When treating acne, there’s a risk of causing more harm than good. The additives and chemicals in everyday beauty products and store-bought treatments can exacerbate the issue. This is one of the compelling reasons why people are using natural remedies to treat blemishes.
If you’ve been struggling with keeping your skin clear and acne-free, using a natural remedy might be the solution. Here are four of the best natural acne remedies to add to your repertoire.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a powerful natural product to have on hand. This potent plant extract is a natural antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial compound. You may know it by its scientific name— melaleuca.
Tea tree oil is an effective spot treatment for acne. When applied directly to the affected area, tea tree oil can reduce inflammation and cleanse the pores. Numerous studies have proven its efficacy in treating acne. You can also dilute pure melaleuca with distilled water to create a daily toner to prevent further breakouts.
Argan Oil
When trying to cure acne, it’s important to look at the cause. A common misconception surrounding acne is that one’s skin is too oily. In many cases, excessive oil production is caused by inadequate hydration. As a result, people with oily skin will stop moisturizing, causing more oil production. You can stop this vicious cycle with proper skin hydration.
Unlike many oils, argan oil absorbs quickly and doesn’t block the pores. This absorption rate allows nutrients in the oil to permeate the skin and heal from the inside out. The anti-inflammatory properties and nutrients also work as an effective spot treatment when using argan oil for acne.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel was commonly used in traditional folk medicine as a home remedy for wounds, stomach problems, and even poison ivy. This natural antibacterial astringent is derived from a shrub called Hamamelis Virginiana, which is endemic to North America.
Similar to those found in garlic, the tannins and acids in witch hazel help reduce inflammation and promote cellular regeneration. These special properties also help reduce and prevent sun damage.
Use witch hazel as a toner after cleansing your skin to get the most out of this natural remedy. If you purchase witch hazel, be sure that it isn’t diluted with alcohol, which can dry out your skin and create oil overproduction. Be sure to follow up your toning with a natural moisturizer, like argan oil or aloe vera.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal has long been a favored ingredient in lotions and bath products. When ground down, oatmeal becomes a fine grain that acts as a mild exfoliant. Colloidal oatmeal won’t cause micro-tears in the skin, which can cause inflammation and redness, unlike crushed shells or sand-based exfoliants.
To make colloidal oatmeal, blend regular oatmeal in a food processor or coffee grinder until you have a fine powder. To test your progress, drop a teaspoon of your ground oats in a glass of tepid water. The oats should dissolve and create a semi-opaque, silky-feeling liquid. If they don’t dissolve, keep grinding.
To exfoliate, wet your face with warm water and apply colloidal oatmeal in a circular motion. The exfoliating effect will remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, reducing your acne and preventing further breakouts.
To get the best possible results from your natural acne remedies, use these four items to create a skincare routine.
This article was sponsored by Argan Oil Shop; women with flowers image by Autumn Goodman and women with towel on head image by kevin laminto on Unsplash.
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