What will you do when you have acne problem? The subject of natural or homegrown acne remedies is a broad one to cover as one must be able to separate the effective options from those that really amount to little more than old wives’ tales.
Yet, with this said, someone searching for successful remedies for acne would be foolish to overlook the benefits of those natural remedies that have been passed on in families.
These sorts of remedies based upon common sense practices or herbs are typically successful for most mild cases of acne. It is when these cases grow more severe that one should consult a physician or dermatologist.
For centuries, civilizations relied exclusively upon herbal and natural remedies for the treatment of every ailment.
No, there were no convenient drive-up pharmacies to get a prescription for manufactured medications. In order to find ways to help treat sickness one had to venture into the woods and search for cures there.
And for the most part, nature provided for these needs through the various herbs that were found to have medicinal value.
The earliest physicians were nothing more than what we today call herbalists or at a certain point in time, apothecaries.
Either way, the natural remedies they discovered were the basis for scientists who later found ways to create synthetic substitutes for these herbs and distill the innate properties down into a form that can be amplified or augmented by other elements.
Even though there are many nonprescription products for acne, home remedies for acne had better be preferred.
The most important reason is: natural home remedies won’t have all the chemicals that can dry your skin out and further irritate the condition.
Common Natural Remedies
Hot/Cold Compresses
A chief natural remedy that is recommended more often than not is the usage of hot and cold wet towel compresses to reduce swelling and eliminate clogged pores–the major culprit in the production of acne.
Drinking Water
One of the best natural remedies for treating acne is water. Water is used to hydrate the body, which, of course, hydrates the skin as well.
The skin is the largest organ in the human body, and must be properly hydrated to work correctly and serve its purpose.
This is accomplished in two ways: by washing the face, which hydrates the surface of the skin, and by drinking water, which hydrates the entire body, from the inside out. This, of course, includes the skin.
Drinking plenty of water will keep the skin looking and feeling healthy. Healthy skin cells promote a healthy body.
In addition to improving skin tone and texture, it can stimulate cell growth and will help all your organs work correctly. It also helps filter out unwanted substances that can be harmful to your skin.
This natural remedy for acne is simple enough. The premise behind it the idea that if you drink a sufficient amount of water per day, typically 7-8 glasses of water a day, your body is cleansed of elements of toxicity that can actually contribute to the development and spread of acne.
Water is also a crucial component deep within your skin. It provides the basis for a soft, smooth, and healthy complexion and will help you look more youthful.
Though very little water is stored in the outer layers of your skin, this moisture is important and is constantly removed by outside elements such as sun and wind.
Sun and wind can dry your skin, removing moisture and irritating its surface. When this occurs, pre-existing acne can become even more irritated, which in turn prolongs the problem.
While irritation won’t directly cause more acne to form, it can worsen the problem. It is important to keep proper moisture in the skin.
Perhaps one of the most common myths is that oily skin does not need moisture. This is not true. Just because skin is oily, does not mean it is moisturized.
By cleansing the skin, you are wiping away excess oil, and my moisturizing it, you are helping it remain smooth and decreasing your chances for irritation.
Properly hydrating the skin not only promotes and stimulates cell growth, but also helps the other organs of the bodywork together.
If properly hydrated, the skin will not wrinkle or sag as easily, and will appear youthful for a longer period of time.
It also should be noted, that many natural remedies not only recommend to merely drink plain old ordinary water but actually adding herbal ingredients by boiling fenugreek seeds and corn into the water.
Oils and Juices
Though it can seem odd, the benefits of using natural substances like almond oil – which can actually help with the removal of acne scars – cannot be ignored.
Apricot juice helps to alleviate the presence of cysts by cutting through them.
Cucumber juice
Used as a topical application, either alone or combined with carrot juice, alfalfa or lettuce.
Citric fruit juices
These types of juices, such as lemon juice, serve as a natural exfoliate, removing dead skin cells which might cause clogging of the pores.
You should allow it to dry on the face for approximately 10 minutes before rinsing it away with cool water.
