The Top 12 Natural Treatments for Acne

Because our skin is a mirror of our general health, taking good care of it, being hydrated, and eating a diet high in nutrients may all lead to glowing, attractive skin. Finding home remedies for acne is even more crucial because skin rife with whiteheads, blackheads, nodular acne, and other types of pimples can be a sign of oxidative damage, poor nutrition, and hormone imbalances.

In order to restore the health of your skin, lessen ugly pimples or other forms of irritation, and avoid acne scars, you can treat acne at home with a balanced hormone balance, essential oil application, a nutritious diet, and gentle cleansing.

1. Cleanse Gently

Cleaning the skin thoroughly but gently is the first step in getting rid of obstinate pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Try using my homemade honey face wash recipe to wash your skin without irritating it.

Probiotics, honey, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and essential oils (such as tea tree oil) are all included. The coconut oil helps combat bacteria and fungus, the tea tree oil helps energize the skin, and the honey calms the skin.

Use warm water to moisten your skin, then massage it into your face and neck. Rinse thoroughly, then pat dry. Do this every morning, every evening, and after working out if necessary.

Avoid washing your skin too frequently as this might aggravate it and lead to excessive oil production.

Commercial hair products could be the cause of acne that develops around your hairline. Petroleum, parabens, silicone, sulfates, panthenol, and other chemicals are among the components that cause acne and can be found in shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, gels, and mousses.

Try my homemade honey citrus shampoo, which leaves hair feeling manageable and silky without the use of dangerous chemicals. Add a little coconut oil or my homemade conditioner, which is created with essential oils and apple cider vinegar, afterward.

Acne-causing chemicals can be found in skin care and makeup products, much like in hair products. Typical offenders consist of:

• alcohol
• oxybenzone
• triclosan
• parabens
• polyethylene
• lanolin
• mineral oil
• aluminum
• retinyl acetate
• BHA and BHT
• formaldehyde-based preservatives

To prevent applying these kinds of toxins to your delicate skin, read ingredient labels.

2. Restoring pH Balance with Tone

An essential part of good skin care is toning. After cleansing, it aids in removing any residue and bringing the skin's pH levels back to normal.

Pure apple cider vinegar (with the mother culture) can be used as a toner in the morning and evening. Apple cider vinegar is packed with potassium, magnesium, acetic acid and various enzymes that kill bacteria on the skin.

Bacteria and fungus that keep growing and spreading on the skin's surface can cause chronic acne. Apply ACV to your skin with a cotton ball, focusing on areas that are prone to acne and active breakouts.

3. Make Use of Healing Masks

Try using masks a few times a week to help your skin get hydrated and repair. Making calming masks using yogurt, honey, cinnamon, essential oils, and other substances can help moisturize skin and combat common acne causes.

The following two mask recipes are simple DIY acne treatments:

• Yogurt and Honey Mask: Combine 1 tablespoon yogurt and 1 tablespoon raw honey. Apply to the face, focusing especially on the jawline, hairline, and other areas that are prone to acne. After ten minutes of relaxation, gently wipe off with a moist towel.

• Honey and Cinnamon Mask: Combine half a teaspoon of cinnamon, one teaspoon of coconut oil, and two tablespoons of raw honey. Over the face, smooth. Because the cinnamon can irritate eyes, keep it away from them. After five to ten minutes of relaxation, gently remove with a moist cloth. Because of its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant qualities, honey and cinnamon work well together to combat acne.

During an active acne outbreak, mix a few drops of tea tree oil into either of the aforementioned masks. One of the greatest natural treatments for acne is tea tree oil.

Additionally, think about using kaolin clay, which is thought to be among the most benign clays available and works well for almost all skin types. Indeed, according to one evaluation, it reduced oiliness without unduly drying out the skin when used in conjunction with a clay mask.

4. Regularly exfoliate (gently)

Acne is caused by both dead skin and clogged pores. Exfoliating correctly is crucial to getting rid of buildup, but be aware that commercial scrubs contain chemicals that can aggravate skin even more.

DIY scrubs are inexpensive and simple to create to combat acne and maintain healthy skin.

First, you need a grainy substance. Brown sugar, ground oats, and sea salt are all excellent options.

