Here are a few tried and true acne home remedies that are simple, contain no chemicals and can be found in your own kitchen.
Acne and I, until quite recently, have had what seems like an inseparable relationship. Many products and medications, both cheap and expensive, have graced my bathroom sink all claiming the same thing; this is going to cure your acne. Well, they didn’t, and for those that DID show some promise, the results didn’t last long.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has or is still suffering from the neverending onslaught of breakouts. It seems like there is no end in sight, and just when you think you’ve got your finger on it, a new blemish appears.
Well, no longer! You can now clear up your skin naturally without multiple lotions and potions that are packed with irritants and other unnecessary chemicals.
My 6 Step Routine for Acne Free Skin
It has taken me the better part of 4-5 years to figure out what truly works best for my skin. i have very oily acne-prone skin that’s sensitive and moody. I have to take great care with the products I choose to implement into my skincare routine to ensure that it doesn’t set me back in the clear skin journey – and I think I’ve found what works! Perhaps, it will work for you too! I hope it does.
For now, the simple tips that I share below are only on the topical side of my skincare regimen. It may not cure your acne (since acne is largely an internal issue) but it certainly is a huge step in the right direction.
WHat you will want to do in conjunction with these tips, is to start cleaning up your lifestyle by cutting out processed, sugary, filled-with-additives type foods, drink enough clean water, get meaningful sleep every night, and get your body moving on a daily basis.
Do these things, and you will be well on your way to achieving the clear skin you’ve always wanted but never thought you could have.
So, without further ado, let’s get into my top tips for clearing acne naturally!
1. Honey Cleansing in the Morning
In the AM, I wash my face with Manuka Honey. The best Manuka Honey to use for acne prone skin is one with a bioactivity of 12 or more, I use 16+ by this company
I begin my morning with a good rinse by splashing my face with warm water and then massaging ½ tsp of Manuka Honey (you can substitute with any raw honey
The amazing antibacterial and medicinal properties of Manuka Honey come from its close relationship with Tea Tree allowing it to effectively inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria. Because of this, breakouts become less frequent, your skin becomes smoother and more hydrated (all honey is a humectant), and the best part, no chemicals!
On top of that, honey is a great way to remove excess oil and balance the skin’s sebum production and PH levels.
if you haven’t started using Manuka Honey in your skincare regimen, I higly encourage you to start.
For more on manuka honey look below:
How to Make Your Own Manuka Honey
Is Manuka Honey Better Than Benzoyl Peroxide?
2. Rose Water Toner
For both mornings and evenings (and sometimes randomly throughout the day), I spray my face liberally with a high quality rose water/rose hydrosol. Pure rose water contains PH balancing properties that help keep the skin’s acid mantle in tip-top shape, which is very important for clear skin! You see, acne-causing bacteria loves acidic, low-oxygen environments to breed and flourish. When you use a good rosewater, its high antioxidant content, as well as its ability to rebalance and neutralize the skin’s PH, helps prevent the P. acnes bacteria from thriving.
Rosewater is also anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and smells fantastic.
You can get my favorite rose water here
If you don’t have any rose water on hand, you can substitute it with raw apple cider vinegar
You can read more about the amazing benefits of rose water here, the benefits of apple cider vinegar here, and 7 different ways to use witch hazel here.
3. Jojoba Oil Moisturizer
Putting more oil on your face may sound counterintuitive, but trust me, jojoba oil
However, jojoba oil has a special place when it comes to clearing acne, and that’s its unique chemical structure that mimics the skin’s own sebum. It is this closeness that makes jojoba oil so perfect for treating acne naturally.
As with any oil, when I first started using it as a daily moisturizer it took a few weeks for my skin to adjust and get used to using it. In fact, I broke out a little (which kinda freaked me out, not gonna lie), but then it suddenly started to clear up, I broke out less often, and my skin became way less oily! This is because jojoba oil is known to cause a “purge” in some people where their skin starts releasing all the clogged up junk that’s been sitting in their pores. Thankfully, this stage only lasts a few weeks and once it’s over, your skin will be clearer than ever before!
Additionally, I also started to add essential oils to the jojoba oil for some added benefits.
Adding essential oils to your facial oil will make it more antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, soothing, or refreshing depending on which essential oils you use.
Some of my favorite essential oils to use are:
• Lavender
• Tea Tree – known to kill acne-causing bacteria
• Thyme – known to be just as effective as 
• Rosemary – kills bacteria, lowers stress response, anti-inflammatory
• Moroccan Blue Chamomile – heals blemishes, anti-inflammatory, reduces redness
• German Chamomile – anti-inflammatory and heals blemishes
• Geranium – reduces sebum production
The typical preparation for adding an essential oil to your carrier oil (in this case your jojoba oil), is to add 10-12 drops essential oil for every 1oz of carrier oil. I normally only add a single essential oil to my jojoba oil at a time to keep it simple unless I’m making a concoction.
If you want some recipes, I have made some great serums like:
Essential Oils for Scars + A Scar Healing Recipe
Homemade Serum for Acne Prone Skin
Rejuvenating Rosehip Facial Serum
Thyme Serum for Acne Free Skin
(Where to buy essential oils for 24% off)
Keep in mind too that you don’t have to stick to just jojoba oil. I’ve recently found great success using hemp seed oil for this step as well. Use the oil that works best for you skin type!
4. Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Manuka Honey Spot Treatment/Scrub
This stuff is awesome and hands down one of the best spot treatments I’ve ever used. It’s really quite effective!
