Honey was another old-but-good remedy that my grandma swore by (Hailey Beiber likely uses it too!). A 2019 study discovered it has natural antiseptic properties to fight bacteria.
Ice is an effective skincare ingredient. You can directly apply a drop to blemishes for instantaneous relief; moreover, its effects have been known to reduce inflammation and itching, with many even using it on cystic acne lesions for greater results.
Tea Tree Oil
Natural home remedies can be utilized to help treat acne breakouts. Examples include coconut oil with antibacterial properties; and apricot seed essential oil which has been shown to decrease acne outbreaks. All these items can be found online or through dermatologists.
Tea tree oil has proven itself as an effective natural antiseptic and antibiotic. Dilute it with water, apply to skin with cotton swab and repeat once daily for optimal results.
Green tea has long been recognized as an effective natural treatment for acne. Both topical and orally used forms contain antioxidants and polyphenols to reduce inflammation and stop sebum production.
Rosemary oil has proven itself an effective acne remedy, both on the body and face. Studies have proven its ability to kill off bacteria that cause pimples. If needed, the oil can be mixed with another carrier oil such as coconut before being applied directly.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the most frequently utilized natural treatments for acne and other skin issues, featuring antibacterial and antiseptic properties that kill off bacteria that causes acne outbreaks while simultaneously relieving redness and inflammation associated with them.
Aloe vera gel should be part of your everyday skincare regimen to treat acne breakouts and prevent future flare-ups, while simultaneously moisturizing your skin to keep blemishes at bay.
Aloe vera contains naturally-occurring salicylic acid, which has proven itself an effective acne treatment. This acid works to gently exfoliate dead skin cells while clearing away any excess oil in pores. Plus, aloe contains antioxidants which fight free radicals that damage skin and contribute to acne breakouts.
Aloe vera for acne should be applied directly onto blemishes for maximum effectiveness. You could also incorporate it into homemade face masks and body scrubs for additional benefits, while some people combine aloe vera with traditional remedies such as tretinoin cream or tea tree oil for even greater effect.
Green Tea
Green tea contains plant-based compounds called polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help combat acne-causing bacteria. Polyphenols also act as antioxidants, protecting the body against free radical damage caused by free radicals in the environment. Studies have revealed that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), in particular, can reduce sebum production and improve acne symptoms – making green tea suitable both as topical treatment as well as oral supplement.
apple cider vinegar has not been studied as an acne treatment; however, our experts cite its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties along with astringent qualities to minimize oil production, and various acids to exfoliate away dead skin cells. They suggest applying equal parts water and vinegar twice or three times per day directly onto an acne pimple for maximum effectiveness.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is an anti-inflammatory botanical extract used for centuries in Native American medicine to treat everything from sore muscles and dysentery to bug bites and rashes. As a natural astringent, witch hazel reduces excess sebum by tightening pores and contracting oil glands – helping remove dead skin cells while soothing inflammation.
As alcohol can dry out the skin, those with sensitive skin should opt for witch hazel with alcohol-free formulation to minimize irritation or stinging sensation.
Witch hazel is made from the bark and leaves of an American shrub known as Hamamelis virginiana, with high concentrations of tannins (phenolic compounds) which have astringent properties, known to reduce redness and tighten pores. Studies have also indicated it helps treat three main causes of acne such as excess oil production, bacterial overgrowth and inflammation – making it an indispensable ingredient in many skincare products like toners and astringents.
Ice
Ice can help reduce swelling and redness caused by pimples, but should only be used temporarily as it does not address the source of acne and should be combined with other therapies like warm compresses and topical acne products for maximum effectiveness.
Ice can cause skin damage when left on for too long; to reduce this risk, apply in one-minute increments. As an alternative solution to ice, freezing green tea or milk into an ice cube tray creates natural soothing treatments to calm inflammation and provide a revitalized complexion.
TikTok users have taken to adopting the #thymeicecubehashtag, popularly associated with acne treatment. While rubbing thyme-infused ice cubes on your face may help alleviate inflammation temporarily, this should not be seen as a long-term solution to managing acne; to truly address it it’s wiser to consult a dermatologist who can offer tailored advice and treatments designed to prevent breakouts and unclog pores.
Aspirin
Aspirin may be best known for relieving pain, but it also contains salicylic acid – an ingredient often found in acne medications – which has skin-healing benefits. Crush some tablets and mix with water into a paste; dab this on affected areas to reduce swelling and redness.
Create your own soothing face mask using crushed aspirin, green tea leaves or chamomile to provide soothing relief from inflammation and promote healing. Apply this soothing treatment several times each day until your symptoms subside and healing has occurred.
If a large pimple is making you self-conscious, try icing it first. Wrap a cube of ice in cloth and press it against its target area for about 3 minutes at a time; this may reduce blood flow to that spot, and could help decrease swelling and redness. If no ice is available, try applying a cold compress instead; alternatively use moisturisers containing tea tree oil and/or niacinamide which are both excellent acne fighting agents to further help soothe any discomfort caused by acne breakouts.
Vinegar
Vinegar is an age-old kitchen essential, used in everything from salad dressings to hair rinses. Additionally, vinegar has long been considered an effective natural cure for various illnesses including acne.
Studies have demonstrated the antimicrobial properties of vinegar (thanks to organic acids such as acetic acid) can aid in managing acne breakouts. These acids work by breaking down bacteria that clogs pores that lead to oil and sebum build-up leading to acne outbreaks.
ACV can also act as a natural chemical exfoliant to remove dead skin cells that contribute to blemishes. When applying ACV directly to the face, however, care must be taken as undiluted vinegar may burn or irritate its way across.
An effective way of applying ACV directly to the face is with a mixture of one part ACV to three parts water, then using cotton balls soaked in this solution to gently apply it over areas where acne has developed. Repeat this step several times each day as necessary.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a yellow spice derived from the Curcuma longa plant of the ginger family and grown around the world in warm climates. It is widely known for its numerous health benefits and popular as an anti-inflammatory supplement; moreover, traditional medicine often relies on turmeric’s ability to strengthen and regulate digestion while ridding bodies of parasites and worms.
Turmeric plants produce volatile oils called volatile oils such as turmerone and zingiberene that provide volatile oil compounds known as curcuminoids – natural antioxidants responsible for giving turmeric its golden hue. Furthermore, this plant also boasts various sesquiterpenes like germacrone; a- and b-termerone; ar-(+)-, a-, and b-curcumin; bisacurone; isoprocurcumenol, epiprocurcumenol; and procurcumadiol.
Though some individuals believe applying a paste of turmeric on their skin can help treat pimples, no scientific evidence supports this claim. Therefore, it is advisable to first speak to your physician prior to taking any supplements or blood thinning medicines, diabetes medications or have acid reflux disease.
