Treatments for Acne Symptoms
Before I begin I must first re-emphasise that the only way to truly prevent acne is to address the underlying cause inside the body with a healthy pH balance, as previously mentioned. However, if you are to use a treatment to supplement this until you have achieved and maintained the right pH level, then here are a few pointers.
Without a doubt, the most important factor in choosing a treatment is its natural qualities. It’s very simple: the more natural the better. Any treatment that has any chemical or mineral that does not occur naturally in nature will have side effects. Treatments can often cause more damage than they repair. For example, most acne creams will use an active ingredient (most frequently benzoyl peroxide or a similar chemical) to dry the affected area. While this can be effective in the short term, daily use can lead to excessively dry skin and can also cause ‘rebound’ effect – meaning that when you stop using the product a large number of pimples will be produced very quickly, often being worse than before the treatment was started. Despite this, in moderate use there are some products than can be effective when combined with other treatments.
For instance, the best treatment for acne scars that I have so far discovered is the Proativ Repairing Lotion. Now rather than buy the entire pack (with face wash and toner) I choose to buy only the repairing lotion. Any facial scrub and toner will do the same if not very similar job as the Proactiv option.
Facial scrubs and/or exfoliating loufas are a daily essential not just for acne sufferers, but for all who wish to look after their skin. All day, every day our skin is shedding dead cells. Most of the time these dead skin cells do not are not completely disposed of and remain on the skin attracting bacteria and allowing a higher build-up of oil. Using a facial scrub ‘exfoliates’ the skin, clearing the dead cells and cleaning it from excess oil and dirt.
Some “all natural” treatments have been processed beyond recognition and I know that naturally occuring treatments are hard to find but it is still the best option I have found. Facial masques (like mud and cucumber masques) can rejuvenate the skin and keep it as healthy as possible. They disinfect existing blemishes and reduce infammation while keeping the skin fresh and moisturised.
The best product I have found for the treatment of active acne caused by oily skin is by far Himalayan Crystal Salt. This is not advertised as a treatment for acne and usually cannot be bought from your local chemist. I purchase mine online in a bar form (i.e. in the shape of a soap bar). Crystal salt is easy to apply (just wet the bar and apply to skin), it is cheap to buy, and is 100% completely natural. Himalyan Crystal Salt has over 90 of the elements concentrated over 250million years. It works much like salt water does, by drying the skin naturally and allowing it to absorb the nutrients. You may be wondering why this is such an effective treatment but think of any surfers or swimmers that you know. How many have acne? Not many, and the ones that do have acne have less than other sufferers. This is because salt is one of the most effective treatments against any infection and is an essential part of the human body. And by drying oily skin (naturally), while not eliminating moisture, it prevents the development of further acne. You should apply it to affected areas anywhere on the body at least 2 times a day for the best results.
*IMPORTANT WARNING:
While drying the skin is essential for sufferers with OILY skin, if your acne is caused by DRY skin you should use this salt very moderately. Drying the skin too much can also cause acne.
Medication should be avoided at all costs. You do not want to put antibiotics in your body unless you are extremely sick. Excessive use of antibiotics will reduce your body’s own production of antibiotics and make you more vulnerable to sickness and infection.
In my experience, it is best not to settle for a single treatment. A combination of treatments often returns the greatest results. I personally use Himalayan Crystal salt for the treatment of all acne all over my body and I use Proactiv Repairing lotion for the treatment of acne scars. Remember though, these treatments will not stop the acne and if you do not address the imbalance in your body, the damage can occur in other places. Your body will always try to eliminate toxins somehow and if you manage to treat the acne, it will come out somewhere else. You may put on weight or develop diseases. So by all means use treatments. But make sure they are your second line of attack.




CureAcne says:
Medication should be avoided at all costs. You do not want to put antibiotics in your body unless you are extremely sick. Excessive use of antibiotics will reduce your body’s own production of antibiotics and make you more vulnerable to sickness and infection.
Surprisingly enough (not that surprising actually), this fact is always covered by some people.
