tried it for one week and it significantly cleared my skin. I stopped taking new set of antibiotics the last dermatologist prescribed because, of course, it didn't work. Accutane worked for 3 yrs, then acne came right back. I do, however, take Yaz birth control that helps with the monthly hormonal breakouts. BUT!!! and that's a major but - my skin would not be as clear as it is now without some cheap $1 hydrogen peroxide. I just get so mad thinking about all the money I spent seeing dermatologist and getting prescriptions the insurance wouldn't cover because it was considered "cosmetic" to try and clear acne.

Linda (West Newfield, Maine) on 09/17/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

To Julie:

09/16/2008: Julie from Boston, MA writes: "Adult Puberty Acne?

I am 32, never a zit or blemish to speak of until four months ago. I now have these horrible cyst like pimples around my mouth constantly. I have tried ACV, aspirin masks, coconut oil, and even tumeric, but nothing is helping. I am going to try the peroxide tonight as soon as get a chance to run to the store. I will let you all know how it works."

I feel your pain! I swear - within a week after my 40th b'day, I developed an acne cyst. Never had acne as a teen. You want to talk about being depressed! I've struggled over the years as it comes and goes but recently - I'm 50 this year - had the worst outbreak EVER and didn't want to leave the house. After much surfing of the 'net and MORE surfing of EarthClinic.com, I tried taking Vitamin C and after about a week of 2,000 mg daily have started to see a huge improvement. (I was determined to NOT take antibiotics.) I also tried dabbing peroxide which helped dry the blemishes that were threatening to ooze. Honestly, since taking the C I feel better overall and find that my pores are reduced a bit - my skin looks smoother. The acne, or rosacea, or whatever the heck this mess is was in a line, almost, from a spot in the center of my forehead...down my nose (big bump there!)...flared out under my eyes, on my cheeks...and was all around my mouth with a huge cyst in the center of my chine. Horrid! My eyes were terribly bothered - very bloodshot and a bit swollen - for about a week and I've read that rosacea can get into your eyes. When that happened, I mixed a drop or two of Colloidal Silver in about 1/8 cup of water and dropped it into my eyes. After a few days, I used the Silver straight and within a couple of days my eyes were 100% better - feeling and looking.

This site is amazing! I sometimes just peruse the testimonials for hours, one search leading to another - learning and enjoying what everyone has to say. Ted is a genius; Deirdre, the site looks terrific! Thanks to you and all who contribute and maintain this great resource. I am convinced that none of us need to surrender to synthetic "medications", that all we need to heal ourselves is at our fingertips.

Danielle (Chicago, IL) on 07/19/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Acne Remedies: I tried hydrogen peroxide with the assumption that it was an antiseptic that would aid in killing bacteria, infection, etc. (essentially what pimples are when inflamed). It definitely works. As others recommended, soak a cotton ball and hold for several min. For spot treatment and to avoid overdrying & light eyebrows, I use a q-tip. I will do this 2-3x's a day. If you have already squeezed or picked, the peroxide will often cause drying, flaking, or scabbing on that pimple so I recommend using baby oil on that spot (overnight). For day, I recommend Eucerin since it heals very dry skin and is non-irritating. I never realized how much dirt is still on your face, even after you thought you washed it well. Witch Hazel is a great toner, after washing. This will remove all excess dirt without overdrying.

Karen (Scottsdale, AZ) on 07/09/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

I have been using hydrogen peroxide for acne after reading about it on this site, and it really works! There's no reason to spend big $$$ on Proactiv...because plain 'ol cheap hydrogen peroxide is a main ingredient in Proactiv. And not only am I really pleased with the results I've gotten with clearing up breakouts, I also have found that it has cleared my skin tone up! Yes, it's bleaching it, but the hyperpigmentation I had from sun damage both looks & feels a lot better. The only suggestion I have is that if you are going to put hydrogen peroxide on your entire face with a cotton ball, please put some Vaseline on your eyebrows first so that your eyebrows don't bleach like mine did! :)

SimpleMD (Clarksburg, WV) on 02/25/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Okay ...it might sound lil crazy as I am a physician myself who totally believes in Alternative Medicine for herself and her family. Anyway, I suffered from acne all my life always putting something on my face to treat it nothing worked.I accidently found this website 3 weeks ago

I tried the Hydrogen peroxide on acne leisons and my face is clear new leisons go away in less than 24 hrs ...in addition to that I apply coconut oil to my face and neck its the best moisturizer I ever used - doesn't aggravate my acne at all. After yrs of hiding under make up my face is clearing up and complexion has a glow to it. I went overboard with different things I guess but all are working.

