The subject of natural or homegrown acne remedies is a broad one to cover as one must be able to separate the effective options from those that really amount to little more than old wives’ tales. Yet, with this said, someone searching for successful remedies for acne would be foolish to overlook the benefits of those natural remedies that have been passed on in families.
These sorts of remedies based upon common sense practices or herbs are typically successful for most mild cases of acne. It is when these cases grow more severe that one should consult a physician or dermatologist.
For centuries, civilizations relied exclusively upon herbal and natural remedies for the treatment of every ailment. No, there were no convenient drive-up pharmacies to get a prescription for manufactured medications. In order to find ways to help treat sickness one had to venture into the woods and search for cures there. And for the most part, nature provided for these needs through the various herbs that were found to have medicinal value.
The earliest physicians were nothing more than what we today call herbalists or at a certain point in time, apothecaries. Either way, the natural remedies they discovered were the basis for scientists who later found ways to create synthetic substitutes for these herbs and distill the innate properties down into a form that can be amplified or augmented by other elements.
A List of Common Natural Remedies
Hot/Cold Compresses
A chief natural remedy that is recommended more often than not is the usage of hot and cold wet towel compresses to reduce swelling and eliminate clogged pores–the major culprit in the production of acne.
Drinking Water
This natural remedy for acne is simple enough. The premise behind it the idea that if you drink a sufficient amount of water per day, typically 7-8 glasses of water a day, your body is cleansed of elements of toxicity that can actually contribute to the development and spread of acne. It also should be noted, that many natural remedies not only recommend to merely drink plain old ordinary water, but actually adding herbal ingredients by boiling fenugreek seeds and corn into the water.
Oils and Juices
Though it can seem odd, the benefits of using natural substances like almond oil – which can actually help with the removal of acne scars – cannot be ignored. Apricot juice helps to alleviate the presence of cysts by cutting through them.
Cucumber juice
Used as a topical application, either alone or combined with carrot juice, alfalfa or lettuce. Citric fruit juices – These types of juices, such as lemon juice, serve as a natural exfoliate, removing dead skin cells which might cause clogging of the pores.
You should allow it to dry on the face for approximately 10 minutes before rinsing it away with cool water.
Fenugreek leaves
This remedy provides great prevention of breakouts and involves taking the fenugreek leaves, crushing them, and making a paste out of them.
You should then apply it to infected areas every night, then wash it away the following morning with warm water.
Honey Mask
Because honey has naturally occurring antibacterial qualities it is often applied to the face as a mask, killing surface bacteria. Typically, the mask should be applied once or twice weekly depending upon the results of usage.
Distilled white vinegar
Apply the vinegar as a topical solution, letting it sit on the infected area for at least 5-10 minutes. Then rinse it thoroughly with cool water.
Often the vinegar can be a little too strong so it is recommended that you dilute it, though not too much.
Make-up or Cosmetic Usage
Simply put, this is a common sense remedy for acne. Just avoid using these products because more than likely the chemicals and oils used to manufacture them will clog the pores, which, in turn, leads to more breakouts.
Further Remedies
Beyond the common natural remedies for acne, there are a few other interesting options available and worth mentioning at this time.
Diet and vitamin supplements – Unlike former days, when the diets of civilizations included only naturally occurring food from the ground, the usage of fertilizers and pesticides has taken a toll on the nutrient content of much of the food that we eat.
Add to this the fact that our food is further manipulated by chemical preservatives and you have some further explanations for the occurrences of some acne breakout.
To combat this, observing a proper and balanced diet and taking a hearty multi-vitamin can actually go a long way towards preventing certain bio-chemical conditions which provide fertile ground for acne.
Echinacea and Oregon grape – These herbs are both useful for boosting the body’s immune system and also combating many forms of acne-causing bacteria.
Vitamin A – Used in large quantities, vitamin A has actually been used to successfully treat some severe forms of acne. But it must be clear that if you plan to use vitamin A as a possible remedy you should consult a physician because, if used in large enough doses, it can be toxic.
Zinc – This vitamin, if added to one’s diet, can actually aid in the healing of acne lesions and help in the prevention of scarring.
Over-the-Counter Acne Remedies
There are many types of over-the-counter treatments for acne. When dealing with acne, most people run to the local pharmacy and buy some sort of over-the-counter medication on the basis of recommendations from their friends or perhaps even television ads.
Yet despite friendly suggestions, it is a good idea to consult with a physician before using any kind of over-the-counter medication.
Even though acne is generally a benign condition, a doctor or dermatologist can advise you on what the best course of treatment might be as well as provide further suggestions based on the particular kind of acne you may be suffering from.
Considering the fact that a large number of acne treatment products are available, it can be hard to choose which one to try. You should not rely strictly upon the advice of friends or family because what may work for one person may not work for another.
Further, you should have some background knowledge about the active ingredients in various acne medications, so you can make a better-informed choice.
One of the most popular ingredients in acne medications is benzoyl peroxide. Found in gels and ointments, it helps by combating the bacteria that generally help cause acne.
It is also useful for removing dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin. It is these dead skin cells which combine with sebum to create blackheads and whiteheads.
Benzoyl peroxide has been proven to be safe and effective in combating lesions. It can also be used as a means of acne prevention once a breakout has cleared up by keeping the skin free from acne causing bacteria.
The only side effect associated with this ingredient is dry skin, and this can be avoided by decreasing the frequency that it is applied on the skin.
Another ingredient commonly found in a majority of acne medications is salicylic acid. This prevents acne by clearing up dead skin cells that are accumulating too quickly and clogging the pores.
If the medication you are using contains salicylic acid you should continue to use it after the skin has cleared up to prevent future outbreaks of acne. The only side effects associated with salicylic acid are dry, irritated skin.
Other ingredients
Besides the more common ones, there are other ingredients you may see in acne medication such as resorcinol and sulphur. Resorcinol causes the top layer of skin to peel and the dead skin cells that clog the pores are similarly affected.
It is often combined with sulphur. Although it is not known how exactly sulphur affects acne conditions, it has continued to be used effectively even after more than 50 years.
(Sulphur is often combined with other ingredients besides resorcinol like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.)
Of all the ingredients that have been listed which are effective in fighting acne or preventing its outbreak, benzoyl peroxide is probably the most versatile.
It can be used in cleansing liquids or bars, as well as lotion, cream, and gels which are applied directly on the skin.
The cleansing products are used once or twice a day, while the creams and lotions can be used as needed.
They should be applied on the skin around the acne as well as the pimples themselves for overall effectiveness. Also, you should try to avoid getting benzoyl peroxide in the eyes, mouth or nose, as it will cause irritation or inflammation.
