Garlic & Acidophilus For Acne

Garlic cloves contain allicin, which is one of the most potent plant-based antibiotics, according to James A. Duke, a botanist and author of “The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods.” Antibiotics help treat acne by killing the bacteria Proprionibacterium acnes that live on your skin, a key factor in acne. Combining garlic with acidophilus and applying it to acne-prone skin, or consuming acidophilus, may be beneficial. However, there’s very little research on this approach to acne, so discuss this with a dermatologist.

What Is Acidophilus?

Acidophilus is one of the most common types of “friendly bacteria” known as probiotics, and it's found in foods such as yogurt, miso, kefir and sauerkraut. It makes up the intestinal flora, or bacteria community, that provide benefits such as keeping your intestines healthy and boosting your immune system. Adding it to your diet can help to boost your overall health, but applying it directly to your skin — along with garlic — may help to treat acne.

Research

In a study published in the January 2011 issue of the journal “Gut Pathogens,” researchers point out that the idea that intestinal flora are linked to inflammatory skin conditions such as acne is not a new one. They add that probiotic bacteria, such as acidophilus, can help to minimize both systemic and local skin inflammation and note that applying a probiotic product directly to your skin may help to treat acne. In other words, acidophilus may be able to treat acne from both the inside and the outside.

How to Apply Garlic and Acidophilus for Acne

There is no standard, clinically proven way to use these two acne-fighting foods. And smearing a garlic clove or crushed garlic onto your face or other acne-affected areas might be a bit much. Instead, try crushing the garlic with a garlic press, and add the mixture to a tablespoon or two of acidophilus yogurt. Then apply some onto the affected skin; but not too much, or you might make a mess. If you’re not going out, keep the mixture on for as long as you can. One thing to watch for is a stinging or burning sensation from the garlic, which is the result of its sulfur compounds, such as diallyl disulfide.

Considerations

It’s a good idea to let the cloves of garlic sit for a while after you crush them. This allows the allicin content to increase, enhancing garlic's antibacterial effects. Give the treatment at least a few weeks to see if your skin improves, as acne doesn’t clear up overnight. If you’re planning on consuming acidophilus for acne, be aware that there is no standard amount to take. But a typical dose for adults is between 3 and 5 billion live organisms daily, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. Be sure to consult a dermatologist to supervise your acne treatment, especially if it’s been plaguing you for a long while.