A cure for acne is the elusive holy grail for those with this chronic condition. There are two routes in finding the cure for most acne sufferers; the chemical/non-natural way, and the natural/holistic method. In this article I will summarize my own opinions on each one.

Chemical topicals are usually the first attempt in curing acne for most acne sufferers. Cleansers such as clearasil which contain Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid and aim to either dry out the acne prone skin, which is usually oily, or peel it to get rid of the blocked pores which lead to acne. Positive results aren't generally seen with this kind of treatment.

A common pattern of acne treatments is that they work temporarily, and then the acne comes back. The next method usually attempted by acne sufferers is a classic example of this. After trying over-the-counter products with the above acne-fighting ingredients in them, but without success, a visit to a dermatologist will result in the obligatory antibiotic prescription. These can often clear up acne, yet only work for a month or two effectively. Next up will be accutane. The nuclear bomb for acne. But when the dust eventually settles after a few months of completing the course, acne returns. This is often the most frustrating treatment for acne for the sufferer, as the promise from the dermatologists is that is totally cures it, and the side effects are only minimal. Most people do it as they think it will hold off their acne until they 'grow out of it'- which obviously might never happen.

As you can tell, I'm not an advocate of the chemical line of acne treatment. It really doesn't get to the root cause of acne and so it isn't successful. Why dermatologists continue to prescribe antibiotics and accutane and don't even look at natural methods of curing acne is a cause of confusion me and others who successful got rid of our acne through a natural method.

So what natural methods are there?

Often a first attempt by the acne sufferer in dealing with acne from a natural angle is to do a short term fast. Abstaining from food and only eating cleansing foods such as fruits has been shown to clear skin quickly, yet doing this long term is an impossibility, and the results of a fast to clear acne are again only temporary. At least fasting is beneficial to the body, unlike antibiotics, which can cause candida, which ironically further aggravates acne in the long term. Other natural treatments that can be effective for acne are special diets. I suggest that the acne sufferer becomes more aware of what they eat and how it effects their skin. They may quickly find something in their diet that is triggering a breakout consistently. Omitting that from the diet can improve acne in many cases.

By far the most effective acne cure as far as I'm concerned is getting certain nutrients into the body that treat the skin internally. The best method in doing has recently been developed and written up in the facemaster course. Finally acne sufferers can rely on a acne cure that is both simple, requiring no major lifestyle changes for the majority of people, and is also effective, both in the short term and long term.