Wednesday, February 29, 2012

A Truly Amazing Acne Treatment


Like many other people, I struggle with adult acne.   I've tried many over the counter remedies, including Pro-Active, with limited success.  The ironic thing is that I didn't suffer from acne as a teenager.  My acne seemed to be triggered by pregnancy. 
Feeling frustrated by lack of results and not wanting to resort to prescription medications, I went on a mad search last year for a natural cure. 

In my research, I found that Turmeric is widely used in other parts of the world medicinally and as a beauty treatment.  Turmeric is used for acne because of its antiseptic and antibacterial properties that fight pimples and breakouts. It removes redness from acne and other types of scarring, reduces inflammation and evens out skin discolorations.


Turmeric also appears to have cancer-fighting properties as well!

I decided to apply Turmeric topically to the affected areas and take it internally.  You can purchase Turmeric for topical use in the spice section of your grocery store.  Supplements are sold for internal use, however, I found it less expensive to purchase empty gelatin capsules at my local health food store and fill them with Turmeric from the spice jar. 

1) I use turmeric found in the spice section of
my grocery store.




2) It only takes about 2 to 3 tsp each treatment
 

3) Add equal parts water to ground turmeric
 

4) Mix well until consistency of prepared mustard
  
5) Apply to the affected area and leave on
for at least 20 minutes.  I prefer to leave
on overnight.

Using Turmeric is simple -

I would caution you that this will stain your skin and your bedsheets yellow.  I use an old pillowcase that I can bleach on the nights I apply turmeric topically.  In the morning, the staining on my skin is easy enough to remove with hydrogen peroxide.  

For me, the turmeric worked an overnight miracle.  (Read here to see what I did to get rid of the acne scarring.) 

The deep cystic acne was brought to the surface, swelling virtually gone.  The hard center of the pimples were very easy to remove with little pressure.  (Yes, I know you're not supposed to pick at acne, but the center literally jumped out for me with ever so slight pressure around the pimple).   After some time, I found I could stop using turmeric topically and just continue to take supplements orally.    

I believe this treatment is probably not widely used simply because it's messy and stains whatever it comes into contact with.  However, for those who are desperate to control or cure their acne, that messiness may seem a small price to pay.   

I would encourage anyone who struggles with acne to give this natural remedy a try! 

To get rid of acne scarring check out this article ~ How To Really Get Rid of Acne Scars


For more reading on beauty the natural way you might enjoy the following ~


Feed Your Face: Younger, Smoother Skin and a Beautiful Body in 28 Delicious Days


Feed Your Face: Over 80 Natural Skin Care Recipes for Homemade Facial Masks for All Skin Types. (Natural Beauty Recipes)


The Clear Skin Diet


If you are having difficulty locating supplies at your local store ~

Empty Gelatin Capsules 0 Size - 500 Empty Gelatin Capsules


Simply Organic Turmeric Root Ground Certified Organic, 2.38-Ounce Container


Frontier Ground Turmeric Root (minimum 5% Curcumin), 16 Ounce Bags (Pack of 3)


Or if you would like the benefits of turmeric in a commercially prepared cream you might be interested in ~

Clear Face Turmeric Cream

If you liked  this article, don't forget to subscribe!  Just clink on the link on the right side of the page. 

89 comments:

  1. I have tio chuckle with the thought of you waking up yellow.

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  2. Hmm, I may try this with my teenage sons. Thanks for the info.
    Judy

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    1. My boys (16 and 14 years old) use it Judy, and although the yellow in the morning causes them to have to take a few seconds to swipe on some hydrogen peroxide, they are happy with the results. I would suggest trying it on a Friday night just in case it doesn't come off their skin easily. I would hate for them to go to school with yellow skin!

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  3. Very interesting. My kids really struggled with their acne especially my younger son.

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    1. Yeah, I wish I would have discovered it earlier on in my childbearing years. Acne sucks...

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  4. I enjoy learning natural alternatives. Thanks.

