Though there are medical treatments for acne, there also exist certain natural remedies you could try at home to cure your acne and get rid of it.
You could have acne on the face or on the back. Treatment options are more or less the same and so is the etiology.
Acne is caused by the blockage of the skin pores (hair follicles) due to excessive secretion of sebum from the sebaceous glands.
Sebum is an oily substance and easily causes blockage of the narrow skin pores. Dead skin cells and bacteria that are normally present on the skin also are blocked inside the clogged skin pores.
The hair follicle gets enlarged due to this block and infected due to the bacteria trapped inside. This results in pimple formation. A breakout of pimples is called acne.
Now that you know how or why acne are caused, let’s try out these natural remedies. They aim to control the present acne and prevent new acne from breaking out.
Treating acne naturally or through medicines can take time. There are no remedies that clear acne overnight or in one day.
Skin hygiene
Always wash your face two or three times a day with mild soap. Avoid harsh makeup products. They can irritate the skin and stimulate extra secretion of sebum. Use products with the words noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic on their labels.
Exfoliate preferably once daily. Regular exfoliation prevents skin pores from getting clogged, which results in fewer acne breakouts.
If you have acne on the neck, shoulders, back and the buttocks, you should shower two or three times a day. Be sure to especially shower after exercise to get rid of sweat.
If you have oily skin, shampoo your hair daily. Do not apply oil or oily products to your hair and face.
Diet for acne
Have a healthy diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid greasy and oily food. Such food does not cause acne, but these healthy foods contain antioxidants and have an anti-aging action on the skin. They prevent wrinkle formation and keep the skin healthy.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), at the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), located at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
“The association between diet and acne can no longer be dismissed. Compelling evidence shows that high glycemic load diets may exacerbate acne.”
Garlic
Mash a whole garlic clove into a paste and apply on the affected part. Keep it for about ten minutes and then wash it. Repeat two to three times a day. Garlic has antiseptic properties, which can help in controlling the infection.
The antibacterial , antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic properties of garlic helps to kill the bacteria, reduce inflammation and swelling. The topical action of garlic also helps improve blood circulation.
Papayas are rich in carotenoids which help in the prevention of acne. However, if you have a sensitive skin, be wary about using garlic.
Cinnamon powder
Mix one tablespoon of cinnamon powder with 2-3 teaspoon of lemon juice or raw honey and form a paste. Apply this paste on the affected part of the skin and keep overnight. Wash the next day with lukewarm water.
Cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory properties and the anti-microbial properties of honey makes this combination effective to remove acne.
Raw papaya
Ground raw papaya along with the seeds into a paste and then apply on the acne affected skin. Keep overnight and wash off the next day with luke warm water.
Papaya comtains two enzymes, papain and chymopapain, which reduce inflammation. Papain also has exfoliating propeerties for which it is used in many exfoliating products. It helps to remove dead skin cells that can clog the skin pores. Papain in papaya also removes any damaged keratin that can form small eruptions on the skin.
Tea tree oil
Dip cotton in diluted tea tree oil and apply on the affected part. Wash your face after 15 to 20 minutes.
Studies have shown that applying tea tree to the affected skin is an effective remedy since it reduces inflammation and prevents new acne frm forming.
Apply green tea to your skin
Green tea contans good amount of antioxidants, and drinking it on a regular basis can promote good body health and skin health. It also helps reduce acne.
This is possibly because the antioxidants, polyphenols in green tea fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, both of which are the main etiological factors of acne.
Applying green tea extract to the skin reduces sebum production and any new formation of acne.
These natural remedies, explained above will give different results in different people due to the differing nature of the skin. Some of us have sensitive skin while some of us have oily skin.
You could try any of these natural remedies to cure acne at home and stick to one or a combination, which you feel has improved your acne. Be persistent with the treatment.
These natural remedies will reduce the acne and any associated inflammation and prevent formation of acne scars and eruption of new acne.
