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Mrs.K
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My 16 yo ds has pretty bad acne and I would like to try something other than the benzoyl peroxide stuff which is ruining all of his clothes. Any natural remedies? I would appreciate any suggestions - thanks!
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Philothea
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I have to say: I tried EVERYTHING to get rid of acne in my teens and early twenties. And I mean EVERYTHING, from natural supplements to dietary changes to prescription drugs to OTC .... the ONLY thing that ever worked was Accutane, which I finally took at age 21. I could have saved myself a lot of heartache and frustration during my teen years if I'd just taken it when I first started breaking out. It's a scary drug, but it does work. Everything else was a complete waste of money for me.
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momwise
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bump!
I'd like to see responses to this too. Philothea, did the Accutane have side effects?
Anybody else have experience with any natural remedies?
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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esperanza
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I recently purchased cyclic nano silver cleanser for other skin problems. My sister's coworker at a beauty salon has a son who used this and cleared his acne up nicely. I think its definitely worth trying.
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Tammy Gonzalez in VA
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Theresa
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I have adult acne and I use Proactive. It works if I'm faithfully washing my face twice a day but if I forget then I get breakouts. It also doesn't work as well as the commercials show on tv but it works. Its the only thing I've found for me. I never had acne as a child but now in my thirties I feel like a teenager. The Proactive can be spendy though. I'd like to find something less expensive or more natural that works for me too.
Mrs. K, I have some ruined shirts too from the spills or dripping.
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teachingmyown
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How about Tea Tree soap? A woman at the health food store said it works great. My son won't use it because he doesn't like the feel.
He uses Proactive, which helps alot but doesn't get rid of it completely. He also uses a homeopathic remedy which works great. I will have to go check what it is.
That leads to a question I have, how long can you take a homeopathic remedy?
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Sarah in SC
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I tried ProActiv, and hoped it to be the cure-all it is for all those people on tv.....but it wasn't, for me.
The best thing I've EVER found (and I am HIGHLY skeptical about this kind of stuff!) is this product called "Nature's Cure." It's on the skin care aisle at Walmart or Target (and probably pharmacies, too). It's a homeopathic method--you chew up a pill in the AM & in the PM, and the package also includes a tube of ointment (like clearasil or something).
A thirty day supply costs something like $7. I figured what did I have to lose?
I could tell within just a few days that my skin was different--and the breakouts just didn't come. (And I am prone to those deep, hormone-induced knots--the kind that never really come to a head--they just throb, leak oily stuff, and never really disappear--just fade out for a few weeks & then come back.) I was amazed.
I can definitely tell if I skip a day or two, tho. Thru this pregnancy, it's been very difficult to keep anything down, and for the first 18 weeks or so, I had to totally quit the Nature's Cure....I couldn't stand even the sound of the pill popping out of the foil. My skin was horrible.
It's much better now, but on the days I still feel nauseous & don't take it, I can tell....the next day! (Where's that smilie with the big zit?) 
Editing to add: There is a Nature's Cure for BOYS and a different one for GIRLS. It's labeled clearly on the box. Several moms of teens over at FIAR have had great success with this product for their teens....I just happen to STILL need it.
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teachingmom
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I heard from a local homeschooling list that taking a "super B" vitamin (one with all the B's in it) helps with acne. I bought some for my 12 yo dd and she has taken it off and on for the past few months. Her skin has cleared up wonderfully lately. I'm not sure if it is the B vitamins, or the dry winter air causing her oily skin to dry up.
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Mrs.K
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Thank you for the suggestions. We have been having success with the Dan Kern Regimen. My son has been following it since January and is showing marked improvement. The theory is to use benzoyl peroxide twice a day, but in a milder formula to avoid the excessive redness/dryness/irritation from the stronger stuff, which can actually lead to more break outs. Gentle cleansers and a moisturizer are also used to keep the skin balanced and not overly dry. It is nice because all of the products are over the counter, and all of the details are explained on the website. HTH!
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momwise
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Sarah in SC wrote:
The best thing I've EVER found (and I am HIGHLY skeptical about this kind of stuff!) is this product called "Nature's Cure." It's on the skin care aisle at Walmart or Target (and probably pharmacies, too). It's a homeopathic method--you chew up a pill in the AM & in the PM, and the package also includes a tube of ointment (like clearasil or something).
A thirty day supply costs something like $7. I figured what did I have to lose?
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We found this at Target and dd just finished the 1st package...it has worked wonderfully. You're right Sarah, it is only $7.00!!!
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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julia s.
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I'm not Philothea,
but when I looked into acutane in my 20s the doctor was very very certain that I would not be pregnant because it causes severe birth defects.
This kind of scared me and I chose not to go with it (I wasn't married or anything like that it just sounded so severe the way he described it). Although sometimes I wonder if it would have been easier to just do it anyway.
I just thought I'd throw that out there. Especially if anyone is an adult looking into it.
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Philothea
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I went on it before I was married, so it wasn't an issue for me. But yes, it can cause birth defects if you become pregnant while taking it or within six months after your treatment ends.
It takes six months for a first course (which is all I ended up needing), and you get monthly blood tests to check your liver function because it is possible that the drug can do damage there. Also, if there is any chance of pregnancy, they want to you be on two forms of birth control because of the horrible birth defects it can cause. This is definitely not a pill for married women who are open to life. The main side effect, though, is horribly dry skin and sun sensitivity for the duration of the treatment. You can either spend fall and winter slathering yourself with Eucerin, or spend spring and summer hiding from the sun. I chose the former, YMMV.