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  5. Thanks for posting this! I too have struggled with adult cystic acne since I was in my early 20s. I never had children so not sure what brought mine on. I have found some success with pro-activ but still have issues from time to time. I would like to not use the pro-activ and do something much more chemical free! But as of yet I have not found something that would work. I will try this!

    Have you ever heard of a herb company www.mountainroseherbs.com They sell organic herbs and other things like bee wax, essential oils etc. Well the prices are incredible for organic herbs! You can buy in 4 oz 8 oz and 1 Lb bags. The taste is so much like home dried its wonderful. the jars at the store are what a couple ounces and you can buy 8 oz. in some cases for what they charge at the store for NON organic 2 oz. I am not associated with them in anyway other than I am a happy customer. For canning season when your going through a ton of mustard and celery seeds etc. You can buy a one LB bag organic for not much more than they want for a jar of old non organic on the shelf... Their shipping is a little high but its still a bargain when you consider the savings cost. I just ordered turmeric from them in my last order as I was about out. I have a wide mouth pint jar now. I will have to look into some gel capsules to fill!

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    1. Texan,

      I really hope this works as well for you as it has for me. I only wish I would've discovered turmeric long before the scarring on my chin occurred.

      No, I hadn't heard of www.mountainroseherbs.com but I will definitely check them out asap! I've ordered bulk years ago online but I didn't feel like I was saving money due to shipping costs. So I've been just going back and forth between our health food stores and Walmart. Thank you so much for the tip!

      Also, I can't emphasize enough that turmeric stains when used topically but it can be overcome with the precautions I discussed.

      Please do let me know how this works for you!

      Warm wishes from Kansas!

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  6. Wow, I didn't know that! I drink milk with 1 tsp turmeric and honey but never applied it to my face. Clever idea Poppy!

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    1. Thanks Marina!

      Good to know you're doing something good for your body! I think taking it internally does a world of good for many reasons... Just out of curiousity, do you drink it daily or just occasionally?

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  7. You know, I used to suffer from breakouts, but they've all but gone away since I stopped using soap. I know it sounds totally crazy, but now I just wash my face with warm water and the problem is pretty much solved. Maybe it's just a coincidence, I dunno, but I'm pretty thrilled with it. Of course, I don't wear makeup... not sure how this would work if you do.

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    1. I'm open to the thought that you could not use anything on your face and have great skin! We create issues for ourselves with all the stuff we do. Kind of like doctors putting us on a medication to counteract the side effects from another medication, so on and so forth. My father-in-law was on 17 different meds at one point, most of them to help ease side effects from one of the other meds!

      Thanks for sharing your experience with us EcoCatLady! You make a good point!

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  8. That's a great tip!!! I rarely get acne anymore..but it's nice to have a safe alternative to treat those rare flare-ups!!! Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather ;)

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    1. Lucky you Heather! But it does work well for the rare flare ups too! Thanks for stopping by! I always appreciate your visits!

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  9. This has not been a problem for me, but I know folks who do have it. What a wonderful thing to know. Nature's cures are always so much better.

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    1. So true Leigh, nature's cures are always better. I think when we isolate substances, we might come up with something more potent than nature has to offer but we lose balance in the process.

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  10. How interesting! I was on accutane back in high school, but I still have skin issues(probably do to pregnancies and whatnot), I'm going to remember this! Thanks for sharing!!:)

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    1. My pleasure, Jessica! I do hope you'll let us know how it works for you if you decide to give it a try!

      Warm wishes from Kansas!

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  11. Just a thought, but if you have any sort of Indian / Middle Eastern grocery stores in your area, you could probably buy tumeric in much larger quantities for what you pay for a small jar at a regular grocery store. I recently went into a local ethic grocery in my little town and found a 28oz bag of coriander for about $5. I didn't happen to need 28oz of coriander, but what a deal! LOL

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    1. Jenyfer,

      That's a great tip! I think ethnic grocery stores can be a great source of economical foods and spices. I hadn't thought of that before but we live in a large enough city that we've got a nice variety of ethnic stores!

