I have cleared my face and shoulders after years of cystic acne. I drink as much water as I can handle. I use a washcloth to wash my face only at night, and a washcloth on my back only in my morning shower. I think all this time I had been stripping my face of its vital oils by washing it in the morning and again at night. For all I know, there could be a variety of other things, but give it a shot for a few months, maybe it'll work.