Best l-lysine nutritional supplements according to redditors

Cold sore is an open wound and all it needs is contact with skin to transmit. If you're getting a BJ from someone that has an open cold sore there will be herpes laced saliva all over the damn place. A condom only covers your penis, not the area around it. Some of the virus will make contact with your skin around the base of your penis. Good news is that your skin is pretty resilient to bacteria and virus infections but there's still a good chance it will transmit.

Also, to the OP. Tell your g/f to take a Lysine supplement. Something like this and it should shorten the longevity or get rid of the outbreaks all together. This works very well for canker sores and genital herpes as well.

Agreeing, lysine works wonders. This one works great,
Quantum Super Lysine Plus

Sounds like feline herpes flaring up. My cat gets this when stressed. I treat it by adding a small pinch of L-Lysine powder to her food for a few days until it clears up. Go for a few days after it clears. Definitely read about L-Lysine. You can purchase in a natural grocery store or Amazon. Make sure it is pure, no other additives. I think this link could be useful for you.
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/conjunctivitis-feline-herpes-viral

Edit: here's the stuff I use. It will last you forever...
Nature's Life L-lysine Powder 435 Mg, 200 Gram https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005172HEE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QXu8CbTHYTF6P

Honestly it sounds like you're drying out your skin a lot with all of those products. My skin is kind of like yours in the sense that whenever I use any sort of foaming cleanser it makes my skin feel so tight and firm (in a bad way) and it hurts. You should go back to the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser - I use that and I LOVE it so much. You need more moisture in your face to heal your skin.. Have you looked into the oil cleansing method? I'd HIGHLY recommend it. I started that and it helped my acne SO SO much. I know that we've been trained to believe oil = bad, but you need them, that's why your skin is overreacting and producing more oils/acne.

There are a ton of oil-based cleansers that are recommended in here, but I make my own because I wanted pure ingredients. I just mix castor oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, and primrose oil into a little jar and mix it up. You don't need all of those, but I'd suggest castor oil and sunflower oil to start. Make sure the sunflower oil is organic and NOT the kind you cook with - I recommend this one it's amazing https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010EEWP4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (sunflower oil is high in linoleic acid which you need if you have acne prone skin, and it's low on the comedogenic scale)

What I do is I oil cleanse morning and night - rub the oil mixture on your dry face, massage it in gently for a couple minutes. Then after that I use the cerave hydrating cleanser on top of that to wash it off. The oil cleansing removes oil based dirt (acne, sebum, etc.) and the cleanser helps remove water based dirt (sweat, stuff from every day life, etc.).
After that I use an essence that I'm currently using (like a collagen essence, or snail bee essence, etc. whatever you like), then Mizon snail recovery gel cream (love this so much, and it's so cheap), after that I'll use an aloe gel (just started doing this - I have a lot of redness in my face, not sure how well it'll work yet but so far I like it), then I use Cerave Renewing SA Cream (LOVE this - it's smoothed out my skin SO much, it's amazing for getting rid of those annoying tiny bumps, and it's also got AHA and salicylic acid which is great for acne - it's super gentle though, it doesn't burn or irritate your skin). I also mix a few drops of Pure Rosehip Oil in with my SA cream before I put it on my face. This routine has helped my skin so so so so much, and I think you should try something more along these lines - you could still use your Tretinoin and what not, but you just need more moisture and hydration - you can never have too much!

I know I just suggested a lot of products to you, but try not to overcomplicate things or change up your routine too drastically at once - that can cause breakouts too if you switch it up too often. Introduce new routines slowly and one by one. I'd suggest breaking it down to a basic routine and working new things in, my "bare bones" version of my skin care routine that I do when I'm feeling lazy or in a rush is:
Oil cleanse (with oil mixture)
Double cleanse (Cerave Hydrating)
Moisturize with Cerave SA Renewing Cream mixed with a few drops of Rosehip Oil
(Then sunscreen if I'm going out that day)

Just that routine up there has helped my skin a lot - and it's all focused on healing your moisture barrier, which will help your acne. And like I said the SA Cream is great for that too - honestly I can stroke my face now and it's SO smooth, I've never had that in my life. So I feel your pain.

