Some remedies
for removing acne
Acne is one
of the most common skin conditions in the world, affecting an estimated 85% of
people at some point in their lives.
Conventional
acne treatments can be expensive and often undesirable side effects like
dryness, redness and irritation.
This has
prompted many people to look into how to cure acne naturally at home. The
internet is filled with suggestions but so natural treatments actually work?
First of all
the question arises that what causes acne.Acne starts
when the pores in your skin get clogged
with oil and dead skin cells.
Each pore is
connected to a sebaceous gland, which produces an oily substance called sebum.
Extra sebum can plug up pores, causing the growth of a bacteria known as
propionibacterium acnes.
Your white blood cells
attack P. acnes, leading to skin inflammation and acne. Some cases
of acne are more severe than others, but common symptoms include whiteheads,
blackheads and pimples.
Many factors
contribute to the development of acne, including genetics, diet, stress,
hormone changes and infections.
Below are 13 home
remedies for acne that you might want to try.
# Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting
apple cider, or the unfiltered juice from pressed apples.
Like other vinegars,
it is known for its ability to fight many types of bacteria and viruses Apple
cider vinegar contains several organic acids that have been shown to kill P.
acnes In particular, succinic acid has been shown to suppress
inflammation caused by P. acnes, which may prevent scarring
Also, lactic acid has
been shown to improve the appearance of acne scars What's more, apple cider
vinegar may help dry up the excess oil that causes acne in the first place.
1. Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water (use more water
for sensitive skin).
2. After cleansing, gently apply the mixture to the skin using a
cotton ball.
3. Let sit for 5–20 seconds, rinse with water and pat dry.
4. Repeat this process 1–2 times per day, as needed.
It is important to
note that applying apple cider vinegar to your skin can cause burns and
irritation, so it should always be used in small amounts and diluted with
water.
The organic acids in apple cider vinegar may help kill
acne-causing bacteria and reduce the appearance of scars. Applying it to the
skin may cause burns or irritation, so it should be used carefully.
# Zinc is an essential
nutrient that's important for cell growth, hormone production, metabolism and
immune function.
It is also one of the
most studied natural treatments for acne. Research shows that people with acne
tend to have lower levels of zinc in their blood than those with clear skin
Several studies have
shown that taking zinc orally helps reduce acne.
In one study, 48 acne
patients were given oral zinc supplements three times per day. After eight
weeks, 38 patients experienced an 80–100% reduction in acne
The optimal dosage of
zinc for acne has not been established, but several studies have shown a
significant reduction of acne using 30–45 mg of elemental zinc per day.
Elemental zinc refers
to the amount of zinc that's present in the compound. Zinc is available in many
forms, and each one contains a different amount of elemental zinc.
Zinc oxide contains
the highest amount of elemental zinc at 80%.
The recommended safe
upper limit of zinc is 40 mg per day, so it is probably best to not exceed that
amount unless under the supervision of a medical doctor. Taking too much zinc
may cause adverse effects, including stomach pain and gut irritation.
It is also important
to note that applying zinc to the skin has not been shown to be effective. This
may be because zinc is not effectively absorbed through the skin.
Individuals with acne tend to have lower zinc levels than people
with clear skin. Several studies show that taking zinc orally can significantly
reduce acne.
# Both honey and cinnamon
are excellent sources of antioxidants
Studies have found
applying antioxidants to the skin is more effective at reducing acne than
benzoyl peroxide and retinoids .
These are two common
acne medications for the skin that have antibacterial properties.
The antioxidants
studied were vitamin B3, linoleic (omega-6) fatty acid and sodium ascorbyl
phosphate (SAP), which is a vitamin C derivative.
These specific
antioxidants are not found in honey or cinnamon, but there is a possibility
that other antioxidants may have a similar effect.
Honey and cinnamon
also have the ability to fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which are two
factors that trigger acne.While the
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of honey and
cinnamon may benefit acne-prone skin, no studies exist on their ability to
treat acne.
1. Mix 2 tablespoons honey and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together to form
a paste.
2. After cleansing, apply the mask to your face and leave it on for
10–15 minutes.
3. Rinse the mask off completely and pat your face dry.
Honey and cinnamon have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and
antibacterial properties. Because of this, they may be beneficial for
acne-prone skin.
# Tea tree oil is an
essential oil that is extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca
alternifolia, a small tree native to Australia.
It is well known for
its ability to fight bacteria and reduce skin inflammation
What's more, several
studies show that applying 5% tea tree oil to the skin effectively reduces acne
When compared to 5%
benzoyl peroxide, 5% tea tree oil did not act as quickly, but it did
significantly improve acne after three months of use
It also resulted in
fewer adverse effects like dryness, irritation and burning, compared to benzoyl
peroxide.
Tea tree oil is very
potent, so always dilute it before applying it to your skin.
1. Mix 1 part tea tree oil with 9 parts water.
2. Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it to affected
areas.
3. Apply moisturizer if desired.
4. Repeat this process 1–2 times per day, as needed.
Tea tree oil has strong anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory
properties. Applying it to the skin has been shown to reduce acne.
# Green tea is very
high in antioxidants, and drinking it can promote good health.
There aren't any
studies exploring the benefits of drinking green tea when it comes to acne, but
applying it directly to the skin has been shown to help.
This is likely because
the flavonoids and tannins in green tea are known to help fight bacteria and
reduce inflammation, which are two main causes of acne .
The major antioxidant
in green tea — epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) — has been shown to reduce
sebum production, fight inflammation and inhibit the growth of P. acnes in
individuals with acne-prone skin .
Multiple studies have
shown that applying a 2–3% green tea extract to the skin significantly reduces
sebum production and pimples in those with acne .
You can buy creams and
lotions that contain green tea, but it is just as easy to make your own mixture
at home.
1. Steep green tea in boiling water for 3–4 minutes.
2. Allow tea to cool.
3. Using a cotton ball, apply tea to skin or pour into a spray
bottle to spritz on.
4. Allow to dry, then rinse with water and pat dry.
You can also add the
remaining tea leaves to honey and make a mask.
Even though there
isn't any evidence that drinking green tea can fight acne, some research
suggests it may still be beneficial.
For example, drinking
green tea has been shown to lower blood sugar and insulin levels, which
are factors that can contribute to the development of acne .
Green tea is high in antioxidants that help fight bacteria and
reduce inflammation. Applying green tea to the skin has been shown to significantly
reduce acne.
