Homemade Acne Treatment Gel: Formula and Results

Question

My friend/relative has suffered from severe acne since mid-2020, using both topical and oral medications from a clinic. When they stopped the oral medication, the acne returned. They received many tubes of topical medication from the clinic but were inconsistent with application, and the acne didn't improve. They even asked if they could squeeze all the tubes into their hand, mix them together, and apply it all at once. (I told them not to do this). So, I decided to try making an acne treatment gel for them.

Their skin condition before using the gel was severe at times, with the chin being very inflamed, red, and swollen (I didn't take photos of the worst state). Photos provided show the condition before starting the gel and after 2.5 months of use.

They still have acne and need continued treatment, but it's much better than before.

The formula used is:
Aloe Vera Gel (Lite) 73%
Encapsulated Salicylic Acid (Powder, Timed-Release) 4%
Copper PCA 1%
Ectoine 2%
Prebio-care (Skin Prebiotic) 3%
AminoMatte™ (Sarcosine) 5%
Zinc PCA 1%
Tea Tree Oil (Water Soluble) 2%
Licorice Extract (Licochalcone A 1%) 2%
beta glucan 5%
Laurocapram (Water Soluble) 2%

They have been applying this gel morning and evening continuously for 2.5 months, starting in June. In June, it was used alongside clinic topical medications and 14 days of oral medication. From July until now, only this gel formula has been used, and no oral medication.

Using Copper PCA in this gel formula made the Aloe Vera Gel (Lite) base softer (I knew this beforehand). The texture feels a bit sticky upon application, and the tea tree oil scent is noticeable.

Results after using continuously morning and evening for 2.5 months:

Inflammatory acne and skin inflammation significantly reduced.
Skin is less oily.
Still have dark and red marks from old acne.
New pimples heal faster.

I would like to share this experience and formula, and ask for any feedback or validation on the formula and results.

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Thank you very much for the detailed review and helpful photos! I understand how worrying a long-standing and severe acne problem can be. I'm glad to see that your skin condition has improved significantly after using your homemade gel formula.

First, regarding your question about mixing multiple tubes of clinic topical medications and applying them at once: It is strongly not recommended to do this. Each medication has different ingredients and mechanisms of action. Mixing them yourself can reduce their effectiveness, cause undesirable reactions, or increase skin irritation. If you feel you have too many medications or find them inconvenient to use, you should consult the dermatologist who prescribed them to adjust the treatment plan or get the most suitable advice.

Regarding the gel formula you created, I see that you have chosen several interesting ingredients that can effectively help with acne and oily skin issues, such as:

Encapsulated Salicylic Acid (BHA): Helps exfoliate skin cells and unclog pores, which is a primary cause of acne.
Zinc PCA and AminoMatte™ (Sarcosine): Help control excess oil on the skin.
Tea Tree Oil: Has properties that help inhibit the P. acnes bacteria, one cause of acne.
Licorice Extract (Licochalcone A): Helps soothe the skin, reduce inflammation and redness.
Beta Glucan and Ectoine: Help strengthen the skin barrier, making the skin healthier and reducing irritation.
Copper PCA: In addition to helping with wrinkles, it also has properties that aid in skin healing and reducing inflammation.
Prebio-care: Helps balance the skin's microbiome for healthier skin.
Laurocapram: Helps other ingredients penetrate the skin better.

Combining these ingredients in a lightweight Aloe Vera Gel (Lite) base seems to be a significant factor in achieving the improved results you've seen, including reduced inflammatory acne, less oiliness, and faster healing of new pimples. Although the texture feels a bit sticky and the tea tree oil scent is noticeable as you mentioned, the results are very satisfying.

Regarding the dark and red marks from old acne, it is normal for these to take time to heal. Some ingredients in your formula, such as Licorice Extract, already help reduce redness to some extent. Consistent skin care and avoiding sun exposure will help the marks fade faster. You might consider adding other ingredients specifically targeting dark/red marks in the future if desired, but you should research and test them carefully.

Overall, this is a great review and result! It shows that choosing appropriate ingredients and consistently caring for your skin can help manage acne problems.