Also, what's your diet/lifestyle like? Do you consume dairy, sugar, caffeine, etc.? If so, you should definitely work on cutting all of those out.. I know it's tough, but they are terrible for your skin and all promote acne. Since you've got it all over your face, it's definitely coming from a lot of different areas (your liver, kidneys, hormonal, etc.). A SUPER helpful and incredible video in regards to curing acne from the inside out is this one, it's long but SO worth the watch.. Along with finding the right skin care routine for the outside, you need to cure the inside of your body as well. Restore your gut and liver health, cleanse your body. When you have toxins built up inside of you that shows up on your face. Definitely check out this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0B7RXCp47k&t=141s

Look into possibly getting some L-Lysine supplements (I like these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00014WXQO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), and a good liver cleanser (I use this one - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012TME2U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 it's all natural, works very well)

Drink PLENTY of water every day (2 liters), eat lots of healthy plant-based foods, exercise regularly, meditate, all that good stuff :).

Best of luck to you, I know how frustrating this is. Remember to be patient, it takes time for your skin to adapt to a new routine and repair itself (usually 4-6 weeks to start seeing results).

Personally, I really like this product. It's a combo of a few of the supplements you mention. I've always had a shitty immune system - like 6+ colds (very few didn't turn sinus infection, bronchitis, strep)... annually.

When I read that Lysine was an amino acid that helped boost your immune system in general and could possibly help herpes (not proven), I figured why not? I have been on it for 16 months now and I've had only ONE cold since then. I added a zinc supplement 3-4 months ago for other purposes.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CMZB4U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WihTDbJQF77PK

Well, finally my time to contribute! I've dealt with cold sores since as young as I can remember but it's been over 3 years since I've had one. First off a few tips when you actually get a cold sore....

1. Pop it with a sterilized needle and gently press the contents out with a tissue.
   
2. Clean the surrounding area with alcohol to prevent it from spreading.
   
3. This sounds crazy, but put hand sanitizer on the cold sore! It dries the cold sore and continue to place sanitizer on it until it starts to form a "yellowish" scab. ( I put the sanitizer on a q tip and put it on the cold sore). Don't peel the scab and let it be and when you shower do not get the sore wet.
   
4. Clean your hands vigorously after getting anywhere near the cold sore.
   
   I've had amazing success with my method and hope it helps others!
   
   

• Abreva and all those ointments are garbage. They keep the sore moist and I've never had any luck. I've tried every "home remedy" under the sun from salt, to bleach, to green tea bags on the sore. The ointments may work for you, but from my experience the best method is hand sanitizer. I've done hundreds of hours of research on cold sores. Being ridiculed in middle school and high school forced me to do my research. The only way to really prevent cold sores is to minimize stress and use chapstick with spf. Cole sores are thought to be triggered by the the amino acid l-arginine, which are present in nuts and chocolate.
  
  Now for my prevention tips:
  

1. Get a prescription for Valtrex 1000 mg and split the pill in half and take 1/2 pill every night. (I did this to save on cost).
   
2. Buy a product called Super Lysine on Amazon. Lysine has been proven to decrease the growth of cold sores. (https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Super-Lysine-Tabs-Bottle/dp/B001CMZB4U?th=1).
   
3. Take one pill of Bee Propolis nightly, it's basically bee pollen which has natural antiviral properties. (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ANORXA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1).
   
4. Chapstick with SPF is extremely important!
   
5. Exercise to keep immune system healthy.
   
6. Stress is a big trigger, but that can be a hard thing to control

Have you ever tried L-Lyseine for the drippy eye? It has done wonders for us!

Edit:

Here's an article. Definitely read up and talk to your vet... but our vet loves that we give it to our cat with stress-related drippy eye. We used to give it every single day, in her wet food with a little extra water added... but now only give for a few days each time she has a flare up. I find just rolling a couple treats in the powder each day works for her now.

Here is the product we use. You need only a very small amount....It lasts forever.

To Clear up your complexion

Purchase Formula 10-0-6. I can only find it online now. Amazon and Ulta.com have it for around $5.99. Click here for Amazon NOTE - Formula 10-0-6 is also known as SO Totally Clean Facial Astringent.

1. Right before bed, get a good amount of the 10-0-6 on a jumbo cotton ball. Clean your face with it. (See NOTE below about what to do to the bottle of 10-0-6 when you open it for the first time.)
   
   
2. Continue to use new cotton balls with 10-0-6 until the cotton ball comes back clean after using them on your face.
   
   
3. Do not clean your face in the morning.
   
   ----------------
   
   If you have pimples in your hairline or forehead
   
   Shampoo with a product that doesn't have pimple causing ingredients. Here is one suggested from the article – Acure Organics shampoo
   
   ----------------
   Take 1000mg daily of the supplement L-Lysine.
   Amazon has them for around $7.59.
   
