5 Surprising Home Remedy Acne Treatments

In this day and age most people are concerned about finding products that treat acne, yet perhaps the more important question they should consider is how to prevent acne. After all a wise man named Benjamin Franklin once said “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Prevention is always the best medicine, but you can’t always prevent things something. Having said that, here are five surprising acne treatments you may not have thought of before.

Tea Tree Oil for Acne

Tea tree oil contains a number of active ingredients known to have anti-bacterial, as well as, anti-microbial benefits. Medical experts tend to compare tea tree oil to benzoyl peroxide in effectiveness, and consider them to be very similar in make-up. Many topical creams and skin lotions use tea tree extracts, due to their natural healing properties. Tea tree oil appears to reduce pimple formation on the skins surface.

Acne and Exfoliating

Achieved through mechanical or chemical means, exfoliating is the process of removing the oldest dead skin cells on the skin’s outermost surface, and has been around for thousands of years to help maintain healthy skin. Shedding the outer skin layers helps to unclog pores, keeps skin clean, and reduce acne outbreaks.

It is possible to over exfoliate, which dries and irritates the skin, so don’t exfoliate too often and make sure to moisturize afterwards if you experience dry skin.

Diet Tips for Acne

There are a number of foods that may alter hormonal levels trigger acne breakouts, that’s why individuals suffering from acne breakouts need to focus on their diet. Here are some foods to consider limiting or adding to your diet.

Milk consumption should be limited for people suffering from acne. Milk contains a number of chemical components that increase sebum production, which along with excess dead skin cells cause acne.  Acne sufferers should increase fruits and vegetables in their diet, as they contain a number of vitamins and minerals that help to reduce acne.

Garlic has a long history of medicinal uses, as it contains several chemical compounds that have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne

Apple cider vinegar is a power natural cleanser used for many aliments.  For acne sufferers this is great news, because apple cider vinegar helps balance the skin’s pH level (acidity level).  A balanced pH helps to make sure that the acne causing bacteria cannot thrive in the body.

Apple cider vinegar has a strong odor and dries out skin. Apple cider vinegar is an acid and can actually burn the skin, so be careful when applying as an acne treatment.

Lemons for Acne Treatment, Not Just Lemonade

Squeeze the juice from a lemon and use it alone or in combination with other ingredients, like honey, egg whites, or yogurt, directly on the skin. Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C and has many benefits. It’s also a citric acid, which helps to exfoliate the skin, an important step in treating acne. As an astringent it dries up blemishes. Lemon juice is also a natural skin whitener, which can reduce a pimple’s redness. Lemon slices can also be applied to fresh acne scars. The exfoliation process helps speed up the healing and the bleaching properties help to improve the skins look as well.

Home Remedy Acne Treatments

Many people find that home remedy acne treatments work wonders, while others find little relief. The best news about acne home remedies is that they are usually inexpensive to try. Although some do have side effects, they are significantly less than potential side effects of prescription drugs and some over the counter medications. And with many home remedy acne treatments, if they don’t work you’ll be able to use the ingredients for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!