As common a problem as acne is, especially for teens, there isn’t a quick fix for acne treatment, as much as that would be appreciated. Many brand name products battle acne, but none of them will normally show a complete win over the stubborn blemishes.
Because of this, and due to the high prices of some topical remedies, homemade treatments are also used by many people to fight problem acne. The best plan is to prevent blemishes, but if you already have them, you’ll want to get rid of them at the same time you’re fighting new ones. The treatment you select will depend on your skin type, age, and other user-specific.
It’s ironic that acne always appears when you want to look your best. Since some of the products made to fight acne are very hard on your skin, you may also opt to try homemade treatments, which are usually gentler.
Just be sure to have these beneficial ingredients on hand, and you’re armed and able to banish blotchy skin!
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What Causes Acne?
When the follicles of our skin become clogged up with oil or dead skin cells, we begin to see those dreaded blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples. Usually, you will notice acne on your face, upper back, and shoulders. This is a frustrating skin condition that many people struggle with every day.
Luckily there are treatments you can use to clear up your skin. Before we jump into some home remedies for acne, let’s talk a little bit about what causes acne.
The first factor is genetics. Unfortunately, there is very little we can do about this since we can’t change who our family is. If your parents struggled with acne growing up, chances are that you will too. Having a good skincare routine in place that you implement every day will help you manage this condition.
As we mentioned earlier, when oil clogs up hair follicles, acne appears. Why? Because our skin is being filled with germs and bacteria. A solution to this is always washing our face in the morning and before going to sleep. Also, trying some of the home remedies for acne down below will work wonders.
How to Prevent It
Just like knowing what causes acne, how to prevent it is also important. There are several factors you want to look out for that could make your condition worse.
One example is hormones. The reason that teenagers experience outbursts of acne is because their body is going through hormonal changes. The same thing happens with pregnant woman or individuals using contraceptives. Keep in mind that hormonal changes worsen acne.
Also, there are medications like corticosteroids, lithium, or testosterone that make matters worse. If you suffer from acne you may want to think twice before intaking these drugs.
Of course, diet plays an important part in our overall health. There have been several students that show that foods high in carbohydrates worsen acne. This includes junk food like chips and bagels. Chocolate is another food that can make acne worse, as well as skim milk!
The last factor that can make your acne worse is stress. Too much stress is harmful to your overall being, so look for ways to combat it. Perhaps try exercising regularly, expanding your social circle, or talking to someone about what’s stressing you out. Managing the stress will not only help your acne problem, but your overall wellbeing.
What Can You Use?
This brings us to the purpose of this post. What are some home remedies for acne that you can use to treat this skin problem?
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an ingredient used in naturally fighting acne. It is best used when you first see the appearance of a spot. Using tea tree oil is beneficial in fighting infection, and it will dramatically speed up your healing.
Try Vinegar
Don’t save all your vinegar for salad dressing. It can help you fight your problems with acne, and it’s way cheap. We love treatments that work, and that is cheap, too. Vinegar contains acid, which is helpful in flushing out your pores, allowing a healthier skin to show.
So you’re wondering how it works? We’re glad you asked.
Grab a little bowl and add vinegar and purified water in equal parts. Use a cotton ball and dip it into that mixture, then dab it on breakout areas. Vinegar has acidity, which helps in reducing redness and in calming down the inflammation that you may suffer during breakouts.
Be sure to rinse off your face after ten minutes at most, so you won’t dry out your skin too much. You can do this now and then when you have breakouts, to help zap your zits quickly.
How About Garlic?
We love garlic. OK, we love it most in cooking, but we love how it helps breakouts, too. Who would have thought this was possible?
Well, it’s true! Juice made with garlic makes an excellent cleanser for your face, with antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It’s supposedly also a natural and remarkable acne cure.
Just squash some garlic and then mix it in with a half cup of lukewarm water. Then use a clean washcloth into the mixture and wash your face with it. Allow it to remain on your skin for no more than ten minutes and then rinse off your face with some nice, cold water.
Oh, and you won’t smell like garlic, either, if you were worried about that! You will have clearer skin, though. You might even be willing to accept smelling like garlic if it gave you clear skin – but you won’t stink.
Honey and Nutmeg
Another remedy that people make at home to help in clearing up acne is a combination of honey and nutmeg. After you mix one teaspoon of each ingredient, you will apply this gentle mixture right on the top of the zit you’re trying to banish. Leave it on the site for about 20 minutes, and then rinse your face with clear, warm water. Honey is helpful in fighting acne because it has antiseptic properties that will work at fighting off the bacteria that cause some forms of acne.
Sooooooothing Aloe Vera
Ok, you may not have aloe vera in your kitchen, but most people keep aloe vera around the house for sunburns and the like.
Aloe Vera is a gentle and natural ingredient to use in your homemade treatments for problem acne. It can be purchased in gel form, applied right on the pimple, and then left on the skin for 10 or 15 minutes to help in clearing up pimples.
Aloe boosts immunity, and it also is a potent anti-inflammatory, to help eliminate acne gradually. Also, it moisturizes your skin after you’ve spent too much time outdoors, to help it to look youthful, supple and soft. We know you ladies love that!
Just apply a thin layer of aloe vera on your face – then let it sink right in. It’s not a potent treatment, but it can clear up the skin to a degree if the vinegar and garlic aren’t choices you want to try. Aloe vera can also be used over your whole body, to help in keeping it soft and well-hydrated.
Cleansing Your Skin in a Healthy Way
Many people who suffer from acne feel that cleansing their skin constantly will improve the causes of their acne. But scrubbing too harshly can cause your body to produce even more sebum, which is its natural oil. This will make acne worse, not better. Don’t over-dry your skin for the same reason. Stimulating your sebaceous glands to produce even more oil will only make acne more of a problem for you.
To cleanse skin at home, use Epsom salts added to hot water. Allow this mixture to cool a bit, and then use a cotton pad to apply it onto acne problem areas on your face. It’s a homemade way to keep your skin clear of acne without drying it out.
While we’re on the subject of bodies, if you have acne on your back – we call it “backne” – check out our helpful DIY back acne solutions! Or if you’re looking for fast progress, check Monica’s Beauty’s suggestions of the absolute best acne treatments to use.
Acne Myths
Before we wrap up this post, we’d like to cover some myths that you may be familiar with. If you thought these were true we are here to tell you that the following factors have little to no effect on acne:
- Greasy foods. You may have heard time after time that feeding your body greasy foods leads to acne. While too much of it may lead to other health issues, there is no science that shows that it has an effect on acne. If you work in a greasy area like a fast food restaurant than the oil may stick and block hair follicles but eating greasy foods will not lead to acne.
- Makeup. It’s often thought that cosmetics lead to acne. However, they don’t. You can use oil-free makeup or natural products that won’t clog up pores. As long as you remove your makeup regularly you don’t have to worry about it leading to acne.
Don’t be fooled by these myths! Instead, invest in a healthy skin care routine and try some of these home remedies for best results.
Wrap Up
Now it’s time for action! If you hate those annoying breakouts, how do you battle them? Let us know what works for you, and any solutions or tips, or even questions you might have. We’d love to hear from you. As always, if you think these posts are helpful for you, like it, pin it, tweet it, share and help spread the skincare love!