Blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed pimples are surface blemishes. As such, they are relatively simple to control. Acne cysts, however, develop down deep in the dermis. The oil gland fills with debris and actually ruptures, spilling bacteria, irritating fatty acids, and oil into the surrounding skin.
Such cysts are hard, sore to the touch, and terribly inflamed and swollen. Pits and scars often result after a cyst has healed. A dermatologist can inject a cyst with a cortisone called triamcinolone, which shrinks the cyst; repeat injections may be needed, and a small depression in the skin may be a temporary side effect. Thankfully, two at-home overnight acne remedies may allow a sufferer to avoid the needle: sulfur preparations and clove oil.
Sulfur Can Help Clear Up Acne Cysts
Sulfur is a potent antibacterial agent, which can be drying and irritating. Yet it is excellent at unclogging blocked pores and shrinking large cysts.
There are good acne facial masks containing sulfur, including one from DDF (Doctor’s Dermatological Formula), but most consumers will find that they don’t need an all-over sulfur treatment. Instead, sulfur lotions can be used on individual cysts.
Mario Badescu makes a popular overnight drying lotion containing sulfur. Some sources claim that the alcohol, camphor, and calamine in the lotion prevents skin healing. If used everyday, this would probably be correct; but the product is only meant to be used as an occasional acne spot treatment. Any transitory negative effects are surely balanced out by the discernable reduction of the deep “jelly bean” cyst.
A less expensive, equally effective overnight cyst zapper is Bye Bye Blemish Drying Lotion, which leaves out the calamine and adds the exfoliating agent salicylic acid to the mix. Sulfur has a high pH, though, so the salicylic acid in this product will not be an effective exfoliating ingredient.
Use of sulfur, especially as an all-over treatment, may lead to sensitization or worse breakouts in some individuals; if this happens, discontinue use and consult a physician.
Clove Oil: An All-Natural Blemish Buster
Clove oil is available through natural cosmetics companies such as Enessa; it can also be purchased at most health food stores. It contains 73% eugenol, an aromatic volatile organic compound that has been used by natural healers since 200 B.C.; it is still recommended as a treatment for acne cysts, toothache, and bad breath.
It is an extremely strong antiseptic and anesthetic; in fact, its close cousin, isoeugenol, found in nutmeg, was once used to kill fleas; thereby warding off the bubonic plague! Stars like Jennifer Aniston supposedly swear by clove oil as an emergency acne cyst remedy.
Because of its potency, it can kill healthy skin cells if overused. This is the reason companies like Enessa blend it with other essential oils and recommend using it no more than three times a day. To start, try using clove oil only once at night; if results are inadequate, increase usage to two applications per 24-hour period.
If the consumer purchases pure clove oil, it must be diluted with distilled water or some kind of oil prior to use. Tea tree oil is a good choice; because it kills acne bacteria almost as well as benzoyl peroxide, but is considerably less irritating. For dry blemished skin, olive oil may be used. If water is used, the solution must be thoroughly shaken prior to each application. Never make the mixture too strong: 2 to 3 drops of clove oil in a half-ounce or so of water or oil should be sufficient.
Note that the above remedies are useful for occasional cysts, such as annoying pre-menstrual breakouts. Severe, continual cystic acne can only be treated by a qualified dermatologist.
Sources
- Bark, Dr. Joseph F., Your Skin…An Owner’s Guide, Prentice-Hall, 1995.
- Begoun, Paula, Don‘t Go To the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, 6th and 7th eds., 2003, 2008.
- Bricklin, Mark, The Practical Encyclopedia of Natural Healing, MJF Books, 1983.
- Le Couteur, Penny, and Burreson, Jay, Napoleon’s Buttons: 17 Molecules That Changed History, Chapter 1, “Peppers, Nutmeg, and Cloves,” Penguin, 2003.
- Parentini, Lynn J., The Joy of Healthy Skin, Prentice Hall, Inc., 1993.
Amy Sillup - I have a B.S. in Chemistry from Delaware Valley College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. I have worked as a ...
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