A few of my friends have cystic acne in their forties and fifties, and I have suddenly had a couple of bouts of what I think is cystic acne, crop up in my early fifties. I don’t want to resort to harsh medications, do you have some natural remedies that really work? (Natasha, Miami)
Thanks for your great question Natasha – yes cystic acne can occur after the age of forty. It can be related to hormone changes, diet, medications – but is primarily a hormonal issue. Try some of the following remedies, and do stay connected.
- Eat a healthy diet. Try cutting out dairy for a couple weeks to see if your acne improves. I have found that so many of my readers have found a dramatic improvement when they ditched the dairy. Check with your doctor to see if you have any food allergies, and listen to your digestive system for clues on any foods you may be sensitive to.
- Try calendula. This herb has a reputation for treating cystic acne. It’s an antiseptic and an anti-inflammatory, so it will help clear out the bacteria that cause acne while taming the redness. It can be used as natural alternative to benzoyl peroxide. I buy the dried flowers from Mountain Rose Herbs and make a tea by steeping a tablespoon of them in 2 cups of boiling water.
- Apple cider vinegar. Considered a “natural acne cure,” apple cider vinegar has natural antibiotic properties that kill off acne-causing bacteria. It also helps you balance the skin’s pH level, which can be particularly important after cleansing. Mix one part natural, organic apple cider vinegar with one part distilled water to create your own natural toner. After cleansing, saturate a cotton pad in the toner and smooth over skin.
- Honey & Turmeric mask: I love this easy DIY mask, which has the added benefit of yogurt, which contains lactic acid – a great exfoliating agent. Honey is also a natural antiseptic, helping to kill acne-causing bacteria. In addition, its natural acidic properties help deter the bacteria’s ability to replicate. Honey calms inflammation and can be particularly helpful in the middle of a breakout when the redness and pain are at their worst. Turmeric is one of the most anti-inflammatory kitchen staples ever! Clean your face first, pat dry, and then apply raw honey (Manuka honey has the best reputation for wound healing) to the skin with your fingertips. Massage and allow to remain for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off.
- Tea tree oil. Tea Tree is a potent anti-microbial, with the ability to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungus. A 1990 study found that tea tree oil was just as effective against acne as benzoyl peroxide when used over a longer period of three months. Furthermore, the tea tree oil produced fewer side effects like drying, itching and burning. It can be irritating, however, so mix a 4 drops with 2 tsp of aloe vera gel and apply directly to the affected area a couple times a day.
I’d love to hear from you – do you have any DIY natural beauty tips to share? Let me know in the comments.
