Skin Condition Remedies

| Modified on May 25, 2023

Natural remedies are often the best, cheapest, and healthiest bet for treatment of all sorts of skin conditions--including the natural aging of the skin. Hydration, tone, coloration, blotchiness, and growths among many other skin conditions can be addressed naturally with home remedies.

Often, skin conditions are the result of nutritional deficiencies in the diet or other systemic health conditions with skin-related symptoms. In these cases, a holistic natural approach to diet and supplementation can have the largest, least toxic, and longest lasting positive effect on our skin health. Adding omega-3 fatty acids to you diet, cleansing the skin with apple cider vinegar, exfoliating with a baking soda skin scrub, or supplementing your diet with important skin-supporting nutrients can often do far more for your skin than any expensive skin care products.

Home Remedies: Among other natural cures for skin conditions, coconut oil is a very popular lotion component; vinegar is an effective toner and cleanser; iodine can help remove many growths and plaques; and apple cider vinegar or green juice tonics are often said to improve both tone and skin glow.




Apple Cider Vinegar

5 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  60%
1 star (2) 
  40%

Posted by Mary (New York) on 11/09/2017
★★★★★

I had a bad allergic reaction to Januvia, red, deep blistering rash that was spreading but only on my right side. I stopped the med but the reaction has already started, ..itching, spreading, etc. I used over the counter "anti-itch" meds, sprays, anything I could read about to use. Finally my PA put me on a very low dose of Prednisone, Blood Sugars went up to 400, appetite increased immediately and the itching was still making me get up several times during the night to apply something to try to stop the itching.

On the third morning around 2:20 am, I had applied ice, and got back on the computer and did more research....thank you God, I learned about Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother which I had in my cupboard. I stepped into our tub and with hot soapy water I scrubbed the area to cleanse all the other lotions, etc off. I applied the ACV liberally on all the affected areas. BURN!! Yes, but that was due to the major scrubbing prior to application.

Long story short, by 7:30 am the blisters were gone...I could not believe it. It has been 5 days since and the rash has shrunk from about 12 inches in length to about 4 inches. I apply it still about 1-2 times a day and especially at bedtime when the height of the histamines surface. I read more and more about the ACV and the combinations of that and Baking Soda for different uses. Now I take the combo at least 2x a day and my blood sugars and lower, I seem to feel better and my appetite has decreased. I am telling everyone about the amazing results of so many issues we have that can be cured ..not just "masked" but healed with natural resources.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lauraleelee (Hudson, Wi) on 07/30/2016
★★★★★

I am a 50-something woman who has reached menopause having stopped menstruating 2.5 years ago. My skin has become blotchy with what can best be described as large light brown freckles. They are very obvious on my calves, once lovely, and a few on my face coupled with the melasma, or darkening from nose to chin around my mouth. I also had crusty, painful hairs on my upper lip (I liken them to matchsticks) that would get ingrown, scabby, flaky, etc.

I started drinking ACV about 2 months ago. I keep a little shot glass on my bathroom vanity and try to get 3-4 Tablespoons a day. I fill it about half full, add water, drink a little, add more water until it's gone......better than sipping, I believe, as your tooth enamel is not being exposed to it for an extended amount of time.

I have noticed in this time that the hairs have become much softer and fewer. The darkening has decreased significantly and with regular exfoliating the brown spots on my face are lightening. I have been told that my face is brighter. I have not noticed a big change in my legs, but have seen enough to keep going with this daily regimen. I will update as I see more progress!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Josey (Tulsa, 0l) on 09/08/2012

I had crust and cracking behind my ears for about a year and could not cure it with anything. Then I began applying ACV and by the next day it was gone, and in a week of applying it, it never returned.

Replied by Abhishek
(Muzaffarpur, Bihar)
10/29/2012

How can I reduce my ichtyhosis skin problem?

Replied by Josey
(Oklahoma)
03/22/2014
★☆☆☆☆

This remedy of using apple cider vinegar worked for me the first time, but the cracking and oozing behind my ears came back. I tried cortisone cream, and it helped, and I hate using it. Then finally I tried Vaseline, and it cured it.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ivachka (Goes, Zeeland, Netherlands) on 09/05/2012
★☆☆☆☆

Hello Ted, please help me. I use acv to get rid of a black spot on my lip. The acv has darkened my lip area- it is very black now. please help. Can I use dmso? I have black skin. what should I do? please help

thanks, ivachka.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Seemorenz (Tauranga, New Zealand) on 05/23/2012
★★★★★

I have suffered from dry flakey skin on my forehead for years. I have tried a number of proprietory brand ointments, none of which have made any significant difference. More recently, my skin condition deteriorated, spreading to my ears which became inflamed, scaly and very itchy.