February 21st, 2008 at 1:03 am
Can Himalayan Crystal Salt Help With Skin Diseases Such As Acne And Psoriasis? — High on health says:
[...] also found an interesting article written on George Cleanthous’ blog ‘Acne Reviews, Acne Treatments & More …’ about using Himalayan salt for [...]
February 28th, 2008 at 1:21 am
chet says:
so if i use himalayan salt bar on my face it will not clog pores?? does it over-dry the face?? does it sud-up when mixed with water like soap?? how often should i use??
March 11th, 2008 at 12:47 am
kk says:
where can i get the Himalayan Crystal Salt bar you refer to? google search brought up a varried amount of options that left me confused as what would be the right choice. each site says theirs is the purest and the others are imitations. since i almost fell for zyporex (thank you for your review) now i am leary of choosing the wrong choice. thanks for your help
March 13th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Ziggy Marley says:
Yeah, I’m lived in Hawaii for a year and went to the beach everyday and it did little to nothing to my acne. Also swimming in a pool might help, but its certainly not going to do anything permanently. Also is smoking legal and non-legal herbs bad for acne?
March 27th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
George Cleanthous says:
Hi Ziggy,
As I have mentioned, swimming is not a cure, it just helps with acne. If you weren’t swimming, your acne would be worse.
Also, smoking anything is TERRIBLE for acne. So if you are a smoker, swimming would only help to balance it out so your acne doesn’t get worse. Without swimming (and maybe even with it) smoking will make your acne get much worse… The reason for this is that smoking reduces the V02 (volume of oxygen) capacity of your lungs. Oxygen is an important part of your body’s processes and it is essential for cell regeneration and healing.
So if you want to get rid of your acne, DON’T SMOKE!
I should mention that this is also part of the benefit of swimming. Swimming increases your V02 capacity, as do most exercises.
March 28th, 2008 at 8:41 am
beastmaster flex 88 says:
When washing your face, does it mater if the salt you use have to be Himalayan Crystal Salt?? Will any kind of salt based solution work?? Is the Himalayan Crystal Salt more effective than other types of salt??
thanks in advance for your help.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:06 am
George Cleanthous says:
Hi beastmaster,
Any salt based solution will be effective but the benefit of Himalayan Crystal Salt is that has a far higher concentration of elements and nutrients, due to the millions of years of pressure below the Himalayas.
Plus, it is 100% naturally produced and deposited, whereas other salt sources (e.g. oceans and lakes) have become polluted and the salt must be extracted by us.
If you can find other naturally deposited salts or salts from clean sources they would at least be better than manufactured salt, but i still think Himalayan Crystal Salt is the best available, for FOOD as well as skin.
George
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:12 am
beastmaster flex 88 says:
ok thanks george…..also just because i’m curious, can the himalayan crystal salt be used effectively as a solution or is it better if you have it in the bar form (as you do) and just rub your face with it while in the shower? Specifically, how should you apply the himalayan salt to recieve the best results? does it matter??
thanks again for your time george.
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:39 am
Raffaella Ducoli says:
Salt is a great Home remedy for Acne.
Many soaps can leave a residue on your skin which can make the Acne worse. So, instead of using soap, gently wash your face with table salt. The grains of salt will act like a facial scrub. Plus, the salt will help reduce the inflammation.
To use table salt, wash the areas that are affected with Acne first. Then, sprinkle a teaspoon of salt in the palm of one hand. Add a bit of warm water and rub the moistened mixture over the Acne. Let it set for a minute, then rinse your skin clean, and pat dry.
This will reduce oiliness of your skin without aggravating your acne. If you want to exfoliate your skin of dead cells, you can also use salt mixed with your favorite natural oil ingredient (eucalyptus, mint, etc.), and rub it gently on your skin. Just make sure that you do not rub on and irritate your acne directly.
Salt also decreases the amount of bacteria on your skin.
