photo credit: FotoosVanRobin
Acne is an extremely common condition which affects many people and, in particular, teenagers. Many home remedies for acne have been suggested over the years.
It’s important to do your research before using these remedies. Think about any health problems such as allergies, or sensitivity to particular substances before using them, and consult a medical professional if your acne worsens or persists. If you have anything other than mild acne, you should seek medical advice anyway, as untreated acne can lead to permanent scarring. Remember also that many of these acne treatments have not been scientifically tested. What one person sees as a miracle cure may not have any effect, or could even make things worse for another person.
Natural acne treatments probably work more effectively when combined with proper diet. Sticking to a diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients needed by the body will help the fight against acne.
Lemon – Fresh lemon is often used for treating skin problems, including acne. Applying lemon juice to the areas of the skin affected by acne is said to help to get rid of it. Lemon juice may give a stinging sensation on the skin so be careful if you have sensitive skin. Lemon juice may cause photosensitization of the skin, that is make it more sensitive to UV light and more prone to sunburn. Use of sunscreen would be advisable.
Tea Tree Oil – Tea tree oil is a natural oil taken from the leaves of the plant Melaleuca alternifolia. The oil has antifungal, antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Due to its antibacterial properties, tea tree oil is often used as home remedy for acne, to kill Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria that are involved in the formation of acne. It is applied to the acne in diluted form, since undiluted tea tree oil can cause adverse reactions.
Calamine Lotion – When dabbed onto the acne with a cotton ball, calamine lotion can soothe the skin, decrease redness and help healing and drying of the affected areas.
Aloe vera – This is used for soothing and promoting healing of damaged skin, including acne. Breaking off a leaf from an Aloe vera plant and squeezing it shows a gel-like substance which can be applied to the skin to reduce redness and speed up healing.
Oatmeal – Used as a mask, it is sometimes mixed with honey or yogurt before applying to the skin. It can be cooked as per instructions and allowed to cool to lukewarm before application onto the skin. Once the surface of the oatmeal is slightly crusted over, it should be washed off with warm water.
These are just a few of the home treatments used by people. Carry on reading the rest of the site for more home remedies for acne.
