Acne is the eighth most common disease throughout the world.
In fact, it affects 633 million people, according to a 2015 estimate. It is no wonder, then, that there are a lot of medications that doctors prescribe for acne treatment. However, you don’t have to go the pharmaceutical route to get rid of your acne.
These four acne home remedies could prove to be just as useful for you.
Tea tree oil
The therapeutic benefits of tea tree oil have been well documented over the years. And all the results show that the product offers both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits. Bacterial infections and inflammation of the skin presenting with pimples are the leading root causes of acne. This fact means that you can embrace the use of tea tree oil for acne treatment.
Recent studies have even shown that tea tree oil could help treat acne that arises from skin allergies. These prove that this home remedy is one of the best treatment options. Furthermore, it is less harsh to the skin when compared to benzoyl peroxide.
In a study comparing the efficiency of a 5% tea tree oil solution and a 5% benzoyl peroxide solution, the tea tree oil proved more effective in the long-term. However, it’s worth noting that the benzoyl peroxide acted faster initially.
To use tea tree oil, consider that it is harsh when applied to the skin directly. Therefore, you should dilute it in a carrier oil like sunflower, jojoba, or almond oil. In each case, use 9 to 12 parts of water or oil for every 1 or 2 drops of tea tree oil.
So dip some cotton into the solution and apply on the affected areas once or twice in a day. Dilute the tea tree oil in a pure carrier oil, as mentioned above. Never apply it directly to the skin. Do not exceed two times in a day because it could lead to dry skin and cause itching. You can then apply moisturizer when done.
And, if you suffer from blemishes on the back or chest, add a few drops to your body lotion.
Be sure to choose a high-quality tea tree oil from a reliable manufacturer. I have suggested one of my favorites, above.
Witch hazel
Witch hazel is another plant that contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties thanks to the tannins in the leaves and bark of the plant.
To prepare the witch hazel solution, soak one tablespoon of the witch hazel in a cup of water for half an hour, place the concoction in a saucepan and place it on the stove, bring it up to a boil and leave to simmer for about 10 minutes. You can store this solution and apply it onto the parts having pimples using some cotton about once or twice a day.
You might also find witch hazel cleansers produced commercially for purchase. However, they often lose the essential tannins in the manufacturing process and might not be as effective for treating unsightly blemishes.
Hemp oil salve
Lately, people have started to appreciate the health benefits of the hemp plant leading to the legalization of marijuana in many states. Manufacturers extract the hemp oil and then cold-press the hemp seeds to release a light green oil with a nutty flavor.
The benefits of hemp oil salve for acne treatment are multiple because it regulates oil production to prevent the skin from getting oily. While that may sound counterintuitive, it is useful. If your skin feels balanced, it will cease producing the excessive oils that cause breakouts.
The oil also contains essential omega fatty acids that not only reduce inflammation in the form of pimples but also treat skin infections. It also contains antioxidants that may prove useful in preventing additional breakouts from occurring.
Apply hemp oil salve on the skin and leave it to soak into your skin for a deeply penetrating treatment.
Honey
Much research proves that honey contains antibacterial properties thanks to a protein called defensin-1 produced by the bees. You can make use of this benefit of honey in the treatment of acne.
You could apply the honey directly onto the affected area, or make a mask using a mixture of honey and unflavored oatmeal. You’ll receive even more benefits by adding cinnamon to the mask mixture for its additional anti-inflammatory properties. Leave the mask on for a few moments, and you’ll improve the results.
Lemon-Honey Acne Mask
This mask is beneficial, and each ingredient serves a specific purpose:
- Honey helps heal the blemishes
- Greek yogurt provides probiotics to feed your skin and calm the redness
- Lemon juice has Vitamin C to brighten your tone
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of organic honey (warm in the microwave for 20 seconds to loosen it, if needed)
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt
Mix the ingredients in a small bowl. Pin back your hair and apply the mixture to your face. Allow mask to penetrate your skin for 10 minutes. Remove with a clean facecloth saturated in warm water. Be sure to thoroughly remove all bits of the mask gently–don’t rub!
The Bottom Line
Perhaps you need acne relief but prefer to try home treatments rather than pay a visit to the dermatologist. So, what are you waiting for? Try one of these four solutions. It takes diligent effort and daily application, but you should see positive impacts in a few weeks.
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