There is nothing frustrating like waking up to those red tender bumps, especially a day before an important official or social meet. Feeling helpless trying to get that zit off your face? We’ve found effective solutions, and luckily, it is not rocket science either. This article deals with some of the best home remedies for acne.
What Causes Acne?
Have a look at these common causes of acne:
- Release of excess sebum
- Raging hormones
- Plugged follicles
- Bacteria build up in your pores
- Inflammation
Easy Home Remedies for Acne
Pimples are formed when the pores in your skin get clogged with dead skin cells and oil. Getting rid of them can be a little time-consuming and it takes about two to three days to get the results. While conventional treatments help you cure acne, they’re often associated with adverse side effects, including skin irritation and dryness. Therefore, it is always best to go for natural remedies to treat this condition.
Wondering how to take care of your skin? Here are six best home remedies for acne and pimples. Keep reading!
Tea tree oil for acne
Tea tree oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help in reducing the occurrence of pimples and inflamed lesions on your skin.
Add one or two drops of tea tree oil to sweet almond oil or jojoba oil and apply it on the affected area. Wash it off after an hour. Follow up with a moisturizer.
Before you apply tree tea oil for acne, make sure to wash your face using a mild homemade cleanser.
If you are allergic to tree tea oil, do not apply it topically as it may cause a burning sensation on your skin.
Tea tree oil can also be used to cure conditions such as eczema, nail fungus, scabies, and dandruff.
Mint for acne
Mint contains salicylic acid, an inflammatory agent that can clear clogged follicles. It reduces comedones and causes less irritation to your skin. Also, the antioxidant properties of mint help in reducing oxidative stress and treating other skin conditions, including acne and hyperpigmentation. It prohibits bacterial growth leading to lesser outbreaks.
Grind 10 to 15 mint leaves. Mix it with a few drops of water for a paste-like consistency. Apply this mixture directly to the affected area and let it dry. Wash your face well using lukewarm water.
Apple cider vinegar for acne
Apple cider vinegar is another best home remedy for acne breakouts. It has antimicrobial and antifungal properties and can be used as a part of your daily skin care routine.
The presence of organic acids, including acetic acid, lactic acid and malic acid makes apple cider vinegar work well in killing the bacteria that causes acne. These acids also exfoliate your skin, thereby sloughing off dead skin cells to reveal a layer of healthy skin.
Add unfiltered apple cider vinegar to filtered water. Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture to the affected area. Wait for 10 to 12 minutes and wash it off using warm water. For best results, do this twice a day.
Apple cider is also used to treat fungal infections of the skin.
Jojoba oil for acne
More of a wax than oil, jojoba oil is beneficial in treating acne and other skin-related conditions. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of jojoba help in healing the inflamed lesions that occur as a result of acne.
Mix one or two drops of jojoba oil with sweet almond oil. Using a cotton ball, apply this solution on the affected area twice or thrice a day.
Jojoba oil is also one of the best natural remedies for glowing skin.
Green tea for acne
Rich in polyphenols, green tea can help regulate the secretion of sebum by the oil glands. Both topical and oral use of this healthful natural substance is very much effective in treating acne. Green tea also has anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing the swelling around the acne affected area.
Remove the leaves from two tea bags and moist them using warm water. Mix the leaves with aloe vera gel or honey and spread the mixture on the affected area. Wash it off after 15 minutes. For best results, follow this remedy twice a week.
Garlic for acne
Garlic is rich in allicin, an organic compound that has antifungal, antiviral and antiseptic benefits. This particular compound present in garlic kills the bacteria that cause acne and reduces the swelling as well as inflammation. Garlic also contains many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, zinc, selenium, and copper that are believed to fight acne.
To treat acne, make a puree of three to four garlic cloves and apply it directly to the affected area. After one minute, rinse it off with water.
If you have sensitive skin, it is always best to dilute garlic with water. Mince two cloves of garlic and mix it one tablespoon of rose water or tap water. Wait for one or two minutes and wash it off.
Wash your face immediately if your skin begins to burn or itch after applying garlic to your face.
Honey for acne
Honey is considered as one of the best ayurvedic treatments for pimples and blackmarks. The anti-bacterial properties of honey helps to remove excess oil from the skin thereby preventing acne outbreaks. If used daily, it will balance the bacteria on your skin.
It’s antioxidant and antiseptic properties reduces skin irritation, redness and treats acne scars. You can even use honey to get relief from autoimmune conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
To fight acne, you can either apply honey as a spot treatment or make a honey mask. You can also include honey in your daily diet and cure all acne and pimples related problems.
Take some raw honey on to your palm. Using cotton ball, apply honey on to the affected area. After 30 minutes, wash your face using warm water.
Aloe vera for acne
Known as a ‘miracle plant’, Aloe vera has potent healing properties. It eliminates excess oil from your face that causes acne and other related problems. Aloe vera gel can be directly applied on your skin and can kill acne-causing bacteria. It contains a significant amount of magnesium lactate. This natural chemical acts as an itch-reducer. Getting rid of the continuous itching associated with acne is very important as it removes the urge to scratch.
Aloe vera also contains “anthraquinone”, a chemical that does a bang-up job on your acne-scarred skin by diminishing scars and helping the skin cells regenerate.
Rosemary for acne
Rosemary is another excellent home remedy to treat acne. It has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. This powerful herb helps you ward off acne causing germs and also make it a great solution for pimple scars which can get re-infected by the acne germs.
Apply rosemary essential oil on the acne affected area using a cotton ball. If you have a sensitive skin, mix rosemary oil with non-comedogenic natural moisturizer and then apply.
If you are someone with allergy issues, it is always recommended to discuss with an expert dermatologist before you start using these home remedies for acne and pimples. You can also consult a doctor online.
Other Remedies to Cure Acne
Here is a list 8 more remedies to cure acne
- Exfoliate regularly
- Reduce stress
- Stay hydrated
- Cut back on dairy products
- Try taking fish oil supplement
- Use Echinacea tea
- Follow a low glycemic diet
- Use oil-free skin-care
Simple Tips to Prevent Acne
- Never pop your pimples
- Wash your face frequently
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid makeup
- Stop eating junk foods
Need more help with home remedies for acne? You can always seek expert advice from our top dermatologists online.
