Natural remedies for acne can help to prevent future acne from developing while treating existing acne. Some natural remedies will treat specific aspects of your acne condition while others work as an all-around preventative for the future.
These treatments are generally safer than harsh chemical medications and typically cost far less than traditional over-the-counter products. All acne remedies must either eliminate clogged pores or treat bacterial infections in order to be effective.
The reason for all acne is clogged pores, but there are many triggers that can lead to acne. Triggers include contact with oily substances, hormone fluctuations, vitamin deficiency, and many others. When possible, it is better to treat the trigger in order to prevent acne.
For example, pores will swell and cause skin cells and oils to become trapped inside, which may lead to acne. A natural remedy against this trigger will include ingredients that work to eliminate swelling. Alternatively, large pores make it easy for skin cells from the surface of the skin to fall into pores and cause a clog. A natural remedy that reduces pore size may eliminate new breakouts.
There are plenty of ways for pores to become clogged, but clogging is the ultimate trigger for infection and acne. Excess oil production can cause pores to become sticky, trapping skin cells inside. When this happens, it is best to treat the problem with a natural remedy that will reduce oil production. Oil production may increase as a result of hormone fluctuations, so internal remedies that work to improve metabolism balance may work best when this happens. (This type of acne generally occurs during times of high stress, menstruation, puberty, and pregnancy or perimenopause.)
Accumulated dead skin cells may clog pores by blocking the top of the pore. The result may be white heads that are difficult to eliminate. A good natural remedy for this type acne will involve helping the skin to shed old skin cells. Blackheads are caused by the accumulation of oil, but there is no ‘cap’ of skin cells on top. A natural remedy for blackhead acne will consist of ingredients that break up the oil and clear the pore. To prevent blackheads, remedies will need to attack the problem of oil accumulation in the pore.
Some Effective Natural Remedies for Acne
Depending on the trigger, natural acne remedies can do much to help with existing acne and prevent acne in the future. If you are unsure of the specific trigger for your acne, the best approach is to ensure the three catalysts for acne are addressed. These are oil, skin cells, and bacteria. Simply washing, exfoliating, and moisturizing twice a day can eliminate most common acne.
Choose your cleanser, exfoliator, and moisturizer based on your skin type. Many natural remedies can assist in this process. Honey and oats, for example, can be mixed to create a natural remedy for acne caused by dead skin cells that accumulate on the skin. Lemon juice and sugar may also work to exfoliate skin. Lemon juice is also a natural astringent that will eliminate oil and can help eliminate bacteria, so a lemon juice scrub can significantly reduce the opportunity for bacterial infection to develop.
Jojoba oil and argan oils can be used in place of over the counter moisturizers that contain harsh chemicals. These two oils are commonly found in all sorts of cosmetic products because they are known to replace skin’s own oil (sebum) without causing new acne to develop. Jojoba oil specifically is used as a natural remedy for all sorts of skin and oil problems. Closer to a wax than oil, jojoba oil is very much like skin’s sebum and may trick skin into producing less oil.
Once acne develops, tailor your natural acne remedy to meet the needs of your situation. For example, if your acne is caused by swollen pores, aloe vera can help reduce the swelling while soothing the irritation that caused the pore to become inflamed. If you have chin acne that is caused by contact with an oily phone receiver, be sure to clean the phone often to prevent contact dermatitis. Likewise, if your acne develops when your skin is oily, try replacing skin oil with a natural acne remedy made of jojoba oil.
Throughout the pages of this site, you will find many natural remedies for acne that attack the core problems that can lead to acne. It is important to keep in mind that not all skin types respond the same and that severe acne should be monitored by a doctor due to infection risk. Always give natural acne remedies up to eight weeks to really work and monitor your skin for any persistent swelling or dryness.