Researchers have found that a solution using the common herb thyme was more effective in killing the acne bacterium than traditional chemical-based creams. Acne is caused by a bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes which infects the skin pore and then forms a pimple. Currently, the most common treatments for acne are antibiotics or a topical cream or wash containing the chemical benzoyl peroxide. These treatments are often associated with side-effects, like skin irritation. A solution, known as a tincture, can be made using plants and herbs, where the plant is steeped in alcohol for days or weeks. The research team tested the effectiveness of thyme, myrrh and marigold tinctures in killing the acne bacterium and found that thyme performed the best, even better than benzoyl peroxide.