To make it, I mix equal parts Manuka Honey (again, you can substitute raw honey here…I like this one
Apply a small amount to blemishes and let it sit for as long as you like as long as you don’t experience any type of sensitivity. I usually leave it on for about 5-10 minutes but sometimes I leave it on for hours when no one’s home. Just be sure not to apply it to broken or very irritated skin.
I like to store this handy little spot treatment in a small container
5. Clay Mask
Using a clay mask at least once a week is one of the best ways to extract impurities from the skin. I like to make a ritual out of it by applying my favorite rhassoul clay while in the bath. I then let the mask sit until it dries or until I’m done with my bath, wet my face, exfoliate with it, and then rinse it off.
Afterward, I like to steam my face with a wet cloth
Depending on your skin type, you can use a clay mask 2-3 times a week on the entire face to help soak up and control oil.
I tend to have oily skin, so I like to keep my pores clear especially around the nose and chin by applying the mask to just those areas after a shower. I don’t find that my skin gets too dry using the mask in this way and my pores stay clearer longer.
The clay can also be used in the bath water itself to soften and purify the skin for a luxurious spa-like experience.
You can read more about my favorite type of clay here.
6. Oil Cleansing in the Evening
At night I like to remove any mineral make-up and impurities from the day with, you guessed it, more oil.
This time though, I like to use hemp seed oil
The oil removes all traces of makeup (even the toughest mascara), dirt, and sebum, leaving my skin soft, clean, and supple. Just apply 1/2 tsp of oil to dry skin and gently massage it around your face. Be careful when removing mascara not to get it in your eye. Use a cloth to wipe everything away then rinse with warm water. Follow with the rose water toner and then the jojoba oil moisturizer (or whichever oil work best for your skin). Your oil production will normalize over the coming weeks and your skin will feel be smooth and moisturized.
The oil cleansing method is super awesome considering it’s just one ingredient! You can read more about the Oil Cleansing Method here.
Why go Natural for Clear Skin?
Natural is just better! Instead of slathering on toxic chemicals, stripping your skin’s acid mantle, and dousing it with synthetic lotions and potions, you’re loving and nurturing your skin.
Simple ingredients = simple solutions. Incorporating simple, natural ingredients into your skin care routine is the best natural acne treatment there is. I hope you give it a try!
You may also enjoy reading:
The Complete List of Comedogenic Oils
The Best Vegan Pore Strips Recipe
3 steps to improve your female hormonal acne
How to treat hormonal acne naturally
The Oil Cleansing Method
The enhanced oil cleansing method
What are the best oils for my skin type?
What are the best essential oils for my skin type?
Natural Sources of Salicylic Acid for Acne—From Fruit!
What natural acne treatments have worked for you?
Hello friends! I teach you how to support your well-being with DIY herbal remedies, essential oils, and all natural skin care.
Hi. Any other recipes as im allergic or sensetive to gluten, dairy, lemon, oils and hone?
I have a question…
In the above article some substances are in green with a line through them.
Does that mean you are not using them?
If so, what are you using instead?
Thank you very much!
Hi Tricia!
There seems to be some sort of html issue. They are supposed to look like regular links and NOT like they’ve been crossed out. I’ll have to figure out how to fix this =/
Thank you so much you are a god send, I’ve literally spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars on products to get rid of my mild to moderate acne and this skincare routine of yours has been amazing.
So glad to hear that Jimi! 😀
Hi Tash I am going to begin this regimen. Do you apply the clay mask and hot towel before or after you have washed, toned, and moisturized?
Hi Nat!
Sorry for the late reply, I’m being buried by comments this time of year! To answer your question, I would use the hot towel after cleansing to help further open the pores and then use the clay mask. After rinsing the mask from your skin, then apply the toner and moisturizer 🙂
What would you do if you worked out in the middle of the day? I used to wash my face with Bioclaritu cleanser twice a day and after reading your article I began using it just at night and my face has begun to clear. im afraid of washing my face more then once a day but I’m unsure what to do after sweating?
Hi Mallory!
You could use a simple astringent like witch hazel, rose water, or even diluted raw apple cider vinegar to help remove excess sweat residue 🙂
I have extremely acne prone, sensitive skin and and I can only use natural/organic products. The Made from Earth Control Acne Wash is amazing! After using it for just 3 days my skin looks beautiful! Make sure to moisturize after too!
That’s great Paulat! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Hi!
I stumbled upon your website today and have fallen in love! Thank you for sharing your knowledge <3
I just want to share my acne holy grail with you.
Neem. Im from Mozambique and don't really have access to many large shops here so I haven't been able to buy neem oil to use for my acne although i've read incredible things about it, so I use fresh Neem leaves. Heres how:
I take a handful of Neem leaves, and boil them to make a super concentrated "tea", (you want to boil it until the water decreases to as little as possible so that you're left with a very concentrated liquid).
I use this as a toner every night before bed, and you will notice the difference literally in one night!
It has a yellow color and the smell isn't terrible but not too pleasant so I would recommend you to use it before bed and not during the day, especially if you don't have dark skin, the yellow color of the liquid may show on your face.
And don't make too much at a time – i would recommend boiling a fresh 'neem toner' every 2-3 days, its natural and has no preservatives so it could go off and will smell…(store the toner in the fridge if possible, it makes it last longer and feels very cool when applying)
Oh and avoid licking your lips, or even better- avoid applying by the lip lol it tastes really bitter. bleah!
