When DIY Acne Healing Isn't Working
Why Trying to Heal Your Acne Naturally On Your Own Isn't Working
Let me start with the truth you need to hear: clearing acne naturally is 100% possible.
I've been clearing acne naturally for 16 years—including my own—and I've watched countless clients achieve the same results.
Your body is absolutely capable of healing your acne. The success rate speaks for itself when you create the right conditions for healing.
But here's where it gets tricky: getting to those "right conditions" is what's so challenging for most people trying to do it on their own.
90-day transformation through the Acne Detox Program
The Overwhelming Reality of DIY Natural Acne Healing
If you've spent any time researching natural acne solutions online, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The sheer volume of advice out there is paralyzing. One article tells you to eliminate dairy. Another swears by seed cycling. Someone else insists it's all about gut health, while another claims you need to detox your liver. And they all sound convincing, don't they?
You try one approach for a few weeks. Nothing changes. So you pivot to something else. Then something else. Before you know it, months have passed, you've spent hundreds of dollars on supplements and products, and your skin looks exactly the same—or worse.
This is the cycle that keeps so many people stuck.
How Long Should You Actually Wait to See Results?
In my Acne Detox Program, clients see noticeable change within 30 days and achieve totally clear skin within 90 days. That's with a targeted, personalized approach based on 16+ years of clinical experience.
When you're figuring it out on your own, that timeline can stretch into years — if you ever get there at all.
Within 30 days, clients begin seeing noticeable changes on my Acne Detox Program
When It's Time to Admit DIY Isn't Working
Here's a question worth asking yourself: how long have you already been trying to heal your acne on your own? Six months? A year? Multiple years?
If you've been at it for a while without significant progress, the pattern is telling you something. And here's what concerns me most: when the DIY path drags on too long without results, it can lead you to believe that naturally clearing acne isn't possible at all.
That belief is dangerous. Because it's not true—but it might push you toward medications or harsh prescription topicals that you never wanted to use in the first place.
The Truth About the DIY Healing Path
Let me be completely honest with you: the DIY path is HARD. Few people truly make it through successfully, and it often takes an incredibly long time to get it right.
It took me two years of daily devotion to clear my own acne when I was doing it myself. Two years of daily trial and error, frustration, hope, disappointment, and persistence. And I'm someone who went on to build an entire career around this—that's how deep I had to go.
Most people don't have that kind of time, patience, or tolerance for uncertainty. And that's completely okay.
Is the DIY Path Right for You?
The DIY path might be right for you if:
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You have significant time, patience, and persistence. We're talking months to years of consistent effort with no guarantee of results along the way.
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You aren't suffering much from having acne. It's not taking a regular toll on your emotions or how you live your life. You can be patient because the stakes feel manageable.
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Your acne is not deep or causing indented scarring. Deep, cystic acne can cause permanent scarring that becomes increasingly difficult to address over time.
The DIY path might not be right for you if:
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Having acne is negatively impacting your daily life. If acne is affecting your emotions, holding you back from being with people, or making you feel less confident in your job or relationships, the DIY path may not be for you. It's long and arduous, and you may very likely never reach your goal. This can lead to more frustration and erode your confidence in your body's natural healing ability—potentially pushing you toward medical interventions you'd rather avoid.
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You've already been trying the DIY path for years. Consider how long you've been attempting to heal your acne on your own. If it's been several years, you're likely to continue that same pattern. At some point, accepting professional help isn't giving up—it's making a smart decision.
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You struggle to create and follow a plan long enough to see results. It's hard to stay committed to a plan you created yourself when you don't feel confident it's the right one. There's no judgment here—we all need help knowing where to direct our energy. That's exactly where working with a professional can transform your journey.
A Recommendation If You Continue DIY
If you've decided to keep going on your own, I recommend this: set a specific date by which you expect to see clear results. Write it down. Put it in your calendar.
If you're seeing clear skin by that date—wonderful! You've found your way.
If not, it's time to seriously consider getting professional help. You deserve to feel confident in your skin, and there's no prize for suffering longer than necessary.
Finding the Right Professional Support
Not all help is created equal. If you're ready to receive support, finding the right holistic acne practitioner matters deeply to your healing journey.
Look for someone with:
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Longevity and clear results. Work with an acne specialist who has been doing this work for at least 10 years specifically with acne clients. Experience matters enormously in this field.
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Solid credentials and comprehensive knowledge. Your practitioner should be well-versed in skincare, nutrition, lab work, and supplementation. Acne is complex and requires a multi-faceted approach.
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Realistic timelines. Be wary of anyone promising overnight miracles or keeping you on a program indefinitely without results. My clients see noticeable change in under 30 days and achieve totally clear skin within 90 days on my Acne Detox Program. If someone is also saying it will take 6-12 months, that's way too long in my opinion.
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Integrity. I would never work with a client I didn't think I could help, but unfortunately, not everyone operates this way. Choose someone who will be honest with you about whether they're the right fit.
Working Together
I work with clients both virtually and in-person at my San Francisco clinic. If you're interested in learning more about my approach, visit my website at skinutritious.com/pages/work-with-me.
You can also schedule a free 15-minute acne discovery call with me to see if we'd be a good fit working together. There's no pressure—just an honest conversation about where you are and where you want to be.
Clear, healthy skin is possible — even for lifelong acne sufferers.
My Hope for You
Whatever you decide to do, I genuinely want clear skin for you if that's what you want.
Acne caused me tremendous suffering for over 10 years of my life. Learning to clear my skin naturally—and sustaining that clarity for over 16+ years—has brought tremendous power, joy, and liberation to my life.
That same transformation is accessible to you. Your body knows how to heal. Sometimes it just needs the right guidance to get there.
In love, health, and community,
Elise May, CN + LE, is a holistic esthetician, acne nutritionist, and founder of Skin Nutritious. Since 2011, she has helped over 1,800 clients finally overcome acne with a unique blend of holistic skincare, treatments, and wellness coaching.
Work with Elise at her San Francisco acne clinic or virtually worldwide! View services + book online here.
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