Acne is a frustrating skin condition that can leave you feeling self-conscious and anxious. Whether you’re just starting to get pimples or your skin is a lot more sensitive than usual, it can be difficult to find a clear, consistent solution to help you clear up your skin.
Fortunately, there are many natural home remedies you can try to clear up acne. In addition to being gentler on your skin, many of these solutions are also more effective than commercial products. Keep reading to learn more about how to get rid of acne naturally.
Acne starts when the pores of your skin become clogged with dead skin cells and oils. Pores are connected to a sebaceous gland which produces sebum, and sebum can block the pores and cause a growth in bacteria.
There are a lot of remedies for acne and blemishes but it depends on the cause of blemishes – it could be bacterial, hormonal or dietary causes.
I know my skin breaks out whenever I have dairy, so I know by reducing my dairy intake, my blemishes will improve but hormonal blemishes are difficult to control. I have a couple of suggestions for acne remedies which might hopefully help stop your blemish forming or speed up the healing process.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is commonly used to remove blackheads and excess oil from the face, but it’s also effective at clearing up acne. Witch hazel is a natural astringent that shrinks blood vessels and reduces the amount of oil your face produces.
Simply cleanse your face with water and then pat dry with a towel. Apply witch hazel to your face and then let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Repeat this process twice a day for acne-free skin.
You can find witch hazel in many spot treatments and is best diluted with a carrier oil to then apply directly to the skin. It works very well at speeding up the healing process of your blemishes and is a product to own within your stash.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that kills bacteria that cause acne. You can apply tea tree oil directly to your skin or mix it with your favorite carrier oil, like coconut oil.
You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to a mask, cleanser or toner to keep your acne-causing bacteria at bay. It can be an irritant to the skin so a patch test is always recommended but a lot of over the counter tea tree oil products are diluted and less irritating to the skin. It’s said to have calming properties
Manuka Honey
Studies have shown that honey can fight acne because it contains antioxidants that help the body break down and remove excess oil. Honey can also help reduce the redness and irritation caused by acne.
Simply mix honey with a carrier oil and apply to your face, neck and chest daily to get clear skin. Manuka Honey can be used for many ailments as it’s an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory to help kill spot causing bacteria and soothe inflammation.
It can have an osmotic effect on the skin and can draw out excess fluid and I like to apply a little amount to angry blemishes for a quick reduction in redness and pain. Manuka Honey can have a brightening effect on the skin and speed up wound healing, and relieve dryness to stop your blemishes from drying out.
Salicylic Acid
If you have oily skin with breakouts that are active, you may benefit from using an acne product with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin and clears up stuffy, clogged pores.
Look for a product that has 2 percent or less benzoyl peroxide in it, as a higher concentration can be too harsh for your skin. It works to dissolve skin debris which would normally clog pores and reduces the number of skin cells within pores to prevent the formation of blemishes.
Clay
Clay might sound like a strange one to include within a DIY Health Remedies for Acne roundup but I know myself that it works wonders whenever I have breakouts.
Clay masks are particularly effective as they’re designed to draw oil and impurities from the skin and absorb excess oils. Bentonite clay is said to be one of the most effective types of clay, as it has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Kaolin clay can purify the skin and draw out impurities. Clay masks tend to be quite drying as they’re so effective at clarifying the skin, so I’d recommend following up with a hydrating mask to replenish any post moisture.
AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids)
Alpha hydroxy acid treatments can treat acne by unclogging pores and reducing the amount of oil produced by the sebum glands on your face.
There are dozens of different AHAs, including lactic acid, malic acid and citric acid, but the most commonly used is glycolic acid. Look for a product that contains glycolic acid and apply it to your face as often as you would apply sunscreen.
Chronic acne can be frustrating and embarrassing, but there are many natural home remedies you can try to clear up your skin. A healthy diet, plenty of sleep and exercise can go a long way towards clearing up acne naturally.
For the best results, follow a consistent skincare routine, including antioxidants like vitamins C and E, and an anti-acne cleanser. Be sure to check in with your dermatologist if you don’t see clear results after a few months of home remedies and natural remedies.
I hope you’ve found these DIY Health Remedies for Acne helpful!
Hi! My name is Gemma, and welcome to Miss Makeup Magpie, a UK based lifestyle blog sharing varied content to cover all genres.