The results have been amazing for me – blemishes faded, acne faded, and your face glowwwwwss!
I still get some breakouts now and then but i'm incredibly happy to have found this method.
I hope as many people as possible read this comment or you try it out and write an article.idk
PS: if you do try this, please try to assign a small vessel (pot) to use for boiling your neem leaves because believe me this stuff is bitter and sometimes you'll wash the pot and the next thing you make in that pot ends up tasting like neem! not delicious at all… but it goes away eventually so you might want to assign one little pot for it to avoid hassle.
Best regards,
Dalva Thornycroft.
Thank you for your wonderful insight Dalva! These are some very helpful tips!! 🙂
Hi Tash!
I have been using OCM for about 2 weeks, for AM and night.So far it was quite good, skin is smoother, less breakout and I like how hassle-free it is to cleanse face without water.
Yesterday I decided to try using raw honey to cleanse my face. I smeared the honey and left it there for about 10 mins. After I washed off, it’s surprisingly how easy it is to wash off the honey, my skin immediately became “rough, coarse and scaly” Is that normal?
I put on jojoba oil as moisturiser after honey cleansing, but it doesn’t improve the dryness.
The dryness stayed through the whole day, even till night time, after I used OCM to cleanse my face.
This morning, I woke up and it’s still dry. It’s like you can feel a layer of dead skin on the face.
Now I m wondering should I continue this honey cleansing. The results that I m getting is weird.
Hope you can shed some lights.
Thank you!
Warmest Regards,
Shirley
That’s so weird! Honey is known to be a humectant so it’s strange that it would dry out your skin. I say go back to your OCM regimen since your skin doesn’t seem to like the honey. Not sure how to explain it though! maybe it was the rinsing with water since water is drying? Hmmmm….
Hey Tash, thanks for those great tips!
A question, what about sun protection? Which product do you use that has no chemicals and protects from sun?
Thank u
Hi Emily!
This is a tough one! I used to believe that using raspberry seed oil, coconut oil, or certain essential oils would offer an SPF, but boy was I wrong! I did this somewhat recently and got burned on a cloudy day so I have been pretty careful since then to make sure and actually BUY a tested all-natural sunscreen. Badger is a very clean sunscreen that has worked well for me, however it tends to leave a white cast. I’m going to have to experiment more with different brands. Sorry I can’t be of better help! You may also want to look into Think Sport and All-Terrain. I hear those are pretty clean as well!
Hi Tash. I’m 55 and struggle with acne. It’s been a problem since my late teens. My face is pitted, scarred, discoloration and always that occasional zit. I’ve been using raw honey, lemon juice and baking soda on my face. I’ve seen some improvement but not enough to let up on makeup. I’ve used Hempseed Oil, Olive Oil or Grapeseed oil for the cleansing method, also as moisturizer before makeup. My skin can be oily but yet, dehydrated. So frustrating! I would love is for the pimples to STOP!!!! And soften the scars and rid of the discoloration. Dermatology treatments are too expensive. I just purchased Pumpkinseed Oil. I read many excellent reviews on it so my fingers are crossed this helps my skin. I will continue using the raw honey. Store brand products I’ve tried over the years may have damaged my skin. I saw your picture on YouTube with acne. Your face now looks beautiful!! Watching some of your YouTube videos on skin care gives me motivation and positivity..Suggestions for me??
Hi C.G!
I can totally understand your skin struggles! It took a few years for me to really figure out how to clear my own skin, but once I learned what was causing my acne, it became a lot easier. For scarring and discoloration, I have really been loving tamanu oil. It smells a bit funny, but it’s one of the best carrier oils for evening out scars and lightening uneven skin tone.
As for dehydrated skin, you may want to try hyaluronic acid. I’ve been using it after cleansing and it really helps your skin hold in moisture. Also, staying properly hydrated is important too! I will often add just a tiny pinch of himalayan salt to my water or indulge in coconut water from time to time.
For occasional pimples, it really boils down to figuring out the root cause. That could be hormones, stress, not enough sleep, poor diet, food allergies, environmental toxins, etc! Any idea what the cause may be? 🙂
Thank you Tash…I do work 3rd shift (10 pm-6 am). Lack of sleep and poor diet could be the reason.
Hi Tash, exactly how long does it take for your skin to clear once you begin to use jojoba oil? Would you say 3 weeks?
Hi Hallie!
It can take up to 6 weeks. This is because blemishes can take 4-6 weeks to actually appear. Hope this helps! 🙂
I’ve been using jojoba oil for exactly two weeks now, and I’ve had breakouts back to back for the entirety of this time. I assume this is because the oil is cleaning the toxins out. Will my skin continue to breakout for 6 weeks?
Hi Tash,
I’ve been dealing with acne for years (Im 21 now) and I’m looking for a natural method. Just a couple questions I have:
1. Could you use rose petal witch hazel as a toner and second step of the process?
2. Could you use hemp oil as a moisturizer in the morning and a cleanser at night?
Thanks so much!
Abby
Hi Abby!
Absolutely! I think that would work really well 🙂
Awesome! Thanks for your help Tash. I’ve already tried a couple things and my skin is already clearing up more than it has in years! Seriously amazing! I just had one more question…if you are moisturizing at night with hemp oil is it bad to use any other oils on your face too? I’ve been using bergamot to help clear my skin and I was wondering if 2 oils would make my skin too oily? Thanks so much for your help!
