Natural Remedies For Acne You Can Use at Home
Natural Remedies For Acne. Acne is a common skin condition. Thankfully, there are natural remedies available that you can use at home to manage it effectively.
However, Dr Anjali Mahto from the British Association of Dermatologists cautions that there is not enough evidence to back many of these claims and some natural treatments could even cause more irritation than good.
Green Tea
Green tea can be an effective natural treatment for acne as it has antibacterial properties to kill acne-causing bacteria and keep pores clear.
Acne is often caused by overactive sebaceous glands producing excessive sebum (oily skin oil). This excessive production clogs pores, providing bacteria with easy entryways for their growth and spread.
Green tea’s polyphenols may help regulate sebum production, helping prevent breakouts by limiting oiliness in the skin. Furthermore, its antioxidants may fight inflammation–another frequent source of acne outbreaks.
Green tea’s primary catechin, EGCG, is a potency antioxidant which has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for acne. Studies have revealed its ability to inhibit pimple-causing bacteria while decreasing inflammation.
Studies have also demonstrated the protective capabilities of green tea for protecting skin against sun damage, due to its abundance of phenols that help repair DNA and restore normal function to skin cells exposed to UV radiation.
Combine one or two green tea bags’ leaves with honey or aloe vera gel for an effective homemade facial mask for oily skin. Apply this paste on acne-prone areas of your face for approximately 20 minutes and rinse off thoroughly afterwards.
Green tea not only prevents blemishes but can also improve the texture of your skin by having tannins which act as natural astringent compounds, helping shrink pores and tighten skin.
Antioxidant properties of black tea may help combat acne by blocking free radical production that damages skin cells. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory effects help reduce redness and swelling associated with acne outbreaks.
Lemon juice can also help ease acne symptoms on your face by acting as an astringent ingredient with vitamin C and citric acid that help tighten skin pores.
Alternately, tea extract can also be mixed in your regular toner or moisturizer to provide a quick at-home remedy that you can apply several times each week to your skin.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Acne is a common skin condition, affecting people of all ages and races alike. Its cause may stem from hormonal influences, genetic inheritance, diet or stress-induced inflammation; however there are various natural remedies which may help soothe acne flare-ups or help prevent future breakouts.
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most acclaimed natural acne treatments, acting as an astringent, antibacterial agent and exfoliator to balance out skin’s pH levels and reduce breakouts by stopping bacteria growth on skin surface.
Acetic acid found in vinegar can effectively eliminate Propionibacterium acnes bacteria responsible for acne formation. Furthermore, vinegar helps remove dead skin cells while speeding up cell turnover rate of your skin.
Acetic acid may help create smoother, younger-looking skin by strengthening collagen. Furthermore, its antioxidant properties may aid in diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.
Some people find that using apple cider vinegar diluted in water as a facial wash helps combat both oily and dry skin conditions. Just mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in one cup of water to use for washing your face or apply as spot treatment on any blemishes or pimples that arise.
If you have very sensitive skin, it is advisable to dilute apple cider vinegar with more water before applying it directly on your face. Undiluted apple cider vinegar could lead to burns or irritation and should never be applied directly onto skin as this could cause burns and irritation.
For optimal health benefits when taking apple cider vinegar, only purchase high quality organic brands. Look for products containing “the mother,” an amalgamation of beneficial cultures at the bottom of their bottles that aid digestion.
Apple cider vinegar contains both acetic and lactic acids that have been demonstrated to effectively inhibit Cutibacterium acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne. They may also help promote normal skin cell growth.
Apple cider vinegar has also proven effective at helping reduce scarring caused by acne, due to its combination of acetic and lactic acids which work to remove damaged skin cells, reduce inflammation, promote healthy skin growth, as well as diminish fine lines and wrinkles caused by scarring from acne scarring.
Spearmint Tea
People looking for natural treatments for their acne may have heard about spearmint tea as an option. It has gained immense popularity on social media platforms like Reddit with many people reporting positive effects after drinking it.
Spearmint is an herb with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-androgenic properties which may help reduce acne breakouts while clearing skin pores.
According to research published in Journal of Medicinal Food, spearmint tea contains polyphenols such as rosmarinic acid that provide numerous health advantages, including anti-inflammatory benefits and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, drinking this herbal beverage with its abundance of menthol could even reduce osteoarthritis knee pain.
Anti-inflammatory tea may play a part in decreasing facial hair growth among women living with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). According to one 2010 study published in Phytotherapy Research, two cups of spearmint tea twice daily for one month helped decrease facial hair.
Spearmint tea has also been linked to diminishing signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines by stimulating cell metabolism and curbing collagen production, both essential components for firmer, younger-looking skin.
However, it should be remembered that not everyone who consumes spearmint tea will experience results; this may take several months for your body to fully absorb and process it before its effects can become evident.
Consuming spearmint tea should help in naturally treating acne, and alcohol should be avoided to ensure maximum benefits from this herbal beverage.
Spearmint tea can not only help improve skin care, but it can also promote better sleep for those struggling with insomnia or other sleep disturbances. Studies have revealed its beneficial properties for treating anxiety while encouraging restful slumber in some instances.
Spearmint may help reduce cancerous cells in the body. According to research published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, applying spearmint essential oil on three tumor strains reduced their viability significantly – this has yet to be replicated on humans but provides promising evidence of its efficacy.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a popular natural treatment option for acne. Due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, many turn to it for mild-to-moderate breakouts; however, it should not be relied upon as an effective cure in cases of severe or persistent acne.
To reap maximum benefit from tea tree oil, experts advise diluting it first before applying it directly to your skin. Otherwise, its strength could prove too strong and cause irritation.
As well as looking for products containing tea tree oil, it is also essential that they do not contain other chemicals that could irritate the skin. If you have sensitive skin, choose a cleanser or moisturizer containing this ingredient that has a fragrance free non-comedogenic formula so as to not clog your pores or worsen breakouts.
Before beginning any new skin-care regimen, it’s best to conduct a patch test on a small area of skin. If any signs of itching, redness, burning or rashes appear immediately stop using that product immediately.
If you are using pure tea tree oil, it is recommended to dilute it with a carrier oil such as coconut, olive or jojoba before application. This will help avoid skin irritation as well as make the oil more pleasant for use on your skin.
Apply diluted tea tree oil directly onto any blemishes twice daily as suggested by Dr. Marisa Garshick, an NYC board-certified dermatologist. Doing this will help combat bacteria and clear away acne according to Garshick.
DIY Tea Tree Oil Scrub This easy DIY recipe is an easy and cost-effective way to incorporate tea tree oil into your skincare regimen, taking full advantage of its antibacterial and healing powers. Just mix a few drops with one tablespoon of your preferred face oil, massage onto skin for several minutes then wash off.
Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with your face lotion of choice to create an antibacterial and soothing serum for any skin type – just be careful that no direct contact occurs between it and your eyes as the oil may cause discomfort!
