Less widely used treatments

* Aloe vera: there are treatments for acne mentioned in Ayurveda using herbs such as Aloe vera, Neem Haldi (Turmeric) and Papaya. There is limited evidence from medical studies on some of these products,[51] although others have been proven effective. Products from Rubia cordifolia, Curcuma longa (commonly known as Turmeric), Hemidesmus indicus (known as ananthamoola or anantmula), and Azadirachta indica (Neem) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, but not aloe vera.[52]
* Azelaic acid (brand names Azelex, Finevin and Skinoren) is suitable for mild, comedonal acne.[53]
* Heat: local heating may be used to kill the bacteria in a developing pimple and so speed healing. [54]
* Naproxen or ibuprofen are used for some moderate acne for their anti-inflammatory effect.
* Nicotinamide, (Vitamin B3) used topically in the form of a gel, has been shown in a 1995 study to be more effective than a topical antibiotic used for comparison, as well as having fewer side effects.[55] Topical nicotinamide is available both on prescription and over-the-counter. The property of topical nicotinamide's benefit in treating acne seems to be its anti-inflammatory nature. It is also purported to result in increased synthesis of collagen, keratin, involucrin and flaggrin.[citation needed]
* Tea tree oil (melaleuca oil) dissolved in a carrier (5% strength) has been used with some success, where it is comparable to benzoyl peroxide but without excessive drying, kills P. acnes, and has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory in skin infections. [51][56][57]
* Rofecoxib was shown to improve premenstrual acne vulgaris in a placebo controlled study.[58]
* Zinc: Orally administered zinc gluconate has been shown to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory acne, although less so than tetracyclines.[59][60]
* Comedo extraction
* Pantothenic acid, (Vitamin B5)[citation needed]
* Detoxification is a common method used by alternative medicine practitioners for the treatment of acne, although there have been no studies to prove it's success. Detoxification is the process of cleansing the body of toxins commonly caused by the environment, pharmaceutical drugs, food, and cosmetics.