Hello I was wondering if this routine still works for you. I was also wondering if its okay that I use this I’m 15 years old and I recently started breaking out on my checks I don’t know why because this has never happened before.
Can you also take me through this routine step by step using all these ingredients. Thank you
– Natalie
Hi Natalie!
Yes it does! The reason is because all of these methods are natural, non-irritating, and can be easily customized to your skin type. After switching from conventional cleansers, scrubs, and other treatments to these more natural version, my skin has never been clearer 🙂 I hope you give it a try!
For the jojoba oil moisturizer, should we leave it on the face or rinse it with water after that?
Thank u
Hi Anna!
You can leave it on the face 🙂 Make sure to massage it in and if it feels too oily, you can blot the skin with a square if tissue.
Hi! Would this regime work for someone with dry skin and help moisturize? Thank you!
Hi Claudia!
This should work well for those with dry skin! You can even sub a heavier oil for the jojoba oil to make it more moisturizing like sweet almond oil 🙂
It’s interesting your information. I have a question: what can I used to back acne?
Hi Irma!
To clear up back acne (or backne) I would look into the conditioner that you use on your hair. Often it is the reason people break out on their backs. Also making sure that your work out clothes and bra straps are always clean helps as well. Aside from that, backne can also be caused by hormonal issues and stress so keeping those in balance is another good way to clear your skin overall. Make sure you are able to exfoliate your back gently twice a week to help unclog pores. You can do this my using a scrubby washcloth like this, or by making your own sugar scrub by mixing honey and sugar together.
Hi! I’ve been struggling with acne for a few good years until I started going to this dermatologist that has really helped reduce my breakouts. I used to get cystic acne all over my cheeks and forehead, and bumps lining my face, even my jawline. So, I’ve been using their prescribed medication and skincare line. Although it’s been mostly successful compared to every other derma I’ve been to (I’ve been to ALOT), I’d still get breakouts every now and then but nothing like before. I’d still get pimples on my cheeks and chin– mostly before my period. So in a way, I’m really happy with the progress but I also think it could be better. I recently discovered the Oil Cleansing Method and was immediately intrigued. Been using a mixture of Primrose and Hazelnut oil. I have faith in OCM but am unsure if I should “let go” of my current acne medication. What would you recommend? Should I OCM at night for cleansing but still use the facial wash afterwards, as well as every other product prescribed? Would that hinder the oils I use on my face before? I’m kind of scared to let go of all that I’ve invested my time and money into– this derma and the medication. Am also really scared that if I lose all my progress by using the OCM, that I’d have to start all over again. I’m at a crossroads and am not sure of what I should do. What would you recommend? Thanks so much!
Hi Sam!
I totally understand how you feel about letting go of acne meds. Before I weened off of them I had to change a lot about my lifestyle in order to ensure that my acne didn’t retaliate. This included things like avoiding allergens, eating as healthy as possible, staying hydrated, and getting regular exercise. I also took herbs that helped my liver sift through excess hormones like milk thistle and turmeric. Little by little I also began to stop using the topical acne meds and other chemical ridden skincare products. My skin didn’t retaliate and I was really happy with the slower route in the end. The OCM really helped personally. I began by using it once a day (even every few days) to make sure my skin reacted well. Just listen to what feels best for you. Stressing over stopping acne meds cold turkey may only make it worse. Best of luck! 🙂
Hi, thanks for sharing these tips with us!
I’ve been doing the honey cleansing method every morning for a week now but I use a glycerin soap before applying honey to my face, would you recommend that? Is glycerin good for the skin?
God bless!
Hi Hadassa!
Glycerin soap is a very gentle soap and isn’t too drying. I think it’s totally fine to use. Most people tolerate it well. Love your name btw!
Found this and it’s been a Godsend. As a woman in my late 20s, still having acne was driving me nuts. I hated the idea of slathering my face with chemicals as well. This natural routine is amazing and has cleared up my face completely, faded my areas with hyperpigmentation, and cured my combination skin. My husband even commented on how smooth my skin is – a compliment I don’t think I’ve ever received from him!
Super happy to hear that this has helped you so much Katie! <3
Like you I also love using natural beauty routine since it is safe and no side-effect that may affect our skin. Thank you for sharing your wonderful idea, will try the jojoba oil moisturizer.
Best of luck Issho!
Tash ,
I just started using your skincare routine above, but I still use makeup that is not all natural. I use a BB cream and a liquid concealer. I’m concerned I won’t get results because of this. I’m not really comfortable not wearing makeup right now. Do you have recommendations on foundation and concealer that will work well with this routine?
Hi Lindsy!
if your skin does well with powdered foundation I would recommend mineral fusion, gabriel, or zuzu luxe. They’re all natural and work pretty well. They also make liquid foundations but I have never tried them because I have oily skin. Each company has liquid concealers as well. To try them out in person I would go to your local Whole Foods Market or other natural health food store.
I know how you feel about the whole going without makeup thing. It is hard to finally get to that point but it’s definitely attainable! Best of luck 🙂
I love learning about more natural skin care. However, I’m always worried about not using a commercial moisturizer that contains SPF. How do you protect your skin from the sun with natural ingredients?
Hi Dyan!
