10 Ideas to Combat Acne Naturally
If you have struggled with acne since you first hit puberty, it may feel like nothing will ever get rid of the red spots and bumps plaguing your skin. Stop sifting through the endless amount of topical and oral treatments available for purchase and try out these simple and easy home remedies to help you combat acne naturally!
It’s important to note the following are just suggestions. These natural methods are not guaranteed to cure acne, but they will leave your skin looking healthier and brighter. No matter your skin type, it’s important to treat your skin, and especially your face, with kindness.
So, without further ado, here are a few ideas to help you treat your skin naturally!
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil works as a great moisturizer and makeup remover, and can even be an effective way to combat acne naturally. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a powerful substance that can help eliminate fungi and bacteria in your body. Studies have shown it can also get rid of Cutibacterium acnes.
Apply it to your face as part of your evening cleansing routine. Make sure to wash your face thoroughly with a gentle cleanser after applying.
Be careful — if you have very oily skin, applying coconut oil directly to your face can clog your pores, which would only make your acne worse. Make sure to check with a dermatologist before trying this out!
According to this HealthLine article, eating coconut oil can also help reduce inflammation caused by acne. Ingesting coconut oil is safe for everyone (as long as you are not allergic).
2. Aloe Vera
The uses of aloe vera are numerous. Alongside clearing acne, benefits of aloe include soothing sunburns, eliminating harmful bacteria on the skin, and improving digestion, to name a few.
Aloe can be used as a spot treatment or a cleanser. The closer the product is to its original state, the better it is for your skin — so consider buying an actual aloe plant! This indoor potted plant is incredibly easy to take care of and will produce oxygen at night, which is great for improving the air quality in your home. When you want to apply some aloe to your face, take a pair of scissors and cut off a small part of one of the aloe leaf. Make sure to remove the prickly edges before applying the gel to your skin.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Dotting diluted tea tree oil on your acne directly can also be an effective measure in improving your skin! According to this study, tea tree oil showed to be three to six times more effective than placebos when applied to mild to moderate acne.
Pure tea tree oil is a safe topical treatment but it is also very potent, so make sure to dilute it with water (one drop tea tree oil to 12 drops of water). Dab it gently with a cotton swab onto any infected areas. Repeat the process daily.
4. Raw Honey
It’s important to use organic raw honey in order to eliminate any unnecessary additives. Manuka honey, a special type of honey native to New Zealand and Australia, is said to be extra effective in combatting acne due to its antibacterial properties.
Honey also acts as a great base for face masks: mix it with other anti-inflammatory or acne-fighting agents, like green tea.
5. Green Tea
Green tea, a natural antioxidant, contains EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), a polyphenolic compound that may help prevent acne and heal your skin. It also has the additional benefit of regulating oily skin and preventing early wrinkling.
Follow these steps to create your own natural green tea mask:
You will need:
- loose-leaf or a bag of green tea
- raw natural honey
- baking soda
- Hot water
- a bowl
- spoon
Brew a tea bag in hot water for a few minutes. Open the tea bag, remove the leaves, and place them in a bowl. Add some honey and baking soda. Mix them together with the green tea leaves until a soft paste forms. Apply it to your face like you would a normal face mask. Wash it off after 10 to 20 minutes, leaving your skin fresh and radiant!
6. Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel can promote healing and fight bacteria. It can also be a great aid in fighting acne due to its excellent anti-inflammatory benefits and its ability to remove pore-clogging oils. Many people use witch hazel in their facial toners.
There are plenty of acne treatments you can buy containing witch hazel, like this product, which you can transform into a facial mist.
7. Baking Soda
Baking soda makes an effective spot treatment, exfoliant, or face mask. Simply mix baking soda with a little bit of water to achieve a paste.
However, due to its higher pH levels, baking soda can dry out your skin if you are not careful. Make sure to properly moisturize your face afterward.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar possesses acetic acid, an antibacterial chemical compound known to remove skin lesions. It’s potentially able to fight acne from the source. Make sure to dilute the vinegar with at least three times the water before applying it to infected areas.
9. Ice Cubes
Ice water can greatly reduce inflammation in the skin, which in turn can reduce acne. One idea to help combat acne naturally is to wrap an ice cube in a washcloth and gentle press it to the infected areas. If you just popped a pimple, it can also help minimize swelling and prevent scarring.
10. Activated Charcoal
You’ve probably seen the trend of activated charcoal teeth whiteners, but activated charcoal can also help reduce acne scars and other blemishes. In contrast to its dark color, activated charcoal will actually lift out dirt, clear dark spots, and unclog pore for healthier and fresh-feeling skin!
Mix your activated charcoal powder, which you can buy here, with some raw honey to create a face mask for your skin!