In desperation I accepted a friend's advice to check out your website, which recommended apple cider vinegar - mainly by way of ingesting small amounts. Never one to completely follow medical advice, I applied the cider vinegar direct to the skin by way of dabbing it on with cotton wool.

Within 12 hours there was a major improvement in my skin condition, and a week later my skin is almost completely clear of any irritation or blemish. A total transformation! I have gone from being a hardened cynic to a firm believer in "herbal remedies".

The apple cider vinegar I have been using is a New Zealand product which contains 2% honey. I have no idea if the honey has any medicinal properties, but it sure helps the cider vinegar to stick to the skin.


Black Dermographism

Posted by Jen (Bozeman, Mt, Us) on 02/28/2012

I have been wearing my 14k gold wedding ring for 15 years now. I have never had any problems with it before but suddenly it is turning my finger black wear it touches. I have googled this issue and found there is a name for it. Black Dermographism. I also found that there are lots of theories on what causes it but nothing too exact. Does anyone on here have any idea what might be causing this? I haven't really changed any of my supplements lately but I take lots:) They are iodine, selenium, zinc, copper, iron, magnesium, D3, cod liver oil, Vit c, niacin, meletonin, 5-htp, thymus gland extract, relora, B complex, theonine, siberian ginsing, senna, black strap molasas, coconut oil, and acv/baking soda. I don't know what might have changed other than hormones possibly as I am 37 and possibly perimenopausal but not sure why all of a sudden now. I drink lots of water and coconut water to keep my electrolytes balanced but have recently been unable to buy the coconut waters like usual. I know the potassium has been thought of a possible cause before, so that is a thought. I have also read it might be iron deficiency or hormone changes. Just wanted to see if any of you folks had any experience or wisdom on the topic?

Replied by Garrowk
(Williamsburg, Virginia, Usa)
07/10/2012

I have had the same experiences. What I have been told and it seems accurate, is that it is high acid in your system. Whenever I eat a lot of tomatoes ( typically in summer) I have the same issue.

Replied by Tworoos
(Katy, Tx)
05/11/2018

I know this is an old thread but in the jewelry business we associate sudden blacking skin to other environmental factors when gold is involved. (Usually a new lotion, including sun tan lotion, or cosmetics, to be specific.) Gold reacts to a number of ingredients in those. The most common reactions are to zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, ferric oxide and calamine; though there are others. Check your cosmetics labels, or just switch back to your old brands that seemed to work without issue. Also the OP mentioned she is taking zinc orally. I'd cut back on that a bit and see if it changes anything.


Blotchy, Red Face

Posted by Jfm (London, England) on 09/08/2011

Not sure where to start with this one. I don't know if this is relevant to my current problem that I am seeking advice on but ever since childhood whenever I did any physical exertion or got hot my face always went a very deep red colour. I didn't take an awful lot of notice all those years ago but I've still got the same thing happening now. However, this is not really what I'm seeking help with although if anyone does know how to stop looking like a tomato I would be grateful.

Over the last 10 years or so my face has been looking very blotchy with a lot of redness to it (cheeks, nose, chin, forehead). This is permanent and never gets any better. I also have broken capillaries on my face. I have what I would describe as Celtic skin (Irish background). My skin used to be quite pale (apart from when I got hot!) with a few freckles.

I have tried the Linus Pauling protocol (Vitamin C and L-Lysine) to see if that would tone down the redness and clear up the broken capillaries but no luck so far.

I then wondered if I might have the infamous Butterfly Rash associated with Lupus. However, having read about the symptoms of Lupus I have only the redness on my face and no other health problems, thank God. So really not sure whether this would be the cause of it.

I'm at a loss now as to what has caused this. If anyone has any similar problem or knows what I could do to get my pale skin back I would love to hear from you. Thank you.

Replied by Catherine
(Wellington, New Zealand)
09/10/2011

I absolutely know what you are talking about. All my life I would flame up on exertion, or in hot weather, not to mention if I had one glass of wine. Lately this has eased though slowly. What happened was I discovered I had hemochromatosis.. That is my body stores all dietry iron, common among celtic types. I have been treated for the last 8 months by regular bleedings at the blood clinic.. This is critical as the buildup of iron is dangerous (check out internet for more info) What I had thought was a malar flush (lupus symptom) on my face is almost gone now. The last two weeks the fading has been much more noticable as I have increased my iodine supplement. Dr. Can check for iron overload with a serum ferritin test. They don't usually check that one when they do the hemoglobin test for iron in the blood (anemia) which is a different thing altogether.

Replied by Ozlady
(Bonshaw, Nsw Australia)
02/26/2012

This beut little remedy for skin problems is WELL WORTH trying.

