Blemish-less skin is something that everyone desires. However, the pollution, stress and other factors in our hectic life affect our skin in an adverse manner, leaving it dull and listless. Acne is one such skin woe that both men and women are plagued with. The worst part about acne is that they leave behind ugly marks on the skin, making the face look defeated!
Along with the face, acne can also appear on other body parts including shoulders and back. People go pillar to post in the search of solutions for acne. The market is flooded with various kinds of creams, face washes and lotions, which claim to fight acne and acne marks successfully. But most of them work initially and gradually lose their effect. In fact, some of them have also shown mild side effects on the skin. But acne can now be rid of overnight without so much hassle. With the help of a little science and some home products.
Home Remedies for Removing Acne
- Strawberries
Strawberries are a great ingredient to get rid of the stubborn acne. These berries are a rich source of salicylic acids and are the best natural scrubber you can lay your hands upon. Salicylic acids open up clogged pores and also help in expelling impurities from within.
How to use:
Take 2-3 strawberries and crush them well using a mortar and pestle. To this add a few drops of honey. Mix both these ingredients well. Now apply the paste directly on the face for best results. Let it be there on the face for almost 20 minutes. Use normal water for washing the face. Repeat the process twice a week and see the results.
[ Read: How To Use Pomegranate To Treat Acne ]
- Papaya
Papaya has been used extensively for dealing with acne problems in individuals. You might have seen the use of raw papaya in many skin care products. Raw papaya can be used directly on the face. It helps in extracting extra oil from the face. Not only that, raw papaya also helps in removing dead skin cells from the skin surface. Pus formation can be prevented by applying papaya as the fruit contains an enzyme called papain.
How to use:
Mash some papaya and create pulp. Apply this directly on the face. Let it remain like that for 15-20 minutes. Wash your face with clean and cold water and pat dry.
[ Read: How Use Rosehip Oil To Treat Acne ]
- Herbal Tea
We all know how effective herbal tea is in relieving stress and anxiety. Along with this, herbal tea also has great effect on treating acne. Try drinking at least two cups of Chasteberry tea every day when acne pops up before your menstruation cycle.
How to use:
Place some herbal tea leaves in a small bowl and add boiling water to the same. Cover the bowl and let the leaves steep in the water for some time. After 5 minutes open the cover and let the solution cool. When it reaches room temperature, take a cotton ball and dip the same in the solution. Put the cotton ball on the acne directly.
[ Read: How Yoga Helps To Cure Acne ]
- Indian lilac (Neem)
Neem is used in treating a number of ailments and is lauded for its excellent medicinal properties. The herb has anti-bacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Neem is widely used for treatments of various kinds of skin problems, acne in particular.
How to use:
Take a few neem leaves and make a paste of them by adding some water. Add some turmeric powder to the paste and mix well. Turmeric also has many medicinal attributes. Apply the paste on acne affected region directly. Keep it on, till it dries. Use warm water for rinsing off the paste. This is highly effective for treating acne.
- Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a common household ingredient which can be put to use to treat acne. Lemon is a rich source of citric acid and acts as a natural cleanser. The blocked pores are opened with the acid and the skin has a soothing effect.
How to use:
Squeeze the juice of one lemon in a bowl. Use a cotton ball and dip it in the bowl of lemon juice. Place the cotton ball on the acne directly.
You can also cut a slice of lemon and rub the same gently all over the face. After keeping it on the face for some time, rinse off with normal water.
Combination of groundnut oil and lemon juice is also effective on acne. Take 1 tablespoon of groundnut oil and add a few drops of lemon juice in it. Apply this oil on affected areas.
[ Read: How To Use Clove Oil To Cure Acne ]
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes have antioxidant properties and work wonders on acne. It miraculously dries up acne. It is also a rich source of Vitamin A, C and K and prevents acne from recurring.
How to use:
Cut a slice of tomato and place it on the affected area directly. You will see the acne drying up soon.
You can also make a paste with tomatoes. Apply the paste like a facial mask. Let it remain for some time and wash off with water. Continue doing this as much as possible.
[ Read: How To Use Avocado Oil For Acne Treatment ]
- Honey and Cinnamon
A great anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent, honey is great for combating acne. The bacteria that causes acne is killed by honey and further eruptions are also prevented. Using cinnamon with honey enhances the effect.