I take 1 teaspoon of molasses in my tea in the morning (hoping to get rid of gray hair) 1 apple cider tablet couldnt stand drinking it ...also apply it topically after cleaning my face with H2O2 and then coconut oil externally ...wipe off excess and you are good to go ...I am thankful to all of you who have written the feed backs and remedies.I am 36, people think of me in my late twenties now lost 8 lbs in less than one month with these ACV tabs and everything else am doing I guess..everyone should give it a try better than many expensive creams and meds. Good Luck all...and thank you Earth Clinic:)

Rob (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 12/20/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

Best solution for acne - Hydrogen peroxide. Ive tried alot of different acne products, somehow i was finally lucky enough to stumble apon Hydrogen peroxide, ive been using it for 1 week, only 1 time per day and its cleared my acne. Dirt cheep, easy to get, effective, the only downside is my eyebrows are blonde. (ill take that over acne anyday)

Zonia (Melbourne, AUZ) on 11/26/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

Thank you for the amazing knowledge on this site!!! suffering with dry skin with acne (and especially bad flare up over the last 2 month?) I have struggled with what to do with my face - moisture, dry it out? differin, aspirin..... Hydrogen peroxide what can I say - i never knew i had that much bacteria in my skin, I put it on and all the pimples went white! and have defineatly reduced in size!!! WOW. Then I started reading other peoples succcess and Ted's responses so I have started B.S and lemon drink x3/day = good result. alkalizing diet = good result. ACV on face =????? my face is now red and scaly, very tight and feels like sand paper. I have to admit this maybe the baking soda or the ACV but I am a little scared to try them again - maybe I did something wrong, or is this a normal detox response? ?? so now for a moisturise what should I use????

Ella (Alberta, Canada) on 09/14/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

I tried the hydrogen peroxide remedy for acne and it has been simply amazing! I was in the bath one evening and I had a bad flare up on my right cheek of probably about 5 or 6 pimples that I had popped, got out some hydrogen peroxide (I use stronger percent than 3 though) and poured a bit on to a piece of tissue paper and held it to my cheek for roughly 10 minutes. Yes it stung! But it went away quickly. The stuff literally flattened all those inflamed pimples I had which felt super smooth, I was SO relieved! I thought, hey..I'm going to try this every day! I rub the solution on my face about 3 times per day. My face is so clear now with no pimples!! I have a history of red marks left over from 10 years of acne and the HP has lightened them significantly and it's only been about a week since I've been doing it! Since it bleaches hair I thought well hey, it would probably have some effect in fading red marks too, makes sense right? If I get a breakout, I hold a soaked cotton ball to the area for a few minutes, then later on the redness is gone and the pimple is flat. I LOVE this stuff and I think all acne sufferers should try it. Works so fast!!!

Mark (Austin, TX) on 09/12/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

Peroxide cured the Acne/Folliculitis on my face and scalp. I had these painful, sometimes puss filled, and often crusty red bumps on my scalp and forehead/temples since fall of 2002. It was gross, it was ugly, it was embarrassing, and it was now 2007!

Since 2002 I have been to 3 Dermatologists, each one progressively hitting me with stronger and stronger treatments (I stopped short of Accutane), and have been through countless 'remedies' before attempting peroxide. After about 3 - 4 weeks of applying the peroxide topically 2-3 times a day, the bumps are gone -completely gone. The only downside is that I have brown hair that is now a burnt orange color and blonde in a few spots. But hair grows back.

When I say I've tried everything I mean it, from prescriptions to over the counter to changes in habits. The following is a list of some of the stuff I've tried without success:

Dr. prescribed medication: Monocyclene, Tetricyclene, Evoclin, Retin-A, Ketoconazole 2% shampoo.

Over the Counter stuff: Proactiv, facewash, facewash pads

Shampoo: Every strength and every brand of Medicated shampoo out there, t-sal, coal tar, 2% pyrithione znic, natural shampoos, tea tree oil shampoo, nioxin.

I've shaved my head, changed laundry detergents, I've changed my sheets every other day, I've used triple antibiotic ointment, tea tree oil (not diluted), organic athletes foot oil, hydrocortisone 1%, cranberry pills, showering 2-3 times a day, even diaper rash ointment - yes, that's right, diaper rash ointment.

Most of these attempts yielded mediocre temporary results. After about a week of use, any bumps that disappeared returned with a vengeance.

All along all I needed was a $1 bottle of peroxide. Amazing.

Good Luck!

Beth (Nashville, TN) on 08/24/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

I use a toner consisting of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 3 parts water with a few drops of rosemary essential oil twice daily as a toner after cleansing and this has helped tremendously with my acne.

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