May 6th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Marlo says:
For a quick fix for those cysts that flare up before a big event, try a hot compress of epson salts. I find that if I feel something coming from under the skin and it’s going to be a big cystic one, I can usually mitigate it by relaxing on the couch with a rag and a hot solution of epson salt or himalayan (even better) salts on it for about a half hour. It helps with the inflammation and swelling and opens up the pores. do this a few times during the day for the bad ones.
May 17th, 2008 at 4:26 am
Marlo says:
Do you recommend Apple Cider Vinegar? I’ve heard that was a good treatment?
May 17th, 2008 at 4:28 am
George Cleanthous says:
Hi Marlo,
I’ve heard that as well but I am not sure if Apple Cider Vinegar is effective. I do know that it has helped some people, but you will need to be careful if you use it, especially when using it as a drink. All vinegars are a form of acid and over acidity in the body is the primary cause of acne.
The strange thing about acidic foods though is that some mildly acidic foods become alkalized within the body. The most common examples are citrus fruits. I’m not 100% clear on how this works but basically a healthy digestive system uses the chemicals in acidic foods to create alkali solutions within the body.
The thing to be aware of, however, is that if your body is unable to process the acidity of all your food then the left over acid will not be processed by the body and will find other ways and locations within the body to stick around and cause damage.
So while apple cider vinegar, in moderate quantities, may be helpful for some it may also be harmful for others. If you are going to try it, just make sure you dilute it in water in a ratio of minimum 1:4 (1 part vinegar to at least 4 parts water). This will at least make it more readily absorbed by the body.
If you are going to dab it on affected areas, this may work in killing the bacteria temporarily and reducing acne fairly quickly, but once it is absorbed by the skin the acidity weakens to a point where bacteria can thrive and your acne can get worse. This is because, as you may or may not be aware, “bad” bacteria thrives in acidic environments.
So if you are going to apply to affected areas, make sure you apply it lightly and consistently and be aware that once you stop it MAY cause another breakout in the same area.
George
May 17th, 2008 at 5:16 am
MJ says:
Dear George
I love your site as it really provides honest and helpful reviews I can trust! I researched Himalayan Crystal Salt and its got me interested!
However, when I google searched it, most of the products are small grains for consumption, lamps and bath crystals….the only bar of the himalayan crystal I found was a deodorant bar which wasn’t actually made with the salt?
Like kk, I am also confused and would REALLY appreciate it if you could provide a link for where you buy yours from?? Thank you!
June 1st, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Fab says:
I have aging skin, combination lots of blackhead and whiteheads. I have been using Nutregena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask for 2 months it is not working. What would you recommend?
June 5th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
George Cleanthous says:
Hi MJ,
The deodorant bar is probably actually the one you are looking for as it makes it easy for applying. If the site you found is not 100% natural keep looking for one.
Even eBay might have something worth looking at.
George
June 7th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
George Cleanthous says:
Hi Fab,
Make sure you stick to a health pH balance (I have a couple of articles on here regarding this). Another thing that will help with the blackheads is an exfoliator. Just a general supermarket-grade exfoliator will do, but if you have one that has “granules” to make it rougher it will be more effective.
Try this for a while and see if it makes an improvement. I think the pH balanced diet will help with the whiteheads and the exfoliator will help with the blackheads.
George
June 7th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
sabrina says:
I’ve been reading everyones posts. I find all of this most interesting. My daughter has a close friend that suffers from acne. She has tried many things including proactive and has had very little results. I was looking for a new product for her as a birthday gift and I stumbled across your acrticle while researching zyporex.
I looked up the Himalayan Crystal Salt and found a site that sells it says it’s all pure and they call it HIMALAYAN CRYSTAL PURIFYING BAR costs 12 bucks and has free shipping and handling heres the web
http://www.himalayansaltcorp.com
on bar at top of page click on products for a description of products and click on shop now to shop.
