5 Natural Acne Hacks That Didn’t Clear My Acne (& What Did!)

If you’ve ever typed “acne hacks” or “natural acne remedies” into YouTube or Google, you’ve probably been overwhelmed with quick fixes and miracle promises. I know the feeling all too well. For years, I tried everything I could get my hands on, from going vegan, to drinking green juices, to switching up skincare, hoping it would be the thing that finally cleared my skin.

The truth? These acne hacks gave me a short burst of hope, but they didn’t address the real acne root causes. After struggling with acne for over a decade, I eventually discovered that lasting clear skin comes from consistency, personalisation, and focusing on the whole body... not quick dopamine hits.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through the five natural acne hacks that didn’t work for me, and more importantly, what finally did.

Watch the full YouTube video here.

5 Natural Acne Hacks That Don't Work

1. Going Vegan

When I went vegan, I wasn’t doing it for acne specifically, but I thought it might help my skin. The problem was, I didn’t know how to be a healthy vegan. My diet ended up being low in protein, low in fats, and lacking key nutrients like omega-3s and vitamin A.

Even though I took supplements like zinc and flaxseed oil, my blood sugar was all over the place, and my acne got worse.

What actually worked: Reintroducing animal protein in a balanced way. Today, about 80–90% of my diet is whole plant foods, with high-quality animal protein added in. This helped balance my hormones, stabilise my blood sugar, and gave me the protein I needed to support healing.

2. Switching to All-Natural Skincare

Like many women with acne, I thought “natural = better.” But while my skincare was free from parabens and harsh chemicals, the products I was using were loaded with pore-clogging ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter. My skin kept breaking out no matter how “clean” the brand claimed to be.

What actually worked: Learning how to read ingredient labels and choosing products that are both non-toxic and non-comedogenic. I don’t stick to one brand but instead, I make sure each product I use is free from pore-clogging ingredients that my skin reacts to.

3. Probiotic Powders

I bought probiotic powders that promised glowing skin, thinking they would fix my acne by “healing my gut.” At first, I noticed tiny improvements, but over time, nothing really changed. That’s because I didn’t know my gut health status, and the probiotics I was using weren’t targeted to what my body actually needed.

What actually worked: A personalised gut protocol. Instead of just adding in probiotics, I focused on removing harmful bacteria, repairing my gut lining, and then reintroducing beneficial strains that were right for me. This step was a game-changer for both my digestion and my skin.

4. Daily Green Juices

Juicing felt like a “health hack” that had to help my skin. While green juices can be a nice complement to a nutrient-rich diet, I was relying on them as a crutch. I wasn’t eating balanced meals, and my body was missing protein, healthy fats, and enough variety of vegetables.

What actually worked: Eating three balanced meals a day with protein, complex carbs, and vegetables at every meal, plus healthy snacks when I needed them. My blood sugar finally stabilised, and my skin started to reflect the internal balance.

5. Turmeric & Ginger Shots

Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, right? So I thought daily turmeric and ginger shots would reduce my acne. But when systemic inflammation is being driven by nutrient deficiencies, stress, gut imbalances, or toxins, turmeric shots alone won’t solve the problem.

What actually worked: Addressing the root causes of my inflammation. This meant regulating my nervous system, replenishing nutrients, supporting gut health, and improving detox pathways. Turmeric shots can be a nice addition, but they’re not a replacement for real healing work.

The Big Lesson

Natural acne hacks can make us feel like we’re making progress, but in reality, they rarely address the deeper issues behind acne. They give us that quick dopamine hit, the excitement of trying something new, but long-term clear skin requires consistency, patience, and the right structure.

As a naturopath and acne mindset coach, I now help women uncover their unique acne root causes and follow a proven step-by-step plan to clear skin naturally. I’ve seen clients clear their skin in as little as three to six months, not because of quick hacks, but because they committed to a holistic acne treatment approach that included nutrition, gut health, skincare, and lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been relying on acne hacks like I once did, know that it’s not your fault they haven’t worked. The solution isn’t another “miracle fix” it’s building a clear skin routine rooted in acne nutrition tips, holistic acne treatment, and consistency.

You can clear your skin naturally, just like I did and just like dozens of my clients have. The key is addressing acne root causes, not just symptoms.

If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of your acne healing journey, I invite you to watch my free training: How to Clear Your Acne Naturally in 6 Months or Less Without Prescriptions or Extreme Diets. It’s a step-by-step roadmap to help you stop chasing hacks and finally achieve lasting acne confidence.

Watch the full YouTube video here.