Pimples and acne breakouts aren’t exclusive to teenagers. These bothersome skin problems still persist in a lot of adults, more so in others predisposed to them due to a host of factors, from genetics to high levels of stress.

For the most part, pimples are harmless. But those bright red bumps and the dark marks of pimples past can get embarrassing quite fast. In some people, acne can also lead to diminished self-esteem and, in severe cases, mood disorders like depression.

Home remedies for acne

But don’t fret. Pimples and full-on acne breakouts do not have to be embarrassing for long. There are tons of natural products – most of them can be found in the kitchen – that double as treatments for acne, such as:

1. Tea tree oil – This miracle oil is a great natural treatment for pimples of all sorts, including blackheads and severe acne. Recent studies found that tea tree oil’s anti-acne effect is thanks to its natural antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It also has a soothing effect that can ease deep and painful pimples. To use tea tree oil, dab it on the affected area, once in the morning and again before bed.
2. Jojoba oil – Jojoba oil is a recurring ingredient in facial cleansers and skincare creams. It has nutrients that double as antioxidants and antibacterial properties to boot. Plus, jojoba oil cleanses, moisturizes and soothes the skin. To use this oil, dilute it in a milder carrier oil, then rub the mixture onto pimples and acne sores using a cotton pad.
3. Aloe vera – Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties and healing effects, a combination that makes it great for acne and other skin problems. To use aloe vera, just dab it on a red and inflamed pimple to reduce tenderness and pain. It also removes the oiliness from the skin.
4. Honey – Honey has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine because of its antibacterial properties. It is also an excellent source of antioxidants that can help rid pores of trapped dirt, oil and gunk. You can use a clean finger or a cotton pad to dab some honey onto pimples. You can also create a facial mask out of honey and aloe vera and slather this onto your face for an all-around cleanse.
5. Garlic – Garlic is excellent for fighting acne because of its potent antimicrobial properties and high levels of antioxidants. To treat acne fast, take a peeled clove of garlic and rub it on the affected area several times a day. If your skin is sensitive, you can make garlic tea and drink that instead, or add more garlic to your diet.
6. Green tea – This herbal drink is rich in plant compounds that act as antioxidants, such as flavonoids and tannins. Together, these antioxidants help fight acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation. Green tea can also reduce excessive oil production on the face. To use green tea for acne, soak a cotton ball in the tea and dab it on the pimple. You can also drink it to improve skin health from the inside.
7. Echinacea – Echinacea is a popular medicinal herb commonly used to prevent or treat the common cold. But studies find that it is also potent against Propionibacterium acnes, the bacterium that causes acne. You can purchase echinacea extract and use that as a topical medication for acne or create an herbal drink from the leaves and drink that as needed.
8. Rosemary – Rosemary oil is extensively used in anti-acne skincare products because it helps hydrate the skin and control oil production. In its undiluted form, rosemary oil has been found to damage P. acnes. It can also lighten the appearance of acne scars and other discoloration on the face. To treat acne, apply rosemary oil on the affected area several times a day.
9. Coconut oil – Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, a kind of saturated fatty acid that helps kill acne-causing bacteria. Coconut oil’s natural moisturizing effect also helps speed up healing in open acne sores, reduce acne scarring and lighten skin discoloration due to acne.
10. Purified bee venom – Proponents of purified bee venom claim that this natural ingredient offers a range of medicinal uses, from reducing inflammation to treating chronic illnesses. In terms of skin health, purified bee venom can kill acne-causing P. acnes and reduce the number of open acne sores.

Tips for preventing breakouts

Even with natural treatments, the skin still needs time to heal and regenerate after the acne has done its damage. Therefore, it’s far better to preempt acne than spend the rest of the week getting rid of them.

Listed below are five tried-and-tested tips for preventing acne and keeping that face blemish-free. Practicing these tips on a regular basis will also help them stick, thus leading to healthier, clearer skin in the long run!

1. Don’t touch or pop a pimple – It might be tempting to squeeze a pimple, especially if it appears alone and unmistakably red in a conspicuous part of your face. But this is the surest means of creating more pimples and encouraging that first pimple to stick around for a longer period. Constantly touching or popping a pimple also leads to more inflammation and guarantees scarring.
2. Use chemical-free skincare products – Using moisturizers, cleansers and face creams that contain chemicals can irritate the skin fast. Products that contain chemicals for exfoliation, for example, strip the skin of most of its natural oils, causing it to produce more. This, in turn, can then lead to more pimples because of oil buildup. Stick instead to natural products like the ones listed above for holistic skincare.
3. Avoid oil-based moisturizers – You should also avoid moisturizers and creams that contain oil since those can clog pores, trapping germs and preventing the skin from “breathing.” Instead, use natural moisturizers like coconut oil, aloe vera gel and essential oils.
4. Stay hydrated – Drinking water is thought to prevent acne because it helps keep the skin moisturized. Water is also essential to our bodies’ natural detoxification mechanisms, which flush out toxins and waste products that could contribute to poor skin health.
5. Learn to manage stress – Stress alone doesn’t cause acne. Instead, it exacerbates it. Like most wounds, acne will take a longer time to heal when a person is under stress, even longer if he or she also lacks sleep. In women, hormonal imbalances that occur due to stress can also trigger an acne breakout.

Pimples and breakouts can be bothersome and embarrassing, but it isn’t all that hard to treat them. Instead of splurging on face creams and anti-acne products, just use the home remedies listed above. Don’t forget to practice good skincare habits, too, for healthier, more radiant skin in the long run.

Sources:

MedicalNewsToday.com

Healthline.com