Many home remedies for acne exist, which can make treating skin problems a lot less expensive than designer washes and creams as well as microdermabrasion and other treatments. Not all home remedies are created equal however, and many of them are based simply on little more than folklore. In general if you have severe skin problems or breakouts are affecting your quality of life, you should make an appointment with a trusted dermatologist. Keep in mind that when trying home remedies that you should not substitute it for medical care or advice and that you should also consider any allergies or skin sensitivities you may have from using certain items.
Here are some popular home remedies for acne:
Sugar Exfoliating Scrub: Mix 1/2 teaspoon super fine sugar with regular facial soap. Wet face and lather vigorously and rinse well. You can also alternatively use Vitamin E Oil instead. It is believed the sugar helps with removing dead skin cells.
Milk Cleanser: Mix 1/4 cup of milk and 1/4 teaspoon of table salt. Gently massage into face and allow to dry 2-3 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. It is believed the milk will clean out pores and the salt will remove dead skin cells and bacteria.
Witch Hazel: Witch Hazel is a natural remedy which can be found at most retail stores in the pharmacy section very inexpensively. It is a natural astringent, which means it opens up pores and draws out any bacteria. Simply dab onto a cotton ball and apply to face. Excessive use may lead to drying, so do not use more than once per day, and less if irritation occurs.
Avocado Mask: Mash up 1/2 avocado and apply to face for 15 minutes, wash and rinse thoroughly afterward.
Oatmeal Mask: Cook 1 cup of oatmeal according to instructions on package and allow to cool. Apply to face and allow to sit for 15 minutes before removing and washing afterward.
Toothpaste: Most toothpastes have a abrasive added into them that can help with removing dead skin cells, as well as many ingredients that can help with drying out oily skin or drawing the bacteria up to the surface and out of the pores that causes breakouts. You can use it for troublesome spots and areas or you can use it as a face wash.
Tea Tree Oil: Tea Tree Oil is thought to have antiseptic properties in fighting off bacteria. It can be used for troublesome breakout areas.
Antibiotic Ointment: For acne that is caused from bacteria, applying an antibiotic ointment to painful areas or to an acne cyst, it can be helpful in killing the infection that is causing the inflammation.
Baking Soda Paste: This is an easy to make homemade acne treatment – basically you just mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda and enough water so it sticks together and you have a nice paste to apply to affected areas.
Ice Cubes: If you have a sore, swollen, or painful pimple, then an ice cube might help with reducing the amount of swelling and redness. Apply ice as soon as it begins to hurt or swell and hold it there for several minutes. You will be able to tell if this worked or not after a few minutes. This is a good one to do in conjunction with the others, as it won’t get rid of the spot but can help if it is painful.
Drink Water: Water is always good for you, and drinking more of it can help your skin be more likely to heal better, resist infection, and replenish cells efficiently.
Do you have any home remedies for acne that have worked (or didn’t work for that matter!) that you would like to share? We’d love to hear about it in our comments section below.