   ----------------
   
   Stay away from sugar. Eat healthy
   
   ----------------
   
   Strive to drink at least 8 cups of water per day.
   
   ----------------
   
   On the occasion you have a zit
   
   
4. Clean your face early in the evening with 10-0-6
   
   
5. Then put a pea size amount of AcneFree Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment on the pimple.
   
   
6. You will keep it on for at least eight hours (sleep in it). But be careful until it dries so as not to get it on any fabric. It will bleach fabric white.
   
   
7. Continue to use the Acne Free Terminator nightly until you can push on the zit and it doesn't hurt. It usually takes 1-2 days to kill the zit, but get it as soon as you feel the pain of a pimple. The longer the zit lives, the harder it is to kill. Plus it will get an ugly whitehead if you let it live too long before putting the AcneFree Terminator on it.
   
   ----------------
   
   That is all you have to spend for a clearer complexion. $5.69 for the Formula 10-0-6; $7.53 for L-lysine; around $6.49 for the AcneFree Terminator; plus some jumbo cotton balls. And you only need to spend $9.40 for the Acure Mega Moisture Shampoo if you have pimples in the hairline or forehead.
   
   NOTE - Once you take the screw lid off the 10-0-6 for the first time, you will see this clear plastic top with a large pin size hole in it where the liquid is supposed to come out. I always pop that clear plastic top off by sticking one side of a pair of small scissors in the large pin hole and pulling it up. Here is a picture of an example. This trick makes it so the 10-0-6 goes on a cotton ball easier. Just put a jumbo cotton ball on the top of the bottle, tip it over to wet the cotton ball with the 10-0-6 and you are ready to use it on your face.
   
   .
   

>Unfortunately Lysine is one of the harder AAs to get as a vegan

I take a pill. Very easy!
https://www.amazon.com/NOW-L-lysine-500-250-Capsules/dp/B0013OQLIW

I’m so sorry about the rosacea you beautiful ladies. I have some tips that may help:
I tried fractional laser for my broken capillaries, and it didn’t do anything except give me a scar from a blister I got.

1. l- lysine helps strengthen blood vessel walls.
   https://www.amazon.com/NOW-L-Lysine-Double-Strength-Tablets/dp/B000Z9361G
   
   
2. fungal acne safe routine:
   Check your skin care products on www.skincarisma.com and make sure they are fungal acne safe.
   
   
3. the Ordinary’s Alpha Arbutin:
   https://www.beautylish.com/s/the-ordinary-alpha-arbutin-2-ha
   It has a cooling effect on the skin (skin carisma says this is not fungal acne safe, but it doesn’t give me any issues.)
   
   
4. scrape your face: yeah I don’t know why this helps so much but it does. Gently scrape the gunk off your face with this thingy:
   https://www.amazon.com/exfolimate-Face-Body-Exfoliation-Exfolimate/dp/B00SVDLGHY
   Also good for KP.
   
   
5. Squaline oil: I use the one from the ordinary, but if you search reddit for squaline oil you will find other recommendations.
   https://www.skinstore.com/the-ordinary-100-plant-derived-squalane-30ml/11416764.html
   
   
6. eucerin healing cream on your worst patches.
   https://www.amazon.com/Eucerin-Original-Healing-Rich-Creme/dp/B001FB5IIC
   
   
7. sun screen: I like this one: https://www.ulta.com/clear-face-liquid-lotion-sunblock-spf-55?productId=xlsImpprod11281057
   
   Or this one: https://www.amazon.com/Biore-SARASARA-Perfect-SPF50-original/dp/B0727STS9G
   
   Subscribe to r/skincareaddiction and r/rosacea. There is a lot of help there too. Good luck!!

Hi! Adding in L-Lysine really made a difference for me. It's an amino acid that has androgen blocking effects (similar to spironolactone).

I originally heard about it from Organic Olivia:
https://www.organicolivia.com/?s=l-lysine

This is the one I use:
https://www.amazon.com/Solgar-L-Lysine-1000-250-Tablets/dp/B00014WXQO?th=1

I'm taking 1000mg with dinner and 500mg at breakfast ~

Hope that helps! :)

I take these for oral herpes. Haven't had a single sore since I started. It also crushed the first sore that caused me to start these in about 4 days. They're the truth. My story is almost identical to yours, but from the male perspective. I can't recommend these enough.

