I would never make any claims that a soap of mine would definitely clear up acne because everyone is different, but I can tell you this recipe I made cleared my own skin up. I have always had a problem with blackheads and large pores on my nose and the areas on either side of my nose. Here is what is in it:
38% olive oil
30% coconut oil
17% palm oil
10% shea butter
5% castor oil
I usually make a batch with about 3-4 lbs. of soap and use 40 oz. of oils in my recipe, so I use 4 T or about 2 oz. of lemongrass essential oil, and then stir in sage. I haven't settled on the absolutely perfect amount of sage, but I have used 2-3 T.
I had heard thyme works well and made a thyme astringent with witch hazel for my daughter, who doesn't seem to want to use it (I think it's the strong herbal smell). I used it a few times, and it seems to work fine. I just followed these directions from Crunchy Betty to make it:
http://www.crunchybetty.com/thyme-to-co ... s-and-acne.
I did a quick Google search on using sage for acne, and it looks like it's a a known herbal remedy that some folks have tried with good results, which may be why I had good luck with my soap.
I think the lemongrass essential oil and sage are responsible for reducing my blackheads and minimizing my pores. I will occasionally get a hormonal pimple, but my skin is much better. I wash it morning and night. The moisturizing oils in the soap are, I think, responsible for the fact that the soap doesn't dry my skin. I have combination skin, so I can't use certain acne treatments.
Like I said, it might not work for everyone, but as far as I am concerned, it's the best facial soap I have ever used on my own skin.