I should also note there is some controversy about whether the drug causes depression. I had no problem whatsoever, and I'm someone who DID struggle with severe depression in my teens. But some moms who have lost children to suicide while on the drug insist it was the drug that did it. I'm very skeptical of these claims, I think that a lot of moms are looking for someone to blame (understandably so!). But if anyone would have had a bad reaction to Accutane, with my history, it would have been me, and I was just fine. Still, it's something to consider.
All that said, I still call Accutane a miracle drug. I had horrible self-esteem because of my acne, I was very self conscious, and the money and time and effort I spent on a million remedies caused me a lot of negative stress. Accutane cleared my skin within weeks of beginning treatment and I haven't had to worry about since (it's been 5 years). I can wash my face with just about anything I want now, where before, everything broke me out. I can use moisturizer on dry days (even Vaseline!) and sunscreen on bright ones without fear of causing an eruption. I can wear just a little makeup unstead of compounding a problem by slathering concealer everywhere. My monthly cycle comes and goes without broadcasting its status on my face. In short, Accutane changed my life in a million little ways and made me a happier person. It sounds shallow, but it's the truth. Unless someone has suffered acne his- or herself, it's hard to know how difficult it can be, especially in the hormontally and emotionally sensitive teen years.
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Maturemomg
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Well, an "odd" remedy, but here's my thinking.
Acne is basically your skin pooping. (Sorry to be so crude.) Your body is ridding itself of unwanted matter. Normal elimination channels are through the kidneys and digestive tracts (also skin, but as sweat, and also respiration).
It is BETTER to be rid of what the body doesn't want than to have it "store up" and stay inside.
Now, my ideas of what might be causing this are long and varied- everything and anything from diet to emotions.
First off, one of my "mantras" is DMW: Drink More Water. This will help to flush out any waste. Improve diet- lots of raw, low or no sugar, etc. Nothing wrong with a short fast, 24 hours or so of water (fresh juice is great), or a few days of nothing but raw fruits and veggies.` This is NOT a cureall, but may help jump start things. If the diet is not improved, any gains will be temporary.
Make sure you are having 2-3 bowel movements daily.
Emotions can and will GREATLY affect our bodies. Do what you can to maintain positive emotions and a right relationship with God. Learn to deal with inevitable stress constructively, without letting it affect your health.
Acne is a symptom. Treating only the acne is merely treating the symptom. And may mask the problem, or suppress it (suppressing things is NEVER a good idea.) Figure out the root cause and take care of that, and the acne will go away.
Which is MUCH easier said than done! (Also true of MOST ailments.)
Prayers for all.
Yours in Christ,
Kathy
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Nina Murphy
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I have tried EVERYTHING in my years of acne. From the age of 12, I was visiting dermatologists for "burns" and "pokings" and the usual regimen of RetinA, clindamycin, and oral antibiotics.
It didn't get noticably better, I guess, so finally the derm ordered Accutane at 16 or 17. He said I would HAVE to be on birth control bills because it caused birth defects. I told him, shocked, "Don't WORRY about it!" But he refused. My mom took me to her OB-GYN to have a pelvic exam and get the prescription. It totally scarred me.
They explained how I'd have to have my blood drawn weekly, ya da, ya da, but that it was the ONLY thing to cure acne.
Anyway, a couple of days before I was supposed to start it, my mom came in to my room and said she just didn't feel good about it. My "miracle" was no longer an option and I stopped the (d**n) pills (which made me gain weight and moody and freaked me out).
I still to this day as a woman who is almost 40 and has 8 children, struggle with acne! I really think it is hormonal and genetic, bacteria on the skin. My dad gets terrible big cysts on his back. It is such a cross, because it is *painful*.
I use a regimen of benzoyl peroxide which is the only thing that really works for me OTC. The Retin A is more powerful, but my doc says it is contraindicated for my childbearing years (but sometimes I get desperate and borrow my daughter's). I have tried everything mentioned here. Every single thing. Only the Retin A really "burns" the things off and the benzoyl peroxide keeps my skin pretty clear, as long as I don't eat any sugar. As soon as I do, the cysts return. You don't need to buy ProActiv or anything expensive. Stridex Power Pads are amazing, after cleansing, wipe as if with a toner. And then the BEST to leave on at night is Persagel.
Just my personal story! 
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Nina Murphy
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Oh, I forgot to add that I had a few friends in high school who did the Accutane and it truly DID work as if a miracle...it totally cleared up and rewired their cells for life! One girl had severe side effects with lips that literally were peeling off, but she had really severe acne and seemed to bear it patiently, as horrifying as she looked. She totally cleared up.
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julia s.
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Nina,
I just saw what you wrote and completely understand about the RetinA -- I love that stuff. I can't use it anymore, but I really loved my skin when I used it. It cleared up acne and smoothed any lines too.
It seems that when your clearing up acne you have a window of time before you become childbearing and then all windows and doors shut.
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nissag
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I second the water. Good nutrition is key - but for a lot of people it would be a MAJOR change. So many things to eliminate from the diet, and a change to organic-only. The skin really is an eliminative organ. If you have acne, there is a good chance that there is something yukky going on inside your body.
Drink, drink, drink. My skin always looks prettier when I add Kyo-Green to my drinks. I suspect that it is, in part, the B vits that are helping the skin to heal faster. K-G is also a mild purgative, so it's probably pushing nasty stuff out also.
I recommend "How to Feel Great All the Time" by Dr. Valerie Saxion (she is a Christian naturopathic doctor). She covers a lot of common health concerns and how to address them with a good diet and supplements.
I've heard a lot of good things about colloidal silver preparations. But be careful, it can be toxic (as with just about anything) in large amounts.
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: Acne remedies? Natural?