Quantum Super Lysine, 180 Tabs, 1 Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CMZB4U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_TSEhybNAHSD6P

This lysine is cheap while this one is more palatable. Each would be 1/4 tsp on food twice a day. And for a single cat either container would last a long time.

Amazon! Now brand (for humans) so it's not ridiculously expensive like the cat treats. https://smile.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-733739002402-L-Lysine-1-Pound/dp/B0013OSNOM

Glad to help!

I just want to be clear though - seitan is low in lysine and both hemp and brown rice proteins that I mentioned are also low in lysine. So those probably won't help you pick up the slack with your lysine intake.

I noticed that you said you can eat tofu. That's good because soy is a complete protein and should have adequate amounts of lysine. It's actually strange since you said you couldn't tolerate soy-based meat substitutes. I can't really think of a reason directly related to soy that tofu would be okay (basically just coagulated soy milk) but soy based milk substitutes wouldn't. The only thing that comes to mind is some of them like Butler soy curls use the whole soybean and would have stuff like fiber from the soy in them. Most of them use a more processed type of soy like soy protein isolate which should be less likely to cause problems even compared to tofu.

In the worst case it's possible to find a pure lysine supplement like this one from Solgar or Now.

As someone who gets cold sores, let me tell you that you need to stock up on L-Lysine tablets. In the future, when you feel that tell-tale tingle, bust out the Lysine and take 3 pills or so every couple of hours. You can't really overdose (use your head and don't eat them like candy though) and you'll just pee out what you don't need, but these will keep the cold sores at bay. If you take the pills and one starts to appear, it will actually enter the healing stage almost immediately and will never go through that nasty infectious/pus-filled stage. You'll be in the clear in a few days instead of your typical 2 weeks.

As far as the date goes, maybe just be candid with her. Just tell her, "Hey, I get cold sores on occasions and it just so happens that I have one now" . Maybe crack a joke about drinking from her straw or making out on the first date. Play it cool. A lot of people get cold sores and even though they are painful and gross and make you feel like a monster, you don't have to be ashamed to admit to her that you have them. If this were to turn into a long term deal she'd eventually see you with one anyways, so might as well just be like "Well, here it is - TA DAAAA" and act like its no big deal.

I'm super late to comment on this thread but I just found it. I'm a super stressed out grad student who lives in a chilly area, so I've been getting cold sores even more frequently than I usually do (from once or twice a year previously up to once every 2-3 months). I have a doctor appointment on Monday to try and get a valacyclovir prescription, but for now i like these to cover cold sores and sorta keep them from spreading around my lips and face. As for other treatments and remedies I have tried:

• Abreva does nothing for me.
  
  
• Carmex helps keeps my lips hydrated so they are not cracking/bleeding, which I think increases likelihood of more sores popping up, and reduces itching for me but doesn't reduce the duration of outbreaks.
  
  
• Lysine+ and similar ointments like this have not done much for the pain/itching and seem to smear the cold sore germs around my lips/skin around my mouth.
  
  
• The old Campho-Phenique (the tube said "with drying action") helped to dry up my cold sores very quickly, but then I would have to be careful that the cracked scabs wouldn't tear and ooze germs everywhere. The new Campho-Phenique does nothing for me.
  
  
• Home remedies such as icing the area when it first tingles or using earl grey tea as a compress have been temporarily soothing, but not worked for me to reduce the duration of outbreaks.
  
  Hopefully this is helpful for someone -- although some treatments may be effective for some, I think prescription medication is the best bet. I'm tired of dealing with outbreaks, so valacyclovir it is.

BulkSupplements Pure L-Lysine HCL Powder (500 grams) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENP215K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BbAVAbF8W5M4X

It does have a taste though, but I put creamer in my coffee and I’m used to it now 🤷🏻‍♀️

BulkSupplements on Amazon carries both:

L-Lysine HCL
L-Arginine Pyroglutamate

And sorry to have accused, it just struck me as odd initially

uh anywhere. https://www.amazon.com/Best-Naturals-Lysine-Strength-Tablets/dp/B00HZO3MV8/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=lysine+pills&qid=1558639714&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

Look into the combo of l-lysine, arginine, and ornithine.. the sell it in one pill form.
https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Nutrition-Arginine-Ornithine-100-Count/dp/B001G7QX4I?keywords=lysine+arginine+ornithine&qid=1537489989&sr=8-3&ref=mp_s_a_1_3

Hi Joe,
I also suffer from herpes/cold sores, (wretched virus!) but found a vast improvement by taking lysine supplements.

