SINCE ACNE MEDICATION can have harmful side effects, many people with acne explore alternative treatments in an effort to find safer treatment options. Moreover, some people with acne use alternative treatments to reduce stress, which, when left unchecked, encourages acne outbreaks. Indeed, the use of alternative treatments has grown widely among acne patients, with many reporting positive results. An acne patient explains why she sought alternative treatment:

The doctor prescribed Retin A. It totally dried out my skin. It even hurt to smile. If anything my face was redder and more inflamed than when I started. I looked like a burn victim! Then, my cousin started using tea tree oil and her skin looked great. She swore by it. She said that it was soothing and gentler than bp [benzoyl peroxide] or Retin A. That’s when I decided to switch. After that, one thing led to another. The tea tree oil was great, but I still wasn’t totally clear. I started checking out other natural treatments. Now I’m using tea tree oil and zinc, and doing some meditation. My skin’s not perfect, but it’s a whole lot better, and I feel better about myself.