You can use raspberry seed oil (I believe it is naturally spf20) or any natural product with zinc oxide in it 🙂
Hi there, I have enjoyed reading this article because I often dream that I ditch hyped up products and make my own but it always ends up complicated, messy or just a disaster. This is laid out clear and simple and I’ll be giving it a go as recently my skin over the past year has become very blemished. I was wondering, what is light enough to apply to the eye area? Are these all ok or should the eye area be avoided and something else be used here? I know that it’s more sensitive and something too heavy could not be a great idea to apply daily. Thanks!
Hi Naomi!
You can use any of these steps except the scrub/spot treatment and the clay mask. Everything else is fine to use around the eye area 🙂
Hiya,
Thanks for the reply!! I will print this out and be having a go this week! Can you tell me what I should avoid putting around my eye area in general and why these are fine? Sorry if that’s a silly question!
Naomi
I would avoid anything that seems really harsh or drying and of course scrubby textures. Most things will let you know on the packaging too if it is safe to use around the eye area as well 🙂
Hi, I really like your post and am definitely going to try some of these remedies. I was just wondering, on the nights you use the honey cinnamon mask do you still follow that with your ocm or would that be in place of it?
Thanks for all of your great tips and suggestions.
Hi Heather!
When I use the cinnamon honey mask I will typically use the ocm to remove any makeup and grime from the day first. I will then apply the mask, leave it on for a bit, rinse, and then apply a few drops of oil as a moisturizer 🙂
i love using honey in the morning! I’ve discovered cold-pressed organic pumpkin seed oil and have fallen in love! It clears up any breakouts and controls oil. It also absorbs quickly! I like it even better than hemp. It’s very high in linoleic acid as is hemp but slightly more. I’ve found that a blend of pumpkin and hemp with a couple other oils is basically a miracle moisturizer for those with normal to oily skin. Give it a try! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Really lovely ideas; and all natural. Thank you.
Hi Tash,
I want to give this a try. Do you wipe off the jojoba oil too? Or do you allow that to sit on your face?
Hi Sara!
If you’re using the jojoba oil to “cleanse” your face, you will gently wipe it off after cleansing with a warm damp towel. You can then add a few drops of jojoba oil to your hands and massage it back into your skin as a moisturizer. 🙂
Hi Tash! I am 2 days in and my skin already feels amazing and much healthier. 🙂 Just wondering, will it work on chest acne and back acne? And which sunscreen do you recommend to use, I know it’s super important to put on but it makes me break out 🙁 Also what’s the difference between rose water toner and Apple Cider vinegar toner? Thanks so much!!
Hi Ally!
I’m SO happy to hear that your skin is doing great so far! I’ve never tried the oil cleansing method on the body before BUT I have heard that it works amazingly well! The only thing you need to be careful of is getting your shower too oily. I recommend mixing the oil with salt or sugar to make an OCM body scrub or even just “washing” your chest and back with honey.
The difference between rose water and apple cider vinegar is that rose water is the distilled water that come from rose petals. Apply cider vinegar is the byproduct of fermenting apples. They are veeeeery different but both are amazing for the skin! Check out my links to read more about them 🙂
Hope this helps!
<3 Tash
I really agree with you to use natural treatments . I have a sensitive skin and it is a really picky in terms of treatments. Before I tried so many products, they just irritate and become red so I stop using treatments products and switch to home remedies and natural treatments. This is a very helpful article, I ll give them a try and I’ll give a good reply to it 🙂 thx a lot tash! more power to you and to your website! 🙂
I am starting to it all of the natural remedies you use in this regime and am excited because everything else I have used for acne does not work. Even went to the dermatologist and that didn’t work. When did you start seeing really good results?
Thanks!
Hi Caroline!
After tweaking my diet a bit along with the tips I describe in this article, I began to see results even after the first week! Everyone is different depending on how toxic their body is so don’t fret, results will come! Best of luck! 🙂
I don’t normally use a toner, but I wanted to add salicylic acid into my deep cleaning routine. I bought the Citrus Clear Sensitive Wash after reading the reviews. Some folks thought the “fruitty fragrance” was too strong, but I have a very sensitive nose and the smell was awesome – plus its not a fake smell – its actual lime and lemon. I really like how clean my skin feels after using it. I have enlarged pores around my nose and this definitely gets them clean.
So i saw this post about a month ago. I had the most horrible pizza face u ever saw. I ann 33 and have been battling acne since 12. Absolutely nothing has helped. After reading this article it has changed my life! After first time I had results! First I wash my face with jojoba oil rinse off and towel dry. Next I spay rose water liberally on my face. When that drys I rub rosehip oil all over. Then any open acne I dab with Bacitracin. There was immediate results! Thank you so much!
Hi Liz!
This is amazing! I’m SO happy to hear that this has worked out for you!!
Hello again!
I am an 18 year old disgruntled female, who until recently only had minor acne breakouts.
So I have been washing my skin with coconut oil in the morning, followed by rose water. I have not been using a moisturizer in the morning but will put Proactiv’s acne lotion on my blemishes. At night, I wash my face with proactiv cleanser, then follow up with proactiv toner and acne lotion. After this I moisturize with cetaphil lotion. I live on a pecan farm and recently worked in the fields after harvest to gather pecans left behind by the harvester machines. When I was working (about 6 1/2 hours a day) I wore an old wool beanie. After the first day I noticed my skin was itchy and irritated, but didn’t think much of it as I continued to work. I worked for about 7 consecutive days and by the end, my forehead and chin were completely broken out in what appeared to be a rash. I think this may have been an indication that I am allergic to Pecan dust and the wool beanie further irritated my skin. Anyway, since that awful mishap, my skin has not been clear and Proactiv has not seemed to be working for me anymore. I was wondering what you would say to me thinking of completely changing my routine and following your 6 Steps, and your routine from this article before my skin gets worse? Is it crazy to cut myself off from all the other products I’m using with one fell swoop? If you think it doesn’t sound too nuts, I am willing to buy all the necessary products you reccomens from amazon if it means clearer and healthier skin.
