# Unconventional cures for acne **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 21, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919 "2003-09-21T04:46:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wristy\_McSlashalot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Wristy\_McSlashalot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wristy_McSlashalot)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/1 "2003-09-21T04:46:41Z")
Can anyone reccomend an effective cure for acne besides prescription medication? I’m not against taking prescription meds, but I’m just wondering if there is an effective treatment that can be more easily accessible. I have heard everything from rubbing alcohol and raw egg yolk to (God forbid) urine and semen can help. Does anyone have any personal experience with this? Also, does exposure to sunlight help acne? ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/2 "2003-09-21T05:43:22Z")
A sunburn might help. Or…just a thourough scrubbing with soap and water. Frequently. _Very_ frequently. Like “8 times in 12 hours.” ---
**Author:** ![rolandgunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cdc98d/32.png) [@rolandgunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rolandgunslinger)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/3 "2003-09-21T05:50:17Z")
I always heard that TOO much scrubbing may cause even more acne. Something about you oil glands over-producing to make up for the lost oil on your skin…course that may be bulls\*\*t.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/4 "2003-09-21T05:59:25Z")
An air powered die grinder. ---
**Author:** ![Phage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a4c791/32.png) [@Phage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phage)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/5 "2003-09-21T06:02:06Z")
You know, no one ever gets acne on scar tissue. You could just burn or carve the skin off of your face and then make sure that you get a nice even scar. Really, why do you think that there are prescription meds if there was an effective treatment that is more easily accessible? ---
**Author:** ![BrianS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c6cbf5/32.png) [@BrianS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianS)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/6 "2003-09-21T06:49:27Z")
Here’s what I do, and it’s been very effective. YMMV: \*\*DRINK AT LEAST 2.5 LITERS (slightly more than 1/2 gallon) OF WATER DAILY! **MORNING** Get up, wait 20 minutes to shave to allow for facial swelling (from sleep) to go away and to allow for a better shave. Wipe the oil off of my face with a cold wash cloth Shave with a Braun Synchro razor. In my experience, it gives me the best shave with zero irritation. Shower. Wash face with Cetaphil brand cleanser. It is a tad expensive, but it is totally non-irritating and will not clog your pores. Scrub back with back brush and soap. Scrub behind ear with Cetaphil on a washcloth **THROUGHOUT THE DAY** Wipe down face with paper towel soaked in cold water once or twice throughout the day. **NIGHTLY** Take a quick shower before heading to bed. Wash hair, but do not use conditioner While in shower, scrub face with ordinary baking soda. Get a handful of it, add enough water to make a loose paste, and scrub face and front/back of neck. Wash with Cetaphil again. Scrub behind ears with Cetaphil Apply thin coat of Neutrogena Multi-Vitamin Acne treatment to face & neck. Spot treat as needed with 5% benzoyl peroxide. If you MUST pop a zit, immediately clean the area with rubbing alcohol or witch hazel. This routine has worked very well for me. However, drinking the water is the most important and effective part. ---
**Author:** ![DreadCthulhu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DreadCthulhu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DreadCthulhu)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/7 "2003-09-21T08:03:54Z")
Napalm. Lots and Lots of Napalm. ---
**Author:** ![Tomcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Tomcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tomcat)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/8 "2003-09-21T11:21:55Z")
I’ve used Tea Tree oil, tar soap and lots of OTC products. None worked as well as Retin-A. Unfortunately, my wife is allergic to it, so I’m back to just using tar soap and moisterizer. -Tcat ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/9 "2003-09-21T13:34:24Z")
Mom always said that when you wake up in the morning, the first thing you should do is spit on your hand and rub it over your face. Don’t ask me if it works though, I’ve never tried. And I have a feeling that my mom just wanted to see how gullible I was. 😃 Seriously though, wash your face with water whenever you can. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/10 "2003-09-21T15:28:24Z")
Put some Windex on it. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/11 "2003-09-21T16:50:24Z")
Tea treee oil soap. Looks a bit weird (it’s a translucent green colour) and smells a bit, but it does work. ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/12 "2003-09-21T17:21:43Z")
Wash your face with medicated soap as often as practical. Apply Oxy 10 (benzoyl peroxide) all over your face, with extra in oily areas. You should apply the Oxy 10 even when you can’t wash. Make sure to rub it in well, it won’t do as much good just laying on the surface. (Get the “Vanishing” kind.) Wipe your face with tissue regularly to keep oil off. Do not put ANYTHING with any kind of oil listed in the ingredients on your face. (There used to be some kind of acne treatment liquid that was loaded with oils. Can’t remember the name.) Keep your hands away from your face. Don’t rest your chin on your hands. Learn to sleep without your face touching the pillow. Drink lots of water as suggested above. Prohibitions against chocolate and greasy foods for acne patients is an old wives tale. There is no medical evidence that these foods affect the skin. It stems from the fact that teenagers eat a lot of bad food and also have bad skin. But there is no scientific correlation. (They also listen to a lot of bad music, but that won’t cause acne either.) Acne is a disease that cannot be cured, only treated, but following the steps I’ve listed will show a marked improvement over time. If not, consult a dermatololgist. ---
**Author:** ![Sarah23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sarah23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarah23)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/13 "2003-09-21T18:01:56Z")
I’ve heard: -tea tree oil -toothpaste -egg yolk -no foundation (extremely pore clogging) -stay hydrated -take vitamin supplements ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/14 "2003-09-21T19:04:32Z")
Guillotine. Unconventional, guaranteed, solves a whole host of problems 😃 ---
**Author:** ![quothz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/da6949/32.png) [@quothz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quothz)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/15 "2003-09-22T01:47:00Z")
A nineteen-twenties style dea_WHACK_ Er, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/16 "2003-09-22T11:55:55Z")
Pee on a washcloth. Dab pimples with urine-soaked washcloth. This was told to my uncle by the old Italian ladies who used to rub their faces with the peed-up diaper when they changed the babies. I never tried it myself. ---
**Author:** ![karomon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@karomon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/karomon)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/17 "2003-09-22T12:04:10Z")
My mother made me douse my face with vodka. Love ya, mom. 😃 Other than that, I second the massive amounts of water and the vitamins. Another thing that helped me was lots and lots of aerobic excercise. Good luck, **Wristy**! ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/18 "2003-09-22T12:15:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ponder Stibbons \* > \*\*Guillotine. Unconventional, guaranteed, solves a whole host of problems 😃 \*\* The Master once said that “Female circumcism cures masturbation the way a guillotine cures acne.” Or something like that. I recommend liquid antiperspirant, which really works. ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/19 "2003-09-22T13:27:14Z")
Zinc supplements. Keep it clean. Don’t use normal soap. Over-frequent washing and scrubbing is **not** a solution. It gives you dry, flaky skin so your skin just increases oil production to try and counteract it. End result is flaky skin _and_ acne. Putting anything else on your skin (like lots of the suggestions above) is just messing about with the symptons and not addressing the cause. Zinc supplements. I said that already, didn’t I? ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unconventional-cures-for-acne/202919/20 "2003-09-22T14:10:40Z")
If you are looking for “unconventional” ways I have heard of two. 1. rub seman on your face, let it dry and then peel off with a cool wash cloth 2. rub toothpaste on the affected area at night and then wash off in the morning