You also require a base. Kefir, honey, and coconut oil are all excellent options. While the textured substances assist unclog pores and remove dead skin, these bases aid in the battle against bacteria, fungus, and candida overgrowth on the skin.

Make your own exfoliant by combining 1 to 2 tablespoons of your preferred base with 2 tablespoons of your preferred dry ingredient. Apply in circular motions to the skin.

Work your way down, starting at the forehead and focusing especially on trouble spots. Rinse well after removing with a moist towel.

5. Apply Tea Tree Oil as a Spot Treatment

Melaleuca, also referred to as tea tree oil, is effective in treating acne. It is used all over the world to treat wounds and as an antibacterial.

It combats fungus and bacteria, just as honey, coconut oil, and products made from cultured milk.

Medical research suggests that tea tree oil gels with 5% tea tree oil could be just as effective as drugs with 5% benzoyl peroxide. Try to be patient because some people may have slower results from tea tree oil, according to research.

Combine four to eight drops of tea tree oil with one teaspoon of coconut or jojoba oil to create a quick and easy at-home treatment for acne. Apply a mild touch to the trouble spots.

Although a little tingling is common, stop using the product if it burns a lot. Tea tree oil can be extremely abrasive if applied directly to the skin, therefore always add a carrier oil.

Aloe vera and chamomile oil are two more substances that can be applied topically to lessen inflammation. These can be especially helpful if you use products that include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or both and your skin becomes inflamed.

6. Use Holy Basil to Combat Bacteria

A study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Sciences discovered that essential oils of holy basil and sweet basil can help combat bacterial acne.

In topical applications, sweet basil oil performed marginally better than holy basil oil in this investigation. Tulsi tea, also known as holy basil oil tea, promotes normal hormone and blood sugar levels.

Herbal tea is one of the best effective home remedies for acne because it helps balance hormones naturally, which fights acne from the inside out. These two conditions are linked to acne.

Holy basil tea is another of the many natural treatments for acne that may be administered topically to the skin as a toner. The above-mentioned masks, cleansers, and exfoliating preparations can also incorporate essential oils of either sweet basil or holy basil.

7. Moisturize

Despite what many people think, skin that is prone to acne still requires moisturizing. By tricking the skin into creating more oil, topicals that target drying out the skin can exacerbate acne by clogging pores.

If you have dry skin, what is the best product for acne? One of the most useful and healthful oils in the world is coconut oil. Coconut oil is generally a great moisturizer, though some skin types may find it excessively thick.

Coconut oil's lauric acid exhibits the strongest bacterial activity against bacterial acne, according to a study published in Biomaterials. Coconut oil's lauric acid, antioxidants, and medium-chain fatty acids moisturize and repair skin and hair, which is why demand for its cosmetic products is rising.

Warm ¼ teaspoon of coconut oil in your palms to create a DIY daily moisturizer for your skin. After cleaning your face and neck, apply a smooth layer.

Give it five minutes to sink into the skin. Use a dry cloth to gently wipe away extra oil.

Your skin only requires the amount that has been absorbed, but too much could result in a breakout.

8. Steer clear of excessive sun exposure

When breakouts occur, it's critical to protect acne-prone skin from the sun. UV radiation increases the likelihood of acne scarring by stimulating cells that produce pigment.

The best course of action is to utilize natural sunscreens and limit your daily exposure to direct sunlight to a reasonable level (usually 15 to 20 minutes).

Commercial sunscreens include dangerous ingredients that can aggravate skin that is sensitive or prone to acne. According to research, olive oil and coconut oil both have an SPF of 8.

Apply a moderate amount to exposed skin every couple of hours to provide sun protection, and attempt to limit the amount of time you spend in direct sunlight during "peak" hours, which are roughly 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day.

9. Take Supplemental Probiotics

Keep in mind that treating acne involves both internal and external therapies. Live probiotics help maintain a healthy immune system and digestive system, as well as enhance skin health by preventing acne.

A study that was published in the Dermatology Online Journal suggests that probiotic meals and supplements are safe and effective at-home treatments for acne. According to the study, more extensive research is still required, but the evidence supporting the use of probiotics to combat acne and enhance gut health is encouraging so far.

10. Use Guggul

In a controlled clinical experiment, guggul supplements (also called guggulsterone) performed marginally better than 500 milligrams of tetracycline for those with cystic acne.

