At A Glance: Your skin has several tiny pores. When they get clogged by oil, dead skin cells, bacteria, or dirt, you may get acne. This post compiles three simple natural acne remedies with easily available kitchen ingredients that you can try at home to manage your acne and acne scars. The post also mentions the factors that can trigger or aggravate acne and the healthy habits you can incorporate to prevent acne.
Acne is a commonly experienced skin condition causing spots, pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. According to a study, nearly 90% of teenagers have acne, and half of them continue to experience the symptoms as adults.
Though not a condition of serious concern, acne does affect a person’s morale as the skin is the first thing people notice. Hence, acne tends to affect one’s confidence and self-esteem. And often, it is a cause of embarrassment to young people.
Causes of acne
The skin is the largest organ of your body that acts as a protective barrier from several harmful substances, including the sun’s UV radiations and everyday pollutants.
Your skin has many pores. The pores release sebum oil that helps in keeping your skin moisturised naturally. Each pore is attached to a follicle made up of a hair and sebaceous gland responsible for producing sebum.
The pores on your skin may get clogged by one or more of the following that might cause acne:
- excess sebum secretion (too much oil on your skin)
- dead skin cells
- bacteria build-up
- dirt and other pollutants
Factors that trigger acne:
Some of the other factors that give rise to acne are,
- Hormones – In women, the hormone triggered acne occurs due to fluctuations in hormone levels. Particularly, it occurs during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. A dermatology study observes that more than 60% of women affected by acne experience worsening of their symptoms in their premenstrual days.
- Diet – According to a study, there is a possibility of diet contributing to breakouts. For instance, dairy, high sugary treats and beverages can raise insulin levels, which can trigger acne.
- Medications – Certain medications, such as lithium, anticonvulsants, and corticosteroids, can contribute to acne triggering drug-induced acne (DIA).
Factors that aggravate acne:
Other than the factors mentioned, there are additional aspects that can aggravate acne.
- Stress – At times, we all do experience stress in our daily life. If you are already acne-prone, stress can worsen your symptoms. When stressed, the hormone cortisol rises, which is suspected to be responsible for stress-related skin issues.
- Environment – Undoubtedly, the health of your skin is reliant on your environment. Too much pollution could also be the reason for excess dirt, grime and clogged pores. Moreover, UV exposure can lead to hyperpigmentation worsening acne.
- Comedogenic products – When you use heavy and oil-based products on your skin, they tend to clog pores and aggravate the breakouts. So, you can opt for non-comedogenic products to avoid acne problems.
- Friction – A specific type of acne is provoked by friction or pressure on the skin. For instance, masks, tight clothes, protective gears can cause inflammation of the skin causing acne. Also, some have the tendency to pick their skin which can also aggravate acne.
The good thing is you can manage the contributing factors of acne with natural remedies.
How does acne impact life?
In general, acne has a significant effect on one’s social and psychological wellbeing. Especially, teenagers with acne experience profound emotional distress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and a sense of inferiority.
Often, acne can become a reason for social withdrawal and impaired body image for teens. Sometimes, even mild acne can impact one’s psyche. Hence, if you experience feelings of unworthiness, appetite loss and mood changes, seek help from your dermatologist.
What are the natural ways to manage acne?
Although severe cases of acne require professional help, you can always try out simple natural remedies to prevent and manage them. However, you need to be persistent and patient while trying natural remedies for acne. You also need to adapt to a change in lifestyle and introduce healthy habits.
Also Read: 8 Very Effective Home Remedies To Treat And Prevent Intestinal Worms
Simple natural remedies to treat acne
Nothing but your kitchen ingredients can often become handy to get rid of those bothering bumps on your face. Listed here a few solutions to treat your acne at home.
1) Turmeric paste
Turmeric contains a main compound called curcumin. This compound has potent anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Hence, applying turmeric to your skin can soothe the inflammation. This natural remedy also reduces acne scars and helps to manage further breakouts.
