I've developed some cystic acne with lamictal. (Those deep, hard infections that don't seem to want to come to the surface, but hurt like heck.) Sometimes they make my face look really swollen where they are located (my jaw especially). Besides upping my skin care (washing twice a day instead of once), when I get some cystic acne that is seriously inflamed I do a few little things to help cope with it. Of course I try the benzoid peroxide and salacylic acid OTC products. But I also will clean my face, then take an Advil gel cap, put a tiny hole in it and squeeze a small amount onto the skin and rub it in. This helps reduce the swelling/inflammation in that spot specifically. (I know some folks are allergic to Advil, so this might not be something everyone can try.) I haven't been able to eliminate the acne completely, but little things like that have made it more tolerable.

I will try the zinc...sounds interesting.