Acne
Acne is a common skin condition with blackheads, whiteheads, red spots and sometimes deep painful lumps, mainly on the face, chest and back. Our Ayurvedic plan suits people with mild to moderate acne who want diet, skin care and herbal support alongside their doctor’s care. Hormones, oil production, bacteria and inflammation all play a part. In Ayurveda it is called Yuvanapidaka (a skin eruption of youth) or Mukhadushika (a blemish of the face). Ayurveda links it to imbalances of Pitta (the body’s heat) and Kapha (its moisture and oiliness), which affect the blood (Rakta).
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C8, 5th Floor (Medical Floor), C-Tower, Spectrum Mall, Phase 1, Sector 75, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301Assessment & Treatment
- Consultation on skin type, diet, menstrual cycle (in women), stress, cosmetics and medicines.
- A Pitta- and Kapha-balancing diet and gentle skin care.
- Oral herbal medicines and topical applications chosen for you.
- In persistent cases, Virechana, a supervised treatment that uses herbal medicines to clear the bowels, only if the doctor finds it suitable. It is not used in pregnancy.
- If acne is linked to irregular periods, assessment for PCOS.
Precautions & When to See a Doctor
See a dermatologist for painful, deep or scarring acne, acne that is getting worse quickly, acne that affects your confidence or mood, or acne with irregular periods or excess hair growth. Get medical care promptly for red, hot, swollen spots with pus, spreading redness or fever. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call 112 or the Tele-MANAS helpline on 14416 now. Do not stop prescribed acne medicines without advice. Some prescription acne medicines must not be used in pregnancy. Ayurvedic care is complementary to your dermatologist’s care and is not a replacement for medical treatment. Herbal medicines can interact with prescription drugs, such as blood thinners, diabetes and blood pressure medicines, and are not suitable for everyone, including in pregnancy and with some liver or kidney conditions. Tell the doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy, have liver or kidney disease, or take any other medicine or supplement. We review all your medicines before prescribing anything.
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What the Evidence Shows
- A 2026 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) and Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy) in post-adolescent acne found the treatment was well tolerated, with dose-related beneficial effects and better quality-of-life scores. The authors say larger studies are needed before its effect on acne can be confirmed [1].
- A systematic review of clinical trials found that most showed herbal medicines reduced acne lesions [2]. The review describes these plants as promising for mild to moderate acne, but says higher-quality trials and standardised methods are still needed.
- A meta-analysis of topical herbal medicines found some positive effects but rated the overall conclusion as weak, because trial quality was limited and herbal preparations were not standardised [3].
- A 1995 randomised, placebo-controlled trial of 82 people with acne found that only one of four Ayurvedic treatments, a herbal formula called Sunder Vati, significantly reduced lesions compared with placebo. The other three did not change significantly from the start of treatment [4].
- A 2001 randomised, placebo-controlled trial of 53 people over 4 weeks found that oral plus externally applied preparations worked better than oral preparations alone [5].
Prepared by the AyurSoul Healthcare team from the published research listed below. Medical review by Dr. Hemlata Soni, BAMS is in progress. This page is for education and does not replace individual medical advice. Medical disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does diet cause acne?
Diet is one factor among several. Ayurveda advises reducing oily, spicy and sugary foods. Some people find this helps, but studies have not proven that it works.
Can I use Ayurvedic treatment with my dermatologist's cream?
Ask both your dermatologist and our doctor before combining them. Some herbal products can irritate the skin or interact with prescription creams, so do not stop or change your prescribed cream without advice.
How long does treatment take?
Results vary. The older trials on this page ran for 4 to 6 weeks, and your doctor will review your progress at set points and adjust the plan.
Clinical Research
5 studies: 2 systematic reviews, 3 randomised trials.
Show the 5 studies
Numbers in the text refer to this list. Each study is labelled by type: systematic reviews and randomised trials are stronger evidence than pilot studies or single case reports.
- Liyanage A, Darshana N, Chandraratne N, et al.. Efficacy and Safety of Phyllanthus Emblica and Tinospora Cordifolia in Postadolescence Acne: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of integrative and complementary medicine, 2026. Randomised controlled trial PubMed
- Proença AC, Luís Â, Duarte AP. The Role of Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2022. Systematic review PubMed
- Sung SH, Choi GH, Lee NW, et al.. External Application of Herbal Medicines for Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis. Journal of pharmacopuncture, 2020. Systematic review PubMed
- Paranjpe P, Kulkarni PH. Comparative efficacy of four Ayurvedic formulations in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled clinical evaluation. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 1995. Randomised controlled trial PubMed
- Lalla JK, Nandedkar SY, Paranjape MH, et al.. Clinical trials of ayurvedic formulations in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2001. Randomised controlled trial PubMed