Updated date:

Mar 12, 2021

How to Clear Up Acne With Homemade Remedies and Effective Treatments

Author:

Maria has been researching and writing about health and beauty for over 10 years. She shares her findings on her skincare website and here.

There are many ways to deal with acne including natural methods and professional treatments

How to Clear Up Acne

The following tips on how to clear up acne are based on dermatologist advice and popular beliefs. There are many people who rely on natural homemade remedies because they have had a positive impact on their skin.

When we think about acne, we are probably likely to picture teenagers with blemished skin. However, many adults are affected by this skin disease, as well.

Acne symptoms vary and can go from mild to moderate with small pimples and blackheads. Moderate to severe acne is characterized by large spots and inflammation and if not treated right can lead to scarring.

There are many cures, and what works for one person might not work for another. Every case is different and many times it will be a case of trial and error.

Once you find a treatment or a combination of factors that work for you, stick with it until you reach the improvements you are looking for.

It should be mentioned that the first step when suffering from this skin disease should be to go to a dermatologist. A dermatologist will be able to asses the skin's condition and proceed with the right treatment.

Some prescriptions and over-the-counter treatments work very well to clear up acne. But, even when following a treatment to clear the skin, it could be effective to add one or more tips listed below.

13 Natural Tips to Clear Acne

1. Learn How to Wash your Face

Skin experts advise not to wash the face more than you normally would. Twice per day, morning and night, should be enough and using only a mild soap and tepid water.

Treat the skin gently when washing and drying. Never reuse the towel or cloth you used to pat dry the skin to avoid spreading bacteria.

There are mixed messages as to whether facial acne should be washed using cold or hot water, but the American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing the skin with lukewarm water. See the guidelines for clearer skin on the video below.

2. Learn What to Avoid

To avoid clogging the pores use non-comedogenic cosmetics, Don't exfoliate as this can irritate the skin even more. Refrain from touching the affected areas and never squeeze pimples. If the skin is too dry use a water-based, fragrance-free moisturizer such as Cerave.

Cerave is a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic moisturizing lotion created with the help of dermatologists and recommended for acne sufferers. It works by realising nourishing ingredients to the skin to keep it continuously moisturized.

The anti-bacterial and astringent properties of Aloe Vera helps to keep the skin clear

3. Use Aloe Vera

Many people use aloe vera to clear up acne due to its anti-bacterial and astringent properties. It can be used internally to purify and regulate the organism and externally in the form of gel.

Use the best quality aloe vera gel you can find and if is possible buy organic, is more powerful. Even better, if you have an aloe vera plant take a leave and separate the flesh. Liquidize the flesh and apply over the affected areas for 10 minutes.

4. Eat a Healthy Diet

Following a healthy diet with plenty of fiber is important. Consume vegetables and fruits in the form of juices and smoothies to cleanse and purify the organism. Add nuts and seeds to your diet. Brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds are said to be effective to clear up acne.

Try reducing the consumption of caffeine, sugar, red meat and dairy products for a while and see if your acne improves. At the same time increase your daily water consumption.

To better understand the connection between food and acne, read The Clear Skin Diet, a book by Alan C. Logan, a naturopathic doctor who teaches people about the importance of eating the right foods to achieve a clear complexion.

How To Use Baking Soda For Acne

7. Drink Basil Tea

This is a simple natural remedy made with dry basil. Make a tea using three spoons of dry basil. Leave in the cup for about 30 minutes and then apply over the skin with the help of a cotton. It can be left overnight for a more intense treatment.

Use honey and cinnamon mask to clear acne

8. Use a Honey and Cinnamon Mask

Some people get great results using this homemade remedy made with honey and cinnamon. Mix 3 spoons of organic honey with a spoon of cinnamon powder. After applying to the affected areas leave overnight. Rinse off in the morning using warm water and repeat as needed.

9. Apply Egg Whites

As egg whites contain a host of vitamins and proteins, they can help to combat the bacteria and help rebuild the skin which gets damaged during the acne onslaught. Egg whites can also help to diminish the acne scar to some extent. Egg whites can also stop the secretion of excess sebum, which deprive the bacteria of excess food and in the process stalls their growth.

To use this remedy, one needs to clean the skin and pat it dry, and then apply up to 3-4 layers of egg white extract over the affected area. Let the egg white dry for approximately 20 mins and then rinse off with lukewarm water. Skin can get a bit dry after application, so don't forget to keep a bottle of moisturizer at hand. Repeat the process for best results.

10. Try Tea Tree Oil

Melalecua, or tea tree oil, is also a great remedy to fight acne naturally. Tea tree oil fights bacteria and fungi effectively and thus is used worldwide as an antiseptic. Tea tree oil is a proven anti-germ and can be as effective as benzoyl peroxide. It can work slowly for some individuals, so patience is the key when using this natural remedy.

