Home Remedies for Acne

How Acne Occurs

Acne is a common skin problem that affects people of all ages. Teenagers suffer the most from acne because of the increased hormone levels in their body.

Sleep deprivation, too much stress, unhealthy eating habits and a hectic lifestyles can also cause acne. Acne can appear on the face, chest, back and scalp. Although there is no definitive cure, there are many simple and easy natural cures using common ingredients found in your pantry and refrigerator to prevent or minimize the problem.

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate works as a gentle exfoliant for your skin. Thus, it unplugs the pores and removes dead skin. It also helps regulate the pH balance of the skin and has mild anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. All these characteristics make it an excellent home remedy for clearing acne.

• Mix together two tablespoons baking soda, one teaspoon cinnamon powder, the juice of half a lemon, and five tablespoons honey. Apply it on your face and wash after five  minutes.
• You can also apply a paste of one or two teaspoons of baking soda and a little water. Again, rinse it off after five minutes.

Use baking soda on your skin once or twice a week.

2. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is beneficial in reducing acne because it cleanses your skin pores and absorbs excess oil. Plus, it exfoliates your skin.

1. Mix one teaspoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon in a cup of cooked oatmeal.
2. Rub this mixture over your skin.
3. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.
4. Do this once or twice a week.

3. Fuller’s Earth

Fuller’s earth also known as multani mitti is good for greasy and acne-prone skin as it absorbs excess oil(without over-drying your skin) and unclogs the pores. It helps improve your complexion too. You can find it at Indian grocery stores.

1. Mix equal proportions of Fuller’s earth (multani mitti), rose water, and sandalwood powder.
2. Apply this mud pack to your face.
3. Wash after it dries up.
4. Repeat the process once a week.

4. Lemon Juice

The acidic property of lemons can be very useful in treating acne. Lemon will clean out dirt that has accumulated in the pores and will harden the sebum. You can use it on your skin daily but if it is too drying then use it every two or three days.

• Rub a slice of lemon on the affected area and leave it for a few hours before rinsing your face with water.
• You can also mix lemon juice with rose water in equal amounts and use the solution to wash the affected area thoroughly.

5. Toothpaste

The toothpaste that you use regularly to clean your teeth can also help clear up an acne problem. This is in fact one of the easiest home remedies for acne.

Apply a small amount of white toothpaste on the affected area before going to bed. The toothpaste will reduce the swelling and dry out the acne. Within a day or two, you should see significant improvement.

6. Tea Tree Oil

Another popular natural treatment for acne is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil acts like an antiseptic and disinfects the pores. In addition, it helps kill the bacteria that cause acne.  Just apply one drop of tree tea oil to the affected area three times a day.

If the application of undiluted tea tree oil causes skin irritation, redness, and overdrying then use a 5 percent solution of tea tree oil.

7. Orange Peel

The acidic property and high vitamin C present in an orange makes it a perfect remedy for acne. You can use the juice from the orange as well as its peel, but the peel can be more effective.

1. Put orange peel in the sun and let it completely dry out.
2. Grind the dried peel into a powder and add water to make a paste.
3. Apply the paste to the affected area and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Then wash your face with warm water.

8. Aloe Vera Gel

The soothing and anti-inflammatory properties in aloe vera can treat acne in a matter of a few days. Aloe vera gel is also helpful in healing the scars caused by acne.

You can buy aloe vera gel from the market or get pure aloe vera gel by cutting a leaf off an aloe vera plant and squeezing the gel from the middle. Apply the aloe vera gel to the affected area twice daily.

9. Fenugreek

The herb fenugreek can also be used in the treatment of acne due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic properties.

• Mix fresh fenugreek leaves with water to make a smooth paste. Apply the herbal paste on the affected area and leave it on for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then wash your face with warm water. Repeat the process for three to four days to allow the acne to heal.
• Alternatively, grind one teaspoon of fenugreek seeds into a fine powder and add a little warm water to it to make a paste. Apply this paste on the affected area. Leave it on for about 20 minutes or overnight and then rinse it off. Do this two or three times a week.

10. Indian Lilac

Indian lilac, also known as neem, can be used for the treatment of various skin problems. It contains antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that help kill the bacteria that cause acne. Also, it soothes the redness and inflammation of skin breakouts.

• Make a paste of tender Indian lilac leaves by adding a little water. Add some turmeric powder to the paste and then apply it on the affected area. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off. Do this at least twice a week.
• You can also apply neem oil a few times a day until you see improvement.

These simple and easy-to-follow natural treatments for acne can solve the problem to some extent. For best results, you must also live a healthy lifestyle. If you cannot successfully treat your acne with these home remedies, you should consult a doctor.