Understand that every one skin is different, so keep in mind that
effectively treating acne breakouts at home requires a
multi-disciplinary approach. The home remedies for acne described below
can be used in combination to provide the best results. However, keep in
mind that while you overcome acne it’s also very important to avoid the
biggest mistakes that can make skin irritation or scarring worse:
. Picking blemishes
. Over cleansing with harsh chemicals and cleansers
. Believing only topical care of the skin is necessary to fight acne
. Not giving skin the chance to adapt to new care
. Failing to stay properly hydrated
. Failing to start treating acne from the inside, out
. Tone to Restore pH Balance
Toning
is an important step in proper skin care. It helps to remove any
residue after cleansing and helps to restore the skin’s natural pH
levels.
You can use pure apple cider vinegar (with the mother
culture) as your evening and morning toner. Apple cider vinegar is
packed with potassium, magnesium, acetic acid and various enzymes that
kill bacteria on the skin. Chronic acne can be the result of bacteria
and fungi that continue to spread and grow on the surface of the skin.
With a cotton ball, smooth ACV over skin paying particular attention to
active breakouts and acne prone areas.
Use Healing Masks
To
hydrate and heal your skin, try applying masks a couple of times per
week. Yogurt, honey, cinnamon, essential oils and other ingredients can
be used to create soothing masks that help to hydrate skin and fight
common causes of acne. Here are two mask recipes that are easy-to-make
home remedies for acne:
• Yogurt and Honey Mask: Mix one
tablespoon of raw honey with one tablespoon of yogurt. Apply to face,
paying particular attention to hairline, jawline and other acne prone
areas. Relax for 10 minutes and gently wipe off with a damp cloth.
•
Cinnamon and Honey Mask: Mix two tablespoons of raw honey, one teaspoon
of coconut oil and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Smooth over face. Keep
away from eyes, as the cinnamon can be an irritant. Relax for 5–10
minutes and gently remove with damp cloth. Honey and cinnamon used
together helps to fight acne because of its anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
. Exfoliate Regularly (But Gently)
Clogged
pores and dead skin both contribute to acne. It’s important to
exfoliate properly to remove buildup, however keep in mind that
commercially available scrubs are ridden with chemicals that can further
irritate skin.
DIY scrubs to fight acne and keep skin fresh
are easy to make and economical. First, you need something that is
gritty. Sea salt, brown sugar and ground oatmeal are good choices. In
addition, you need a base. Coconut oil, kefir and honey are all good
choices. These bases help to fight bacteria, fungi and candida
overgrowth on the skin while the textured ingredients help to unplug
pores and remove dead skin.
To make your own exfoliate mix two
tablespoons of the dry ingredient of choice with 1–2 tablespoons of the
base of choice. Rub into skin in a circular motion. Start at the
forehead and work your way down, paying particular attention to problem
areas. Remove with a damp cloth, and rinse well.
Moisturize
Contrary
to popular belief, acne-prone skin still needs to be moisturized. Using
topicals that focus on drying out the skin tricks the skin into
producing even more oil, thereby further contributing to clogged pores
and more acne.
What is the best product for acne if you have
dry skin? Coconut oil is one of the most versatile and healthy oils on
earth. While it can be too heavy for some skin, coconut oil is generally
an excellent moisturizer. A study published in Biomaterials found that
lauric acid found in coconut oil demonstrates the strongest bacterial
activity against acne caused by bacteria. There is an increasing demand
for coconut oil beauty products because the lauric acid, antioxidants
and medium-chain fatty acids hydrate and restore skin and hair.
To
make a homemade daily skin moisturizer, warm ¼ teaspoon of coconut oil
in the palms of your hands. Smooth over your cleaned face and neck.
Allow to soak into the skin for five minutes. Gently wipe off excess oil
with a dry cloth. The amount that has been absorbed is all your skin
needs, but any excess may cause a breakout.
. Avoid Too Much Sun Exposure
For
acne-prone skin during breakouts, it’s important to protect against sun
exposure. Ultraviolet rays stimulate pigment producing cells,
increasing the risk of acne scarring. The best option is to use natural
sunscreens and to only get an appropriate amount of direct sun exposure
daily (about 15–20 minutes most days).
Commercial sunscreens
are packed with harmful chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin and
acne-prone skin. Research shows that coconut oil has an SPF value of 8,
as does olive oil. To use as sun protection, apply a moderate amount to
exposed skin every couple of hours and try to avoid spending too much
time in direct sunlight during “peak” hours, which is about from
10am-3pm each day.
. Take a Probiotic Supplement
Remember,
fighting acne requires both external treatment and an internal
treatment. Live probiotics support healthy digestion and immune system
functioning, plus improves skin health by fighting acne. According to a
recent study published in Dermatology Online Journal, researchers
indicate that probiotic foods and supplements are promising and safe
home remedies for acne. The study indicates that larger trials are still
needed, but evidence thus far is promising for using probiotics to
improve gut health and fight acne.
