Acne Home Remedies
1. Food
While many dermatologists do not advocate that the elimination of certain foods or changing your diet can fight acne, you may find that eating or eliminating certain foods may help or worsen breakouts. The culprits are definitely individualized. This isn't a one size fits all. While for one it may be chocolate or fast foods, someone else may not have a problem with these foods but the issue may be nuts and so forth. Many people who adopt a healthier diet (more fruits and veggies) have reported that they are able to enjoy clearer skin even though that was not the goal in the first place so this is something you may want to think about.
2. Tea Tree Oil
There are many acne ingredients that are available on prescription or that are available over the counter including salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, antibiotics, retinoids, etc. Many of these can make the acne worse or even have various side effects such as increasing skin sensitivity, drying out the skin, birth defects, etc, so before using any of these or instead of them, you may want to try a more natural ingredient.
One of the top acne home remedies that work is using tea tree oil which is derived from a plant that is native to Australia known as the melaleuca alternifolia.
This natural oil has been shown to be just as effective if not more so than one of the most popular acne ingredients benzoyl peroxide without any of the issues that can arise from using benzoyl peroxide which you can't use long term either. A few drops of tea tree essential oil can be applied directly to the blemishes or to other areas of the skin for preventative measures. Depending on your sensitivity to this essential oil, you may want to dilute it in a carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, etc.
Do not take this essential oil internally as it is poisonous when swallowed and avoid contact with eyes and the mouth. Look for formulations that are 100 percent and contain no other ingredients or oils. Many of those found in various stores will say tea tree oil but once you examine the ingredient list, tea tree oil may be just ONE of the ingredients and not the only ingredient.
3. Carrot Juice
Another of the top acne home remedies that work is to use carrot juice topically although you can eat carrots too as they are a great source of the skin vitamin - vitamin A - which helps to improve skin. In order to use carrot juice topically, juice the carrots (using a juicer preferably) and add about a teaspoon of sea salt to the juice. A very small amount of sea salt is generally required to be added to the amount of juice you use.
After making this mixture, rub it gently on your face paying attention to the acne areas. Be very gentle because of the salt which helps to exfoliate the skin. Leave this mixture on your skin until it dries and wash off with warm water. Use weekly or a couple times a week.
4. Baking soda
Baking soda is a great at home gentle exfoliator for the skin and it is also a great facial mask for acne prone skin because it helps to remove excess oil from the surface of the skin. You simply need to take enough baking soda to cover your face and add enough water to make a paste. Apply to your face and gently rub it is circular motions and wash off to reveal soft smooth skin.
5. At home toner
One of the most popular home remedies for acne is to use an apple cider vinegar (ACV) toner. If you cannot find ACV, you can use white vinegar. Simply mix equal parts vinegar and distilled water and use after cleansing. Does not need to be refrigerated or washed off.
Vinegar (especially ACV) contains many beneficial properties including antibacterial properties which can help to kill the bacterium that is commonly associated with acne.
Another great at home toner is to use aloe vera gel which also contains various beneficial properties including being anti-bacterial. Use aloe vera gel available in stores or use the actual plant. Unless you are sensitive to aloe vera, you do not need to dilute the gel. If you have sensitive skin, dilute the gel with some distilled water. Does not need to be washed off. Aloe vera spoils easily so you may need to refrigerate the remainder and discard within a few days or weeks if there is still some unused.
6. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are another excellent home remedy to treat acne. All you need to do is cut a tomato and place the fleshy part directly on the blemishes. Tomatoes are a great acne fighter because they contain malic acid which is an alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) that is great for the skin. AHA helps the skin shed dead skin cells so that they do not become trapped in the pores and when combined with excess oil and bacteria can cause or worsen acne. This remedy can also help to fade acne scars by hastening skin exfoliation.
7. Yogurt
Yogurt is one of the top foods for general health and wellbeing because it contains probiotics which help fight off bad bacteria such as those that cause acne while ensuring that the body is populated with good bacteria that promote general health and wellbeing.
Only use plain natural yogurt and none of the specialty yogurts such as low fat yogurt and so forth. Simply get some plain yogurt and apply to your face and leave to dry. You may want to have a towel around your shoulders or behind your head if you are lying down to catch any spillage. After this yogurt face mask dries, simply wash it off. Yogurt also has some mild bleaching properties which can help to reduce hyperpigmentation from acne scars.