It is recommended mixing tea tree oil with another carrier oil (i.e., coconut oil or the equivalent), because this oil can be harsh if applied directly onto the skin. Mix 6-10 drops of tea tree oil and one teaspoon of carrier oil and then apply the mixture over the affected area with the help of cotton balls. There can be a slight tingling sensation on application but there is nothing to worry unless it's severe.

11. Use Banana Peels

Banana is full of goodness, but have you ever thought what is the use of its peel? Banana peels contain lutein as studies have shown, lutein is an extremely powerful antioxidant that reduces swelling and inflammation and encourages healthy cell growth.

For application, take a banana peel and rub its inner part over the affected area. Once applied, wait for at least 30 minutes and then rinse off with normal water. You may like to continue this habit to ensure healthy skin always. Result speed may vary from person to person. Don't use the peel to trip your friends, use it to trip over the acne.

12. Apply Magnesium Oil

Magnesium oil is also one good remedy for acne treatment, magnesium oil can be found in some online stores or you can look into making one for oneself with some easy methods readily taught online. It can be stored in a spray bottle and used for various goodness including acne treatment. Magnesium is known to catalyze more than 300 biological processes. It cleans out pores and fights acne and help to promote healthy skin cell growth.

How to use it: Just spray magnesium oil 3-4 times onto the affected area and let it dry for 20 min at least, then you may rinse it off. Apply daily for best result. A tingling sensation can happen in the first few days due to magnesium deficiency, but it will fade away as the body heals itself.

Lemon juice helps to dry out spots and other blemishes

13. Use Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is one homemade remedy which is readily available for acne treatment. Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C which is good for all types of skin. It is a citric acid which helps exfoliate the skin and help get rid of breakouts. Lemon juice is also an important astringent, an astringent causes a contraction of tissues which can dry out blemishes. In addition, lemon juice is a natural skin whitener helping to reduce redness caused by acne formation.

The application is simple, just squeeze out some lemon juice in a bowl and apply it on the affected area with the help of a cotton ball. If it stings then think of adding some yogurt to it. Always remember to wash off any residue of lemon juice before going out in the sun, because it makes the skin a bit extra sensitive to the sun rays.

2 Professional Treatments for Acne

1. Dermatologist Topical Treatments

Topical creams, gels and lotions are the choice of many skin experts to treat acne. There are many types of different preparations and your dermatologist will prescribe the one that will work best for you.

The most popular are skincare products containing retinol, azelaic acid, tretinoin and topical antibiotics. Antibiotic tablets and a combination of some of these treatments can be prescribed, too.

Other ingredients that are effective in treating acne include beta-hydroxyl acids such as salicylic acid and alpha hydroxyl acids like glycolic acid.

Exposed acne treatment contains salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide This kit contains a facial cleanser, clearing tonic, acne treatment serum, clear pore serum and microdermabrasion cloth. Is kind to the skin but though with acne.

2. Lasers and Light Therapy

Lasers can be very effective for treating some cases of acne, but people shouldn't expect to have the same results because every case is different. The AAD reports that non-invasive photodynamic therapy (PDT) using laser or light energy when combined with a photosensitizer agent can clear even severe cases of acne.

Blue light therapy also known as Clearlight is a new technology which has found a great deal of success especially with inflammatory acne. It is a non-invasive procedure that uses blue light in the wavelength range of 405 to 420 nm to kill the P.acnes bacteria.

Intense pulsed light photofacial also known as IPL photofacial is also used to effectively treat acne by destroying the bacteria which causes acne outbreak. An IPL photofacial delivers a bright blast of light at very high energy levels through a handheld device. The high energy beam of light is used to disrupt the bacterial cell wall and thus destroy it. IPL photofacial can be a little painful for some people.

There are other types of lasers and light sources that are used to treat acne but the results are not as clear as when using PDT.

If you are interested in this type of therapy ask your dermatologist who will be able to provide you with a customized treatment. In the meantime have a look at the video below to see how PDT works.

Since laser treatments can be quite expensive some people prefer to use light-based devices at home. BlueMD - Acne Blue Light Therapy Treatment is a device recommended by dermatologist for teens and adults to treat mild to moderate acne.

It works by killing the bacteria responsible for acne, decreasing oil production as well as pore size over time.

Love Your Appearance

These tips are only a small example of all the things you can do to treat your skin's condition. If you browse the net sure you are going to find many more tips and advice on how to clear up acne but be aware that acne can sometimes be very difficult to eliminate. Don't get obsess by it, treat it for what it is; a skin disease, learn to love your appearance and remember than most people grow out of acne in their late teens.

Sources

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne-and-rosacea/acne#treatment
https://draxe.com/home-remedies-for-acne/
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20907845,00.html

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.