Acne Home Remedy
After unsuccessfully trying several over-the-counter acne medications, many people turn to a dermatologist to help them deal with their acne problems. This usually requires frequent visits to the doctor's office as well as one or more expensive prescription drugs that do not always solve the problem. Fortunately, a trip to the dermatologist does not have to be the last resort. There are a plethora of acne home remedies that may work as well or better than any of the over-the-counter or prescription medication that you purchase at the drug store.
In some cases, treating acne involves treating the cause rather than the acne itself. One of the most common causes of acne, other than heredity, is your diet. There are many foods that can spur a breakout although which ones depends entirely on the individual. Each person has a different reaction to different foods so it is difficult to say that specific foods cause acne. Physicians recommend a diet that is high in fiber and nutrients but low in sugar, saturated fat, and trans fat for those that are particularly prone to acne. Drinking lots of water is also helpful.
Another big cause of acne, believe it or not, is stress. Medical studies have shown, to some extent, that stress can cause or worsen acne by stimulating the adrenal gland, which in turn produces acne-inducing hormones. As hard as it can, avoiding stressful situations and/or dealing with stress in a constructive way can help reduce acne flare-ups.
For women, face-makeup can cause acne especially if it isn't oil free. The solution to makeup-induced acne is very simple. Make sure that it is oil-free and make sure that you wash your face thoroughly at the end of the day. Do not leave it on overnight. Otherwise, the best bet is to not wear it at all.
If you already know the cause of your acne and you are just looking for home remedies that others have tried and found to work, here is a list of some that you can try:
- Mix one teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and lemon juice. Apply to affected area daily. You should see results within 2 to 3 weeks.
- Rub the peel of an orange, lemon, or grapefruit directly to the affected area several times a day.
- Peel one clove of garlic. Rub the peeled garlic clove on the affected area. This is supposed to not only decrease inflammation but it may even help diminish the visibility of acne scarring.
- Apply Aloe Vera gel or Aloe-Vera juice to the affected area. Not only is Aloe Vera a great anti-inflammatory agent, it also has anti-bacterial properties which makes it an ideal home remedy for acne.
- Essential oils, especially tea tree oil, are a popular home remedy for acne. Mix one part tea tree oil with five parts water and apply to affected area using a cotton ball. Tea tree oil has excellent anti-bacterial properties. It is important to note that you should never apply undiluted tea tree oil to the skin as it can be a skin irritant and it can cause blistering, itching, or redness.
- Liberally apply cooked oatmeal to the affected area. Leave it on for fifteen minutes and then wash well with warm water.
- For a homemade acne face wash use the juice from an acidic fruit such as a lemon or you can even use apple cider.
Finding an acne home remedy that works for you can be difficult. It is all a matter of trial and error. Those listed above are some of the more popular home remedies but they are certainly not the only ones. Talk to your grandmother or any elderly person you may know or even talk to your doctor. You never know what you might find out and they might just have the solution you have been searching for.