      Have a great day!

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    2. Thought of you yesterday when I stopped by our local Indian / ethnic grocery store. They not only had bags of various spices for next to nothing but they also had a tube of turmeric face cream imported from India :)

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    3. Jenyfer,

      How cool! I've yet to find any in my local markets! But you don't live in the states, do you?

      Thanks for stopping by!

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    4. We recently moved back to the US from Egypt and are now in mid-Michigan :)

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    5. Do you miss Egypt? This Kansas girl is imagining that living in Egypt must have been quite an experience!

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    6. Oh yes, we miss many things about it. We didn't leave under the best of circumstances either! There are several posts on my blog about the revolution and our departure.

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    7. Jenyfer,

      I took some time to go read your postings regarding your leaving Egypt and I must say "Wow!" I can imagine that it is hard to believe over a year has passed. Those types of experiences don't happen to most Americans. I think we (as a society) tend to take our living conditions for granted. It is very possible that our own country could move to a state of unrest such as Egypt experiences. I'm sad for your loss of your home but thankful you and your family had another home to come to. Thank you for sharing with us your story!

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  12. I'm trying to find more natural remedies to use around our home, so thanks for sharing this one!

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    1. My pleasure Tracey! Thanks for stopping by!

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  13. I'm going to try this! My cystic acne got much worse after my teenage years, and it's a nightmare when I'm pms'ing. I've been on meds and tried tons of topical stuff. Something natural would be a great thing!

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    1. April, I'm so glad you stopped by! I do hope you'll try it both topically and take it as a supplement. I noticed an immediate improvement using it topically but I believe taking it internally at the same time is the reason my acne is all but gone! Just remember that it will make your skin yellow (but hydrogen peroxide takes the staining right off my skin) if you leave it on overnight. I felt like the inconvenience of the staining was a small price to pay for the fantastic results!

      Do let us know how this works for you!

      Have a great evening!

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  14. Instead of water try mixing with some yogurt. The lactic acid in yogurt does wonders for the skin.

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    1. Becky, Great idea! I have used it with buttermilk with great results, probably for the same reason!

      One other ingredient I mixed it with at one point was brewer's yeast (and buttermilk). I think the brewer's yeast acted like a clay in the consistency and seemed to help pull the pimples to a head even more quickly. I didn't use it long enough to know for sure whether it improved the results achieved.

      Thanks for your visit and your helpful tip, Becky!

      Warm wishes from Kansas!

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  15. I clicked on this from DIY Naturals site. Great idea, don't know if I could get my teenager to do it though. Hey, I'm 42 from Wichita too! I live in Oregon now, much more "green."--Linda

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    1. Linda,

      It's nice to meet a fellow Wichitan! I'll bet you're enjoying Oregon's "greenness"! I have a daycare family that just moved to Kansas from Portland and I know they really miss the area.

      My teenage boys use turmeric and are happy with the results but they were prepared for the yellow mess!

      Thanks for your visit, Linda! I do hope you stop back by soon.

      Warm wishes from Wichita!

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  16. I wonder if anyone has used it with success for rosecea. It is another form of acne from what I understand. I'm going to try it to see if it relieves my symptoms. Let me know if you've heard anything.

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    1. I would think it would be worth a try! I've used turmeric on cuts that were beginning to get infected on my fingers and just covered with a bandaid. Overnight the inflammation was gone. I really think this stuff is amazing, I believe we just don't use it much here because of the color. To me, it's worth it as long as the product you use to remove it doesn't irritate your skin. I would suggest to you that you try it in the form of supplements taken internally. I take capsules (average size) that I've filled with turmeric three times a day. I'm just concerned about your skin becoming more irritated from the process of removing the staining. But might work for you to do some overnight masks on a weekend when you don't have to go anywhere!

      Please do let me know how this works for your rosecea! The concepts are sound for this to help!