Sorry for the long-winded message, and thank you so much.
~Jenna
Hi Jenna!
There is always the possibility of your skin going through “detox” once you change things up, but don’t worry! Usually the detox lasts a few weeks at most before your skin gets back to normal. When I started my clear skin journey, I dove right into the deep end. But ya know what? After a short period of detox, my skin has been great ever since! I honestly only ever have to use rosehip seed oil and rosewater now when I used to use tons of different products.
It could be possible that you are allergic to pecans, are you able to eat them? Nut allergies can cause all kinds of weird skin reactions.
I can eat pecans no problem, but so can some of my siblings who are allergic to the pecan husks rather than the nuts themselves. I may have a pecan dust allergy, or I could be allergic to something in the hat. Who knows?
Anyways, thank you for your response. I will be trying this full routine within a few weeks. Go big or go home, right? 🙂
My sink only allows me to use cold water. Can I still use the OCM with cold water? Also, what type of sunscreen do you use/recommend for your face? Thank you;)
Hi Kristina!
You can certainly use the OCM with cold water. The only thing is, it won’t be as effective at clearing out impurities in the pores since they pores will be tight. If there is a way to splash your face with warm water beforehand, I would try to do so! Hope this helps!
Tash, I am looking for a new skin regimen, because I have been battling acne for about 8 years. Within the last year or two, it has been worse than ever, more frequent, and in areas (cheeks) that I have never broken out before. I have been to dermatologists, tried sooo many cleansers/treatments/prescriptions (topical and oral), but no avail. I am excited to have found this post, and I am going to try these things out! Could you specifically tell me, step by step, what your skin care treatment looks like in the AM and the PM. Just not sure if some of these tips are to be done together. Thanks!
Hi Annie!
Nowadays I keep my skin care routine very simple. Both day and night I splash my face with warm water to open up the pores and then oil cleanse with rosehip seed oil. It often has essential oils mixed in like tea tree or rose depending on what I’m looking for. The tea tree one is used closer to my cycle to keep acne at bay (usually the 2 weeks before my cycle) and then I tend to use the rose one during the 2 weeks after my cycle because rose is naturally anti-aging and will also reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. I always tend to get 1-2 pimples a month no matter what, so the rose has helped get rid of the evidence. If you break out a lot, adding a few drops of tea tree will really help. After massaging the oil in for a minute, I then wipe it off with a clean cloth to slough off make-up, dead skin cells, dirt, and oil.
After I cleanse, I spritz my face with rose water and then massage in a few drops of rosehip seed oil (the same one I oil cleansed with).
I have been doing this for a looong time and my skin LOVES it! However, I have also improved my eating habits, exercise, and sleep schedule. Could you tell me more about your lifestyle?
I am so glad I found this today! I’ve been battling acne for about 35 years, since I was 9 years old. I FINALLY found a cleanser that has greatly helped my skin over the last few months. I am no longer afraid to use moisturizers or makeup now. I do find that I still need to use a salicylic acid product at night, under my moisturizer though. I’m definitely going to give some of these ideas a try and phase them in, to see how my skin reacts. After seeing a few comments regarding cystic acne, I’m a little nervous. I do get cysts sometimes and I don’t want to encourage it, of course. Thank you so much for sharing your tips.
I should add that the cleanser that I recently found and love is VERY expensive! Hence my reason for looking for alternative methods. thanks
Hi Chris,
I’m curios to know which cleanser you use!
I’m on day 3 of this and notice more blackheads and whiteheads. Is that normal? Should they go away over time? I was hoping to get rid of those, not get more. 🙂
Hi there Rebecca!
You can definitely use a nice exfoliating scrub or an exfoliating cloth after you wash with honey. I find that doing this a few times per week keeps my skin clog-free!
Can you recommend a DIY scrub?
One of the easiest ones to make is mixing granulated sugar with raw honey! =)
I noticed that after doing this for about a week that I now have what looks like a heat rash all over my chin and around my lips :/
Is this normal??
Hi Jen,
Did you use the scrub/spot treatment? Sometimes that can be too strong for people with very sensitive skin. Let me know how I can help!
So I am going to give it a try. Collecting ingredients to make it as my budget affords.
My question is is there a shelf life for the face scrub/spot treatment? Like only make enough for a week month…?
Hi Erin!
As long as you don’t get any water in the scrub it should last indefinitely due to manuka honey’s highly antibacterial properties =)
As a licensed Esthetician, I like to recommend natural alternatives to my clients. The OCM is great for most people.
Not all methods will for everyone’s skin. I agree the chemicals can be irritating, but on the same hand, when used properly, can do wonders for somega people. Finding an Esthetician, who is trained to deal with skin, can be a life saver for some people as well. Find one that treats holistically, like myself. I use high frequency tx on clients to help kill the bacteria below the surface, where cleanserstwhile can’t reach. And keeping a food journal can be helpful as well to see if a food may contribute to a break out. Eating clean is definitely helpful. Dairy and wheat as well as sugar (even natural sugars from fruit can contribute to a break out). These all cause inflammation in the body which will make acne flare up.
