Natural cures for acne from the kitchen are simple and easy to whip up. These are based on Eastern medicine and Ayurveda. The core premise of ancient Eastern medical practices states that the skin is the visible representation of the internal health of the body. Acne, therefore, is a signal that something is amiss in the body. More often than not, acne is a result of fluctuating hormones, but it can also signal deeper problems. This three-step protocol should help many acne sufferers avoid harsh skin creams and drugs such as antibiotics and hormone pills as methods for treating acne.
Good skin care is a must for everybody, especially acne sufferers. Regular daily skin care should be routine. An effective skin care regimen is tailored to the person’s specific skin care needs and body type. It starts with gently cleansing the skin two to three times per day with a non-soap cleanser. Follow this up with a toner that re-acidifies the skin. Finally, a skin cream or herbal ointment is applied to counter skin issues such as oil, dryness, aging, skin spots, demodex mites, rosacea, psoriasis, and various other skin disorders.
Acne Natural Cure: Use a Gentle Cleanser
A gentle skin cleanser is essential for acne-prone skin. Avoid bar and liquid soaps, deodorizing soaps, antibacterial soaps and liquids, body washes and anything that has perfume or scent added. These can aggravate the skin and increase sebum production, which will result in more acne. Plus, they are drying to the skin and destroy the delicate balance the skin uses to protect itself from germs. The same goes for scrubbing the skin with a cloth or other harsh fabric. Always use mild, natural skin care products intended for delicate, acne-prone skin.
Follow up with a Natural Toner
A toner is a must for skin care. The skin has an acid mantle in it. This acid mantle protects the skin from harmful bacteria, which can invade pores. An inexpensive toner can be made at home using one part raw apple cider vinegar to nine parts purified water or a special herbal tincture-tea liquid. In a pinch, a few drops of fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice can be substituted for the vinegar. As a rule, the vinegar will keep longer than one use, and the mixture can be kept in a bathroom.
Pure aloe vera has been useful in treating acne-prone skin and can be used as a tincture too. As a bonus, it may help reduce the appearance of scars. Aloe contains natural vitamin C and other phytonutrients that improve the texture and appearance of skin. Aloe has been used for centuries to heal wounds and burns.
Apply the tincture with a fresh 100% cotton ball or pad right out of the package. Do not use the cotton ball or pad if it has been exposed to any other surface besides freshly washed fingertips. This will prevent any unwanted bacteria from finding their way onto the skin and causing bigger problems.
Healing Creams for Acne
Most health food stores carry herbal ointments and lotions for acne sufferers. Before purchasing one of them or making one at home, consider several factors such as skin type, body type, age, gender, and other skin care problems or allergies that may be influenced by the herbal ingredients.
- A natural acne skin cream should not contain harsh skin stimulants such as benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide should only be used in the extreme cases of cystic acne, which is characterized by infected lesions. In milder cases, it can aggravate the skin and make matters worse. In most cases, keeping the skin clean and preventing bacteria from finding its way to the skin will prevent severe acne.
- A natural acne cream should address other skin issues, including those caused by demodex mites, hormonal fluctuations, rosacea, and even sensitive skin. Most will contain a mild moisturizer; this should be oil free.
Treating the Skin with Extra Precautions
Finally, avoid touching the skin with the hands, keep the hair pulled back off the acne, and avoid popping, squeezing or touching the acne lesions to avoid scarring and infections. Bathe daily and change clothes after sweating, getting dirty, and bathing. Wash sheets and pillow cases every other day to prevent dirt and oil from the bedding from getting back on the skin. Washing the skin, bedding, and clothing daily is also helpful if the acne is caused by demodex mites. These have recently been discovered in China by researchers and cause acne by aggravating hair follicles, increasing sebum production, increasing skin sloughing, and leaving behind waste that attracts bacterial growth.
Treating acne naturally on the outside is easy; simply wash the skin two to three times daily using a gentle cleanser made for sensitive acne-prone skin. Reduce infections by replacing the delicate acid mantle using a toner. Follow up with an ointment to treat other skin issues and underlying skin problems. Finally, keep ahead of acne by bathing daily, changing clothing frequently and washing bedding every day or every other day to prevent infections and reduce the possibility of reintroducing yesterday’s oil and bacteria back onto the skin.
Sources:
- Earth Clinic: Cures: Acne
- Ayurvediccure.com: Home Remedies for Acne
- Natural-HomeRemedies.com: Natural Home Remedies for Acne