First stop, let us try to understand what acne is. Acne is a form of skin irritation that can be caused by a few things. The changes in our body’s hormone structure is one reason for such skin imperfection. Our bodies change one way or another. It is a fact that we grow old everyday and it is inevitable that our flesh and blood will age, too.
Aside from the natural aging process we experience, we change our way of life. From being a student to becoming a young working adult or from home-buddy that you are, you develop into a social being. The lack of sleep, unhealthy food intake and also stress may bring about acne on the face, body and even on the scalp.
The growth of acne are caused bacteria that gets stuck in the pores of the skin. In these times when pollutants are everywhere, we cannot just ignore the fact our skin is one of the first parts of our body to be affected. Even if you think that your safe and clean inside your homes, we may re-consider. Bacterial cross-contamination can happen in just a wink of an eye, without us realizing it. If bacterias are on our skin, they multiply and develop, which can eventually lead to acne.
Some people would say, we cannot avoid the changes in our body and the way we live. That is true. And just as we are about to completely accept these things, we must also realize that acne can be anywhere around us.
We should not be alarmed just because we are exposed everyday. There are lot of handy and helpful things in and around our homes to treat acne if they get to us. There is no harm in trying the natural way of treating, minimizing or preventing the acne from going into an outburst.
Lemon juice in its basic essence can help in the treatment of acne. The natural property of lemon to be acidic will help soften the accumulated dirt in the pores of the skin. Rubbing a slice of lemon on the area of the skin, where the acne is, will be able exfoliate the pores. Just let the juice stay for a few hours and then thoroughly rinse with water. In addition, lemon juice has Vitamin C, which is good for the skin.
Another natural astringent is pure Apple Cider vinegar. Dipping a cotton ball, in a mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part of pure Apple Cider vinegar, then lightly applying to the acne will exterminate bacteria throbbing in the skin pores. The alkaline property of this vinegar balances the skin’s acidity and in turn makes it a “no bacteria” zone. Leaving the vinegar solution for a few minutes or overnight is recommend and wash-off with water completely.
Applying of the lemon juice or apple cider vinegar solution must be done moderately to avoid skin dryness. If skin becomes too dry, it is more prone to acne.
An oatmeal mask is a natural way to remove excess oil and de-clog the skin pores. Not only is it healthy to eat, it’s healthy for the skin, too. Although, oatmeal is not a cure for acne, it can help clean your skin and reduce redness and inflammation. Make the usual breakfast mixture but this time add 2-3 tablespoons of honey. Mix thoroughly while hot. Before rubbing the mixture to the affected skin area, make sure the temperature is enough to bear. You want to treat the acne and not burn your skin. Let the mask set and wait for about 30 minutes then rinse using warm water.
A more spicy home remedy treatment for acne is the cinnamon mask. Combining honey and cinnamon, in a 2 is to 1 ratio mix, will make an effective anti-biotic combination to get rid of the bacteria in the acne-ridden skin. You can either apply this pasty mix into the whole face or just the affected area and let it stay for about 10-15 minutes. Thoroughly rinse with water and use paper towel to dry.
Another addition to the honey-mix acne treatment is milk. The acidic properties in milk when applied to the skin become anti-bacterial and the fat content gives nourishment as a moisturizer. Just mix a teaspoon of low-fat milk to a teaspoon of honey and use a cotton pad to apply onto the affected skin can also soothe the irritation and redness. Apply this mixture in a layering technique until you achieve the desired thickness. Let the mask remain for 10-15 minutes. To wash the mask off, gently scrub using a soft washcloth in circular motion. Rinsing this way will also remove dead skin.
Protein-rich egg whites are also helpful in acne treatment. Whisked egg whites when applied to the face absorbs away excess oil that would make your skin unfit for bacteria to grow onto. Use the whites from 2-3 eggs, put in a bowl and whisk until it becomes frothy. Apply on your face using half or quarter length of your fingers. Let it dry before applying another layer. You can build up to 4 layers of this mixture and let it stay for about 20 minutes. Use warm water to wash off.
Generally, BEFORE applying any of these home remedies for acne make sure that you skin or face is thoroughly clean and same goes with your hands, cotton, cloth or those that you will use to apply it onto the affected areas. AFTER doing the treatment and rinsing-off the mixture from your skin, face or body, ALWAYS dry that area and, if needed, apply moisturizer appropriate for you.
Our skin is the protective layer of our body. It is the first defense from dirt, dust, pollutants, harsh elements and the likes. We must take care of our skin and make it healthy so that it can provide us with the utmost protection it can give.