Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world, affecting an estimated 85% of people at some point in their lives.Conventional acne treatments can be expensive and often have undesirable side effects like dryness, redness and irritation.
Acne starts when the pores in your skin get clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
Each pore is connected to a sebaceous gland, which produces an oily substance called sebum. Extra sebum can plug up pores, causing the growth of a bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes.
Below are 5 home remedies for acne that you might want to try.
1. Apply Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting apple cider, or the unfiltered juice from pressed apples.Apple cider vinegar contains several organic acids that have been shown to kill P. acnes
How to Use It
- Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water (use more water for sensitive skin).
- After cleansing, gently apply the mixture to the skin using a cotton ball.
- Let sit for 5–20 seconds, rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat this process 1–2 times per day, as needed.
2. Take a Zinc Supplement
Zinc is an essential nutrient that’s important for cell growth, hormone production, metabolism and immune function.
It is also one of the most studied natural treatments for acne. Research shows that people with acne tend to have lower levels of zinc in their blood than those with clear skin shown that taking zinc orally helps reduce acne.
3. Make a Honey and Cinnamon Mask
Both honey and cinnamon are excellent sources of antioxidantsStudies have found applying antioxidants to the skin is more effective at reducing acne than benzoyl peroxide and retinoids (These are two common acne medications for the skin that have antibacterial properties.
The antioxidants studied were vitamin B3, linoleic (omega-6) fatty acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP), which is a vitamin C derivative.
How to Make a Honey and Cinnamon Mask
- Mix 2 tablespoons honey and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together to form a paste.
- After cleansing, apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 10–15 minutes.
- Rinse the mask off completely and pat your face dry.
4. Spot Treat With Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a small tree native to Australia.
It is well known for its ability to fight bacteria and reduce skin inflammation ..
What’s more, several studies show that applying 5% tea tree oil to the skin effectively reduces acne When compared to 5% benzoyl peroxide, 5% tea tree oil did not act as quickly, but it did significantly improve acne after three months of use
How to Use It
- Mix 1 part tea tree oil with 9 parts water.
- Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it to affected areas.
- Apply moisturizer if desired.
- Repeat this process 1–2 times per day, as needed.
5. Apply Green Tea to Your Skin
Green tea is very high in antioxidants, and drinking it can promote good health.
There aren’t any studies exploring the benefits of drinking green tea when it comes to acne, but applying it directly to the skin has been shown to help.
This is likely because the flavonoids and tannins in green tea are known to help fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which are two main causes of acne.Read More…..
Also Read: How stress affects your skin and what to do about it, according to experts
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