What is cystic acne?
Before diving into my experience, let’s talk about cystic acne — one of the worst types of acne. If you already know what they are, jump ahead.
All acne sucks, but cystic acne is just next level suck. They are usually larger, redder, and take weeks to months to heal.
Both regular acne and cystic acne begin with clogged pores, but cystic acne forms deeper under the skin, causing more intense inflammation and pain.
My recurring cystic acne nightmare
I got a huge cystic acne on my nose after I came back from South Korea.
It wasn’t the first time I got it on my nose. I had one back in high school that lasted over a month. Then I got it again when I started working my first full time job – it also took over a month for it to go away. Just a giant, red, painful lump on my nose. Call me Asian Rudolph.
I started treating it with Benzyl Peroxide and Tretinoin, two topical creams I already had for treating my regular acne. After applying both for a week, it didn’t look like anything changed.
I was getting a bit desperate. I was heading home in a couple of days to see family and friends, and I didn’t want this bulging acne showing up in pictures. I also didn’t have time to schedule an appointment with my dermatologist. So like any frantic person would – I turned to Reddit for answers.
The wonders of reddit
I eventually found this chamomile tea acne reddit post where people swore by using a tea bag on their cystic chin acne. At first, I was quite skeptical. Putting a tea bag on pimples can make them disappear? Come on…
I really had nothing to lose. So I purchased some chamomile tea from my local supermarket and gave it a shot.
How I used Chamomile Tea on My Cystic acne
- Brewed chamomile tea. I used Bigelow, one of the cheaper brands. Wait until your tea cools off or your tea bag is warm enough for you to pick up by hand.
- Applied the tea bag directly on my acne until the tea bag went cold. I sometimes flipped the tea bag and applied the other side.
- Used a cotton pad soaked in chamomile tea. Once the tea bag gets cold, you can pour some of the warm chamomile tea on a cotton pad. Then apply the cotton pad on your acne.
- Repeated this every night for about a week. Do this for as long as you need.
The skin on my cystic acne started getting really soft during my treatment. I accidentally ripped off some of the skin and it caused my acne to start bleeding. If you see the same thing, be careful!
The Results: Drastic improvement in two weeks
Day 1 – Huge, painful cystic acne.
Day 7 – Noticeable reduction in redness and swelling. Skin area was also really soft and easy to rip. I accidentally ripped off some, which caused bleeding. I coated the bleeding area with Vaseline jelly, which helped it heal!
Day 14 – Acne was a lot smaller and no longer painful.
Day 21 – Acne disappeared. Only a small scar remained from the area of skin I kept ripping off.
So what previously took over a month to heal took two weeks with a simple home remedy.
I am now a believer in chamomile tea for acne treatment. In chamomile tea I trust.
Why does Chamomile Tea Help Cystic Acne?
Chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties that help calm acne. Here are some active ingredients in chamomile tea!
- Apigenin – it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory flavonoid (or antioxidant) that helps reduce swelling, redness, and irritation associated with cystic acne
- Bisabolol – a soothing agent that promotes skin healing, reduces irritation, and has antimicrobial properties
- Chamazulene – aromatic compound known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects
- Tannins – astringent compound that help tighten pores and reduce oil production, which prevents further breakouts
Final Thoughts & Medical disclaimer
I am not a licensed dermatologist or healthcare professional. The information shared in this blog is based on personal experience, research, and opinions. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your skin.
Everybody’s skin is different so treatments for one person may not work for another.
That being said, chamomile tea is a rather harmless treatment (unless you’re allergic to chamomile). If you’re struggling with cystic acne, give it a shot and see if it works!
Let me know your experience 🙂
