Q. I would like to tell you how I cured my acne, which started at the age of 10. It was ugly and painful and I tried everything.
In my 20s I read a natural foods cookbook that stated: “It has been said that the flawless complexion of British women is due to their drinking barley water in quantities and regularly.” That got my attention!
I simmered a tablespoon of pearl barley in two quarts of water for about 45 minutes and drank a cup morning and evening. About a month into the barley water regimen, I did a double take when I looked in the mirror. My skin was clear.
I kept drinking the water for several months, and that was the end of the acne.
A. Barley is a source of azelaic acid, used topically to treat both rosacea and acne (Practical Dermatology, March, 2013). Azelaic acid reduces skin inflammation and prevents the development of comedones (clogged pores). Perhaps that is why drinking barley water worked.
Other readers have reported success using Listerine on the face or following a diet without sugar or dairy. Some people have found that applying Pepto-Bismol or milk of magnesia can help. For more information, we recommend our Guide to Skin Care and Treatment.