. Eat A Healthy, Low-Glycemic Index Diet
There’s
evidence that eating a low glycemic diet, meaning one that doesn’t
include lots of processed grains/flour products and added sugar, is one
the best home remedies for acne because it can help prevent it.
Glycemic index measures how quickly foods raise blood sugar. Processed
and refined foods, like those common in the Western diet, are
high-glycemic, while meats and whole plant foods are low on the glycemic
scale.
Glycemic load is a measure of glycemic index times
carbohydrates minus fiber. Most of the time, refined and processed food
will have a high glycemic index AND high glycemic load, while certain
vegetables will have a higher glycemic index, but very low glycemic load
on the body.
In 2007, a study published in the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that glycemic load can greatly
affects acne. 43 males with acne, aged 15 to 25, were separated into two
groups. For twelve weeks, one group ate a diet that was 25 percent
protein and 45 percent low-glycemic carbohydrates. The other group ate
carbs without any control of glycemic index, resulting in a higher
glycemic diet. At the end of the study, the acne had decreased in the
low-glycemic group by almost twice the rate of the high-glycemic group!
As
part of the protocol to treat acne from the inside out, it’s important
eat foods that don’t cause blood sugar spikes or increased inflammation.
Here are tips for following a acne-free diet:
• Focus on eating lots of leafy green vegetables, berries and clean protein.
• Increase consumption of wild fish, grass-fed meat and cage-free chickens.
•
Healthy fats are essential to good skin health and treating acne
breakouts at home, so include foods rich in omega-3s like wild-caught
salmon.
• Add zinc-rich foods such as kefir, yogurt, lamb,
pumpkin seeds and chicken. According to a recent study published in
BioMed Research International, there is a correlation between low zinc
levels and the severity of acne.
• Eat more high fiber
foods since fiber found in vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds supports
cleansing the colon and growth of good bacteria in the gut.
• Add vitamin A-rich foods to your diet, including spinach, carrots and beef liver.
Foods to avoid for acne-free skin include hydrogenated oils, gluten, wheat, sugar and conventional cow’s milk dairy products.
•
If you must have your dairy milk, consume goat’s milk or raw milk, as
researchers have found that conventional milk products can contribute to
acne. In addition to conventional dairy, it’s important to exclude
known allergens or foods you have a sensitivity to — common food
allergens include gluten, tree nuts, soy, peanuts and shellfish.
•
Sugar and carbohydrate rich foods — Consuming excess amounts of sugar
and grain products can feed yeast and candida in the body increasing
acne.
• Gluten and wheat — These foods cause inflammation of the gut, which also affects the skin.
•
Chocolate — Is high in compounds that can trigger acne. Eliminate
chocolate completely if possible but if you consume it then make sure
it’s pure dark chocolate.
• Fried and fast foods — These
foods contain a number of ingredients that cause inflammation including
hydrogenated oils, sodium, chemicals, flavorings and sugar.
•
Hydrogenated oils — Causes oily skin and are one of the main causes of
acne. Hydrogenated oils can be found in foods like pizza and in
packaged foods that contain soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil, and
vegetable oil.
. Use Essential Oils to Reduce Acne Scars
If
you’ve ever suffered from acne in the past, then you’re probably
wondering how to get rid of acne scars that can remain for months or
even years. Treating acne scars takes patience and perseverance. The
sooner you start treating a scar, the better possible results. The vast
majority of individuals who get acne will experience some degree of
scarring. The most important thing you can do to prevent scarring?
During a breakout, never pick or pop pimples, whiteheads or blackheads!
For
6–12 months after an acne breakout, stay out of the sun as much as
possible to avoid making dark spots and scars worse. When you are in the
sun, use an all-natural sunscreen to protect skin. If scars do develop,
dot a drop of rosehip seed oil or carrot seed oil on the scars twice
per day until you notice a difference in the scar.
Coconut
oil, lavender essential oil, honey and gentle exfoliation can also help
prevent scars, depending on your skin tone and texture. To naturally
help treat acne scars you can make a paste of raw honey, lavender
essential oil, tea tree oil and frankincense oil.
Precautions Regarding Acne Treatments
Acne
will sometimes go away on its own with time, especially if you get acne
as a teenager or during a stressful period of your life. But if you’re
suffering from ongoing cystic acne then it’s best to visit a doctor for
help, since this usually points to a bigger problem.
Big,
inflamed, painful cysts under your skin indicate that an underlying
health problem may be to blame, such as PCOS, a thyroid problem, etc.
Talk to your doctor about potential causes and ways to treat acne
holistically depending on your unique situation.
