13 Powerful Home Remedies For Acne

Y ou wake up in the morning, expecting a smooth shiny face smile back at you in the mirror.

But Nah-uh! Plump red acne, pimples, or blackheads won’t let that happen! You don’t need to curse the universe for this. It happens frequently and to almost everyone.

Acnes are frequent breakouts for teenagers and adults, especially among women. Acne breakouts can hit the face, chest, shoulders, back, and arms. They can be painful, cause scarring, and harm the individual’s self-confidence. So, it’s important to know the nature of acne, why they occur, and how to treat them.

> Many home remedies can help improve a person’s acne pimples and sores. These might not necessarily be scientifically proven acne remedies. However, if you have these ingredients at home it could be worth a shot to try them.

Below are 13 home remedies for acne that you might want to try.

Apply Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting apple cider or the unfiltered juice from pressed apples. Like other vinegars, it is known for its ability to fight many types of bacteria and viruses.

To Use It:

Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water. After cleansing, gently apply the mixture to the skin using a cotton ball. Let sit for 5–20 seconds, rinse with water and pat dry. Repeat this process 1–2 times per day, as needed. The organic acids in apple cider vinegar may help kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce the appearance of scars. Applying it to the skin may cause burns or irritation, so it should be used carefully.

Take a Zinc Supplement

Zinc is an essential nutrient that's important for cell growth, hormone production, metabolism, and immune function.

Research shows that people with acne tend to have lower levels of zinc in their blood than those with clear skin. Taking zinc orally helps reduce acne. Zinc is available in many forms and each one contains a different amount of elemental zinc.

The recommended safe upper limit of zinc is 40 mg per day, so it is probably best to not exceed that amount unless under the supervision of a medical doctor. Taking too much zinc may cause adverse effects, including stomach pain and gut irritation.

Make a Honey and Cinnamon Mask

Both honey and cinnamon are excellent sources of antioxidants.

Studies have found applying antioxidants to the skin is more effective at reducing acne than benzoyl peroxide and retinoids. Honey and cinnamon also have the ability to fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which are two factors that trigger acne.

How to Make its Mask:

Mix 2 tablespoons honey and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together to form a paste. After cleansing, apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 10–15 minutes. Rinse the mask off completely and pat your face dry. Honey and cinnamon have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, because of this; they may be beneficial for acne-prone skin.

Spot Treat With Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, which means that it might kill acnes, the bacteria that causes acne, and also reduce the swelling and redness of pimples.

The researchers found that tea tree oil products can reduce the number of acne sores in people with mild to moderate acne.

Usage of tea tree oil:

Mix 1 part tea tree oil with 9 parts water. Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it to the affected areas. Apply moisturizer if desired. Repeat this process 1–2 times per day, as needed. Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a small tree native to Australia.

Apply Green Tea to Your Skin

Green tea is high in antioxidants that can help to reduce inflammation in the skin. Green tea contains high concentrations of a group of polyphenol antioxidants called catechins.

Usage of green tea:

Steep green tea in boiling water for 3–4 minutes. Allow tea to cool. Using a cotton ball, apply the tea to the skin or pour it into a spray bottle to spritz on. Allow to dry, then rinse with water and pat dry. You can also add the remaining tea leaves to honey and make a mask. Antioxidants help the body break down chemicals and waste products that can damage healthy cells. Green tea may help clear out some of the debris and waste that has built up in open acne sores.

Apply Witch Hazel

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

How to Use It:

Combine 1 tablespoon witch hazel bark and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Soak witch hazel for 30 minutes and then bring the mixture to a boil on the stove. Reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and let sit for an additional 10 minutes. Strain and store the liquid in a sealed container. Apply to clean skin using a cotton ball 1–2 times per day, or as desired. However, there are several studies that show applying witch hazel to the skin can fight bacteria, reduce inflammation, and help with healing.

Moisturize With Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a tropical plant whose leaves produce a clear gel. The gel is often added to lotions, creams, ointments, and soaps. It's commonly used to treat abrasions, rashes, burns, and other skin conditions.

How to Use It:

Scrape the gel from the aloe plant out with a spoon. Apply gel directly to clean skin as a Repeat 1–2 times per day, or as desired. Aloe vera contains salicylic acid and sulfur, which are both used extensively in the treatment of acne, and applying salicylic acid to the skin significantly reduces acne.

Take a Fish Oil Supplement

Omega-3 fatty acids are incredibly healthy fats that offer a multitude of health benefits.

Fish oils contain two main types of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA benefits the skin in several ways, including managing oil production, maintaining adequate hydration, and preventing acne.

You can also get omega-3 fatty acids by eating salmon, sardines, anchovies, walnuts, chia seeds, and ground flaxseeds.

Exfoliate Regularly

Exfoliation is the process of removing the top layer of dead skin cells. It can be achieved mechanically by using a brush or scrub to physically remove the cells.

It's very easy to make a scrub at home using sugar or salt.

How to Make a Scrub at Home:

Mix equal parts sugar (or salt) and coconut oil. Scrub skin with mixture and rinse well. Exfoliate as often as desired up to once daily. Exfoliation is believed to improve acne by removing the skin cells that clog up pores.

Follow a Low Glycemic Load Diet

A food's glycemic index (GI) is a measure of how quickly it raises blood sugar.

Eating high-GI foods causes a spike in insulin, which is thought to increase sebum production. Because of this, high-GI foods are believed to have a direct effect on the development and severity of acne.

Foods with a high glycemic index include white bread, sugary soft drinks, cakes, doughnuts, pastries, candies, sugary breakfast cereals, and other processed foods.

Foods with a low glycemic index include fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole or minimally processed grains.

Cut Back on Dairy

The relationship between dairy and acne is highly controversial.

Drinking milk and consuming dairy products exposes you to hormones, which may cause hormonal changes and lead to acne.

Some studies found a positive association between drinking milk and acne. Limiting milk and dairy consumption may be a good idea for those with acne-prone skin, but more research needs to be done.

Reduce Stress

The hormones released during periods of stress may increase sebum production and skin inflammation, making acne worse.

Ways to Reduce Stress:

Get more sleep Engage in physical activity Practice yoga Meditate Take deep breaths Certain relaxation and stress-reduction treatments have been shown to improve acne, but more research needs to be done.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise promotes healthy blood circulation . The increase in blood flow helps nourish the skin cells, which may help prevent and heal acne.

Exercise also plays a role in hormone regulation. It's recommended that healthy adults exercise for 30 minutes 3–5 times per week. This can include walking, hiking, running, and lifting weights.

Acne treatments are as vast and versatile as all the factors causing them in the first place. The good news is that you can treat them at home, using some effective home treatments like these, which include aspirin, honey, green tea, garlic, turmeric, and many more.