How To Treat Acne Naturally

Acne can occur at any age and at any time. There is something you can do about an outbreak of acne without using harsh or expensive chemicals. The secret to healing acne may be in your pantry.

Causes of Acne

The good news is acne is not caused by eating chocolate or pizza. Skin is the largest organ of the body and it is covered with very tiny holes called pores. All the pores contain sebaceous glands that produce natural oil called sebum that moistens skin and hair. Pores can become clogged with excess sebum, dead skin, dirt, or bacteria resulting in an outbreak of acne (acne vulgaris). Hormones stimulate sebaceous glands which produces excess sebum that can clog pores. This is why acne is more common amongst teens.

A clogged pore can create a pimple, whitehead, blackhead, or pustules. The difference between a whitehead, blackhead, pimple, or pustule is in the way the pore reacts to being clogged. For instance, a whitehead is a clogged pore that closes and bulges out from the surface of the skin. A blackhead is a clogged pore that stays open, instead of closing and turns dark over time. A pimple happens when the walls of a clogged pore breaks down let sebum, dead skin, and bacteria seep under the skin. When a pimple fills with pus it becomes a pustule. Severely clogged pores can worsen into a cyst under the skin.

Hygiene

Logic dictates if acne is a product of clogged pores, keeping the skin clean is a possible remedy. Washing the face twice a day, usually morning and night, with a mild soap will reduce the chances of pores becoming clogged by excess sebum, dead skin, or bacteria. During an outbreak of acne, never wash with an abrasive sponge or wash cloth. The skin damaged by acne is delicate and can be made worse by scrubbing. Always wash using only the hands during an acne outbreak.

Before washing, it is essential to remove all make-up. Another thing to consider is your make-up, daily moisturizer, or sunscreen oily. If your cosmetics are not oil free you are applying oil to your pores that can clog them and cause acne. Hairspray and styling gels can also clog pores. When using these products be certain to wash any skin that comes in contact with them and always keep your oily hair away from your face. The most important thing to remember about acne is to keep your fingers away from you face, especially if they are not recently washed in soap and water. As tempting as it may be, never pick, pop, or squeeze acne because it can spread bacteria and cause skin scars.

Think about that pillowcase you sleep on every night. Half of the time, your hair which is coated with sebum, hair gel, and hairspray is in contact with the pillowcase. The rest of the time your face in buried in that same pillowcase. It is easy to see why it is important to keep the pillowcase clean and washed.

Sunlight

As little as 10 minutes but no more than 20 minutes of daily exposure to the sun, depending on the tone of the skin, can be beneficial for reducing the symptoms of acne, especially acne on the body. Too much exposure to the sun can cause sunburn, skin damage, and burning irritation. Sunburn can actually cause an outbreak of acne two weeks after overexposure. Another benefit of a little daily sunlight is the natural supply of vitamin D the body receives.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is a natural anti-fungal and anti-bacteria substance that is extracted from the Alternofalfia trees of Australia. Tea Tree Oil is very concentrated and strong but has proved to be an effective treatment for acne.

Honey

Honey is liquid gold that can help heal the scars left by acne. Honey is not an effective treatment for an acne outbreak by itself, but it is proven to reduce acne scars.

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Organic apple cider vinegar is rich in alpha-hydroxy acids and when used as an astringent, an application of apple cider on freshly washed skin, helps dissolve the oil and fat deposits on the skin.

Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe Vera juice has a history of helping to heal burns, cuts, damaged skin, and more. This miracle liquid is wonderful for healing skin and is an effective way to speed the healing of skin damage from acne. Use as an astringent on clean skin. Aloe Vera cannot cure acne by itself but is essential for healing acne damaged skin.

Note: when using any new product on the skin, either natural or chemical, do an overnight test patch by applying a small amount of the product to a square inch of skin on the arm to make sure there is no allergic reaction. Always keep acne treatments away from eyes.