Originally published May 12 2014
Home Remedies for Acne: 7 Treatments That Really Work
by Aurora Geib
(NaturalNews) Almost 85 percent of people experience acne within the course of a lifetime, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, (1) so it's a very common problem. Many people turn to over-the-counter acne products or prescription drugs for this condition. But many of these products have ingredients that can actually worsen the skin and cause other side effects. Instead, try our natural home remedies for acne that are gentler on the skin and only use natural ingredients you probably already have in your home.
1. Eat Foods with Vitamin A
The retinoid type of vitamin A can help prevent acne before it starts or clear up your skin if you already have it. Instead of taking man-made supplements, you can obtain vitamin A through foods in your diet. Retinoid is actually found in animal foods, so you can obtain it this way. Nonetheless, the body can change carotenoid types of vitamin A into retinoid types, so you can consume the plant foods that contain carotenoid as well. These include green leafy vegetables like Swiss chard, spinach and kale, as well as other types of vegetables like winter squash, carrots and sweet potatoes. (2)
2. Obtain Vitamin E through Your Diet
Vitamin E is well known as a beneficial nutrient to your skin, with acne as one of the conditions it can help improve. You can obtain this vitamin in your diet through natural foods like nuts and seeds like almonds and sunflower seeds, green leafy vegetables like spinach and turnip greens, shrimp, and fruits and vegetables like avocado and asparagus. (3) It also might improve your complexion to apply vitamin E oil to your skin.
3. Use Natural Echinacea for Your Skin
Echinacea is a natural treatment that has many health benefits, including clearing up acne. A study by the University of British Columbia found that Echinacea killed bacteria that leads to acne. You can use Echinacea for your skin in a number of ways: take an Echinacea supplement or drink Echinacea tea to prevent or treat acne, and apply Echinacea extract to the skin when you have a blemish. (4)
4. Apply Apple Cider Vinegar to Your Face
If you have apple cider vinegar in your cupboard, use it on your skin to clear up acne. Many cleaners that you use on your face and body mess up your skin's acidity balance. When the acidity is in balance, it helps fight bacteria and germs, and wards off pollution, which can all contribute to acne. Instead, apple cider vinegar is a natural treatment that can help balance that acidity. It also has properties that can break up dead skin cells, fight bacteria and remove the layers of makeup, oil and dirt that build up on your face and contribute to acne. Simply dilute the apple cider vinegar in water and apply it to your face with a cotton ball as a toner after washing your face. (5)
5. Use Essential Oils on Your Face
Essential oils have antibacterial properties which can fight bacteria that cause acne. Some of the best to use for acne are lavender oil, tea tree oil and rose oil. Make sure you purchase high-grade oil that is approved for skin application. To apply it to your face, you first need to dilute the heavily concentrated oils in a base oil, such as almond oil or coconut oil, and then rub some onto your problem areas. (6)
6. Use Hops On Your Skin
Hops -- yes, like you find in beer -- can help fight acne. While you're probably hoping this solution involves drinking some beer, in reality, you want to apply hop extract to your skin to fight acne. This extract can fight against the bacteria that lead to acne. Use it on your skin as an astringent to help prevent problems and clear your skin. (4)
7. Use Pantry Staples on Your Face
One of the simplest acne-fighting remedies is to find common ingredients from your pantry and apply them to your face. You can try honey, a cooked oatmeal mask, lemon juice, garlic paste or egg whites. Trying rubbing these onto your face, letting them sit until they dry and washing them off, to see if they work for you. (7)
Source:
(1) http://www.aad.org
(2) http://www.whfoods.com
(3) http://www.whfoods.com
(4) http://www.naturalnews.com
(5) http://www.mindbodygreen.com
(6) http://www.naturalnews.com
(7) http://health.howstuffworks.com
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