Whether you’re a teenager with so-called spotty skin, or an adult with facial blemishes, acne can strike at any age. Although there are many kinds of treatment available both in shops and over the counters at pharmacies, many people are unaware that there is also a multitude of home remedies that can be used to combat acne. From herbal to homeopathic, and even everyday vitamins, the choice is bigger than you think.
One of the easiest, and also one of the safest, forms of remedies is via vitamins. Depending on availability, you can use either vitamin A or E, or a more specialized form, such as niacin. If you are using this type of acne remedy, check with your pharmacist or doctor with regard to the safe dosage. Another vitamin that can be used is vitamin C, with a water-soaked citrus peel being placed onto the required area proving quite effective.
One of the most often ignored, yet successful, types of acne remedy is normal household garlic. By taking fresh cloves and rubbing them over your skin as you would a facial cloth or sponge, it’s an excellent substitute for actual acne cream or ointment, and people who have tried this method have seen their skin clear up in a reasonably short time. Eating garlic is another good tool in battling acne, as it helps to keep your blood stream clean, thus avoiding any dirty pores.
Aloe vera is also easy to come by in the home, and is one of the more soothing methods you can use. Since it is a soothing derivative usually found in after shave balm or cleanser, it shouldn’t give you any inflammatory reaction, either. By rubbing it into your face in the morning and before you go to bed, it will offer improved skin complexion as well as help to reduce the effects of the acne itself. Even better, if you have an actual aloe vera plant, the leaf can be rubbed on the face for good results, too.
Although many sufferers are advised not to expose their skin to excessive heat, a home sun bed can actually help benefit an acne complaint. As long as it’s used in moderation and under professional instruction, it works by drying the skin and therefore killing the bacteria that causes acne in the first place. Another remedy with heat being used as a source of relief is a hot bath filled with normal Epsom salts, which you can buy from any good drugstore or supermarket.
Although specialized creams and ointments are usually the best methods to dealing with this frustrating affliction, you shouldn’t discount home remedies if you’re an acne sufferer. Not only are they cheaper, they can sometimes yield quicker results, and to anyone who’s had acne, that’s the only thing that really matters at the end of the day.

Popularity: 11% [?]

When it comes to acne this is no longer a skin problem that teenagers have to deal with. Rather it can actually effect both children and adults alike. But because we are all becoming more aware of how important it is to care for ourselves, there are some people who are looking for ways to treat acne and not suffer from any side effects. This is why more and more people are now searching for acne natural remedies.

Treatment 1 – Aloe Vera Juice or Gel – The main reason why this is a suitable remedy for acne is of its anti-biotic properties. It is these properties which will help to fight the infection which has resulted in the acne spots or pimples forming on your skin. It is best if this is taken twice a day and normally it will take several months before you will see any improvement in the condition of your skin. It is also the anti-biotic properties in this plant which help to prevent and stop scarring of the skin.

Treatment 2 – Apple Cider Vinegar – This is a natural remedy which you can easily purchase from your grocery or local health food store. In order to treat your acne you just need to apply it to your skin using a cotton ball. It contains natural cleansing properties which help to remove dirt and bacteria from the skins pores and so reduce the chances of them becoming infected. It is also great for skin which produces excess amounts of oil which can further contribute to a person suffering from acne. Plus unlike the first treatment mentioned this one acts more quickly on treating the acne.

Treatment 3 – Cucumber – Although it is often used as a way of refreshing your eyes it is also ideal for treating acne. You can either use it in a form where it the cucumber has been peeled and then liquified before being applied to your skin directly, or you can drink the juice instead. If you choose to drink the cucumber juice you will need to do so four or five times each day for a week. The properties within this plant help to purify the blood and improve the way in which a person’s lymphatic system functions. Which results in their skin looking much clearer and cleaner.Treatment

4 – Grapefruit Seed Extract – This particular natural remedy is effective at treating acne because it contains good anti-microbial and disinfectant properties. Both of which can help to remove and kill of the bacteria which is often the cause of acne in the first place. What you need to do is mix 4-40 drops of the extract with 4 fluid ounces of water well and then apply to the affected area directly 2 to 3 times each day. The best way to apply it is by using either a cotton ball or Q-tip.Treatment 5 – Tea Tree Oil – This is another very effective way of treating acne because like other natural remedies we have mentioned it contains some good antiseptic properties. These then help to remove the dirt and bacteria which can often exacerbate the problem of acne. But unlike some of the remedies we have mentioned do not expect to see results quickly this one does take some time to help treat the problem. But unlike some of the more common over the counter treatments available it helps the skin to retain moisture rather than drying it out.Along with the natural acne remedies we have mentioned above there are plenty of others that you may want to consider trying. There are some which require you to make changes in your lifestyle and diet, but these will then help to make sure that once gone the acne will find it much more difficult to return in the future.

Popularity: 20% [?]

Acne cures abound on drugstore shelves, behind the pharmacy counter and on the Internet. However, there is still plenty of acne in the world, so obviously many people still have not found the treatment that works for them. This article will present an overview of the most popular treatments, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Acne occurs when skin on the face, back and chest react to the male hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone and grow too fast, a process known as hyperkeratois. The overgrowth of skin cells clogs sebaceous glands, which develop a secondary infection from usually innocuous skin bacteria. This causes a pimple or cyst.

Disinfectant pads and alcohol-based astringents may help dry out the skin and ease the annoying oily sheen accompanying the acne, but they will not penetrate the skin and have little permanent effect.
The most popular acne remedy is benzoyl peroxide. The combination of antibacterial peroxide, combined with a benzoyl molecule to help it penetrate the skin more deeply that topical peroxide, controls the infection which causes pimples and dries them up. It is cheap, non-prescription and available in almost every store. For low-grade acne, it will probably be sufficient in and of itself. The disadvantage is that it can irritate thin, delicate skin, and it bleaches clothing. Also, some people do not like the idea of applying a benzoyl-derived compound to their skin, as related compounds have been proven carcinogenic. However, no human study has found any link between benzoyl peroxide and skin cancer, so it seems quite safe.

Fruit acids such as glycolic acid help acne by exfoliating the skin, countering hyperkeratosis. Longterm use in conjunction with benzoyl peroxide may provide the best combination treatment available over the counter. However, when treatment is first begun, slight irritation may occur and the acne may get worse before it gets better. Salicylic acid is the oldest of these exfoliants.

Sulfur compounds, one of the oldest acne remedies, dry up lesions, ease inflammation and are antibacterial. However, many people dislike the harsh smell of sufur. Some facial masks disguise the odor by combining sulfur in a mud mask, which is also soothing and exfoliating. It will improve the texture and appearance of oily skin if used on a regular basis. It is a natural remedy free of any known drawbacks or hazards.

Saw Palmetto is a natural herb which has been shown to be an effective antiandrogen. It blocks the conversion of testosterone into the acne-producing metabolite. Its most common use is for benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Some proprietary blends of OTC ingredients are also available, such as ProActiv or Murad, which combine different compounds in specific blends which as supposedly better than any one chemical by itself. Some of these patent medicines have good consumer reviews, such as ProActiv, but they can be quite expensive when compared to generic benzoyl peroxide.

If one over the counter remedy does not help or the effect wears off, combine them or rotate their use.

Popularity: 23% [?]