How to Get Rid of Acne: 05 Home Remedies for Pimples
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world, affecting an estimated
Conventional acne treatments, like salicylic acid, niacinamide, or benzoyl peroxide, are proven to be the most effective acne solutions, but they can be expensive and have undesirable side effects, such as dryness, redness, and irritation.
This has prompted many people to try to cure acne naturally at home. In fact, a 2017 study found that 77 percent of acne patients had tried alternative acne treatments.
Many home remedies lack scientific backing, and further research on their effectiveness is needed. If you’re looking for alternative treatments, though, there are still options you can try.
This article explores 05 popular home remedies for acne.
What causes acne?
Acne starts when the pores in your skin get clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
Each pore is connected to a sebaceous gland, which produces an oily substance called sebum. Extra sebum can plug pores, causing increased growth of bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes.
Your white blood cells attack P. acnes, leading to skin inflammation and acne. Some cases of acne are more severe than others, but common symptoms include whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples.
Many factors may contribute to the development of acne, including:
- genetics
- diet
- stress
- hormone changes
- infections
Standard clinical treatments are the most effective for reducing acne. You can also try home treatments, though more research on their effectiveness is needed. Below are 10 home remedies for acne.
1;- Apply apple cider vinegar
- Pros: affordable, easy to find, improves the appearance of acne scars
- Cons: may irritate the skin
Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting apple cider, or the unfiltered juice from pressed apples.
Like other vinegars, research has noted its ability to fight many types of
Apple cider vinegar contains organic acids, such as citric acid.
According to research from 2017, the lactic acid in apple cider vinegar may also improve the appearance of acne scars.
While certain components of apple cider vinegar may help with acne, there’s currently no evidence to support its use for this purpose. Some dermatologists advise against using apple cider vinegar at all, as it may irritate the skin.
How to
- Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water (use more water for sensitive skin).
- After cleansing, gently apply the mixture to the skin using a cotton ball.
- Let it sit for 5 to 20 seconds, rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat this process 1 to 2 times per day, as needed3
2;- Take a zinc supplement
- Pros: supported by scientific studies, wide variety of benefits
- Cons: can irritate the stomach or gut, not beneficial when applied topically
Zinc is an essential nutrient that’s important for cell growth, hormone production, metabolism, and immune function.
It’s relatively well studied compared with other natural treatments for acne.
According to a
The recommended safe upper limit of zinc is 40 mg per day, so it’s probably best to not exceed that amount unless you’re under the supervision of a medical doctor.
Taking too much zinc may cause adverse effects, including stomach pain and gut irritation.
It’s also important to note that applying zinc to the skin has not been shown to be effective. This may be because zinc is not effectively absorbed through the skin.
3;- Make a honey and cinnamon mask
- Pros: antibacterial, easy to make
- Cons: not enough research to back up the claims
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Research from 2020 indicated that honey on its own can block the growth of or kill P. acnes. Although, this finding doesn’t necessarily mean that honey effectively treats acne.
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While the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of honey and cinnamon may reduce acne, more research is needed.
How to
- Mix 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to form a paste.
- After cleansing, apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse the mask off completely and pat your face dry.
4;- Spot treat with tea tree oil
- Pros: don’t need a lot of product, can be left on overnight, natural
- Cons: drying, essential oils aren’t FDA approved
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that’s extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a small tree native to Australia.
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A small
According to a
Tea tree oil is very potent, so always dilute it before applying it to your skin.
How to
- 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 to 2 times per day, as needed.
Moisturize with aloe vera
- Pros: natural, found in many products, can be combined with other ingredients
- Cons: not a lot of studies to back up the claims, many products contain additives
Aloe vera is a tropical plant whose leaves produce a clear gel. The gel is often added to lotions, creams, ointments, and soaps.
According to 2018 research, it’s commonly used to treat:
- abrasions
- rashes
- burns
- wounds
- skin inflammation
Aloe vera contains salicylic acid and sulfur, both of which are used extensively in the treatment of acne.
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While research shows promise, the anti-acne benefits of aloe vera itself require further scientific research.
How to
- Scrape the gel from the aloe plant with a spoon.
- Apply the gel directly to clean skin as a moisturizer.
- Repeat 1 to 2 times per day, or as desired.
You can also buy aloe vera gel from the store, but make sure it’s pure aloe without any added ingredients.
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