Conventional vs Natural Acne Treatments

March 25th, 2008 | Acne

The natural way to treat your acne will always be the better way, but don’t feel as though you can never use conventional treatments. If you’ve tried natural treatments and you can’t seem to get rid of your acne, or if your skin condition is moderate to severe then often getting help from a doctor or a dermatologist is the right thing to do.

It doesn’t mean you stop the natural treatments. It’s quite the opposite. The natural treatments will always be essential even when you’re taking prescription medications to heal your skin, because natural methods will help your acne clear faster, reduce the redness and inflammation of your skin and make sure your acne doesn’t come back with full force once you discontinue the medications.

Here’s my video about it:

Thanks for watching,

Fran

Fran Kerr is the founding editor of High on Health. To cure your acne, sign up to Fran's FREE acne cure mini-course or download her latest how to guide, Eat Away Your Acne.

14 responses ↓

#1 Peter on 03.26.08 at 3:07 pm

Interesting that you advise the use of antibiotics in some cases to treat acne. I have been on many antibiotics and have seen only minor improvements (though usually none) in my cystic acne. At the same time, antibiotics really mess with my digestive system and cause a bunch of other problems. As you stated yourself, antibiotics do help kill the bad bacteria in your system which can lead to acne, but do not discriminate and will also kill the healthy bacteria in your system, thereby creating a host of other health issues, such as Candida, which then in turn can cause acne…

I have been off antibiotics for this reason, and have disavowed the advice of doctors and derms as far as my skin goes. Again, as you said, their solutions are almost always surface level only, getting rid of the problem temporarily, but not getting at what the cause or root of that problem actually is. This is my experience with the American health system, at least.

Out of curiosity, what kind of antibiotics are you on, and do they seem to work for you? Do they cause you to have an upset stomach? What are your top natural acne remedies that you would recommend?

Thanks,
Peter

#2 Fran on 03.26.08 at 5:22 pm

Hi Peter,

It’s not that I recommend the use of antibiotics, I just know that in some cases of moderate to severe acne, it’s important to get advice from a doctor and/or dermatologist because what I’ve learnt is that some people do have a lot of trouble clearing their skin using natural treatments only.

I also recommend that it’s ALWAYS essential to follow natural treatments, because prescription medications and topicals are only fixing the symptom (the acne) of something that is not working too well in your body.

My eBook and mini-course are 100% natural methods only. So they will work effectively on their own or if people choose to get conventional help as well.

I am taking a very low dose of doxycycle (50mg/day) which has not been very effective at all. I’m seeing a dermatologist next week and assume I will go off them because they have not been working. My acne is only mild now anyway so I’m guessing I just need some topical or something to clear out my pores that I clogged up so well by experimenting too much on myself.

Interestingly, I managed to cure my severe acne (cystic acne) by using 100% natural treatments alone. It’s just this mild acne that I’m having difficulty with, because I am yet to find an effective natural treatment that clears up overly clogged pores and comedonal acne which is what I did to myself

I however did have very good luck with antibiotics when I was 18. I took them for a year and they completely cleared up my skin. I had a minor breakout after I went off them (because I still was eating badly) but didn’t have a problem again for another 9 years - which is what happened this time - I had severe acne brought on by severe stress in my life at the time.

I guess I’m lucky that I’ve never had an upsett stomach with antibiotics, and I take probiotics every day whenever I’m on a course. I’m not proud or happy about being on them, but at this stage I’ll do whatever it takes to clear up my mild skin problem.

I’m also taking Chinese herbs and supplements and follow my own natural treatment guides which is working well

As for top natural treatments - supplements are a big one. My chinese herbalist and naturopath have been great (but it’s important to find good ones). I also don’t pick or squeeze them anymore, use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer only, eat really well, and do yoga and meditation. I wrote an article about all of this, you can read it here:

http://www.highonhealth.org/5-steps-to-healthy-clear-skin/

Thanks again for your comment. It’s important to remind people not to rely on prescriptions and topicals because often it’s easy to go for a ‘magic pill’. And as you seem to know well - there isn’t one.

