New research has found that the herb Thyme may be more effective at getting rid of acne than many prescription treatments.

Acne is caused by a bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes, which gets into acne lesions and infects them, causing redness, swelling and puss.

The research, carried out by researchers fromLeedsMetropolitanUniversityand presented at the Society for General Microbiology's Spring Conference inDublin, found that out of three different herbal tincture preparations, including marigold and myrhh, thyme was the most effective at killing the acne bacteria.

[quote]In addition the scientists also discovered that thyme tincture had a greater antibacterial effect than standard concentrations of benzoyl peroxide , which is the the active ingredient in most anti-acne creams or washes.[/quote]

The new research is the first study to demonstrate the effect of herbal tinctures on the bacterium that causes acne.

Effective herbal treatments for acne would be a break through as skin prone to acne tends to be very sensitive and ingredients in normal anti-acne washes, including benzoyl peroxide, can be harsh and irritating to sensitive skin and can cause burning and inflammation while also leaving skin extremely dry.

Ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide are particularly problematic for treating adult acne, as older skin is already drier and so any further drying effects from anti-acne treatments are unwelcome side effects.

[quote]Facial preparations containing brewer's yeast have also been shown to be  effective at killing the bacteria that causes acne without drying the skin or causing irritation to sensitive skin, making bewer's yeast an effective yet safe treatment for adult acne.[/quote]