Categories: Beauty

10 Effective Home Remedies for Acne and Pimples

Acne and pimples are one of the most common skin conditions in the world, affecting at least 85% of people at some point in their lives.

Conventional acne and pimples treatments can be quite expensive and often have undesirable side effects like dryness, redness, and irritation.

This has made many people look into how to cure acne at home using natural remedies. The internet is filled with lots of suggestions, but do natural treatments work?

This article explores 10 effective home remedies for acne and pimples that are backed by science.

1. Apply Apple Cider Vinegar

It is popularly known for its ability to fight different types of bacteria and viruses’. Apple cider vinegar contains lots of organic acids that have been found to kill pimples and acne

How to Use It;

Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 3 parts water (use more water if your skin is sensitive).

After cleansing, gently apply the mixture to the skin using a cotton ball. Let it sit for 20 seconds, rinse with water and pat dry. Repeat this at least 2 times per day.

It should always be used in small amounts and diluted with water.

2. Make a Honey and Cinnamon Mask

Studies have shown that applying antioxidants to the skin can be more effective at reducing acne and pimple than benzoyl peroxide and retinoid.

These are two common acne and pimple medications for the skin that have antibacterial properties.

How to use it;

Mix together a teaspoon of cinnamon and two tablespoons of honey to form a paste. After cleansing, gently apply the mask to your face, leave it on for fifteen minutes. Rinse the mask off completely and pat your face dry with a towel.

3. Spot Treat With Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a small tree found in Australia. It is known for its ability to fight bacteria and reduce skin inflammation.

How to use it;

Mix 1 part of tea tree oil with 9 parts of water. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and apply it to affected areas.

Apply moisturizer if you choose. Repeat this at least 2 times per day.

Tea tree oil is very sharp, so always dilute it before applying it to your skin.

4. Apply Green Tea to Your Skin

There aren’t any studies exploring the benefits of drinking green tea when it comes to acne and pimples, but applying it directly to the skin has been found to help.

It is most likely because it contains flavonoids and tannins which are known to help fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which are two main causes of acne and pimples.

How to Use It;

Put green tea in boiling water for 4 minutes. Allow the tea to cool. Use a cotton ball to apply the tea to the skin or pour it into a spray bottle to sprinkle on. Allow to dry on your skin.

5. Apply Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is gotten from the bark and leaves of the North American witch hazel shrub, Hamamelis virginiana. It contains tannins, and they have strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

It is used to treat various types of skin conditions, including dandruff, eczema, varicose veins, burns, bruises, insect bites, pimples, and acne.

How to Use It;

Mix 1 tablespoon witch hazel bark and cup water in a small pan. Soak the witch hazel for 30 minutes and then boil on the stove.

Allow to simmer and cook, cover for 10 minutes. Remove the mixture from the stove and let sit for an extra 10 minutes. Extract and store the liquid in a sealed container.

Apply to a cleansed skin using a cotton ball 2 times per day.

Note that commercially prepared mixtures may not contain tannins, as they are often lost in the distillation process.

6. Moisturize With Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a tropical plant; its leaves produce a clear gel. Aloe Vera gel is an ingredient in lotions, ointments, creams and soaps. It is used to treat abrasions, rashes, burns and other skin conditions.

When applied to the skin, aloe Vera gel usually helps heal wounds, treat burns and fight inflammation.

How to Use It;

Scrape the gel from the aloe plant out. Apply the gel directly to cleansed skin as a moisturizer. Repeat 1/2 times per day. You can also buy packaged aloe Vera gel from any store, but make sure it is pure aloe without any added ingredients.

7. Mint

Mint helps remove pore-clogging oil. It can even help clear acne or pimples before it begins

How to use it;

Mix 2 tablespoons of neatly chopped fresh mint, two tablespoons of plain yogurt and oatmeal (use a blender to grind the oatmeal to powder). Leave the mixture on your face for 10 minutes, and then rinse with water.

8. Echinacea

Echinacea is traditionally used to speed wound healing and prevent colds and flu, it also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help with acne and pimples as well.

How to use it;

Use Echinacea tea as a daily face wash by soaking it in a cloth, or put a few drops of tincture on a cotton ball and dab it on affected areas.

9. Aspirin

The salicylic acid in aspirin is what makes it a go-to for acne treatments, aspirin can dry up pimples and reduce inflammation.

How to use it;

Form a paste by crushing aspirin in a little water, and apply it as a mask.

10. Chamomile

Chamomile helps to decrease inflammation.

How to use it;

Put the contents of a chamomile tea bag in a blender or coffee grinder with enough water to form a paste, and apply that to the affected area, or put two chamomile tea bags with 1 cup boiled water for 15 minutes.

Allow the tea cool, and then use a cotton ball to dab on clean skin.

Conclusion

Acne and pimples are common problems with many causes. However, conventional treatments can cause dryness, redness, and irritation.

Fortunately, natural remedies can also be very effective. The home remedies listed in this article may not work for everyone, but they just might be worth a try because you’ll find at least one that works for you.

Nonetheless, you should consult a dermatologist if you have a case of severe acne and pimples.

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