Die. No seriously, it is nearly impossible for most people to absolutely get of acne. It is an ongoing condition. However, the key is to keep your face clean. For tips to keeping your hair clean, read a previous answer at http://www.answerbag.com/c_view.php/969#q_2410

There are a few ways to minimise the nasty stuff, although mileage varies from person to person. I haven't tried the over-the-counter stuff, but I've heard that's rather personal too. * Doctors will sometimes prescribe anitbiotics for really severe (pizza-face) acne. It worked well for a couple of afflicted friends - the acne still came, but much, much less. Also, some women take the birth control pill for acne control (the hormones can act to reduce the excess production of sebum in the pores that cause acne). * Basic hygiene. Wash your face with mild soap every day, and don't let your hair get greasy - the hair oil seems to make your face oil worse. It's also a good idea to regularly wash icky, sweaty hats or sweatbands you use in sports, etc. * Avoid oil-based cosmetics, sunscreens (when not swimming), etc, and go for water-based products when possible - they don't clog the skin as much. * Diet. Eat plenty of fresh greens and veg., and try to keep away from oily fast food. Although acne has more to do with hormones than diet, some people find that fried foods or chocolate sets them off. Try to be aware of what you eat for a while, so if you have a bad breakout you can recognise possible triggers.

Only adding to Kath Watson's wonderful answer. If you go for an over the counter topical treatment, try something with 2% salicyclic acid instead of benzoil peroxide. Benzoil peroxide is sometimes too harsh and drying plus it bleaches anything it comes into contact with (clothes, pillowcases, towels, etc.). Neutrogena products are good quality/variety and they do work. Cetaphil is a mild cleanser that a lot of people swear by (including dermatologists). Be patient, severe to moderate acne won't disappear overnight. As Kath said, keep your skin clean. Do not ever go to bed without washing makeup off (if applicable) that is a major pore clogger. The makeup hardens in pores overnight and will eventually lead to blackheads on top of acne. Just need a quick spot fix for a red and inflamed pimple prior to that big date? Try dotting the area with yeast and tee tree oil. The yeast causes the dirt in the affected pore to rise to the skin's surface and the tee tree oil is a natural antiseptic. If possible, take an oral anti-inflamatory (Ibuprofen) too.

I went to diagnose-me.com partly because of cystic acne that occurred and they recommended: Your cystic acne is partially related to being overly estrogenized. She recommended a topical pregesterone cream and a supplement called DIM-Indole 3 Carbinol saying this nutrient combination assists the body in blocking excess estrogen from being introduced into certain receptors in the body, and also helps the body to eliminate excess estrogens from the body. It helps the body find hormone balance as well, by stimulating proper estrogen metabolism. I haven't tried the information above yet, but I have had success now that I am changing my pillowcases every other day and also using a headset to avoid my cellphone/regular phone causing acne in the cheek/jaw areas. This has helped a lot along with a nightly treatment of raw honey applied to the face for 15 minutes. I had read alot about different masks and decided to try it. I just read this on one of the sites about raw honey: use the honey straight from the jar and enjoy sparkling clean skin. Facial blemishes and acne caused by cosmetics or allergies will clear up quickly using a nightly treatment.

Here is a somewhat simple concoction: a home remedy "anti-bacterial soap" which could help handle acne according to some reports. Also, it assists in handling body odor. Take a couple tablespoons of Borax (like the 20 Mule Team kind) and put it in a 16 ounce bottle. Shake it vigorously. Then let the residue settle to the bottom. Pour off the water and use the water as your soap. There are some great answers here by other people, but I thought that this tidbit might be of interest to some.

If you want to get rid of acne, you have to start thinking of it as a fungal problem. Treat it as you would a fungus, and it will start to diminish. 2nd, cut out all dairy, or as much as you can. Remember, meat is fine, dairy is most always BAD. The pus cells found in most all dairy goes into your body when you eat/drink it, and one of the ways your body gets rid of the stuff is by excreting it through the pores of the skin. This is usually only done with our own human pus, which is normal, but now we're dealing with cow pus, and the skin doesn't appreciate that very much. Additionally, these bovine pus cells have been found to attach themselves to spores of the candida family of fungi, and help export them out of the cow. In this case, they are being exported into your pores. There are many makes of various gels and salves that would not have you know this. And you might think, "wow if milk is so bad, how do calves survive?" Well, milk cows are continually being fed hormones that make them produce milk, and usually never nurse an actual calf. Remember, cow juice is for cows. It's funny how all medicine nowadays involves 'adding' things to your diet, or "buying" treatments.... it's amazing the results we can get when we just subtract things ;)

