What We Used: How Grace Cleared Her Cystic Acne
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), plus the simple routine that went with it. We read the study and decided to go for it.
Not medical advice. Please check with your doctor or dermatologist first.
It started in Grace’s freshman year of high school. Large patches of acne showed up on both sides of her face. She tried several things, and for a while it worked. Then the cystic acne came.
Grace was already using Curology, but it didn’t stop the cystic acne. When we added the B5, that’s when the results came, and pretty quickly. We kept doing the rest of the routine too, because honestly, we were too scared to stop.
As her mother, I took a deep dive into everything I could find. I found the B5 study on Reddit.
We read the study and decided to go for it.
We are not for or against Accutane. We just think you should try B5 first. If you’ve already done Accutane and are looking for a different solution, give this a try.
The study I found was about pantothenic acid, which is vitamin B5. Adults with mild to moderate acne took 2.2 grams of pantothenic acid a day for 12 weeks, and they had significantly fewer blemishes than the placebo group. It was also well tolerated.
Grace’s acne was severe and cystic, so we went higher than the study, which people call “megadosing.” That is what Grace did, not a recommended dose. I am not a doctor. This is what we decided to try after reading it, not a recommendation and not a promise it will work for you.
She took 500 mg pills. She started at 1 gram the first day, then 2 grams the next day, then 3 grams, then 4 grams, and kept adding 1 gram a day until she reached 10 grams.
She noticed a real improvement about 3 weeks in. She stayed at 10 grams for about 2 weeks, then came back down the same way. She still takes 1 or 2 grams a day, depending on her cycle. She spread the pills through the day, with water, not all at once.
Overall, it took about 3 months to completely stop getting cystic acne. Since then, she’s had ONE, which went away as fast as it came. It’s been almost 8 years.
These are real photos of Grace. It was painful, physically and emotionally.
From the worst of it to two years later. Tap a photo to see it bigger.
When the cystic acne was at its worst.
The cysts are gone. The scarring and redness are healing.
After all of this.
Two years after.
She has scars, but they’re a daily reminder of how far she’s come. She’ll address them later, or maybe not.
It was awful during that time, but it didn’t break her. She went to school, to prom, all of it.
This is her now. 💛
Want to see what she’s up to now? Follow Grace.
Here is what a normal day looked like for Grace, from morning to bedtime.
Please check with your doctor or dermatologist before starting any of these, and about the amounts.
3 times a day, without fail.
She carried cotton rounds soaked in witch hazel in a baggie, and swiped her face a couple times a day, as needed.
Change pillowcases every night. We got a bunch at yard sales and Goodwill.
If possible.
Everything is in one list on Amazon.
The main thing. See “How she took it.” Grab two (or three)! At up to 20 pills a day, one bottle of 100 goes fast.
ShopWe haven’t tried this one, so we can’t vouch for it, but it has 250 in a bottle.
ShopFor the first few weeks.
ShopAfter the first few weeks, switch over.
ShopPat dry, not a cloth towel.
ShopTo extract the pus away from the face. (Or Hero Mighty Patch Original as a simpler pimple patch.)
ShopAs directed on the label.
Shop10,000 IU once a day, at lunch with food. Check with your doctor first.
ShopIf you are not on antibiotics, take 2,000 mg daily. If you are on antibiotics, finish the course, then take vitamin C.
ShopA decent probiotic. Double the dose for the first month.
ShopAs directed on the label.
ShopOil free. (Pricey but very good.)
ShopSoak cotton rounds and carry them in a baggie. Swipe your face a couple times a day, as needed.
ShopSimple cotton ones, for the witch hazel.
ShopAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices change, so check the list for current prices.
Grace used Curology, mainly the custom formula they make for you personally. She also ordered antibiotics and one of their moisturizers through it. She still uses their products, but not often. It’s an online dermatology service you pay for by subscription. If you need antibiotics or a prescription, you can sign up there.
Visit curology.comCurology is not on Amazon and is not part of the Amazon list.
This is what we did for Grace. It is not medical advice, and it is not a promise it will work for you. I am not a doctor. Please check with your doctor or dermatologist before trying any of this, including the B5, the other vitamins, and the amounts listed here. This is extra important if you are pregnant, nursing, or on medication.
I hope this helps you or someone you love the way it helped Grace. Try B5 first. 💛