About Homemade Remedies for Acne

Acne is a condition that is most commonly associated with teenagers. However, it also affects adults. Over 17 million American suffer from adult acne breakouts. There are countless over-the-counter acne treatments, ranging from creams to face washes. For more severe cases, there are topical and oral prescription medications. But if you want something more natural, why not try one of these homemade remedies? These treatments are often just as effective as the conventional ones, but less expensive and with fewer unwanted side effects.

Symptoms

The term "acne" usually refers to one or more of the following symptoms: red spots (pimples), greasy skin, blackheads (open comedones), whiteheads (closed comedones) and deep inflamed lesions. These symptoms can range from mild to very severe. Picking at a pimple can lead to infection and long-term scarring. Acne is often associated with low self esteem and social problems.

Causes

Acne is caused by overactive sebaceous glands. These glands secrete an oily substance called sebum onto the skin. Sebum keeps the skin soft and supple. People who suffer from acne have higher than normal levels of the sex hormone testosterone.The extra testosterone causes sebaceous glands to become overactive and produce excess sebum, which gets trapped by the layer of dead skins cells that line the opening to hair follicles. This leads to blackheads and whiteheads, which are the perfect breeding ground for a bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes. It is this bacteria that causes inflammation, which results in pimples.

Homemade Remedies

Toothpaste is a great alternative to spot cream; it dries out pimples. Put some on your face before going to sleep. The pimples will shrink by morning. Oatmeal makes a great acne mask. Mash up some oatmeal and warm water. Rub it on your skin to exfoliate then leave it to dry. Once it's dry, rinse with warm water. Your skin will feel smoother and less oily. Vinegar is a good cheap alternative to astringents. Use it before going to sleep so you don't smell of it during the day. Also try combining vinegar and salt for a great facial scrub. Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant. It will kill the bacteria that causes acne without drying out your skin. Make a honey and apple mask by combining apple pulp with honey. Apply to the face and leave it on for 15 minute before washing it off.

Acne Diet

In the past, people believed that eating greasy foods caused acne. This has been proven to not be the case and there is no such thing as a special acne diet. The best thing to do is to eat a balanced diet that includes lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Drinking water helps to keep the skin soft and supple. If you want to supplement your diet with vitamin pills, try Vitamin A and zinc.

Warnings

While most home remedies are generally safe, it's a good idea to consult your doctor before trying any of them. This is especially true for people with extra-sensitive skin. If your acne is severe, the homemade treatments may not be enough. Ask your doctor to refer you to a dermatologist, who can prescribe stronger treatments.