Great tips for taking care of acne. I enjoyed your post based from a trained professional stand point
So I have been doing basically every thing on this list for about 3 months now and my skin is the worst it has even been! Every morning I was up with puss filled pimples (sorry for the gross visual!), I have more blackheads then ever and my forhead is covered in whiteheads! I OCM in the evening with jojoba and castor oil, honey cleanse in the morning, use cinamon/nutmeg/honey mask a couple times a week and a clay mask once a week. I try minimize what makeup I wear (which is hard when your face looks horrible and all you want tk do is cover it up!) And I eat mostly organic with next to no dairy or gluten. I did however come off the pill about 4 months ago (had been on it for 10 years for acne with good results!) If anyone has any ideas or suggestions I would love to hear them cause I dont want to go back on the pill but my face is really horrible 🙁
Are you eating anything in your diet that contains soy?
Hi Julie!
I occasionally have miso =)
Dissolve half a teaspoon of Himalayan salt in one teaspoon of hot water and when it cools down slightly “paint” it over your face in the evening and leave overnight. It kills all the germs.
You can also use Baiden Mitten to open the pores so that the oil and toxins do not bubble up under the skin but just flow out. Use the salt wash after exfoliation. It will sting a little bit at the beginning, but after about 2-3 exfoliations (once a week) your skin will become normal.
Note: Himalayan salt is the only one I have tried that does not dry out the skin. It contains something like 84 trace elements, so not only does it kill germs, but also replenishes the skin with vital minerals.
0I started this method last week and my skin got really bumpy (with mini pimples and really rough around my chin, nose and that area next to both sides of the nose. It doesn’t look dry (which is good) but it feels horrible! Have you heard of anyone’s skin doing this?
It might just be detoxing. I’ve heard of alot of other people having the same problems at first but then after a while it calms back down.
I seriously can’t thank you enough for this post. I’m 26 and thought my skin would clear up by this age but it just kept getting worse. I spent SO MUCH MONEY on face products (I tried to buy all natural, but it wasn’t even making a dent) until a few weeks ago I decided my face could not get any worse so I should try this method. I can’t even believe how amazing my skin looks. Its SO soft, my skin tone has evened out completely, I hardly ever break out anymore, and my skin is just glowing. My skin has never looked so great, and now all my friends have switched to this method too. Thank you so much! 🙂
Hi Alicia!
I’m SO happy happy to hear about your success using the OCM! *HUGS* Isn’t it great?? =)
I’m 30 years old now, and I have battled acne since being a teenager. I actually found that it began to get worse in my early 20s. I have tried so many over the counter types of washes and masks, and they would work for a couple of weeks, but then the acne would return. 🙁 I found out about oil cleansing a few months ago and started that method. It helped greatly, but I still wasn’t satisfied completely. In the last few months, I’ve found that a drop of lemon essential oil with a dab of coconut oil spread evenly over my face before bed works wonders! It’s a strong oil and needs to be used with a carrier oil. It also increases sensitivity when exposed to light, so I only use it before bed. In a pinch, tea tree oil also works great for a quick acne remedy. I occasionally use a honey mask or an aztec clay mask, and both of those leave my skin feeling smooth and fresh.
The lemon oil sounds wonderful, I’ll have to give it a try! Thanks for the great tip!
<3 Tash
Sort of a logistical question. I have tried using honey in the morning when I shower but I don’t know where/how to store the honey. The lid got moldy from the moisture I guess, the honey ended up with water in it every time I opened the lid to remove some, and I would pour some out but wasn’t sure that was the best way to get it out of the jar. What do you do? Thanks!
I actually use a squeeze type bottle for my honey! It keeps the water out really well =) You can use the honey bear kind, but make sure it’s 100% pure honey (a lot of companies like to put crud in the honey bear brands so watch out!). Hope this helps!
I have tried everything you have mentioned in the article, but nothing helped. I am having the worst cystic adult acne breakout ever. I know that it’s all hormones and stress!
Even eating clean and organic doesn’t help much! I don’t see any hope for myself
Hi Eli,
Stress is such a HUGE factor when trying to get clear. i would do everything you can in order to lighten the load of stress you may be experiencing. one of my favorite stress remedies is a supplement called Natural Calm magnesium. It works really well and allows you to react to stress in the best way possible =) Once you get stress under control, everything else will fall into place!
Thank you so much for your great post! I always had acne, but when I graduated from uni it became so much worse…I have also tried all available treatments but only two things that work are for me mild natural skin care products and healthy diet. I do most of the things from this list but I would really love to try honey cleansing. I’ve heard about it before and now I feel ready to give it ago!
And I prefer to use jojoba oil for my hair while I use Rosehip oil for my face. It’s great as it also removes post acne spots and scars. I know that it is not recommended for skin with active acne but somehow it works for me. And I find that any natural skin care products that contain geranium, chamomile and willow bark extract work very well to soothe the inflammation.
I also started to see very big difference on my face when I completely removed from my diet products containing gluten and yeast, plus I cut down my sugar and dairy intake. And of course eating lots of fish, avocado and blueberries helps as well!
Hi Genya!
I completely understand what you mean! I’m planning on going on a bit of a cleanse pretty soon to recharge my system. I fell off the “dairy” wagon a little bit and now my skin is breaking out some. It’s crazy how sensitive our bodies can be! The oil cleansing method really helps too! I’m happy to hear that your skin is getting clearer =) oh! and I love rosehip oil for scars too!
