"All-natural" on an acne product sounds reassuring, but the label alone doesn't tell you whether it works. The research on natural acne remedies is thin, and the first things the NHS suggests trying are ordinary pharmacy products such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Below is what the evidence actually shows, followed by two practical points people tend to skip: picking a moisturizer texture and storing skincare so it doesn't spoil.
Is all-natural the best type of acne therapy?
One careful look at this question is a Cochrane review of complementary therapies for acne (Cao et al., 2015). It included 35 randomised trials with 3,227 participants, covering herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping therapy, diet, purified bee venom and tea tree oil. Most trials were judged to have an unclear risk of bias. The authors found some low-quality evidence, each from a single trial, that a low-glycaemic-load diet, tea tree oil and bee venom may reduce total skin lesions. They found a lack of evidence to support herbal medicine, acupuncture or wet-cupping for treating acne.
The tea tree oil result came from one trial of 60 participants that compared it with a placebo. That is a small study, and the reviewers rated the evidence as low quality. They also noted that some trials reported mild side effects from herbal medicines, wet-cupping and tea tree oil gel, and that there is potential for adverse effects from herbal medicines. So "natural" isn't the same as "proven", and it isn't the same as "harmless" either.
What the NHS suggests trying first
The NHS acne page (NHS: Acne) lists plain steps: wash your skin twice a day with a gentle cleanser, use skincare and make-up that is non-comedogenic (meaning it won't clog pores), and don't pick, squeeze or scrub. For treatment you put on your skin, it names salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, and says a pharmacist can advise. It recommends seeing a GP if self-treatment isn't working, or if spots are deep, painful or scarring. Prescription treatments, it says, are stronger than shop products and can be very effective for more severe acne.
Diet comes up a lot in this topic too. If that's your interest, our piece on acne causing foods goes into it.
Picking a moisturizer texture
A moisturizer that suits one person can feel unbearably heavy on another, so the texture is worth choosing with care. The NHS page on emollients (NHS: Emollients) explains the difference simply. Lotions are thin and spread easily, but they're not very moisturising. Creams are not very greasy and are absorbed quickly, which makes them good for daytime. Ointments are greasy, thick and very moisturising, and suit very dry, thickened skin and night-time use.
For acne-prone skin there is one more line on that page worth knowing: emollients can sometimes cause rashes on the face that can aggravate acne. If a new product seems to make things worse, the NHS advice is to talk to a GP, nurse or pharmacist. You may need to try a few before one suits you.
Storage: heat and light can break ingredients down
Some active ingredients don't keep well. A review of vitamin C in skincare (Stamford, 2012) describes the instability of this water-soluble vitamin as a problem for formulation chemists. Retinol has been tested directly. In a stability study of two commercial creams containing retinol and vitamin C (Carlotti et al., 2006), retinol fell moderately over time at 25°C, degraded more at 40°C, and broke down more under UVA light than under UVB. The authors described the creams as rather unstable after storage at 40°C.
The practical takeaway: keep these products out of direct sun and away from a hot car or a steamy bathroom shelf. If a product looks or smells different from when you bought it, stop using it and ask a pharmacist.
Sayer Dates sells dates, not skincare, so for advice on your own skin a pharmacist or doctor is the right person to ask. See also Kurma Ajwa Harga. You can read more about us on our about page, or get in touch about a dates order.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Speak to a pharmacist or doctor about any skin condition.
References
- Cao H, Yang G, Wang Y, et al. Complementary therapies for acne vulgaris. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015. PMID 25597924
- NHS. Acne. nhs.uk/conditions/acne
- NHS. Emollients. nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/emollients
- Stamford NP. Stability, transdermal penetration, and cutaneous effects of ascorbic acid and its derivatives. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2012. PMID 23174055
- Carlotti ME, Ugazio E, Sapino S, et al. Photodegradation of retinol and anti-aging effectiveness of two commercial emulsions. J Cosmet Sci. 2006. PMID 16957807