How to use:
Make a homogenous a paste of cinnamon powder and honey. Apply the paste all over your face like a mask. See that the infected area is well covered. Leave it on overnight. Wash it off with water the next morning. Acne is uprooted from the roots with this remedy.
[ Read: How Is Cinnamon Good For Your Health ]
- Fuller’s Earth
Also known as Multani mitti commonly, this ingredient can help in absorbing excess oil from the skin effectively. And since acne is common in those who have particularly oily skin type, fuller’s earth can be a boon to them.
How to use:
Take fuller’s earth, rose water and sandalwood powder in equal quantities in a bowl. Mix all these ingredients together well so that they blend with one another. Once mixed well, apply the paste on the face uniformly. See that the acne area gets covered well. Once the pack dries on the face, use clean water to wash it off. Orange juice can also be used with multani mitti for treating acne.
[ Read: How To Use Multani Mitti For Acne ]
- Aloe Vera Juice
If you are looking to combat acne scars and want to reduce the pain caused due to acne, aloe vera juice can work wonders for the same. The ingredient is a coagulating agent and a pain inhibitor at the same time.
How to use:
Cut an aloe vera leaf into half. You will find fresh jelly like pulp in the center. Squeeze out the pulp and start applying the same on the acne directly. Be gentle in your application so that you don’t hurt the acne. Add some lemon drops as well in the aloe vera pulp for better results. Apart from squeezing pulp from aloe vera leaves, you can also purchase packaged aloe vera juice, which is readily available in the market.
[ Read: How To Use Aloe Vera For Health ]
- Sugar Scrub
A great natural exfoliator, sugar helps in opening up clogged pores naturally without any harsh side effects. As a result, problems like acne and pimples stay at bay with this home remedy.
How to use:
To create the scrub, you will need 1.5 cups of brown sugar, 1.5 cups of white sugar. Mix both the sugars well and add coarse sea salt to it about 2-3 tablespoons. Take half a cup of olive oil and add to the mixture. Approximate 10 tablespoons of vanilla extract and a whole vanilla bean is added to the mixture. Now all the ingredients need to be mixed very well. Once done store the same in a tight jar. Take 1 spoon daily and use as a scrub.
- Yogurt
If you want to heal acne naturally, yogurt can be of great help. Yogurt is rich in lactic acid and acts as an exfoliator. Not only that, it also helps in skin rejuvenation in the best manner. Acne breakouts can be restricted with use of yogurt.
How to use:
Yogurt can be applied directly on the acne area and washed off after some time.
Few drops of honey and little milk can also be added to the yogurt and stirred well to form a fine mixture. Massage the mixture gently on the face for about 15-20 minutes. Wash off with clean water and pat dry.
[ Read: How Yogurt Is Good For You ]
- Banana Peel
Did you know that acne can be cured easily with banana peels? Bananas contain Lutein, which acts as an antioxidant and aids the growth of new cells. It also helps reduce inflammation almost instantly.
How to use:
When you peel a banana, you can use the peel directly on the face. Massaging your face using the inside of a peel in gentle circular motions. After about 20-30 minutes, when the peel dries up, wash face with clean water.
- Cucumber
Cucumber extract is used in many skin care products as it has cooling and moisturizing properties. Along with removing dead cells, cucumber also helps in removing excess oil from the skin and gives a soothing effect to the skin.
How to use:
Make small cucumber pieces and crush them while adding some water. Mix well and apply on face directly.
Carrot juice can also be mixed with cucumber juice and is very effective in removing acne. Apart from applying on the face, these juices can be drunk as well to combat acne problem.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Treatment of acne is very effective with apple cider vinegar. A great source of lactic acid and malic acid, apple cider vinegar maintains the pH balance of the skin. It not only exfoliates but softens the skin.
How to use:
Apple cider vinegar and water are to be mixed in the ratio of 1:3. Dip a cotton ball in the solution and apply the same on the acne directly. Let it remain for 10 minutes and then rinse the face thoroughly. Do this several times in a day for best results.
- Garlic
Rich in antibiotic and anti-fungal properties, garlic cleanses the skin thoroughly. Garlic is also a rich source of sulphur, allicin, calcium and zinc and helps in retaining healthy skin and cures acne naturally.
How to use:
For quick results, take raw garlic cloves and crush them to make a paste. Apply on the acne directly.
You can also use garlic in facial mask. Make some garlic juice and add egg yolk in the same. Mix both the ingredients well and applying on your face, particularly on the acne affected region. Let it be for 20 minutes and use clean water to wash the face. Pat dry face with clean towel.
