Alternative medicine is more popular than ever before and Dermatology has not remained unaffected by this trend. The aim of this review was to summarise all surveys of dermatological patients regarding the usage of alternative medicine to assess the potential efficacy of alternative medicine and to understand the reasons for which patients use alternative therapies. Computarized literature search was performed in medline. The search terms were "alternative medicine", "skin" and the name of different alternative therapies. Numerous studies have been practiced and published but few randomised controlled trials have been carried out. Greater knowledge of alternative medicine and its philosophical background and practical uses should result in better care for our patients and stimulate clinical research that will allow further consideration of its appropriate use and better evaluation of its possible danger.