Do you still have cystic acne? Let me know if you need some help in finding the best solution for you. Sometimes two heads are better than one and it’s great to get support

Fran

#3 Peter on 03.27.08 at 4:53 am

Hi Fran,

Thanks for your response. I do still have cystic acne. It is better now than a few years ago, when it was very severe. I have breakouts on my chest and back and occasionally on my neck. As for supplements, I am taking fish oil and evening primrose oil, which seem to help a bit. I use a high concentration salicylic acid on my back and chest. I know you advise against this, but this seems like the only thing that will kill the outbreaks/thoroughly cleanse my skin. If I use it too often, my skin completely dries out and becomes flakey. Let me know if you recommend anything else.

I guess I am jaded by the “medical establishment” (derms in particular) because I have spent 1000’s of dollars on their various antibiotics, topicals, etc. and have seen very few results, and in the case of accutane, moderate depression.

I am definitely better now than I once was, but my goal is to have completely healthy and vibrant skin and I am not there yet. Therefore, I continue to search for solutions. Aside from the supplements mentioned and the salicylic, I also do yoga, which has been great and I plan on continuing with it. Nothing like good exercise to get rid of the toxins in your body and to reduce stress!

Anyhow, I’d love to know what kind of procedure you used to get rid of your cystic acne and would really appreciate any recommendations or suggestions from you. Two heads are definitely better than one!

Thanks,
Peter

PS - Where do you live in Australia? My sister lives in Sydney.

#4 Fran on 03.27.08 at 9:02 am

Hi Peter,

I don’t know a lot about salicylic acid, I’ve only had direct experience with BP. If it’s working for you, hey, keep it up. When I would get back acne I also found that regular exfoliating worked VERY well. I would exfoliate with one of those puffy shower ball things or a loofah every day and it would completely clear up.

You probably already know this - but body acne is most often due to a combination of hormones and sweat. Cystic acne as well is one of those things that is most likely caused by hormones.

That’s the first thing you need to take into consideration - your type of acne is most likely caused by unbalanced hormones.

So, how do you balance your hormones? You’re already taking supplements which is great. Have you been to see a natural therapist such as a naturopath? They could help you find the best supplements for you and maybe point you in the right direction. Fish oil and evening primrose oil are great, but maybe you need something more.

Eating well is also a big one. Following a low GI diet is the best eating plan to help keep hormones balanced. I find that my skin looks a lot better when I’m eating well too. My skin tone is better (less red patches) and its less dry, as if it’s hydrating form the inside. It sounds like you’re already quite healthy with your yoga etc.

I’m not entirely sure how I cured my cystic acne. At the time I was taking maca, using the OCM and doing a 1/2 hour meditation every day. My skin flared up really badly (I counted 10 cysts) ..and then they all just left. It was so strange. And I haven’t had a cyst since.

I think the combination of maca and the meditation worked well at balancing my hormones. Then the OCM massaging of the skin helped the cysts heal too. A lot of people find that the OCM helps a lot with their cystic acne.

Have you been tested for candida? ..or have I already asked you that. I’ve been taking probiotics daily. I don’t think I have candida but my skin has been responding well anyway. I think they’re working at strengthening my digestion.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions (I just got out of bed so I’m worried my answer is a little sleepy!). I also have a forum that you can write questions in, which is great to have a public discussion because it can help others too:

http://www.highonhealth.org/forums/

I live in Brisbane But about to move to Toronto in Canada for a while!

#5 The Ultimate Guide To Clear Skin In 7 Easy Steps — High on health on 03.31.08 at 5:56 pm

[...] Conventional vs Natural Acne Treatments [...]

#6 Zack on 04.19.08 at 4:11 pm

Hi fran, I was wondering have you ever tried Jurlique skin care products? If you have what do you think of them?