Thanks for having an informative page to visit on acne i will be checking back
Sabrina
June 14th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Danny says:
I know of 4 people that have used proactive and let me tell you all 4 have flawless skin now.It took about 5 months but all of their acne went away.Some have had great results using it others have not.No one product will work for everyone including himalayan salt.If any product on the market worked for everyone whether its for acne,hair loss or for weight loss you won’t need to do any research on it because it would be front page news.Lots of scams out there especially for the 3 that i just mentioned.In my opinion 75% of it is in your own genes and the other 25% is the way you live.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
melissa says:
hey George
do recommend Acnexus facial scrub? Its an all natural facial cleanser but i have heard mix reviews…
July 1st, 2008 at 2:55 am
Christine says:
HEY george! just wanted to say ur sites really helpful
its stoped me from buying a few misleading productss
but i was wondering, for a the himalayan crystal salt,
can i use it on ‘bacne’ too? becuasee ive got it unfortunally, and
ive been looking for something to use. Because products like proactiv are hard to apply on my back since you have to apply so many thingss. but the soap, u just have to wash rite? can i just use like a loofa in the bath?
also, i saw this bar of soap that was like honey mixed, the lady said it helps acne, do you think that i should try it?
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:10 am
Christine says:
OH!!
and have you heard of the body shops tea tree oil products?
do you think it works?
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:34 pm
George Cleanthous says:
Hi Melissa,
Acnexus facial scrub seems to be a good option for a facial scrub. Its ingredients are all natural and have shown some effectiveness in treating acne symptoms due to their healing properties.
However, being a scrub, acnexus, like any other skin treatment, will have limited results as it only targets acne once it has already developed or while it is developing. For the best results I would suggest an ‘internal’ treatment to complement this ‘external’ one (e.g. diet, vitamin A, etc).
George
August 4th, 2008 at 1:07 am
George Cleanthous says:
Hi Christine,
In reference to Himalayan Crystal Salt, yes you can use it on ‘bacne’ and I think you will find that it is quite effective as a back treatment, even though it may be difficult to apply to the center of your back unless you are flexible. But in terms of application, yes it is simply a matter of washing yourself with it.
The soap with honey will be similar but I think that you will only need to use one of them and this will depend on your skin type:
If you have dry skin use the honey soap, if you have oily skin use the crystal salt.
Tee tree oil (from Body Shop or any other store) has been shown to help in the treatment of acne due to its healing properties, but you will find that it is most effective when applied specifically to effected areas and blemishes to heal them faster.
However, as I mentioned to Melissa, these are all external treatments and will have limited effectiveness. If you have mild acne then any one (or more) or these should be enough. If it is a little more severe, complement these with vitamin A and a healthy diet (lots of raw vegetables) and your acne should clear up.
George
August 4th, 2008 at 1:16 am
isabelle says:
hey. im 17 years old, with trouble with my spots. i have found this site very interesting but im still confused about all the scrubs/creams etc – and i would really like one which would actually work! i have got under the skin spots, which are bumpy and visible when at a close distance. i also have the odd/many red spot(s) which come up aswell, they can easily be covered by makeup but i hate wearing it, because i feel it doesnt do any good. can you help me? i have tried loads of things but nothing has really helped.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Christine says:
ohhh okay
THANKS A BUNCH :D
August 7th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Ryan says:
Hi. I’ve used Proactiv for about a year now. In the beginning, it cleared up my skin in about 2-3 months. But now, my skin has broken out again. I read your site about the “rebound” effect. This may be the cause of my current breakout. The toner dried out my skin, so I started to use the toner less. I’ve sent emails to Proactiv for help about my breakout, yet they never gave me answers, just answers that mainly wanted me to spend more on their products. I too like the repairing lotion. I also use the refining mask. i recently changed my system, so that it also includes the Daily Oil Control.
I’ve been taking supplements for about two weeks now. I take a centrum silver and saw palmetto. I am also eating more healther foods. My current breakout it slowly going down, but the surronding areas are flaky and red. I also stil have more pimples emerging too. I’ve looked up the Himalayan salt bar, but I have combination-type skin I guess. Would this work still for me? Also, you said that any exfoiliator/toner would work the same as proactiv. Kiehl offers some products that are natural, or made with natural ingrediants. If not, what are some types of all natural exfoiliating cleaners/toners? I’ve read a bunch of online articles about using natural ingrediants, like tea tree oil, lemon juice, and even dandelion. What are your suggestions?
