Crazy Remedies Used Throughout History to “Cure” Acne (and Why They Don’t Work)

After eight years of perfecting skincare for women with breakouts, we’re aware of the science that goes into healthy glowing skin. The quest to battle acne (a frustrating and painful trifecta of oil, dead skin and bacteria), has been a long, infuriating road. Our founder Camille spent years perfecting the combination, but in that journey, she has heard some pretty crazy claims as to what can help acne!

Read below for our 7 Favorite “science - based cures.” You won’t believe number 4 - skip it if you get grossed out easily! After getting through these wacky acne cures, we'll wrap up with some remedies that actually get the job done!

1. WOULD YOU LIKE SOME LEMONS WITH THAT?

Some have sworn that squeezing lemon juice directly onto acne works! Yikes, are they screaming as they apply it? As you know, acidity can be painful on cysts or acne, so why would you go straight to the source??? Other food oddities have involved drinking or bathing in concoctions such as sour milk, which the Egyptians used to “exfoliate with,” but is not something you want to be experimenting with yourself!

2. SNAKE OIL SALESMEN

There’s a lot of talk about using snake venom to fade lines and prevent wrinkles, and TBH, it sounds really scary thinking about how we’d actually extract the venom out of the snake (especially since we’re a cruelty-free skincare line)! But the facts are that the venom is actually synthetic and does not come from a reptile - it’s actually derived from a tri-peptide called Waglerin 1 and then synthetically reproduced. We take pride in not using any synthetics because they are untested, and the side effects are unknown. Wouldn’t you rather use ingredients like French Pink Clay and Rosehip Oil than something that resembles Snake Venom???

3. LEAD HEAD

According to Kevin Jones, curator at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Museum in Los Angeles, the use of cosmetics packed with lead, mercury, arsenic and other dangerous elements made for a particularly vicious cycle. “People would put whitening on their skin and over time, it would eat the skin away, causing all sorts of scarring,” he says. “And the way they covered that up was to apply thicker amounts of the makeup, which would then exacerbate the situation. It was a horrible process — once you got started you couldn’t stop.” Lead can also be highly toxic, linked with cancer and neurological damage. Read more about it here!

4. URINE WHAT?

Using urine to attempt to get clearer skin, also known as urotherapy or “pee facials”, involves a person collecting their urine and wiping it across their face. It is then left to dry and rinsed away with water.  However, there is absolutely no scientific evidence that urine does anything to treat acne or clear skin. And shouldn’t we base the treatment of our bodies (and skin, which is our largest organ!) with treatments that are based on science or come directly from the earth?

5. STARING ENDLESSLY AT DRUGSTORE SHELVES

Another popular way to treat acne is by using random oils and creams. Many companies market special oils or creams with fancy packaging - they look cool! But sadly they contain active ingredients such as retinol – which can contain side effects like redness, irritation, burning itching and dry skin, or salicylic acid, whose harsh side effects can cause skin tingling or stinging. Furthermore, it is important to use them properly; if you use too much or use them too often, they can end up irritating your skin further and making your acne worse instead of better!

6. LASERS: THIS ISN’T STAR WARS, PEOPLE

Put your lightsabers down! Lasers can sometimes target specific areas affected by breakouts and help reduce inflammation and redness associated with pimples, but these treatments may need to be repeated multiple times before any lasting results are seen and are very expensive! There are also risks such as redness, swelling, itching, pain and infection, such as bacterial, viral, fungal infections or even the herpes virus. Obviously if we can treat acne in a much gentler way without these devastating side effects, why wouldn’t we?

7. WE MIGHT AS WELL JUST TRY BIRD POOP

No seriously, people have! Apparently, for over 1,000 years Japanese geishas have been using “nightingale poop” to lighten, brighten and cleanse their amazing skin. According to this experimenter, it goes on light and has no scent, but did not change her life and she is “still in search of the magic potion that will transform my aging, acne-prone skin into something that makes all the PTA moms jealous.”

So then, what DOES work?

Well, first and foremost, we need to understand that acne is more than just a goopy collection of oils, dead skin and bacteria. Read here about the science behind it, the genes you’re born with, lifestyle habits, and medical issues. With these acne-causing bullies in mind, how do we conquer them in a calm, clear, clean, mild way? Without testing on animals, and using all natural ingredients? By focusing on Averr Aglow Clean Skin Beauty.

Averr Aglow uses ingredients like pumpkin seed, jojoba oil, coral, French pink clay, Kakadu plum, rosehip, cucumber, saw palmetto, apple seed oil, manuka oil, Hawthorne berry, camellia, volcanic ash, and raspberry seed oil! All of which are combined with ingredients like zinc, vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and antioxidants, which minimize scars and dark marks, help eliminate oozy bacteria that causes breakouts, heal old scars, encourage fresh skin growth, help prevent breakouts, reduce inflammation, reduce fine lines, and so much more. 

One illuminating combination that will both conquer your acne while brightening your counter is Averr Aglow’s Clear Skin Kit. With four products that are both independently delightful, and as a collection, powerful and mighty, the Clear Skin Kit will soon become a gratifying part of your day, addressing each aspect of skin health from cleansing and hydration, to detoxifying and balancing.

And lest we forget, sometimes our body can get acne as well. Luckily, Averr Aglow provides products for your body too! Using products such as the Body Glow Duo is the perfect way to pamper yourself – exfoliating gently in the shower to prevent breakouts and boost elasticity with the Rejuvenating Essence Body Polish, and then our Pure Whipped Body Butter to moisturize and glow in the sumptuous mix of fruits, vitamins, and rich hydration.

Acne can be a frustrating condition to deal with, but luckily Averr Aglow is here to help in a natural, healthy, fresh way, with no side effects, no crazy or wacky remedies, and all-natural, earthy ingredients! Let us know how much you love it by posting on our Facebook page, where we are always happy to answer questions and listen to suggestions for new products!