I don't have any formal scientific or even folkloric data for my answer, all I can do is give you the benefit of my experience. My acne started very early, around the age of 12. By the time I was 13 or 14 it was severe, covering most of my face. It remained this way until I was 18, at which point it seemed to ease off before coming back worse than it ever had. I must have tried virtually every known remedy in this time, both prescription and over the counter. These are some of the lessons I learned (remember that acne varies considerably from one person to another so obviously this is not valid for everyone. Hopefully, though, someone will get something from this). Lotions. I tried most of the "clear pore" type lotions available. I found they did nothing. They did at least keep my skin clean, and I found that combining them with good facial hygene kept my pores open. But they did nothing for my spots at all. Creams. The only type of topical treatment that worked for me was tea tree oil. It didn't do a great deal for me (and it smelled disgusting!) but it did seem to reduce the amount of big, red spots that I got. But overall topical creams did nothing for me. Antibiotics. I went through most of the popular antibiotics available, including minocyclin and eurythromycin. They did absolutely nothing for me at all. The only one that did have an effect was Roacutane. This is a very strong drug that is only prescribed for people with severe acne that has shown no response to any other type of treatment. It's so strong that I had to have blood tests every month to make sure it wasn't harming me. The worst side effect of Roacutane is very dry lips and skin, which is almost as debilatating as the spots themselves. Anyway, I started on this drug at the age of 18 when my spots were as bad as they had ever been. After 6 months on the drug they had reduced but had still not gone completely. My acne lasted into my early twenties, at which point it started to diminish. By the time I was 25 the spots had virtually disappeared and now at the age of 27 I only get the occasional one. Now I use Neutrogena Clear Pore solution on my face (basically a salicylic acid solution) which keeps my skin clean and benzoyl peroxide paste when I get the occasional big one. So what worked for me? Nothing, except time. Obviously this isn't a very helpful answer. But I'm trying to show that it is possible to do everything right (clean skin, good diet, antibiotics and lotions) and still it has no effect. If you (like me) are one of the statistical anomalies for whom nothing works then just give it time to get out of your system. Like I say not helpful but I'm living proof that having bad teenage acne doesn't have to mean that you have it for the rest of your life.

I would like to share how I cured my acne. It started with puberty and I am now in my 40's. I was even diagnosed with cystic acne and have the scars to prove it. I also have red hair, freckles and very white, sensitive skin. I was on accutane twice about 8 or 12 years ago. I have used benzoil peroxide, saliycic acid, sulpher topicals, tca peels, gyclolic acid, refinity peels, renova, antibiotics, the list goes on and on. I dont think acne cleansers work. Harsh cleansers make my face inflamed and painful. These products do not contain enough "acid" to get the results. Topicals like benzoil peroxide or sulpher just form a hard layer over the zit leaving the plug still there. Also, these products were too harsh. I didnt have much luck with peels either. My life-long habit of picking my face was not helping either. An acne cure is a long involved process. For me, it was a lot of trial and error, and alot of frustration. Not to mention the expense of purchasing all of those products that didn't work. The most important thing you can do for yourself is find a good dermatologist who is open to working with you in the process of clearing up your face. I read an ad in the local weekly from a dermatologist offering laser treatments for half off. This was a $250 charge for a $500 treatment so I figured why not. I think their main goal was to sell me the Obaji treatment but I resisted. She seemed very concerned about my face and why I resisted all of her suggestions. I explained my fear of putting anything on my face that might irritate it. I told her about my poor luck with treatments. My frustration was so bad I had given up. I received an IPL treatment at a 14 level and left with a perscription for Niacinamide/azelaic 4%/5% cream #30. She assured me the product was mild enough for my skin. The prescription was filled by a Compound Pharmacist. This means they mix it right there for you. It was @ $30.00 for 30 grams. You apply it directly on your pimples, not all over your face. Helps to heal them faster in about three days as opposed to having a large bump on your face for three weeks. I tried it daily but had to cut back when my face turned red. Now I only apply to large red pimples, not for blackheads. Hardest part is resisting the urge to pick. The IPL treatment had satisfying results. Dark patches on my skin literally flaked off in about a week and my skin seemed brighter and tighter. After about a month, I returned to the office for another treatment. I explained to her that while I was happy with the Niacinamide it felt like I was using a garden hose to put out a forest fire. Her answer was Retin-A. No, I said, NoWAY. I figured I might as well sandpaper my face. She explained that if I just started slowly on a Mon,Wed,Fri basis I could avoid alot of the side effects. She also told me I could mix it with my regular moisturizer to also combat side effects. I was dubious but she seemed sincere. I recieved another IPL treatment also at level 14 and left with a perscription for Retincic Acid, 0..05% cream, #30. This persciption was also filled by a compound pharmacist. It was also @ $30 for 30 grams. One tube is about a six to 12 months supply. I wash my face with Cetaphil every night. Always look for the mildest cleanser you can find. It sounds funny, I know, because with acne, all you want to do is scrub and clean. But, I believe those harsher cleansers just aggravate acne and make it even more inflamed. Then I squeeze a pea size amount of cream on my fingers and a pea size amount of moisturizer and mix them together. I lightly rub this concoction all over my face. The moisturizer I use is Biomedic Hydra Emulsion. Pretty expensive but you can find travel sizes or ask for samples at the Drs. office. Look for a light moisturizer for sensitive skin. Look out for products coming from Germany or France. They have higher "FDA" standards for their products and are more inclined to do what the label on the bottle says it will do. If you are looking for a cleanser to make you feel "really clean", Dermalogica has a good one. Their Dermal Clay Cleanser works well and is about $20 for 8oz. I have never tried their Active Moist moisturizer because of the price but Im considering it. Start Retin-A very slowly. I did about three weeks of only Mon,Wed,Fri. About the fifth week I was up to nightly. You and only you can read your skin. Perhaps you could use it just five days a week. If my face seemed sensitive or red, I would back off for a day or two and just use moisturizer or moisturizer with spots of Niacinimide on the pimples. Or I should say, the pimples I rarely have now. I have been on this program for six months and my skin is clearer than it has ever been. Granted, I do still break out. Especially during ovulation or the three days before my period. But I know my acne is hormone based and will subside if I JUST DONT PICK! Retin-a will make your skin very sensitive. It will hurt to pick. Also, all of the percautions apply about avoiding the sun, etc. Went back to dermatologist for a third IPL treatment. This one was at level 17 and hurt a bit. She was very pleased with the condition of my skin. Its all about getting rid of the tops layers of the skin and letting my new skin shine through. I hope this article helps you. Print out a copy and take it with you to the Dr. to discuss it. Curing acne is hard and unfortunatly you have to work at it. Remember the trial and error you will have to go through and the frustration waiting for results. Your patience and dilligence just might pay off. This is what worked for me and I wish you good luck in finding what works for you.