Much love,
Tash
whats OCM?
The oil Cleanse method =) You use only oils to wash your face.
I found your article while desperately searching for a natural remedy for adult acne. I will definitely be trying your routine. I had minimal acne as a teen, but from around age 21 on my acne has become quite severe and depressing. I have tried a lot of different preparations, including an expensive beautician-recommended course of micro-dermabrasion…which only made matters worse, benzyl peroxide lotions and antibiotic creams. Recently I switched to a natural cleanser ‘Sukin’ which helped, but still not enough. I’m hoping your method will finally….at age 32…clear my skin.
Hi Amanda!
It’s all about using the most natural skin care you can and eating clean and healthy. Don’t for get to detox your liver while you’re it if you suspect that your acne is hormonal. I wish you the very best of luck! *HUGS*
<3 Tash
Hey Tash!
Great post, super helpful! I love your blog, it’s my go-to blog for acne remedies! What would you suggest for detoxing the liver?
Hi Sophia!
I would recommend milk thistle capsules as a first choice for liver detox. The brand I like best is Eclectic Institute =)
I’m really happy to hear that you enjoy my blog! <3
My skin care regimine is almost identical to this. I started doing this exclusively about 3 months ago, and my skin is the best that it’s been in years!
When I was a teenager I had really mild acne, but when I was 22 I started getting bad acne. It’s was odd also because I really only broke out on my jaw line and around my mouth, but they weren’t normal black heads of white heads. They were deep knots, and were really red and inflamed, and they steadily got worse. About a year ago I read somewhere that coconut oil is really good for healing and preventing acne.
So I stopped using all of my acne face washes and creams, and switched to a face wash for super sensitive skin, and everytime after I washed it I would cover my face in the oil. My skin started to clear up and I went almost a month with out a serious breakout. Well I went out of town at one point and had to use a different type of facewash, and when I came back home it was like my face blew up! I still was using the coconut oil, but I went back to using my acne washes. The breakouts turned into cystic acne, and it was normal for me to have 30 of more “active” cysts around my jaw and chin, and my skin was so inflamed that it would just start bleeding.
I finally came to the conclusion that it was that acne washes (esp. salicylic acid) that was causing my skin to get so bad, and I stopped using them completely. I actually threw all of it away to resist the temptation of going back to them. I started to do what I called a healing mask made from raw organic honey and vitamin E capsels, and I was washing my face with Aveeno’s calming foaming cleanser, and I kept either, unrefined coconut oil, sweet almond oil, of jojoba oil on my skin. It slowly started to heal and get better. Some of the cysts took 2-3 months to go away, and I was still getting pimples, but I wasn’t getting any new cysts.
Then I found out about the oil cleansing method using castor oil.
Normally I pretty much follow the routine that you use, exept when my skin starts to break out around that time of the month I use castor oil mixed with a little bit of almond oil and a few drops of tea tree oil. I get some boiling water and pour it into my sink, and steam my face while I massage the oil mix on. Then after the water cools enough I get wash clothes wet in the warm/hot water and put them on my face and as they cool I wipe the oil off. The steam will open your pores and the castor oil will pull everything out of them. The first time that I did it this way I literally had a bunch of blackheads and whiteheads just coming out while I was wiping the oil off. It was disgusting and extremely satisfying all at the same time.
Since I started following this skin care routine my acne has improved 100%. My skin isn’t perfect and I still have scars from when my acne was out of control, but they are steadily fading. When I am wearing makeup now you really cant even notice the scars now, and even when I go without makeup it looks normal.
Hi Abby!
Wow! Your story is so similar to mine. I learned long ago that acne washes cause more acne than they cure. I remember throwing them out and trying the OCM and watching the transformation to clearer skin take place. I have super sensitive skin and the acne washes were just making it worse. I haven’t really touched soap for my face in a very long time.
I’m happy to here that your skin is doing so much better! =)
<3 Tash
My skin is oily/dehydrated and very sensitive, which is a really hard combo to treat as I used to use oil-free acne products to diminish the oil which of course irritated my skin and made it tight and flaky.Then I tried dry/sensitive products, which left a heavy residue and lots of oil. I started oil cleansing a couple of months ago and it was improving my skin for a while but for the last few weeks I’ve been getting painful cystic acne, which I’ve never had before. So I went back to my dermalogica sensitive wash – big mistake! I’m never using chemicals on my face again! My acne is worse, my skin is the flakiest and itchiest AND oiliest is ever been. I’m at my wits end as over time lots of money spent and its really hard to find skin care for my type/condition. Do you think these methods would help me? I’ve tried some of these but I think I’ll give it all a good go together 🙂 sorry for the long comment haha
Hi Jessy!
Try thinking about things that have changed for you recently like diet, stress levels, environment, hormones… these things can be important clues as to why you have developed cystic acne. When I got it, it was because I was absolutely miserable, depressed, and stressed out. My liver became really toxic and weak so I had tons of excess estrogen floating around causing havoc…particularly cystic acne.
Since I don’t know a lot of details (perhaps you could share?), I can only suggest eating as clean as you can (no processed foods like breads and such), getting high quality sleep, exercise, and keeping your stress levels to a minimum. Also! Don’t switch your skincare too much! Maybe this caused it? All I can say is, the OCM has worked really well for me personally, and I had the same skin as you, both dry and oily. Healing takes a bit of patience too 😉 Most importantly, don’t mess with it too much k?
Lots of love,
Tash