5 Ways to Temporarily Relieve Symptoms of Cystic Acne

Health Line

25-06-2025

Tea tree oil, ice, probtiocs, diet changes, or a turmeric mask may temporarily help relieve symptoms of cystic acne. But a dermatologist is more likely to recommend medical approaches, such as topical medications.
Cystic acne typically develops deep below your skin's surface due to oil, bacteria, or dead skin cells getting trapped in a hair follicle or pore.
Cysts can form anywhere on your body, but typically appear on your face, neck, back, shoulders, or arms. They resemble boils and are painful to the touch.
Although some of the ingredients in these home remedies may demonstrate some healing properties, none of them are scientifically proven to be an effective treatment for cystic acne.
Before trying any of these remedies, discuss their use with a doctor or dermatologist. Home remedies should not replace medical treatment and are not clinically proven. Cystic acne often requires professional care.
Remember: These home remedies will not treat a cyst, but some can help provide temporary symptom relief.
Diet
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, cow's milk and ultra-processed foods high in sugar may lead to acne breakouts.
However, there's still no evidence that other dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese, may be associated with acne.
If you believe that ultra-processed foods and cow's milk may be related to your breakouts, you can try eliminating them from your diet for 3 weeks.
If you don't observe any new breakouts in this period, it may be an indication that those foods or drinks may trigger your cystic acne.
»More on this: Is There a Link Between Dairy and Acne?
Turmeric mask
Turmeric has a reputation for being anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, so some claim that a turmeric mask may help treat cystic acne.
Mix small amounts of water with turmeric powder to create a thick paste. Then, apply this paste directly to the cyst and leave it in place for about 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off. You can do this two or three times per week.
Applying turmeric directly to the skin can cause irritation, staining, or an allergic reaction, so perform a patch test beforehand and always be sure to check with your doctor before trying.
Probiotics
Some research suggests a link between skin health and gut health. If your gut microbiome becomes unbalanced, which your diet plays a role in, you may see more acne breakouts.
According to a 2018 research review, oral probiotics may help with more than just acne, including:
atopic dermatitis
bacterial vaginosis
vulvovaginal candidiasis
eczema
You can prioritize probiotic foods, such as:
yogurt
kimchi
kefir
A daily dose of oral probiotics may also help encourage clearer skin and reduce skin inflammation. However, how much you should take differs for everyone, so you should consult a doctor before supplementing.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil may have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Research suggests that these properties could make this essential oil good for healing acne lesions, but the study mentions that not enough evidence is available to develop a recommendation on the use of topical tea tree oil.
Before using tea tree oil on your skin, speak with your doctor or dermatologist and perform a patch test.
Essential oils are very potent on their own. When applying tea tree oil to your skin, dilute 1 to 2 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil, such as jojoba or argan oil. You can also add 1 to 2 drops to a moisturizer.
You should always dilute tea tree oil before using it on skin. Tea tree oil is not safe to use if you're pregnant.
When to seek medical help
If you have a cyst that doesn't go away within a few days, shows signs of infection, or causes severe pain, you should speak with a doctor or dermatologist immediately.
They may be able to drain the cyst properly or use a steroid injection to help reduce the inflammation.
If the cyst worsens after using home remedies, speak with a doctor or dermatologist right away.
Medical treatment options for cystic acne
A doctor or dermatologist will likely suggest avoiding home remedies for cystic acne. These options may not be strong enough to treat cystic acne, may only provide temporary symptom relief, or may make it worse.
Instead, a doctor might recommend the following medical treatments:
azelaic acid
isotretinoin
oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline, minocycline, or sarecycline
spironolactone
topical retinoids
birth control
They may also recommend treatments such as light-based therapy (laser or photodynamic) or steroid injections into cystic and nodular lesions.