More than 20 percent of adults over age 24 suffer from active acne, according to the Acne Resource Center. Insurance companies often do not view adult acne as a medical condition, but rather as a cosmetic problem. With the high cost of doctor visits, prescription pharmaceuticals and commercial medications, many patients turn to safe, affordable and effective herbal remedies to treat adult acne.

Goldenseal

Goldenseal, also known as yellow puccoon or orangeroot, improves digestion and liver function, which helps the skin eliminate toxins. Additionally, the herb contains berberine, a powerful antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and antibacterial agent that herbalists use to fight infections, according to Dr. Linda B. White, author of "The Herbal Drugstore."

To block blemishes, prepare goldenseal as a tea for internal use or topically as a face wash or mask. Steep 1 tsp. chopped goldenseal root in a cup of boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain, and drink the tea before eating. Alternatively, saturate a washcloth in warm tea and place it on your face as a compress to draw out blackheads. To make a facial mask, blend 1 tsp. powdered goldenseal, 1 tsp. water and six drops of lavender oil. Smooth the mask onto your face. Rinse with warm water after 20 minutes.

Echinacea

Native to the United States, echinacea, otherwise called purple cone flower, offers powerful internal immune-boosting effects that reduce persistent acne. The roots contain antiseptic properties that help rid the complexion of microbial infections while accelerating healing, relieving inflammation and offering a numbing effect that eases the pain of cystic acne, as reported by Dr. C. Norman Shealy, author of "Healing Remedies."

Prepare a tea by steeping 3 tsp. of fresh, chopped echinacea root in a cup of boiling water for 15 minutes. Cool and soak a cotton ball in the strained tea. Apply it onto your pimples and boils. You can also take four 400mg capsules of echinacea daily until symptoms ease.

Vitex

Adult acne, often hormone-related, reacts well to vitex, otherwise known as chasteberry, says HerbalRemedies.com. An extract of vitex berries eases premenstrual acne by "regulating the pituitary gland, which sends signals to other glands, instructing them how much of each hormone to make," as stated in "The Herbal Drugstore." In addition, according to NaturalFertilityInfo.com, a recent study indicated that when participants with menstrual cycle problems took vitex, acne was eradicated or reduced substantially.

Take one capsule of dried extract once a day. Do not take vitex if you are pregnant.