Orange Peel
Another one of the many home remedies for acne admits orange peel. Smash the orange skin and mix with water and apply to acne affected areas. One of the really fantabulous home remedies for acne.
Lemon
Another citrus fruit remedy and an easy medicine at home for acne: Apply lemon juice to the pimples and acne.
Cucumber
Grated cucumber applied to the face, eyes, and neck, for fifteen to twenty minutes, can help prevent pimples and blackheads.
Garlic
Rub down raw garlic over the troubled spots several times a day. Garlic has proved to cure the worst acne problems.
Eat three seeds of raw garlic once on a day for a month. This purifies the blood stream and helps keep acne away.
Coriander(Chinese parsley ) and Mint Juice
A teaspoon of coriander juice, mixed with a little turmeric powder, is an effective home remedy for pimples and blackheads. After washing the face each night, gently apply it before bedding.
Fenugreek Leaves
This remedy provides great prevention of breakouts and involves taking the fenugreek leaves, crushing them, and making a paste out of them.
You should then apply it to infected areas every night, then wash it away the following morning with warm water.
Fenugreek Seed
Fenugreek is an effective therapy for acne. Make a paste from the leaves and apply over the face each night before going to bed and wash it off with hot water in the morning.
Nigella or Fennel Flower
Nigella or fennel flower is an effective herbal cure against Acne. The fennel flower belongs to the genus Nigella of the sativa species.
People or civilizations have been cultivating this plant for centuries for its medicinal qualities and also as a spice.
Ingredients: Nigella sativa consists of Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fatty acids, Vitamins and Minerals
Some of the other complex compounds found in the Nigella are:
arginine, Alanine, tryptophan, campesterol, asparagine, carvone, cystine, cymene, dehydroascorbic-acid, glucose, eicosadienoic-acid, glutamic-acid, iron, glycine, isoleucine, linoleic-acid, leucine, d-limonene, linolenic-acid, lysine, lipase, methionine, nigellin, myristic-acid, nigellone, palmitic-acid, oleic-acid, phenylalanine, potassium, phytosterols, beta-sitosterol, stearic-acid, alpha-spinasterol, stigmasterol, threonine, tannin, thymoquinone and thymol hydroquinone.
Benefits: Nigella has some magical properties that make it such a sought after herb for treatment of various skin and body problems.
Some of the common properties of Nigella are:
- Antineoplastic
- Antimicrobial
- Analgesic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antipyretics
Nigella is a potent natural remedy for strengthening the immune system.
It is used for treating acne because acne can get aggravated due to a weak immune system and Nigella makes the immune system stronger.
HOney Mask
Because honey has naturally occurring anti-bacterial qualities it is often applied to the face as a mask, killing surface bacteria.
Typically, the mask should be applied once or twice weekly depending upon the results of usage.
Distilled White Vinegar
Apply the vinegar as a topical solution, letting it sit on the infected area for at least 5-10 minutes.
Then rinse it thoroughly with cool water. Often the vinegar can be a little too strong so it is recommended that you dilute it, though not too much.
Makeup or Cosmetic Usage
Simply put, this is a common sense remedy for acne.
Just avoid using these products because more than likely the chemicals and oils used to manufacture them will clog the pores, which, in turn, leads to more breakouts.
Further Remedies
Beyond the common natural remedies for acne, there are a few other interesting options available and worth mentioning at this time.
Diet and Vitamin Supplements
Unlike former days, when the diets of civilizations included only naturally occurring food from the ground, the usage of fertilizers and pesticides has taken a toll on the nutrient content of much of the food that we eat.
Add to this the fact that our food is further manipulated by chemical preservatives and you have some further explanations for the occurrences of some acne breakout.
To combat this, observing a proper and balanced diet and taking a hearty multi-vitamin can actually go a long way towards preventing certain biochemical conditions which provide fertile ground for acne.
Echinacea and Oregon Grape
These herbs are both useful for boosting the body’s immune system and also combating many forms of acne-causing bacteria.
Vitamins
Niacin and vitamin A are good for caring for acne. Take 100 mg niacin, three times on a daily basis, and 50,000 units of vitamin A, three times daily.
