Natural Treatment For Acne
Acne is an embarrassing facial condition suffered by millions of people around the world. Some people get acne during their teenage years. Others get acne during pregnancy. And some people deal with acne every day of their lives.
Natural Acne Treatments
If you suffer from acne, then you’ve probably tried dozens of different solutions. Today, we’re going to try to help: here are some of the best ways to get rid of acne and make your skin as radiant and healthy-looking as possible.
Wash Your Face Twice Per Day Using the Right Cleanser
If getting rid of acne was as simple as washing your face, then nobody would suffer from acne. Most people with acne have tried using dozens of different facial cleansers but have had trouble finding any cleansers that actually work.
Here’s a tip: look for a cleaner that says “pH Balanced” on the front of the packaging. Some cleaners will say pH Balanced directly on the front or they might say pH 5.5.
A neutral cleanser will discourage the growth of acne while also restoring the acid mantle of your skin.
After you find the right facial cleanser, wash your face twice per day using that cleanser: once when you wake up in the morning and again before you go to bed at night. It’s important that you don’t skip this routine or miss a cleaning: even if you’re super tired, make an effort to wash your face before going to bed. Consistency is key.
Try Using Oils
For whatever reason, some people have skin that just doesn’t seem to agree with traditional cleaners. Even if you’re using a natural, pH balanced cleaner, your skin doesn’t always respond positively.
If your skin is particularly sensitive, then consider washing your face with oils. Natural oils like grape seed oil, egg oil, olive oil, castor oil, and emu oil are all growing in popularity as topical facial cleansers.
Washing your face with oil is known as the “Oil Cleansing Method”, or OCM. It’s particularly popular in Asia and seems to work well with Asian skin.
Why does the oil cleansing method work? Well, oil dissolves oil. Your skin naturally lubricates itself with oil. Unfortunately, this oil often hardens, becomes toxic, and clogs your pores. That’s when you need other oils to externally purify your skin.
Here’s how to clean your skin with oil:
Step 1) Place your oil into a small bowl. Some recommend mixing a thicker oil, like castor oil, with a thinner oil, like sunflower seed oil or extra virgin olive oil. If you have oily skin, use 30% thick oil to 70% thin oil. If you have dry skin, use a blend of 10% thick oil to 90% thin oil.
Step 2) Pour a generous puddle of oil into the palm of your hand. Aim for a quarter-sized puddle.
Step 3) Rub your hands together to gently warm the oil.
Step 4) Smooth the oil over your face and begin massaging the oil into your skin. The oil is actually powerful enough to remove makeup, waterproof mascara, and whatever else you put on your face, so most people don’t bother cleaning their skin prior to applying oil. Continue massaging the oil and smoothing your skin for 1 to 2 minutes or until your skin feels fully saturated.
Step 5) Take a washcloth and soak it in clean, steamy warm water. Avoid using cold water, as it won’t open your pores or remove the oil. At the same time, the water shouldn’t be so hot that it scalds your skin.
Step 6) Continue holding the washcloth over your face and let it stay there until it cools down. You should feel the pores of your skin opening up to release impurities. Avoid scrubbing your skin – the oil should wash away without needing to scrub or apply pressure to the cloth.
Step 7) If your skin feels dry following this treatment, apply a small drop of oil to the tip of your finger and massage that oil into your skin until the film of the oil is no longer visible on the surface. This will moisturize the skin and give it a healthy, natural-looking glow.
Exfoliate Your Face to Remove Dead Skin Cells
Exfoliation is the process of using mild scrubbing products to gently slough away dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. These dead skin cells can build up over time and become clogged with toxins, creating acne.
There are a number of popular exfoliators
on the market. Typically, exfoliators are separated into two different categories: chemical or physical.
Chemical exfoliators tend to be gentler, although some sensitive skin can have a negative reaction to certain chemicals. Physical exfoliators, on the other hand, provide natural scrubbing action but may cause physical damage to sensitive skin.
Here are some tips and tricks on how to use exfoliators to get rid of acne:
— Looking for a gentle exfoliator? Pick a chemical exfoliator like an AHA or BHA with a pH between 3 and 4.
— Use your exfoliator as a spot treatment in targeted areas of your skin, like acne prone areas.
— Some exfoliators contain salicylic acid, which can be particularly effective against oily skin. On dry skin, however, it can cause a painful drying effect.
— Mix oatmeal and honey together and rub it on your face for 2-3 minutes before gently rinsing away the residue with warm water.
— Use sea salt or sugar to naturally exfoliate your skin. You can find all sorts of different sea salt and sugar recipes online. Some people don’t bother creating a recipe at all: they just keep a jar of sugar or salt in their shower, then rub that mixture onto their skin with warm water whenever they need to exfoliate.
After using an exfoliator, you may experience dry skin and scaliness around your acne. Thisshoulddissipate over time as your skin begins to regenerate more quickly. One of the benefits of exfoliation is encouraging your skin to regenerate itself more quickly.