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  17. I get acne on my back. I'm sitting here debating how I could sleep with this on my back without making a huge mess. Maybe just put it on for an hour before bed and take off? Any thoughts would be appreciated. It would be nice to actually be able to wear tank tops in the summer. Hehe

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    1. JodiV,
      I think an hour would be really helpful! I can't caution enough that this stuff stains so if you want to be bareskinned the next day, you will want to have some hydrogen peroxide on hand to wipe of the staining.

      Also, I would stress that you take turmeric internally whether by supplements or mixing into a smoothie. I haven't had to topically apply the turmeric for some time now but I take it internally daily. It really worked both topically and internally very well for me, sort of a two punch kind of treatment!

      Let us know how this works for you! It would be great to be able to wear tanks this summer!

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  18. Great idea Poppy! Thanks! I'll use it for me and my teenaged daughter. Any idea how much to take as supplements?

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    1. Hi Swati,

      I just filled empty capsules and take at least three a day. If you buy supplements, I would probably take dose three times a day. It's a food after all and not likely to cause an overdose. Good luck to you!

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  19. This is on my face as I type! I've been dealing with horrible acne since I was 17 (I'm 24 now). And I've tried everything! Even proactiv and antibiotics. The best remedy I've found so far is using Cetephil and baking soda to wash my face, and drinking lots and lots of green tea. I'll let you know what happens with the tumeric!

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  20. So I tried it out, and it does dry up your acne! But it takes a while. And the smell makes me really sick. What I've found that works faster at drying up acne is milk of magnesia. I have been using it for about 3 days in a row and it's helping so much! And I have horrible acne. Thanks again for such a great article :)

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  21. I take 3 capsules ,three times a day after meals.It's a great anti- inflamatory...but you need to take it with Zinc..and Piperine(black pepper)to make it effective! I also make my own Capsules,and buy my Turmeric from an Indian Grocery. I also agree about sourcing Organic herbs and Spices from Mountainroseherbs...I was using them but they have stopped shipping Internationally;so i can no longer Order from them.Here is a Recipe for
    "Golden Milk"
    Instructions: Take 1/4 cup turmeric powder, mix with 1/2 cup pure water and simmer over medium-high heat for at least 7 minutes, stirring constantly. You will notice a thick paste form. If it get’s too dry while cooking you can add additional water. Once cooled, put into a glass jar and put in fridge. This is good for a few weeks to one month. If you are not familiar with Turmeric or where to get it, you should be able to purchase the powder from health food stores, Indian spice stores or other places online.

    Making Golden Milk

    Add 1 tsp of the turmeric paste to 1 cup. hot milk (cow, goat, soy, rice, almond, or any combination), maple syrup or honey to taste and 1/2 tsp. of almond or sesame oil. Gently heat and stir and then Enjoy!


    Great dlog Poppy!

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  22. Hi! Just wanted to let you know that I have been using turmeric as a face mask with really good results. I found a recipe online using turmeric, besan (chickpea) flour, yogurt and honey - this is what I use and I think the yogurt makes it so there is no yellow staining. I just wash the mask off with water, no need for soap.

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    1. what are your proportions for that?!

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  23. How many times a week did you leave on overnight, and how many days a week did you take this orally?
    Please let me know! Just starting this regimen!

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    1. I left it on topically overnight everytime I had a breakout and took daily orally. Over time the need to use it topically was less and less. Good luck!

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  24. Sounds great... I think it's worth a try. Thanks for these tips to treat blocked pores that cause acne

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  25. I honestly have done a lot of research, and I believe that there is actually a huge relationship between the foods that I've eaten and the acne that I had for so long. After going on a plant-based diet and cutting out excess sugar, I have been acne free for a year now and I no longer have to use acne face washes either. I've also taken Probiotics to replace the good bacteria that was destroyed after being on Antibiotics for so long. I don't really think this is a myth anymore. If nothing else, it needs more research. But, I always notice that if I begin to let my guard down and resort to poor eating, I begin to have problems with acne again. acne treatment system

