Hey all,

I thought it was about time that I come back from my 4 year hiatus and share what has worked for me over years and years of trial and error; but first, a little history.

I joined this community back in 2005 in a desperate bid to get my acne under control. Like any newbie, I started out in the general forums and would guinea pig OTC products under the assumption that acne could be cured through topical means. I tried all the big brand names like Proactiv and Neutrogena. I tried facial masks, steaming, and even sun tanning. All were met with limited results. The acne would dry up for a time but always return with a vengeance. I new there had to be something more... something the television ads and pharmaceutical companies weren't telling me. Thus began my research into treating acne internally.

I found this sub-forum and in retrospect, it sent me down the right path; but it wasn't without speed bumps. Here to, I tried all manner of purported cures, from taurine and diindolylmethane, to omega 3-6-9 and apple cider vinegar. I used to do pure ACV shots every morning for 2 months! Don't get me wrong, most of them had general health benefits and some even had a positive effect on my skin (EFA's come to mind)... but none of them kept the acne monster at bay. I also read a number of books along the way and I credit them for expanding my nutritional knowledge and making me find connections where I previously thought none existed (Your Last Acne Solution by Leo Kiesen and Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon).

It took me awhile to make the sugar-acne connection, but it made so much sense once I figured it out. I used to be an absolute sugar fanatic! I'm talking processed sugars from refined white to high-fructose corn syrup. And it's something that I used to consume in massive quantities from a young age. Outside of mom and dad's home-cooked meals, my diet was horrendous. On many occasions, my gut was a slurry of soda pop and candy.

So after 26 years of sugar mania, I spent the next 4 cleaning up. The testing was inadvertent. I would go a few weeks without buying ice cream and see a positive change, but would always think it was something else (maybe I had better sleep that week, more sunlight, less stress). Eventually, I found the common thread through all the trial and error: processed sugar. I've finally eliminated all processed sugars from my diet. In fact, the only sugar I consume now is that which is paired with enough fiber to help break it down (think apples or raspberries). I get my sweet fix through stevia. In addition to eliminating processed sugar, I currently take vitamin D tablets (1,000 IU) and MSM capsules (1,000 mg) for general health. I also have potassium alum on hand if I cheat.

I'm now acne free and it feels great! I felt like I needed to share this with the community that has provided such a positive contribution for so many others out there, including myself.