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Home protocol · Skin
Acne and Rosacea Ozone Protocol
Home steps for acne and rosacea: an ozonated water wash and ozonated oil, with what the studies used.
Quick answer: At home, wash the face with ozonated water, then apply ozonated oil (around 600 peroxide index, from Madrid) to finish, about twice a week. Test a small area of skin first.
Home method. Best done as recommended by a licensed provider who knows your health history.
What are the basics of ozone for acne and rosacea?
- Madrid uses one protocol for both facial acne and acne rosacea. This sheet covers only the steps you can do at home: an ozonated water wash and an ozonated oil.
- Madrid describes ozone as part of a multi-part plan and a complement to other care. For milder skin concerns it describes topical use: ozone water sprays, lotions, creams and oils.
- Severe or lasting acne needs a practitioner.
Source: Madrid Declaration on Ozone Therapy, 4th edition (ISCO3, 2025). Paraphrased.
What settings are used for ozone for acne and rosacea?
| Step | What to do | Settings (Madrid) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Wash | Wash the face with ozonated water or a gentle cleanser. | Strength of the wash is not stated |
| 2. Oil | Apply ozonated oil to finish. | 600 peroxide index (PI) |
| 3. Schedule | Repeat the wash and oil. | Twice a week |
What are the best tips when using ozone for acne and rosacea?
- For everyday skin care, the oil and water steps are on the topical oil protocol and the infused water protocol. Use a maker that states the oil's peroxide value.
- Apply a thin layer of oil and build up slowly.
What are the precautions for ozone for acne and rosacea?
- Patch test first: try a small area of skin before wider use.
- Stop if you get irritation, redness or burning.
- Keep oil and ozonated water away from the eyes.
- Do not use on deep or infected lesions without a practitioner.
- Never breathe ozone gas. Keep the room ventilated when making ozonated water.
- Pregnancy: check with your healthcare provider before starting.
More detail
Equipment
- Ozonated oil with a stated peroxide value (around 600 for this protocol)
- Ozonated water: bought, or made as on the infused water protocol
What the studies used
Study doses are listed as printed in each paper and are not Madrid dosing.
- In 39 adults with mild to moderate papulopustular rosacea, adding a weekly 15-minute face wash with ozonated water (3.0 mg/L) plus 20 minutes of yellow LED light for 4 weeks to oral minocycline gave a lower symptom score at 8 weeks than minocycline alone (2.3 vs 5.05, p<0.001). The groups were chosen by the patients, and the light is part of the add-on (Wei 2024).
- In one teenager with severe acne that had not responded to isotretinoin, steroids and antibiotics, ozonated water washes (2.4 ppm) and ozonated olive oil (peroxide index 2,300) cleared papules, pustules and crusts by about 6 weeks, with some redness left (Pyatkovskyy 2025).
Evidence for topical ozone in acne and rosacea is thin: one small comparison in which patients chose their group, and a single case report. There is no placebo-controlled trial.
Learn more
Background, benefits and research: Ozone cream, oil and treatments for skin.
Related protocols: Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis Ozone Protocol, Fungal Skin and Nail Infection Ozone Protocol.
Other skin and related protocols
Educational reference only, not medical advice. Follow local regulations.