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  26. Hello, I am looking for a skin care system that is suitable for normal to combination skin and that will clear up my blemishes. I don't have acne but I get ALOT of pimples on my chin and in other areas all over my face. Could someone please recommend me some products, thank you! best body acne treatment

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  27. Sounds great... I have lots of acne. I want something that will prevent pimples all together and would definitely love to try this This product may give some relief to skin. I think it's worth a try... acne treatments blog

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  28. Every time i use my acne treatment, my skin is always dry, red, and warm. So i put on the toner and lotion, and that seems to help the dryness. However, it still remains blotchy red around the bridge of my face, and kind of warm. The treatment, toner, etc. works for my acne extremely well, compared to anything else i've used in the past. Even later in the day, my skin is still red. Why is this happening? It never happened before, just when I wash it.Help. best acne treatment review

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  29. How much do you take in your capsules? I really want to try this but i'm nervous...

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    1. I just fill the capsule as full as I can. I don't think you need to be nervous but if it makes you feel better you can consult your doctor prior to taking (many recommend you do so before taking any supplement). You could also purchase a commercial supplement if you aren't sure of preparing your own. Good luck to you!

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  30. Thank you! I bought it yesterday and applied it all over my face, afterward I found out I didn't have hydrogen peroxide lol! So I sent my husband early this morning to purchase some for me. I am going to apply some right now, I am so excited and looking forward to seeing results.

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    1. Please do let us know how it works for you!

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  31. I take the turmeric capsules as a supplement and it seems to be just as effective.

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  32. I take 2 capsules (500 mg) of tumeric per day and no problems with acne. Used to have problems with acne all the time.

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  33. I want to say thank you so so so so so much for this! Like I said before I was nervous to try this, but I am so glad I did! I started march 13, it is now match 27... My face is starting to look flawless! My husband can't believe it. I drink some of the powder with milk every day and I apply the turmeric with honey and milk at night. The honey and milk helps reduce the staining on my skin. I am so happy with the results. I've been telling everyone about it! Now my skin glows, and my makeup looks flawless! Thank you again:)

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    1. Yay!!!! I am really happy for you! I'll have to try the honey and milk idea for the times I have a breakout. (For me, just taking the supplement is enough). Thanks for letting us know how this worked for you!

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  34. Hi, I am from Slovakia, I do not know English very well, so I apologize in advance for any errors in spelling. I found your site, I love natural cosmetics. I took this recipe because I have a problem with acne. I already did this mask, but I'm scared to yellow color, I did not know any way to wash :) Is peroxide safe for my skin? I have sensitive skin. Thank you very much! :)

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    1. I think hydrogen peroxide should be fine on your sensitive skin but if you are really concerned, you might consider just taking the turmeric as a supplement instead of applying it topically. Do let us know how it's working for you!

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  35. Thank you for posting this! I am currently pregnant and nothing is helping my acne, if anything I feel like it's getting worse, which sucks! Because there aren't enough changes going on while you're pregnant! I am going to the store tonight to try this out!! :)

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    1. Holley, I feel ya'! I experienced acne with each pregnancy. Please be sure to stop back in and let us know how it's working for you. Have a great weekend!

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  36. Found your site through a link on Pinterest, Reading the stories of the other ladies on here was just like listening to my own story.
    Since my first pregnancy 13 yrs ago I have struggled on & off with acne that is so very large, sore and long lasting, leaving large red scars.
    I have spent many mornings looking in the mirror with tears knowing that I have to face the day ahead with people trying not to make it obvious.
    I too have tried Proactive, antibiotics, skin specialist, with the last Dr suggesting I was my face in straight bleach - needless to say, I did not go back.
    I am now 38 and am currently in the care of a Naturopath, with the results not terribly outstanding.
    So with a renewed hope I am going to try out your option, using the milk & honey.
    Fingers crossed, when I return, I will have a positive outcome.
    Thanks for giving me some hope...
    Danielle

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    1. Danielle,

      I hope this helps you too. It is really hard to put on your best face for the day when you have painful acne. I think taking it internally and applying topically is likely to give you the best results. Please do let us know how turmeric worked for you and any variations you made while using. Sharing really helps fellow acne sufferers. Thanks and have a great day!

