Home remedies for acne are safer to use on skin than over the counter or prescription medications manufactured with harsh chemicals. Natural cures for acne do exist and many people have found them quite helpful in getting rid of pimples without harmful side effects.
Acne Definition
Acne vulgaris is the most common type of chronic skin disease. In most people, it originally manifests during puberty, but severe cases can persist through adulthood in some people.
Acne Causes
The most common cause of acne is a change in hormonal activity or glandular activity, as well as certain biochemical or metabolic conditions. As excessive oil, also referred to as sebum, collects on the skin and blocks pores and the sebaceous glands, the result is one or more pimples forming on the skin.
The following factors also contribute to acne:
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Stress
- Constipation
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Anemia
- Excessive sex hormone production (which leads to excessive sebum production)
- Food allergies
Acne Symptoms
Acne is either of the non-inflammatory or inflammatory variety. Non-inflammatory acne refers to mild cases that present a few minor blackheads or whiteheads on the facial skin. This is the most common form of acne in most people.
Inflammatory acne is more severe and results in whiteheads and pimples that have become inflamed. Inflammatory acne can result in the development of cysts, which can leave deep scarring on the face, back, neck or chest regions. This more stubborn form of acne is the type that often persists into adulthood.
Home Remedies for Acne
A few home remedies for acne:
- Use the pulp from a ripe tomato on the face for one hour before washing
- If skin is not sensitive, sleep with fresh squeezed lemon juice on face overnight and wash in the morning
- Apply grated potatoes directly to acne and blackheads
- Apply egg white directly to acne and allow it to sit on skin for 20 minutes before washing
- Create a paste with fresh fenugreek leaves and allow the paste to set on face each night for approximately 20 minutes before washing
Home remedies for acne that utilize herbal remedies are quite popular. The following herbs can be used separately or combined to make a tea for acne treatment:
- Golden Seal
- Dandelion
- Echinacea
- Chaparral
- Calendula
- Burdock
- Red Clover
- Sassafras Leaf
- Solomon’s Seal Root
- Spikenard
- Arnica
Natural healing masks made of:
- Grated cucumbers
- Plain yogurt
- Oatmeal prepared in milk
- Aloe Vera gel (directly from the plant, if possible)
- Sulfur combined with black molasses
Are also proven effective as home remedies for acne. Masks should be applied to the face for at least one-half hour before rinsed with cold water.
Home remedies for acne also include preventative methods such as:
- Thoroughly remove all makeup before bedtime every night
- Drink plenty of water each day
- Avoid all foods containing processed sugars
- Avoid foods high in fat (especially fried foods)
- Avoid all processed and refined foods
- Avoid carbonated drinks
- Avoid cigarette smoke
- Avoid alcohol
By supplementing or creating a diet high in vitamins A, B6, B Complex, C, E, Niacin, pantothenic acid, acidophilus culture, and bone meal or dolomite a person’s body can be properly balanced and maintain proper functioning so that the normal causes of acne are not able to overpower the body’s natural balance. In utilizing one or more of these home remedies for acne a person can regain control of their skin without the use of over the counter or prescription medications.