Apply Antibacterial Essential Oils to Spot Treat Pimples Overnight
One of the worst parts about having acne is that it always appears at the worst times. Have a hot date this weekend? It’s virtually guaranteed you’ll wake up on Friday morning with a big zit on your face.
If you need a quick spot treatment for acne, try applying essential oils like tea tree oil and neem oil. These oils have unique antimicrobial properties which can quickly neutralize acne-causing bacteria.
To apply this oil, simply dab a drop of the diluted oil onto the targeted area of your skin or use a cotton swab.
Make sure you dilute essential oil before applying it: undiluted oil could burn your skin and make your acne worse.
Choose a Cleaner with 3% Benzoyl Peroxide
If you’ve suffered from acne your entire life, then try using a cleaning solution with benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is a chemical solution specially designed to clear away dead skin and encourage new skin cells to regenerate in the affected areas.
High concentrations of benzoyl peroxide can irritate your skin, so look for cleaners with 3% or less benzoyl peroxide.
Use a Toner After Cleaning Your Skin
If your skin cleaning routine doesn’t appear to be working, then try applying a toner after your cleaning. Toners are designed to heal your skin after a cleaning: they tighten the pores, which naturally protects them against dirt and oils.
You can buy topical toners at any drug store or pharmacy. If you’re looking for a more natural solution, however, consider dabbing a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar.
After you’ve applied your toner, you’re not supposed to wash your face: toners are designed to stay on your skin and protect it over the course of a day.
Always Use a Moisturizer
Some people avoid moisturizing their skin because it’s already oily. That’s rarely a good idea: whether you have dry skin or oily skin, you should apply a moisturizer after you wash your face every morning and evening.
If you’re already using a toner (as per our previous tip), you should apply your moisturizer after applying that toner.
Visit a Skin Care Clinic
Sometimes, your acne won’t be cured no matter how careful you are with cleaning, moisturizing, and applying toner.
If that’s the case with you, then consider enlisting professional help: there are skin care clinics devoted to giving you the healthiest, best-looking skin possible.
Some of the popular treatments methods available at skin care clinics include:
- Facials (some facials are specially designed to remove acne on your face)
- Facial peels
- Microdermabrasion, which sands away the skin and could also be used to remove acne scarring
- Get laser treatment, which kills off acne and could have the added benefit of removing acne scars and other skin discolorations
- Try getting a light treatment, like intense pulsed light, which uses intense waves of light energy to kill of bacteria on the surface of your skin
Change your Lifestyle
Many of those who suffer from chronic acne have a problem with their diet or lifestyle which is causing acne to form.
Implementing some basic lifestyle changes may be all you need to clear up acne symptoms. Here are some of the most effective lifestyle tips and tricks you can use to cure acne problems:
- Exercise Regularly: Exercising releases a flood of endorphins, lowering stress levels and reducing your skin’s production of oils. Sweating can also unclog your pores and clear out dead skin cells, which is why it’s an effective way to remove acne on your face, back, chest, shoulders, and other parts of your body.
- Avoid Touching Your Face: Your hands and fingers are covered with bacteria. When you touch your face regularly, it can cause acne. Mentally kick yourself every time you touch your face or lean your head against your hand. Avoid popping your zits or fiddling with your acne in any way.
- Shower Regularly: This tip is especially important if you have long hair. Long hair can become oily and filled with bacteria. When this hair is constantly touching your skin, it can cause acne problems. Your body produces natural oils all across the skin, and showering regularly can reduce acne on all parts of your body.
- Avoid Processed Food And Junk Food: Eating a healthy, balanced diet filled with fruits and vegetables is one of the most effective ways to fight back against acne. Of course, cutting junk food out of your diet also comes with many other health benefits.
- Sleep More: About 60% of Americans don’t get enough sleep every night. Most people need between 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Your body detoxifies itself as you sleep and repairs the skin, so try sleeping more to alleviate your acne problems.
- Drink More Water: Getting more hydration is one of the most effective ways to fight back against acne. Water purifies the skin and keeps your skin cells working efficiently. Aim for at least 10 glasses of water per day – more if you live in a dry climate.
- Wash Your Pillow Cases Every Few Days: Pillow cases can be hubs of acne-causing bacteria. You put your face down on your pillow cases every night, which is why you often wake up with acne worse than when you fell asleep. Some people recommend placing a clean towel on your pillow every night before you go to sleep. Alternatively, wash your pillow case every day, or as often as you can.
Together, the tips listed above can have a powerful impact on the health of your skin. If you’re looking for the best ways to get rid of acne, then chances are good that one of the methods listed above will work for you.
More often than not, skin that appears to be excessively oily is actually acutely dry. The body will go into overdrive to produce the oils the skin needs, when it senses that the oils have been depleted. Always try the oil cleanse & a hydrating moisturizer, especially for oily skin. The reverse can sometimes be true for chronic dry, flaky skin, especially if you are constantly putting lotion on. Drink lots of water & try going a few days without putting any lotion on. This also applies to hair, as well!