Many acne sufferers are turning to alternative treatments, primarily due to concerns about the side effects of traditional medications and the ineffectiveness of over-the-counter and prescription options. Because alternative treatments often fall outside FDA regulation, information is primarily found through word-of-mouth and alternative medicine communities. For teenage girls and women, herbs like chaste berry, black cohosh, dong quai, evening primrose, wild yam, and red clover are frequently used to balance hormone levels. Herbalists suggest these herbs can balance estrogen levels, counteracting androgen, a hormone believed to stimulate excess sebum production, which clogs hair follicles and leads to acne. Herbs with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties are beneficial for both men and women. Echinacea, licorice, dandelion root, and burdock are thought to combat bacteria. Salvia and red peony are also used to promote skin healing. Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, gained popularity after Dr. Leung, a Hong Kong acne expert, published research suggesting acne sufferers are deficient in the vitamin, leading to excess sebum. His clinical trial, involving 100 participants taking 10g of B5 daily, showed a ninety percent success rate after six months. Topical treatments like tea tree oil (from the Australian tea tree) and seaweed are valued for their antibacterial properties in reducing acne inflammation. Stress management is also believed to lessen acne severity. Exercise, particularly yoga, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and meditation, are commonly used for stress relief. It’s crucial to exercise caution with alternative treatments, as their unregulated nature means potential side effects may not be well-known.