Acne is a skin condition that affects many people, including adults. There are many products and medications out there that promise to heal acne, but many are looking for more natural remedies. Here are five great home remedies for healing acne that are completely natural.
Use Oatmeal Mask for Acne
Oatmeal treatments work well for healing acne, as the oatmeal helps absorb some of the oil on the face. It can also work to exfoliate the skin, removing dead layers of skin and revealing healthy skin underneath. To use oatmeal, simply cook up one serving of oatmeal and mix in a quarter cup of honey. Once the mixture is cool, apply it to the face, avoiding the eyes. The honey in this recipe helps by acting as skin toner.
Aloe Vera as Acne Treatment
The aloe vera plant has medicinal properties with many healing applications, including its function as a natural remedy for acne. Aloe vera gel works as a natural antibiotic, killing the bacteria that cause acne sores. At the same time, the gel has a soothing effect, easing the pain caused by acne. To use aloe vera, simply cut open an aloe leaf from the plant and use the gel rather than the yellow latex. Apply the gel to the skin wherever acne appears.
Vitamin B5 for Acne
Vitamin B5 is another natural way to prevent and heal acne. Vitamin B5 can help regulate oil production in the body, which in turn reduces the oily skin that causes acne in the first place. In order for this method to work, a large amount of vitamin B5 must be taken – around 1,000 milligrams, so it is advisable to work with a doctor before using this method.
Peppermint for Acne
The peppermint plant is another plant with several medicinal applications. It works as a home remedy for acne because it contains menthol, a natural substance that has anti-inflammatory properties. Menthol also has a cooling, numbing effect on the skin, effectively easing the acne pain. To use peppermint, crush a handful of peppermint leaves and rub the juice and leaves on the skin. Don’t leave the treatment on for more than five to 10 minutes, and discontinue treatment if a skin irritation occurs.
Taking Care of the Skin
Although proper skin care is mostly common sense and may seem obvious, it is also one of the most important ways to treat and prevent acne. Some of the basics include washing the face both morning and night with a mild, non-irritating soap. Scrubbing or over washing can strip the skin of its oils and cause overproduction of oil, so be gentle.
It’s also important to avoid touching the face or other problem areas. The hands spread bacteria and oil, which can irritate the skin and cause acne to erupt. Staying out of the sun when possible and keeping skin properly moisturized will also help keep the skin healthy and acne-free.
Acne is an irritating skin condition that plagues many people. There are many natural ways to keep the skin free and clear of acne. Instead of reaching for a chemical product for acne, try a home remedy and see how well it works.
References:
Acne. Medlineplus. Accessed February 3, 2010.
Vitamin B5 - Dr. Leung's acne hypothesis. Acne.org. Accessed February 2, 2010.
Holli Jo Ronquillo - Holli Jo Ronquillo is a freelance writer and editor who has been writing professionally for several years. Her work has appeared in The ...
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