Q. I am 44 years old and have had acne since I was a teenager. Dermatologists have prescribed countless antibiotics, including Cleocin-T, to no avail. Birth control pills worked, but when I stopped the acne returned. I also took Retin-A, which helped but made my skin more sensitive to the sun and caused redness and cracking. I was excited to read about milk of magnesia as a topical treatment. My son (age 12) and I are using it and getting good results.
A. A letter in the Archives of Dermatology (Jan. 1975) suggested that topical application of milk of magnesia nightly could help reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne. Other readers have also shared their success with this remedy. We are sending you our new Guide to Skin Care with more details about milk of magnesia and other inexpensive home remedies for acne.