Vegemite and honey mixed.

Spread it on the skin problem, leave until you can't stand it any loger then wash it off.

My skin is pale with freckles, now I am older it was pretty horrific on my Aussie hot sun exposed arms untill I tried this little beauty. I do it pretty often now.

I just guess the mix as it's all good/safe ingredients.

cheers, Ozlady

Replied by Philo
(Sydney, Nsw)
08/08/2012

To Ozlady from Bonshaw: I used to live in Texas (Qld)! What exactly does the Vegemite and honey mix do? Is it okay for the face?

Replied by Carol
(California)
04/07/2015

It sounds like rosacea, so I would look under that category. I was plagued with it for many years. I got ten laser-surgery treatments, which cleared up my cheeks fairly well, but my red nose was still a problem. A few years ago it was getting redder and flakier than ever, and I was getting a lot of pustules, which had not been a problem before.

After looking at the rosacea forum here (and another one), I started trying various things. One of the first was drinking raw cider vinegar 4 or 5 times a week. I think this is what basically cleared it up in a couple of months. Some other things I tried early on were too drying, so I eventually stopped them.

Aside from drinking the vinegar, what I still do now is: Wash my nose and chin with dandruff shampoo every 2 or 3 days; and drink chlorophyll drops (on the recommendation of someone at an herbal shop). My nose still gets pinkish so I always put concealer on it, but otherwise I'm essentially rosacea-free -- except I've still got an issue with pinkish eyes.

Replied by Tim
(Tennessee)
08/30/2015
21 posts

I use zinc oxide paste, aka diaper rash creme for babies, 17 pct plus zinc , left it on over nite, works great, note, take a picture of your face, and notice the difference after a week, it works.


Borax and Baking Soda

1 User Review
4 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Sandy55 (White Pine, Tennessee, Usa) on 05/26/2013
★★★★☆

This has gone on for over 4 years. I have tiny white balls all everywhere I have a pore. Last Dr thought I looked like a had a tan when I had not been out in the sun for over three years. I was DX with Morgellons by a Dr in Atlanta. I have lots of black specks. I have been doing the borax and baking soda soaks and drinks. This seems to be helping already. I would like to hear from Ted. My skin will lather with just water with lots of white things. Skin also feels like grit. Eyes full of gunk. Please read my message again to be sure I am mixing borax to for internal Morgellons. Sandy


Bullous Pemphigoid

Posted by Lmargw (Santa Monica, Ca) on 07/21/2011

I'm hoping Ted can answer this one or someone who knows about this auto-immune skin disease. My father who is 81 was diagnosed with this condition. He as been on the pharma protocol which cleared it up but now it has returned and we don't want to put him back on the prednisone as it makes him very agitated. Are there any natural remedies to knock this thing out of his system?

Thanks for your help!

Replied by Kay
(Fort Worth, Texas)
05/19/2013

My husband suffers from Bullous Pemphigoid on occasion. The last outbreak I took him to see his doctor was in the spring 2012. Because there was some deal going on between my drugstore chain and our insurance, I delayed a few days getting his litany of RXs filled. Meanwhile I upped the dosage of coconut oil I was giving him and he suddenly cleared up. There is a warning here in using the coconut oil. You cannot become lax with it because if you do, he will have another outbreak. I don't know if the coconut oil will work as effectively as it does when you catch the Bullous Pemphigoid very early. I did and there was only a small outbreak. Good luck.


Burning Skin Remedies

Posted by Johnny (Watertown, Massachusetts) on 05/24/2013

My skin feels like sunburned: I have been feeling like my skin is sunburned in certain areas like the shoulders, arms, and thighs. Some days having clothes kind of irritating. Would deeply appreciate some kind relief.

Replied by Joy
(Battleground, Wash)
05/25/2013

Let's see.... Did you try on new clothes? Get some new fabric softener sheets, new laundry soap? New medicine, tea, food or vitamin? Did you get into an area that was treated with chemicals? Neighbor spray their yard or fertilize? Treat one of your pets for fleas, or bug bomb the house? Spray room freshener, or a new scented candle in the house? When did it start? Just a baseline! Maybe a new pet ? New carpet.... Painted rooms?

Replied by Courtney
(Granite Bay, Ca)
05/26/2013

It sounds like you might have shingles. Did you have Chicken Pox as a child? If so, you might want to look into shingles as a possibility.

Replied by KT
(The Usa)
05/30/2013

I agreed with Courtney and wondered if you followed up with a shingles inquiry.