Is the use of soap water or rubbing alcohol considered an OTC medication?

DO NOT POP THE PIMPLES, popping pimples can cause scars in your face, If you start getting breakouts, try Clearasil Acne Pads, I tried them and my face cleared up in about 2 days or less! Try not too eat to much candy and always wash your face. Dont put anything on your face like body lotion, only lotion meant for your face.

If oil is a problem, using a warm wet cotton swap with a little bit of tea tree oil on the face/back helps alot. I don't get them on my back at all anymore and have even made it through most of my pregnancy without any noticable zits. Also, if you see one "coming in" using full strength on the tip of the q-tip should dry it out. Don't ever use full strenth on your whole face..ouch!

Use Benza Clin! Get if from your doctor, it is kinda expensive...but it worked for me! i wish i had of used it earlier because now i have scars, but Benza clin worked, and i tried alot of things!

This is what worked for me: MD Formulations Facial Cleanser for All Skin Types (they have this at http://www.sephora.com ) follow the directions on the box. It contains glycolic acid, which I found to be an integral part of the elimination my acne. After my face is dry, I apply Proactiv Solution repairing lotion and let it dry thoroughly on my skin. I do this twice a day (morning and night) I had moderate/severe adult onset acne caused by hormone fluctuations. I tried everything except perscription meds. I tried changing my diet, drinking more water, over the counter products that contained salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, blotting papers anything to get rid of the oil. I started using these products and within 2 weeks existing acne was gone. After 2 months the scarring from previous acne was gone and now my skin is "make-up optional" . I am just so thankful that I found something that worked. I really hope this helps you.

my tip is... DONT TOUCH YOUR FACE AT ALL>>> every day, cleanse, tone and moisturing and hourly, heat up a face washer and put it on the problem areas to increase red blood calls in the area. eat less sugary and fatty foods, but this is not as important as facial care

Proacitv worked for me.

This worked for me. I got rid of my pimples in less than 3 days using stuff I found in my kitchen. Here's what you do: First, pop your pimple. I know they say never to pop pimples, but in this case, trust me. Then, fill up your sink with warm water. Put about half a cup of salt into it. Then, put a cotton ball or pad into it. Let it soak for about 30 seconds. Then press it against your pimple. If it tingles, hold in down for 3 minutes. If it doesn't tingle, put more salt onto the cotton ball. After you have held it down for 3 minutes, take off the cotton ball. DON'T WASH OFF THE SALT THAT STAYS ON YOUR FACE!!! Then, take a cotton swab and dab a little honey onto your pimple. Leave it on for 15 minutes. Then you can wash it off. After that, dab a little acne cream, or if you don't have acne cream use toothpaste, and leave on over night. and.. that's it!

i got acne when i was 11 years old. in that time i used everything- proactiv, soap, neutrogena, etc. but then i tried using the CLEAN AND CLEAR ADVANTAGE KIT it kinda worked for me but i still have some acne but not as much as i did before. This magazine once told me that putting toothpaste on your face would work too and it did. But the only thing that did kinda help with my acne was time.

see a dermatologist they have amazing things that can cure acne (with minor side effects). Or use a warm compress over pimple and wait for that pus

buy some clearasal

I wouldn't recommend any of that over the counter gunk....It never worked for me when i was younger, and it just left my skin dry.....I stopped using it ALL. So, unless you have severe acne, just change your diet.....that can work MIRACLES....this is my second week of being vegetarian and my skin is COMPLETELY clear....also my secret to clear skin; take 2 tablespoons of olive oil daily (you can put it in food or a drink if you don't like the taste) and drink green & dandelion tea. i also wash my face with cold water most days. but due to the fact that i have oily skin, hot water works best for getting rid of the oily residue (i guess you'd call it that)...natural is always better, if you can..at least when it comes to your face.

glycol (glycolic) acid works great, exfoliation is the best way