August 20th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Boogie says:
After washing my face with the Salt Soap can I use a moisturaizer?
December 11th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
mike says:
I just bought the deo bar of Himalayan Crystal Salt and am wondering what is the best way to apply it. It’s pretty hard and does not lather at all. Should I leave it on for just 30 seconds or for something like 5 or more minutes? Can I apply it too often or too long? Thanks.
January 7th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Sara says:
Hi George,
Thanks, I’m loving the site. I’ve found it so helpful and beyond useful. I started really implementing some of the things you wrote about here and I ordered my salt bar, and it should be arriving soon. I was wondering if you (or anyone else that uses it) could give me some points on HOW to use it. I’m a bit confused.
Do I just moisten it and rub it across my face? Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
January 11th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
George Cleanthous says:
Hi Mike & Sara,
The salt does not lather, it dissolves in water. The benefit of this is that the body’s skin can absorb it more readily. Just wet the bar and rub onto the affected area of your skin. Depending on how severe your acne is and how dry your skin is you can either leave it for 30 seconds or pat the skin dry straight after applying the salt. If you have dry skin, I would suggest applying gently and patting dry straight away as the salt can dry out your skin if too much is applied and it is left too long.
It is also important not to apply too much salt because the skin will not be able to absorb all of it and it will crystallize on the skin after the water evaporates, leaving a white coat of salt powder that you will have to wipe off with your hand.
I generally find that there are 2 effective ways to apply it.
- You can apply a light coat (only to moisten the skin) and then allow it to dry naturally.
- Or you can apply it liberally (until your skin is wet to the point of dripping water) and then pat dry immediately.
Try both ways and see which works best for you. You should notice a tightening in the skin 5-10 minutes after application, without the white salt appearing.
George
My Acne Review
January 14th, 2009 at 5:00 am
Sara says:
Thanks George. I’ve been rubbing it on and then leaving it for a while, then washing it off… But you say pat it off? In that case I think I might be putting to much of it on!
Thanks
January 14th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
jake says:
Uhm can i get some help.. i regularly have oily skin but when i use the neutrogena facial acne free facial wash my face becomes so dry that the skin is peeling off and it itches and it hurts what should i do? im only 17 and im suffering from severe acne on my cheek and under my chin..
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:02 pm
George Cleanthous says:
Hi Sara,
It is ok to put more on as long as it does not dry out your skin.
George
January 26th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Holly Wermuth says:
Hey! I had tried Zyporex about 6 months ago and while I was fairly happy with the results, the price and their lack of customer service has kept me from ordering more. I recently ordered the Himalayan salt bar and have used it for two days now. I find that it burns a bit and shortly after rubbing it on my face I rinse it off. I am also treating my back with it. I am in my early 30′s and still suffer breakouts. They are moderate for a teen, but excessive for someone my age. I want to stay natural because I am concerned about aging as well. I eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly… I am wondering if I am doing something wrong with the crystal or if i might be applying too much? It visibly reddens my skin for about 30 minutes after I use it and I feel like I have to rinse it off to stop the burning. I follow with a moisturizer and haven’t noticed any dryness. I have a darker skin tone and suffered acne my whole life… is there help for me?
Holly
May 6th, 2009 at 2:35 am
Austin says:
Hey, I’m 19 years old and have always suffered from acne on my cheeks and sides of my mouth. I use Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser right now along with a medication. Should I continue to use these or just stick with the crystal soap bar I just ordered?
July 17th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Bruunhause says:
[...] my previous posts, I already gave a recommendation about using crystal as a treatment for acne (see Treatments for Acne Symptoms). This salt, though not specifically sold as an acne treatment (Shhh! it’s a secret), will be [...]
June 25th, 2011 at 7:01 am
Zyporex says:
[...] that would last 6 months to 1 year and is more effective (I wrote a post on this earlier – Treatments for Acne Symptoms – and I have a section on it in my acne book). Additionally, using this in most cases will do [...]
June 25th, 2011 at 7:02 am