I used to have moderate adult acne, a combination of cysts and whiteheads. I got gradually clear over the past 10 years, but tended to hang around the 80-90% clear area, and couldnt quite find the way to get, and stay, 100% clear. Over the past 3 years, I added a few ingredients to my formula that have basically ensured that I never, ever, break out.

I know that acne can bring a lot of psychological suffering and embarrassment so I just thought of the people on these forums and I wanted to share what I did in the hope it might be helpful to someone.

Here are the key steps:

Acne results from both internal (the internal health and condition of your body) and external (the condition of your skin) conditions. Ive found that its best to handle both aspects if you want to be 100% clear.

Internal

The most powerful internal substances/tricks Ive found:

Green smoothies, wheatgrass and green juices: For a long time I would skip breakfast and have a large green juice (kale, celery, ginger, lemon juice, apple or something like that) and two double shots of wheatgrass. I could literally feel the inflammation in my body and skin decreasing when I had this a few days a week for breakfast. Inflamed spots of skin would decrease in size and become less painful. I guess the injection of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, combined with some fasting time (easy to digest pure green juice and wheatgrass, your system can direct energy to healing rather than digestion) is why this works.

Oil of oregano (diluted with a juice): Oil of oregano is probably the most powerful natural antibiotic, that can be taken internally, that Ive ever encountered. It kills off bad bacteria in your system, and parasites. Be warned, it may provoke a rapid bowel movement! You have to dilute it with a juice or something, as it will burn if not mixed effectively. Oil of oregano was something I added to my routine (I take it about two or three times a week) that suddenly and permanently reduced the incidences of breaking out.

Magnesium, Vitamin A, Chromium and Zinc: I dont know why this combination works so well, but this has been the magic bullet for me, the addition to my routine that seems to give me 100% clear skin, all of the time, even if I do something that would normally break me out (say eating a whole tub of chocolate ice cream, having 8 beers, and some foods that I sense Im vaguely allergic to, as I feel all hot and weird after I eat them). I take these supplements before I go to bed, and I think thats the best time as its when the body is healing and regenerating itself.

Diet high in vegetables and to some degree, fruit: I find that along with green juices and wheatgrass, eating a lot of salads and high vegetable content meals really benefits my skin. However, I really cant be bothered to be brutally strict about my diet, it seems rather neurotic. However, neither do I like having a face covered in zits. I try to do at least a few good things every day, have a green smoothie and a salad 5 or 6 times a week, wheatgrass every weekday, and if I follow the other internal and external steps, I dont have to be paranoid about what Im eating.

Avoiding foods high refined sugar. Junk food etc, self explanatory. Not something I always follow through on either.

External

Apple Cider Vinegar: it stinks but this is the magic external bullet. I found using Benzoyl Peroxide once every so often to be helpful, but if I used it regularly, it seemed to upset my skin. I use 100% ACV once every 3 or 4 days. I have it in a spray bottle, and I just thoroughly spray my face with it before bed and leave it on overnight. I wake up and my pores look more refined, my skin feels lighter and clearer. This works because your skin naturally has an acid mantle, which is supposed to protect it from bacteria and invaders. ACV has an acidic PH, and IMO, works in concert with your skin to create a very unfriendly environment for acne bacteria. I use Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar. Some people react to pure ACV and prefer to dilute it.

Benzoyl Peroxide: After the ACV has dried, you can also put on BP, I use the acne.org one. Honestly, I dont use it anymore, I find it too harsh, and I dont need it. However, I did try using ACV and BP together a few times, and it worked incredibly well to destroy a breakout and keep skin clear.

Moisturizer: I use an all-natural one from Dr. Hauschka. Again, you can experiment with moisturizers and use one that doesnt break you out.