#7 Fran on 04.19.08 at 6:15 pm

Hi Zack, I think I have, a long time ago though. I thought they were okay - great that they’re natural products ..but I did find them a little heavy for my skin. I loved the hand cream though If they work well for you, go for it. If you’re worried, check the ingredients with the ones in this article:

http://www.highonhealth.org/dont-put-another-skin-care-product-on-your-face-until-youve-read-this-article/

#8 Gary on 05.15.08 at 9:07 am

Hi Fran,

I have been using BP for ages. What do you think about Tea Tree Oil? Not sure how to properly use it, or if I should try.

#9 Fran on 05.15.08 at 9:15 am

Hi Gary, they’ve done studies on a comparison between BP and TTO. They found TTO to be almost as good, but without the side effects of BP. I personally don’t use either because I find them both too drying for my skin, but a lot of my friends swear by TTO (I don’t know where you’re from but it’s very popular in Australia).

Just use the TTO as a spot treatment. Make sure that you dilute it to about 20% because 100% can be too harsh. The Body Shop sells once that has been prediluted.

There are also a heap of cleansers and moisturizers that contain Tea Tree or Eucalyptus oil. One of my fav moisturizers of all time - Banalasta - contains Eucalyptus oil. I think using that moisturizer helped tame my mild acne for the many years that I used it.

#10 rene on 06.18.08 at 9:00 am

hi fran i kinda feel embarassed to ask u this but will sex cause acne? or if you get semen on your face will it make you break out?.

#11 Fran on 06.19.08 at 2:53 am

Hi Rene, No, sex will not cause acne and no to the other question too!

#12 David on 06.24.08 at 7:17 pm

I am a long term sufferer from acne, and I can tell you all that I have used all the antibiotics and topical skin treatments for years and they never worked. I agree wholeheartedly with Peter in that antibiotics destroy the good bacteria in the digestive system, therefore leaving oneself open to more severe, long term infections later. My wife and I have had persistent breakouts of acne for several years and from observation I discovered these number of things to be consistently true:
1. When I suggested to my wife that bacterial cultures fester in all skin creams and in some skin treatments we tested this by changing our skin care to Baby Oil. That is, instead of using creams when we come out of the bath, I suggested to my wife that we should pour some Baby Oil in the hot bath. THIS HAS WORKED! We have seen a dramatic affect in the reduction of acne outbreaks, so that we both have observed:
a. Smoother skin.
b. Significantly fewer acne breakouts. (60% - 70%)!
c. A heavy reduction in the number of blackheads.
2. My wife and I at times used to expode with postullating, super crater, nuclear explosions of acne bumps. This has been reduced and controlled since we:
a. Moved away from tap water. Yes. Only Alkaline Mineral water.
b. Started consuming salads (daily), in our eating regime.
3. I noticed that my wife would get acne breakouts around the hair line of her face. I suggested to her that her habit of removing her shed head hair by hand from the sink and then using the same hand to use facial skin creams was causing the problem. Since she has stopped doing this, her facial hairline acne is now clearing up, and there has been a good improvement in her skins appearance.

My wife still has acne breakouts over her chest and shoulders - though much less than before. I have suggested to her that the liquid cream soup that she is uses - against my advice - is probably the cause of it and that she should move over to using dove cream soap instead.

We still get acne, but it is becoming more manageable. I still believe that we have a long way to go, but as we change the way in which we live and move closer to a natural lifestyle, we find that we are having fewer problems, especially when skin cleansers, skin care products, have all failed.

#13 crystal on 08.20.08 at 12:01 am

Fran i need your
help i been haven
acne since i was in
5thgrade since then
now i’m going to high school
is going to be a freshman and
right now I’m really concern about
my skin i started breaking a lot in the sides ,
my chickes ,my ford head, oily skin,and dry when i finish washing . i tried almost everything and probably made my skin more worse right now I’m feeling given up then i saw your videos and made me wonder if you can help me
do you have any natural household items that
could probably help my skin get better
i really need your help

#14 Fran on 08.20.08 at 12:55 am