There are a lot of of over the counter and prescription medications that help get rid of acne; however there are also some great acne home remedies that work. This article will provide more information on how to use these remedies and why they work. Acne can look unsightly depending on where you get it.
Tea Tree Oil
The first one of many acne home remedies that work is tea tree oil.
This oil has antifungal and antibacterial ingredients which are quite powerful. In the past, it has been used as a treatment for athlete’s foot, amongst many other conditions. It has only recently started to be used to treat acne, however. Since it’s very strong, diluting it with water might be a great idea, depending on how sensitive your skin is. If your skin is oily, you may want to dilute one tbsps of tea tree oil with nine tbsps of water. On the contrary, if your skin is more on the sensitive side, you may want to dilute it with gel of aloe vera instead as it will neutralize any present chemical reactions to ensure no development of rashes.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel makes the list of acne home remedies that work because it is a natural product, so it won’t that doesn’t upset your skin’s pH balance. It also contains an ingredient called tannin acid – this ingredient’s anti-bacterial properties make it great to use as a toner. Also, very few people have an allergic reaction to witch hazel. If you decide to use witch hazel for your acne, , try it on an area that’s not as prominent first, such as your back. If you don’t get any type of allergic reaction, then try it on your face. To use witch hazel, spread it on your face with a cotton ball, just like you would if you were using toner.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another one of the many acne home remedies that work because it’s an excellent source of alpha-hydroxy acids; these acids help disintegrate the fat deposits that caused the acne in the first place. When using apple cider vinegar for acne, you can either drink it or use it topically. If you drink it, you only need a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar a day. If you hate the taste of straight apple cider vinegar, try adding lemon juice or any drink that goes well with vinegar. If you choose to use it topically, you’ll want to mix one part apple cider vinegar with eight parts of water. Put this solution into a bottle and add a ground up aspirin tablet – the salicylic acid in the aspirin will help dry up the acne. Spread the mixture on your face with a cotton ball, just like you would if you were using toner. You may want to use this treatment before going to bed at night, because apple cider vinegar has a strong odor.
Baking Soda
One of acne home remedies that work is that just about everyone has in their refrigerator or pantry is baking soda. Baking soda makes the list of acne home remedies that work because it doesn’t have strong odors and it can be used to fight all types of bacteria. When using baking soda to fight acne, there are three different ways to use it – as a cleanser, a toner or a mask.
To use as a facial cleanser:
- Mix it with some water until the mixture is like that of toothpaste.
- Rub the paste, using the tips of your fingers, in a circular motion directly on your face.
- After 1-2 mins, rinse your face with water and pat it dry with a soft towel or face cloth.
To use as a tonic:
- Fill a clean spray bottle with normal water (not too cold and not too hot) and pour in a tbsp of baking soda.
- To ensure the baking soda is mixed with the water, it is suggested you shake the bottle well.
- After you wash and dry your face, spray the mixture and allow enough time for it to dry. DO NOT rinse your face.
Before using the baking soda toner on your face, you may want to try it on another area to make sure there wouldn’t be any allergic reactions that you are not presently aware of.
To use as a mask:
- Combine the baking soda with water so that it forms a mixture similar to the previous description for using baking soda as a facial cleanser.
- Let the mixture dry on your face for 30 mins.
- Wash your face with water.
Just as with the toner, try the mask on another area of your face to be sure you’re not allergic to it. Results might vary while trying any or all of above acne home remedies that work, choose the best for your skin.