Acne Blemish Home Cures

Young or old, no one wants acne, and many of us do everything in our power to prevent it. When prevention fails, we look for ways to treat the symptoms. Clearly there are an array of treatment products on the market, but most of them are expensive. These over-the-counter products aren't the only way to fight your acne. Read on for some home remedies that cost much less.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mild or antibiotic soap
• Washcloth
• Honey
• Adhesive band
• Oatmeal powder
• Rose water
• Tea tree oil

1. Wash your face with mild or antibiotic soap at least twice a day. Do not rub or scrub it when you do so, as this will cause tearing and further irritate your skin. Wash it gently in warm water and do not touch or pick at your face after you dry it.

2. Increase your water and fruit intake and decrease your intake of greasy, high fat food. Drinking a minimum of eight 8-oz. glasses of water per day will help flush out your system. You should remain attentive to your skin condition in relation to your diet. If you notice particular foods correlate with acne flare ups, limit or eliminate those items from your diet.

3. Add vitamins to your diet. A multivitamin will provide most of the nutrition your skin needs. The vitamins that most affect the condition of your skin includes vitamins A, B complex, C, E and Zinc.
   Vitamin A reduces sebum production, the stuff that makes your skin oily; it also reduces toxins from your system with its antioxidant properties. B vitamins are not only known to reduce stress, which is usually related to acne outbreaks, but also promote healthy skin growth. Vitamin C and E both hold antioxidant properties that promote skin health, and the bioflavanoids in vitamin C work as antibacterial agents. Zinc not only prevents scarring that sometimes goes along with severe acne, but also helps skin tissue heal.

4. Apply honey to your blemishes overnight, covered by an adhesive strip such as a band-aid. This will clear away many blemishes while you sleep. The honey acts as an antiseptic that kills the bacteria in the acne. During the day you may also want to apply baby powder to your face after you wash and dry it, but be careful not to cake it on. Its drying properties will help absorb the excess oil caused by the acne. Tea tree oil is another natural topical treatment known to help fight acne; apply it sparingly before bed if you choose not to use the honey remedy.

5. Mix a mask of oatmeal powder and rose water, then apply the mixture to your face for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. This will not only fight the current breakout, but will combat future ones as well. You may use this mask as needed, but it is reasonable to use it on a weekly basis.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your hands off your face during the day. Cover blemishes that become severe or look infected.
• Severe acne may warrant medical attention. If your acne-fighting measures are not helping, consult a doctor or dermatologist.

Resources

• Five things your dermatologist never told you.