I use these tablets and this powder. Note, the powder is often on offer and can be very economical.

I have also been trialling MSM, but haven't noticed it affecting my herpes (or skin for that matter...).
I did try an elimination/paleo diet previously which required a lot of bone broth and coconut based food which both contain a lot of arginine, this brought it out badly, so also consider your wider diet.
Have a google of lysine: Arginine ratio.

I hope this helps.
Let me know if you have any other questions.

So I have HSV1 and ordered this L/lysine ointment from amazon and it is a god send. The one primary outbreak I had input it on there and I swear I think that sped up the healing more than the Valtrex. Also super good for dry skin :)

https://www.amazon.com/Lysine-Lip-Ointment-0-875-Pack/dp/B00IZGVZBE/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=l-lysine+ointment&qid=1574981924&sr=8-3

I highly recommend

Super Lysine Lip Balm works best for my daughter who is halfway through her Clavaris treatment. Her lips were peeling apart and this stuff healed her right up. It’s also SPF 21, so it protects from the sun.

You're welcome.

>Did you take any antivirals for your first outbreak? I'm really hoping the acyclovir will help and that this outbreak won't last that long. Fingers crossed!

No I did not. I saw a doctor and he did not suggest any. My doctor said, you have HSV and every once in a while when you're body is under stress a blister can show up. But you don't need medication.If this occurs frequently like every month then we could consider. So no antivirals for me. Apply an ointment if possible.

Basic Organics L-Lysine Lip Ointment, 0.875 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GG0WOC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4Qigzb5RM8030

I own this and it works for me. Usually open blisters fade in 2 days after applying. Another 2 days and you can only see a small spot left. One week and nothing is visible. Btw, I'm a dude.


>Just wondering, did you start on suppressive treatment after your initial outbreak? Additionally, how many further outbreaks do you usually get per year? Sorry for all these questions, but it really does feel reassuring to talk to someone who has been through it.

Don't worry about the questions. I'm glad you're looking at objectively. I hope my answers give you some assurance and help you manage this challenge.

To answer your question, No, I did not start suppressive therapy like until 2015. And honestlyI did not need to. But nothing wrong if you did it. I would say that is good management. Also, I self medicated my suppressive therapy and it has worked . So if you consulted your doctor with regards to this, Kudos you're doing better than a lot of people out there. I use this :
Quantum Super Lysine, 180 Tabs, 1 Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CMZB4U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fZigzbBQ6J4VF



>I actually have no idea how anyone has the ability to do that during an outbreak. The sores sting like a bitch.

I know it hurts. But usually restrain yourself a couple of days after a breakout . Otherwise it's food. Have a good day. Tc

Absolutely! The lysine I take includes vitamin C in it as well as other immune boosting ingredients. This is my 4th bottle and I've had 0 cold sores since taking them. Here is the link!

https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Health-Tablets-Support-Supplement/dp/B001CMZB4U?th=1

I just take the regular lysine powder and mix it in some water. 2 scoops. I just looked up super lysine though and it looks pretty good. 1500 mg a day is more than I'm taking though. I'm taking about 800-1000 mg and it's been very effective.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0013OSNOM/ref=sr_ph_1_s_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1487633715&sr=sr-1&keywords=lysine

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OQLIW

Is something just like this all you recommend for L-Lysine? Also would you recommend zinc every other day? Or is it ok to take every day?

Have her take L-Lysine daily. It helps with lip and mouth health and I also hear it helps with acne. Anyhow, my old roommate used to take it and he swore it he never got cold sores while on it regularly.

Anyone who has the dry cracking lip problems should try this stuff its not the same as the lysine brand stuff you can find in stores. I used to work as a pharmacy tech and had tons of people complaining about the chapped lips problem with accutane. I ordered this in for a few of them and it worked so well for them that one of my patients came in crying that it was such a relief to her after months of agony. It seriously works and its dirt cheap. Try it.

I've had great success with them! This is the brand I take: http://www.amazon.com/Solgar-L-Lysine-Tablets-1000-Count/dp/B00020IA1Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1416425875&sr=8-3&keywords=l+lysine+solgar