The Beauty Brains are often accused of unfairly bashing natural products. Typically this bashing is accompanied by an additional accusation that we’re “paid off” by the Big Chemical Companies so they can keep on selling nasty chemical products instead of safer and cheaper natural alternatives. To be honest nothing is farther from the truth. When ever we find evidence-based reasons to believe in natural remedies we promote those solutions just as we would any “synthetic chemical.”
Time for Thyme
Case in point: a few weeks ago the Dermatology Times reported on a study out of Leeds University in England. The researchers tested several natural extracts for efficacy in killing p. acnes the bacteria that contributes to the formation of zits. They found that a tincture of thyme was not only more effective than the other natural extracts tested, but was actually superior in efficacy to benzoyl peroxide, one of the approved drug ingredients. (BP, of course, is made by the Big Chemical Companies.) In addition, since the thyme tincture is less irritating than benzyl peroxide it’s likely to result in increased usage. The power of this herb doesn’t really surprise us since we’ve always been told that “thyme heals all wounds.” (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
Of course, more research needs to be done. The presence or absence of this bacteria is only one of the triggering mechanisms for acne. Still it’s very promising when a natural ingredient shows true efficacy. I’m just worried what will happen when the Big Chemical Companies find out that we’ve broken this story. Maybe I should re-watch the movie Silkwood.
Reference
Dermatology Times
Image credit: cebix.net
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Silkwood–lol, you’re dating yourself, righty.
Azelaic acid is another (although less new) natural acne cure. But I don’t know if the azelaic acid that’s in acne products is from plants or the lab.
This news is so exciting! BP in the past cleared up my acne nicely but was way to harsh for my skin.
@Jenn–some people who don’t like BP prefer salicylic acid, so that’s also worth a try if you haven’t already.
Salicylic acid breaks me out terribly. Could this be possible?
Nice blog.
So is there products with the active ingredient is thyme instead of BP or salicylic acid because those products are too harsh for my skin. Thanks 
We haven’t seen any yet.
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