In the study, taking 25 mg of guggulsterone twice a day for three months reduced acne, but more significantly, patients saw 50% fewer relapses of acne. Researchers observed that guggul was significantly more effective for patients with oily skin than for other research participants.

According to research, the supplement form of vitex may also help treat premenstrual acne by controlling hormones.

11. Adopt a Low-Glycemic Index, Healthful Diet

Eating a low-glycemic diet—one that avoids a lot of processed grains and flour products as well as added sugar—has been shown to be one of the greatest home cures for acne since it can help prevent it. The glycemic index calculates the rate at which food raises blood sugar.

Meats and whole plant meals have low glycemic levels, but processed and refined foods—such as those found in the Western diet—have high glycemic levels.

Glycemic load is a measure of glycemic index times carbohydrates minus fiber. While certain plants have a higher glycemic index but a very low glycemic load on the body, refined and processed foods typically have a high glycemic index and high glycemic load.

Glycemic load has a significant impact on acne, according to a 2007 study that was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 43 males between the ages of 15 and 25 who had acne were divided into two groups.

One group consumed a diet consisting of 45% low-glycemic carbs and 25% protein for 12 weeks. The second group's diet had a greater glycemic index since they consumed carbohydrates without any glycemic index management.

The low-glycemic group experienced nearly twice as much acne reduction at the end of the research as the high-glycemic group!

Eating foods that don't raise blood sugar or inflammation is crucial to the process of treating acne from the inside out. The following advice can help you maintain a diet free of acne:

• Make sure you consume a lot of clean protein, berries, and leafy green vegetables.

• Increase your intake of cage-free birds, grass-fed meat, and wild fish.

• Consume meals high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as wild-caught salmon, as they are vital for healthy skin and at-home acne treatment.

• Include foods high in zinc, such as chicken, lamb, pumpkin seeds, kefir, and yogurt. A study that was published in BioMed Research International found a link between the severity of acne and low zinc levels.

• Increase your intake of high-fiber meals since they help to clean the colon and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Fiber may be found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

• Include foods high in vitamin A in your diet, such as cow liver, spinach, and carrots.

Avoid hydrogenated oils, gluten, wheat, sugar, and traditional cow's milk dairy products if you want acne-free skin.

• Goat's milk or raw milk are good options if you must eat dairy. Conventional milk products have been linked to acne, according to research. It's crucial to avoid recognized allergens or foods to which you are sensitive in addition to regular dairy. Common food allergens include gluten, tree nuts, soy, peanuts, and shellfish.

• Foods high in sugar and carbohydrates — Acne can worsen if the body is fed yeast and candida by consuming too much sugar and grain items.

• Wheat and gluten are two foods that produce intestinal inflammation, which has an impact on the skin as well.

• Chocolate—Acne-causing chemicals are abundant in chocolate. If at all possible, avoid chocolate, but if you must, make sure it's dark chocolate.

• Several components included in fried and fast foods, such as hydrogenated oils, sodium, chemicals, flavorings, and sugar, can lead to inflammation.

• One of the primary causes of acne and greasy skin are hydrogenated oils. Pizza and packaged foods containing soybean, corn, canola, and vegetable oils are examples of foods that contain hydrogenated oils.

12. Reduce Acne Scars with Essential Oils

You're undoubtedly wondering how to remove acne scars, which can last for months or even years, if you've ever had acne. Acne scar treatment requires persistence and patience.

Better outcomes are attainable if you begin treating a scar as soon as feasible. Scarring occurs to some extent in the great majority of acne sufferers.

What's the most crucial thing you can do to avoid scarring? Never pick or pop blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples when you're breaking out!

Avoid the sun as much as you can for six to twelve months following an acne outbreak to prevent dark spots and scars from getting worse. Use an all-natural sunscreen to protect your skin when you're out in the sun.

Should scars form, apply a drop of carrot seed oil or rosehip seed oil twice daily until you observe a change in the scar.

Depending on your skin tone and texture, coconut oil, honey, lavender essential oil, and mild exfoliation can also help avoid scarring. You can build a paste of raw honey, tea tree oil, frankincense oil, and lavender essential oil to help cure acne scars organically. Check out my DIY Acne Scar Removal Face Mask recipe.