- Take turmeric powder in a dish and add a few drops of water to form a paste
- Then warm the mixture a bit on a low flame and spread it over your acne (Note: The paste should be warm enough to feel but not very hot)
- Let it dry completely. Then wash it with lukewarm water and pat dry
Also Read: Simple DIY Turmeric Face Masks For Skin Health
2) Oats face mask
Oatmeal is a cereal that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Also, it significantly absorbs oil from your skin and dries them out. Besides, it soothes your inflamed skin and reduces redness. So, if you are acne-prone, you can apply the oatmeal paste to calm your skin.
- First, grind two tablespoons of oats in a food processor or a mixer. Transfer the powdered oats to a bowl
- Add a few drops of lemon juice and water
- Mix it well and apply it to your whole face. Rinse it once it dries out
3) Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an antiseptic, excellent for oily, acne-prone, and inflamed skin. It consists of terpinen-4-ol, which possess antimicrobial properties. If you have acne flares, spot treating with tea tree oil mixed with a carrier oil such as almond oil or coconut oil can help.
- Dilute 1-2 drops of tea tree oil with 12 drops of carrier oil. Then apply it to the affected area of the skin
- Before using it on your face, do a patch test on the back of your hand to check for irritation, redness or allergy
- Also, never use tea tree oil directly. Always mix it with a carrier oil
Note: You can use the natural remedies for acne listed above once or twice a day. Continue them for about 8 to 12 weeks. After that, if you do not find a significant improvement in your acne, you can consult professional advice.
Also Read: Neem Oil Benefits For Skin – What You Need To Know
Lifestyle changes to manage acne
Your daily habits and environment can have a prominent effect on acne. Hence, a few changes in your routines and habits can prevent acne from occurring.
4) Meditation
As you may know, stress is a contributing factor for acne flare-ups. Since meditation is proven to decrease stress and calm your mind, everyday practice helps in controlling acne. Also, research suggests that meditation can help alleviate the adverse psychological impacts of acne on one’s life.
5) Exercise
You very well know the benefits of exercise on your health. What is surprising is, exercise can help with acne too. Exercise helps in improving blood circulation that provides more oxygen making your skin glow from within. Besides, increased oxygen flushes out toxins from your skin, preventing acne. After your exercise regimen, you must clean your face thoroughly to prevent clogging due to sweat and oil.
6) Food
Eating the right food is an important natural remedy to manage acne. Excess sebum, dirt, and inflammation provoke acne. Also, what you incorporate into your gut is influential on skin. When it comes to healthy skin, consuming lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are beneficial. Moreover, eating low glycemic food is proven to reduce acne.
4) Quality Sleep
During sleep, your body repairs and rejuvenates the cells. Besides, quality sleep helps in producing collagen, healing, and repairing your skin. Hence, when you are sleep deprived, the rejuvenation process is disrupted, which may trigger acne. So get that beauty sleep of yours.
7) Cleanse
Cleaning your face twice a day helps get rid of that excess oil, grime, and dirt. It also helps in clearing clogged pores and preventing acne.
Also, whenever possible, opt for cleansers made with natural ingredients. They will allow your skin to breathe more!
- Gram flour and turmeric cleanser – A mixture of these two ingredients is an amazing facial cleanser for acne-prone skin to brighten. Besides, it is a natural remedy to reduce acne scars.
- Bentonite clay/Multani mitti cleanser – The clay-based cleanser is beneficial to absorb excess oil and impurities of your skin. Further, it leaves your skin fresh and supple.
Takeaway
Acne is a common issue that a vast majority of people experience. Regardless, with some care and thought, you can manage your symptoms and occurrence. Also, do not let acne dictate your whole life. It is important to remember that healthy skin comes from a healthy body and mind. Have discipline with natural remedies and lifestyle habits, and you are sure to manage your acne and scars quite well!
Edited by love4wellness | Image: canva.com