Replied by Zander
(Columbus, Oh)
07/14/2016

Shingles is derived from a Latin word meaning 'belt' rather than say a roof shingle of some sort. This is important as the first sign of shingles is often on one side of the body only where a belt [to hold up the pants] might indeed rest [back of the waist, in other words.] The areas the individual described do not seem to fit with shingles, per se. Shingles is also accompanied by low grade or higher fever. I cured mine with Nascent Iodine and coconut oil. An Aussie on here recommended the coconut oil. I felt like I was on my last legs and came to this site to look for something to add to my arsenal in my fight to beat the shingles. I took 3T coconut oil and was better by half when I awoke. I continued to take and was 90% better in a week. I'm now completely cured. Low grade fever persisted for weeks so be patient.


Camu Camu and ACV

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Genesea (Albuquerque, NM) on 08/09/2014
★★★★★

I am a 34 year old female and recently noticed several enlarged skin cells on my cheek and nose. They were skin colored, raised from the rest of the area, not tender or raw -- just raised and enlarged.

Instead of going to the doctor, I did research on Earth Clinic and saw recommendations for apple cider vinegar.

My results were so quick that I wanted to report what happened:

Day 1: Soaked my spots with ACV (with the Mother, organic, raw) throughout the day. I often held a q-tip with ACV to my face for 30-60 minutes or so at least once during the day. Did not tape any ACV to my face overnight.

Day 2: Repeated day 1 and at night I slept with a thick wet paste of Camu Camu powder on each spot (I recommend Whole Botanicals brand). Camu Camu powder is an awesome internal remedy for warts or as an immunity boost. It has the highest concentration of vitamin C.

Day 3: Woke up and saw small black spots the size of a pin head on both areas. Called my sister to ask about the spots, and she said that she developed those spots when applying ACV to her warts before the warts died completely. Repeated day 2.

Day 4: Woke up and the spot on my nose was nearly gone. There were more black spots but the enlarged cells were nearly flush with the rest of my face. The spot on my cheek is taking a bit longer to die off, but it is developing more black spots and the size is shrinking.

Overall verdict: Because I have had great success with taking Camu Camu internally for warts, I have a feeling that the swift healing is a result of the Camu Camu. I've noticed that more black spots have appeared when sleeping with the Camu Camu overnight. But applying the Camu Camu with ACV is a hefty one-two punch.


Castor Oil

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Buddsk (Saskatoon, Sask, Canada) on 08/06/2012
★★★★★

I have or I should say did suffer from itchy shins, for years, , somedays it seemed I could have scratched my skin right off. This may sound silly, and I have no explaination as to why it worked but it did. I had used some castor oil to treat a hemorrhoid. I first tried the usuall treatment eg. Prep H to no avail, Then I found out about Castor oil, 5 or 6 days later, gone, I was impressed. One day while scratching my shins I thought, why not try some Castor oil on my shins. I just poured a little straight from the bottel and rubbed it lightly over my skin. WOW one week of treatments and my shins have not itched now for over a year, and I have Never applied any more oil. I just had to pass this along as I suffered from itchy shins for so long and even would wake myself in the middle of the night from scratching my shins I hope this might help someone else. Budd


Chickweed Salve

1 User Review
4 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Lisa (Texas) on 03/30/2016
★★★★☆

Never tried Cod Liver Oil for skin rash. Will have to check that out. I have been using Chickweed Salve and while it has not rid my skin completely of the eczema/psoriasis, the skin most times remains smooth and soft, and the itch disappears on contact as soon as I rub it in. Never even got that with cortisone.


Coconut Oil

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Christin (Westfield, Ny) on 05/31/2013
★★★★★

My daughter had these bumps on her elbows that kept getting better and now they're virtually gone from applying virgin coconut oil! It's like a miracle cure for practically anything! I have become a believer in coconut oil. Also, I started using it instead of butter so we love it on toast or even a piece of bread, which my daughter loves and it's a great way for her to add the coconut oil in her diet.


Coconut Oil
Posted by Woundedkarma (East Coast, Usa) on 09/27/2012
★★★★★

My mother (aged 56), is on diuretics which causes bumps, brusing and bleeding very easily. It usually takes my mom months to heal from these. I had been researching organic coconut oil for a while and had finally decided to try some on her. I had her rub a thin layer of coconut oil on her arms and hands (this is where her wounds were), three times a day. It surprised both of us when it only took four days to clear her skin up! This was a year ago, but she is still averaging four days in the healing process. This beats months of healing time!

I don't even have to remind her to use it. She's so happy about it that as soon as she bumps her arm/hand, causing a bruise or bump, she goes right for the coconut oil. We absolutely love coconut oil now.

For specifics, the coconut oil is: organic, extra-virgin, unrefined, cold-pressed, non-deodorized, non-bleached, made without pesticides, GMOs, or hexane.



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