      Poppy

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  37. Dear Poppy,

    I usually don't comment on blogs or homepages, but I am so glad I found your great homepage and your advice, it really worked amazingly. Within only 2 weeks my more than 15 years of torture and disappointment (about any other treatment) was completely over.
    There were days when I didn't even want to leave the house, after I had a look in the mirror. There was never enough concealer to cover this mess. Not even prescribed remedies worked. And now this relief!
    I always mixed the (organic) Turmeric with yoghurt, left in on for 2-3 hours. Because of the yoghurt the texture is thicker and doesn't drip that easily and it is also supporting the treatment. Then I wash it off. First with clear water, the Turmeric and the yoghurt work like a soft peeling, after with a facial cleanser containing oily ingredients. The oil removes the yellow colour almost completely, it doesn't affect the treatment (the skin won't be oily after). Finally I use my favourite natural soap from West Africa - black soap. There won't be any visible yellow left, so I never had to bleach. (Still I use an old/dark towel to dry my face - just in case and I left out my hair line and the eyebrows, otherwise my blond hair would have been yellow)
    To the Turmeric capsules I always add some pepper (when I fill them). The contained piperine is boosting the effect of Turmeric. Even the dark circles around my eyes are gone (due to the contained iron and many other positive substances).
    Now I want to try your glycolic acid treatment, to get rid of the last traces.
    Thanks again for sharing your experiences with us.

    Magdalena

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    1. Magdalena,

      I am so happy turmeric worked for you too! Thank you for sharing your detailed instructions on the method in which you used it. I think your comment will really help other readers. It seems like you've found a way to avoid the staining from the turmeric! Have a wonderful day!

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    2. What oily cleanser are you using. I am having the hardest time getting the stain off of my face.

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  38. i have turmeric paste on my acne while writing this comment ....i hope it works ...thanks for the information poppy...fingers crossed :)

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  39. yaay! it worked...after 2 days of application my pimples have finally dried up..i am all yellow but its quite a small price to pay...thank you so much for sharing this wonderful article. much love

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  40. How much to take as capsule n how long? N ok ill try mask but only 20 mins thanks

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  41. I recently made a face wash n see a difference n love results if interesting please contact me for details n ingredients

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  42. I am trying this. I can't take it anymore. Nothing has ever helped me and I am at the point where I hide in my house and don't go anywhere. I really hope this will work for me. Thank you all for sharing your experiences.

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  43. Just read your advice about using turmeric for acne. I have pimples on my scalp so am definitely going to try this and the capsules. I have also read that turmeric is good for people that suffer from hypertension. So it is a "double positive" -thanks again!

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    1. Ok I had the same problem on scalp but now I use a different shampoo each time I wash my hair n that issue has disappeared. Good luck its been 38 yrs soon ive fought this battle.

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  44. When using the hydrogen peroxide to wash off staining do I apply to cotton wool pads and wipe off ? Also the turmeric and yoghurt solution .. how much turmeric and yoghurt do you need to mix ? Thanks x

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    1. Yes, I used cotton balls to apply the hydrogen peroxide. The yogurt and turmeric mixture isn't an exact amount. I think a tsp or so of turmeric to 1/2 cup of yogurt should do the trick.

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  45. How often should I be doing this?

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    1. I applied topically to my pimples, nightly until they went away. But still take turmeric internally every day. It is so good for many things (cancer fighter, inflammation reducer, etc) that I view it as preventive medicine.

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    2. I applied topically to my pimples, nightly until they went away. But still take turmeric internally every day. It is so good for many things (cancer fighter, inflammation reducer, etc) that I view it as preventive medicine.

      Delete
  46. I got what you mean,saved to favorites, very decent website.

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  47. Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren't
    loading properly. I'm not sure why but I think its
    a linking issue. I've tried it in two different web browsers and both show
    the same outcome.

    ReplyDelete

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