Solution for Acne

What's helped my son a lot is washing his face with a paste of baking soda and water.
The very fine grittiness of it seems to help keep his pores open.
Every day is too drying but every few days seems to do the trick.

Why do you only want natural products? Go to a dermatologist before you start scarring.

Another vote for seeing a dermatologist as soon as possible. I understand the desire to go all-natural but that may not resolve the problem and you could end up with scars for life. Knocking out the acne with treatment, then possibly moving to less chemical maintenance products, could be a way to go. But you really should see a professional before starting self-treatment. Home remedies are fine but some are crocks, and some work but dry out your skin (which can create more acne) and some might work on others but not on you.

I have done it all at the dermatologist...creams, antibiotics, spiralatone, everything short of Accutane (I just couldn't bring myself to take it with all the side effects).

Here is what has worked for me and works as long as I am good about following through with it. A lot of my acne (huge cysts under the skin that never rise to the surface and super painful to all the smaller ones and oozing ones above the surface) seem to clear up when I cleanup my diet.

When I eat clean, no chocolate candy, no chips (this is any kind) and limit my grain in take (limit all grains to less than 20% of my diet) my skin gets clear and glowing. I have also started using pure organic unprocessed coconut oil on my face in the evenings before bed (my face used to wake up angry and now it wakes up feeling "normal"). Oh and I did add probiotics to my diet to help the good bacteria in my body.

I truly believe that my skin had dietary sensitivities...it does not like processed sugar, grains, and certain oils (that are in most processed foods).

I only wash my face with water...no soaps, no products, no creams/scrubs. Just plain water and the coconut oil.

I am almost ready to post before and after photos. I have struggled with this for the past two years, and it has taken me that long to realize it really is/was my diet that was doing this to my face. No one wants to hear that it is your favorite foods doing it to you.

So, yes go to the dermatologist and try what they have to offer you. Sometimes that will work and work great. But if it doesn't take a serious look at what you are eating.

My 14 year old daughter had moderate acne for a couple of years. We tried everything from Pro Active to a dermatologist and she never had much improvement. A few months ago, we tried Dr. Bronner's Tea tree liquid soap and it's really cleared her skin up to almost perfect. I got a big bottle of it off Amazon for maybe $20. (make sure it's the Tee Tree version of the liquid soap). I dilute it 50/50 with water and she uses it to wash morning and night (avoid getting it into your eyes). Really amazing and nothing harsh in it. Here's a link to reviews on acne.com: http://www.acne.org/dr.-bronners-castile-liquid-soap-revi... Simple and cheap solution for a lot of people. Good luck.

Go to a dermatologist and try to get to the root of the problem.

If you don't want to use any RX the Dr. might want to prescribe, ASK for other options.

This could be as simple as a diet change, changing the routine and products you currently use on your face.

Be open minded, use the professionals to guide you through this and figure out what is going on.

If you know of any people who make homemade soap (the lye type) perhaps they would make a soap for your face.

I do make a soap or two for the face and my skin has been clear for many years. My daughter wants my oatmeal soap for her face. There seems to be enough texture to scrap without having to scrub to keep the skin clean.

Do look into your diet and change what you can to help you with your skin.

Good luck on your search and clearing up your skin.

the other S.

I have used Burt's Bees and Neutrogena Naturals for cleansers, etc., and like them.

But the biggest help has been from the dermatologist. I don't like to take things, either. One thing I did was called IPL. It's like a pulse laser that feels like a small zap on your face. It kills the bacteria under the skin and helped a lot. Not exactly natural, but not a chemical or pill either. Might be worth asking about? I still get minor breakouts, but SO much better now. People have been commenting how nice my skin looks- haven't heard that since, well, ever!! :-) Good luck, I know it's awful to have this problem.

The easiest solution I've found is getting the "puff" sponges at Rite Aide (or online) - they are rough sponges that really clean deep in the skin. I use them with a mild soap like unscented Dove. It's important to use a mild soap because it won't irritate the skin and stimulate more oil production.

Wash your face with the Dove and puff sponge 2-3 times per day. It works like a charm. Also try not to put your hands on your face...it can be a nervous habit for some people. Clean your phone with hand sanitizer and any other device that gets on your skin.

I know this much--over scrubbing & over treating will create backlash.
I read about Purpose wash. Soap less & proven as gentle as water. There's also a nice light moisturizer from Purpose with SPF 15.

JUST went through this with my son. Asked on Mamapedia and got a fabulous answer. acne.org. Follow "the regimen" with the over-the-counter products. We've been following it for 2 1/2 weeks so far and there has been a huge difference. The products are all Neutrogena but it is the process of applying it that is the key. I was skeptical as I'm sure you are but I promise, it works!