Vitamin E, 400 mg, had better be taken once daily. Continue for a month.
Used in large quantities, vitamin A has actually been used to successfully treat some severe forms of acne.
But it must be clear that if you plan to use vitamin A as a possible remedy you should consult a physician because, if used in large enough doses, it can be toxic.
Zinc
This vitamin, if added to one’s diet, can actually aid in the healing of acne lesions and help in the prevention of scarring. Zinc had better be taken in doses of 50 mg three times a day.
Zinc is in tablet and in capsule form. Take a dose of 50 mg daily equal to one month or till there is a noticeable improvement and then decrease the dose to 25 mg.
Green Tea
Green tea can serve many purposes, and it is recommended for a number of reasons. It acts as an anti-bacterial substance, decreasing hormonal activity.
Since acne is often caused by hormones, which produce excess oil and clog pores, thereby causing blemishes, green tea could be a good remedy for this problem.
The antioxidants contained in green tea have been shown as very beneficial to acne prevention because they help the body fight against free radicals that cause cell and tissue damage.
Green tea also has very few potential side effects, especially when compared to other acne products and medications.
Because of its advantages, green tea is also used in various creams and other topical products used to treat acne.
When compared with other commonly used acne treatments, it ranked high, because of its natural anti-bacterial properties.
Other products containing green tea extract are also sold and developed and are available as herbal remedies. It can be purchased as a cream.
Green Tea and honeysuckle are often called “Pimple Tea” in China. It also helps your body rid itself of toxins, which helps prevent acne.
Drinking green tea will help cleanse your body from the inside out, while applying the topical cream, which goes directly onto the skin, will help cure and prevent acne at the source.
No matter how you choose to use it, it can serve many purposes, and may be a welcome alternative to harsh products or unwanted medications.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has been proven effective at killing acne bacteria and healing scars, and it won’t clog pores, but many acne sufferers are very sensitive to the oil.
Start out with a very mild dose. Add only a drop or two of pure tea tree oil to an ounce of pure aloe vera gel, which is particularly soothing and healing to an irritated skin. Increase the amount of tea tree oil as you wish.
Tea tree oil is can be obtained from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia by using steam distillation. It is the native herb of Australia and effectively fights acne. You can purchase undiluted or pure tea tree oil from health stores.
Ingredients: Contains terpinen-4-ol, which has antimicrobial properties.
Use: It kills bacteria hence should be used on acne lesions to kill Propionibacterium acnes, which is a Bacterium that lives on the skin and causes acne.
Benefits: Few side effects as compared to benzoyl peroxide.
Avoid: using undiluted tree tea oil as it may cause skin blistering, redness, irritation, itching and over-dryness
Concentration: 5% concentration gels should be used. You can also make it at home by mixing 5 parts of tea tree oil with 95 parts of water.
Limited research indicates that tea tree oil applied to acne lesions on the skin may work slower and may also cause fewer adverse effects such as skin dryness, itching, stinging, or redness than do other commonly prescribed acne drugs.
The speed of action depends on the strength of the tea tree oil application.
Be forewarned, all medications can have side effects. Check with your doctor and pharmacist.
Chemical Compounds
Apart from the natural diets and applying or intake of herbs, you can also use baking soda to effectively fight against acne. Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate.
It is normally available in a fine powder form and is used for leavening food like cake. You can buy it from any food store. On reaction with acid, sodium bicarbonate produces water and carbon dioxide.
Sodium bicarbonate works in two different ways, which are:
Exfoliating agent
Acne can flare up anytime and anywhere and the reason it happens is because of clogging of the hair follicles.
When your hair follicle gets clogged then the sebaceous glands will start producing sebum continuously, which will cause the hair follicles to rupture.
If a bump appears on your skin with the sebum still inside then it is known as a whitehead but if the bump comes out of the skin then it is known as a blackhead.
Neutralize acidic environment
Fungal or bacterial infections are also one of the primary reasons of acne.
Baking soda in the form of sodium bicarbonate will help in damaging the bacterial cells that help bacteria to grow on your skin.