Living with acne for millions of people is more than just a simple annoyance. In situations that involve serious acne, most individuals have one thing on the mind – what treatment or remedy will get acne under control and prevent future outbreaks. Over the years, numerous medical breakthroughs have occurred specific to acne treatments and while there are times when prescription medication would be the appropriate option, the type of ingredients are harsh and potential damaging.
To avoid various side effects associated with traditional medicine, there are a growing number of people turning to natural acne remedies. The great thing about choosing treatments made with organic or all-natural ingredients is that along with being highly effective, they are safe. Now, some natural acne remedies could cause side effects but the comparison against prescription medication is dramatic.
Just as there are multiple options for medicine, there are also hundreds of natural acne remedies. Of course, the key to seeing significant improvement would be in choosing ingredients for a person’s type of skin, level of sensitivity, type of acne, and severity of acne. By choosing the best remedy, most people begin to see change within a few weeks. Along with acne clearing up, healthier skin also emerges.
Natural Acne Remedies that Work
The list of natural acne remedies is extremely long. Because of this, it would be impossible to list every possible treatment so we pulled 15 remedies that have been reported as being both effective and safe by people that live with acne, as well as medical, holistic, and homeopathic doctors. Of course, along with the remedies provided, keep in mind that a simple online search would reveal many more worth consideration.
- Apple Cider Vinegar and Green Tea – One part of apple cider vinegar and green tea applied to the affected area of skin with a cotton ball prior to nighttime sleep helps clean pores and rejuvenate skin
- Banana and Egg – While some people might seem skeptical, it has been shown that paste consisting of one mashed banana and one egg works amazingly well for acne problems. The mixture would be applied to the face and left to rest for 15 to 20 minutes. After rinsing with cool water, a person’s skin would look and feel less irritated.
- Cinnamon, Honey, and Nutmeg – Paste made from cinnamon, honey, and nutmeg applied to the face and left on for 20 minutes, followed by rinsing with cold water
- Garlic, Water, and Honey – Paste made using fresh crushed garlic, a small amount of water, and a few drops of honey has been a popular remedy for years. Interestingly, garlic is an extremely powerful and natural antibacterial ingredient and because many types of acne develop from bacteria, this paste is considered an exceptional choice.
- Green or Black Tea – Another one of the popular and inexpensive natural acne remedies involves tea. For the best results, only organic tea should be considered. In this case, the skin would be washed once in the morning and once at night with strong tea. Afterwards, an oil-free moisturizer should be applied.
- Hibiscus and Salt – Most natural acne remedies work to cleanse and exfoliate to include this one but in addition, this remedy has been shown to help acne scars fade. For pustules, which are pimples that are raised, irritated, and filled with pus, this is a great remedy but to avoid possible scarring, the mixture should only be applied after the pustule has become somewhat hardened. Seven to eight hibiscus leaves would be finely crushed and then one-quarter teaspoon salt added. The mixture is sticky so it is easy to apply. After several hours the mixture will dry, which would then be rinsed off with cold water.
- Lemon Juice and Olive Oil – One of the natural acne remedies that people love to help cleanse skin involves a mixture of equal parts of fresh lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. After applying to the skin and leaving it on for 20 minutes, the skin would be rinsed with warm water and then moisturized.
- Lemon Juice Mask – After placing one-quarter cup of fresh lemon juice in a bowl, sanitary strips of cloth or even thick paper towels would be soaked and then applied to cover the entire face. This cloth mask would be left on for 20 minutes to allow the lemon juice to be absorbed by the skin to help draw out impurities refreshed and exfoliated.
- Milk and Lime Juice – As far as natural acne remedies specific to blackheads, one that has been rated highly effective involves boiling one-half cup of milk with one-quarter cup of fresh lime juice. After the milk has cooled to a lukewarm temperature, it would be used for cleaning the affected area of skin, followed by rinsing with cold water. For the best results, this remedy should be used twice a day.
- Olive Oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Fish Oil – An excellent remedy for three common problems associated with acne to include inflammation, bacteria, and dryness is a mixture of one-half cup extra virgin olive oil, one teaspoon tea tree oil, and one teaspoon of omega 3 fish oil. In addition to being great for current breakouts, this remedy works to prevent additional problems.
- Rose Water, Witch Hazel, and Orange Essential Oil – Natural astringent made from equal amounts of rose water and witch hazel, and three drops of orange essential oil added works well when applied directly to an acne breakout
- Salt Water and Honey – Warm salt water is another one of the top natural acne remedies for newly forming pimples. The mixture would be applied to the skin with cotton balls and once dried, high quality honey would be applied and the area covered with a small bandage. When left on overnight, acne would be greatly reduced, if not gone completely. Because of the salt, this remedy should not be used on open acne sores or by people with sensitive skin.
- Sesame Seeds and Water – A common problem with acne is inflammation, which in most cases makes the appearance of an acne breakout more significant. To reduce inflammation and redness associated with this skin disorder, paste could be made using ground up sesame seeds and water. This would be applied to the skin, allowed to rest for 20 minutes, and then rinsed off.
- Toothpaste, Oats, and Water – Many natural acne remedies consist of a mask of some type with this being no exception. Mixing toothpaste, cooking oats, and water to form paste would be warmed in a microwave for about 30 seconds and then applied to the skin. As the paste dries, it helps unclog pores that lead to acne breakouts. After thoroughly drying, the hardened masks would be rinsed off with warm water and skin patted dry. During an acne breakout, this paste should be used every day and then once a week thereafter as maintenance care.
- Turmeric and Mint – Paste made with turmeric powder and mint juice works great. For this, the paste would be applied to the involved area of skin, left on for 30 minutes, and then rinsed off using warm water. This mixture helps bring acne breakouts under control but when used daily, it also prevents more problems.
Conclusion
As seen with the examples of natural acne remedies provided, a wide variety of ingredients can be used. Always used organic or 100% natural ingredients and just as with prescription medication, it would be worth the time and effort to research ingredients prior to using them. For most people, natural acne remedies are the ideal solutions.