[ Read: How Garlic Improves Your Health ]
- Toothpaste
Did you know that the toothpaste you use to clean your teeth can also help in combatting a bad case of acne? Yes, you heard it right. This is a remedy that you must try to believe.
How to use:
Take some generous amount of toothpaste and apply the same on the acne so that the paste covers the area completely. Leave the paste on the acne for a night. The swelling of the acne reduces considerably with the application of the toothpaste. You will also see that the acne dries up in the process. Start practicing this daily and you can see great results within 2-3 days for sure.
- Orange Peel
Using orange peels for treating acne is an age-old remedy that can never go wrong! Orange is a rich source of Vitamin C. Along with removing acne, it can also help with problems like blackheads, dark spots, wrinkles and pigmentation.
How to use:
Dry the orange peels by putting them under the sun. Once completely dry, crush them into powder and store. Add little water and make a paste. Gently apply the paste on the acne and leave for 15 minutes. Use warm water for washing off the paste. You will see the difference in a few days.
- Oatmeal
Well, this might be surprising, but oatmeal helps in treating acne almost overnight! Along with absorbing excess oil from the skin, oatmeal also helps in cleaning skin pores making skin fresh.
How to use:
Cook oatmeal as instructed and put in a bowl. Add juice of half lemon and 1 teaspoon honey in the bowl. Mix all the ingredients well, so that each one blends with the other. Once mixed properly, apply it on the face gently. Let it remain like that for 30 minutes. Use lukewarm water for rinsing once the mixture dries on the face.
[ Read: How Oatmeal Soap Benefits To Your Skin ]
- Olive Oil
Acne can be healed effectively with olive oil as the oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties.
How to use:
Combination of lemon juice and olive oil work very well for treating acne. Take ¼ teaspoon of olive oil and 1/8 teaspoon of lemon juice and mix them well. This can be applied to the face directly.
A pinch of salt can also be added to olive oil and then it can be applied on face. Use warm water for washing off the oil. You will see acne being healed quickly with this home remedy.
[ Read: How To Use Olive Oil For Your Beauty ]
- Turmeric
Skin problems, including acne can be deal well with turmeric. All extra oil is absorbed from the skin with turmeric along with combating harmful bacteria.
How to use:
Add crushed neem leaves to turmeric powder and mix them well. Add little water to make a paste. Apply the paste directly on the acne and leave it on for 30 minutes. Once it dries, wash it with normal water.
You can also make a turmeric pack with 2 teaspoons yogurt, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder and a little honey. Stir all the ingredients together to make a smooth paste. Apply the paste gently on the face. Keep it for 30 minutes and then rinse off with water.
[ Read: How Does Turmeric Oil Benefits To Your Health ]
- Ice
If you want to reduce the pain, size and inflammation of acne, applying ice can be really useful.
How to use:
Take ice cubes and place them in a clean cloth. Make kind of a bundle and rub it on the face very gently. Concentrate on the acne area and keep rubbing it gently till the whole area becomes insensitive. People with lots of acne can hold the ice directly on the acne for 5 minutes. Inflammation and redness of the acne reduces considerably.
- Steam
If you are suffering from really bad acne, steam can be really helpful for you. Taking steam can help in opening up the clogged pores in the face. As a result, dirt and impurities get flushed out easily reducing the chances of acne and pimple breakouts. Take steam for about 10-15 minutes daily and see how quickly the acne and pimples vanish from your face.
Preventive Tips for Acne
Acne is quite irritating and painful at the same time. If your skin is oily and prone to pimples, you can adopt these preventive steps so that you can avoid acne:
- Never ever prick or pop the pimples and acne.
- Reduce the amount of stress and tension from your life.
- See that your hair remains away from your face, even while sleeping.
- Get at least 8 hours of sleep every day.
- Refrain from touching the acne again and again.
- Prevent exposure to extreme climatic conditions.
- Start swimming as the chlorine in water helps in drying up acne.
- Choose an appropriate moisturizer as per your skin type to moisturize the skin.
- While stepping out in the sun, ensure that you use sunscreen or sun-block to have protection from the harmful sun rays.
- See that your face is clean. Wash it with clean water and acne soap twice a day.
- Drink plenty of water for washing off toxins from the body.
- Eat a balanced diet with abundant quantity of iron, zinc and vitamin A.
Do you know any remedy which works wonder for you? Share with me in the comments below.