Quick Herbal Acne Remedies that Work
Article by Kathy Aral
These quick herbal acne remedies are not only safer than drugs and harsh chemicals, they’re cheaper, too. The herbal acne remedies listed below should be applied to the face after a gentle cleansing. Avoid over-washing your face or using harsh astringents, though, as these can dry out and irritate the skin and make it even more acne-prone.
Tea Tree OilWhile shopping around for acne remedies, you may have noticed how many products include tea tree oil. That’s because this oil really works. It not only dries up excess oil, it also disinfects the skin to give it a chance to heal. Soap that contains a significant amount of tea tree oil is useful if you have blemishes on large areas of your face, while bottled oil works well for spot treating the occasional pimple. Unlike most herbal acne remedies, tea tree oil can be quite drying, so you may want to use it only every other day instead of daily.
Basil and Oregano OilWhen used as a herbal acne remedies, oils from these two herbs has been found help disinfect and heal acne blemishes. The oils can be applied to the skin or taken by mouth, mixed into food. Be very careful when directly herbal essences directly to your skin, though. Oregano oil, in particular, is quite powerful and so you should keep it away from your eyes and nose. If you notice any irritation stop using the oil for a few days. If you decided to use it again, dilute it significantly.
GarlicGarlic both disinfects and acts as an astringent. This natural herbal acne remedy works even on persistent forms of adult acne. Just cut open a garlic clove and rub it gently on your skin to cover the blemishes with juice. It may take a few treatments for the acne to disappear, but you should see improvements within days.
MintMint not only smells nice, it also works as a gentle and herbal acne treatment. To try this treatment, pick up some fresh mint leaves from a grocer or farmers’ market; dried leaves may not work as well. Crush the leaves, press the juice out and apply the juice to your face before you go to bed. If you have trouble getting the juice out, mash the leaves into a paste with water and leave this paste on your face for 15 minutes or so.
Saw Palmetto SupplementsYou may have heard of saw palmetto used for prostate conditions, but it’s also one of the most effective herbal acne remedies for certain types of acne. Saw palmetto works against androgen, the “male” hormone present in both genders. It’s this hormone that causes both prostate problems and hormone-related acne. If you have pre-menstrual acne, give saw palmetto supplements a try.
Calming HerbsIf you find your skin is becoming irritated and inflamed, you can use gentle herbal acne remedies to sooth it in order to reduce pain and redness. Chamomile and lavender are work well for this. In this case, you don’t need fresh herbs; just make a strong infusion (tea) with dried herbs or tea bags (preferably all-natural and organic). You can either dab the liquid on your skin with cotton balls or make a poultice from gauze, soak it in the infusion and leave it on your skin for about 15 minutes.
Because acne is more than just a skin problem, topical herbal acne remedies and acne medications like Accutane may not have any lasting effect. Simple, natural dietary and life-style changes, however, can clear up acne faster than you might think. Using these methods also means you won’t be wasting money on chemical treatments that only harm your skin. Try herbal acne remedies for temporary relief, but also take time to learn about how caring for of all aspects of your health can stop acne quickly and permanently, so you can get your self-confidence and your life back.
About the Author
Kathy Aral writes about natural treatments for teen and adult acne because she knows through first hand experience how frustrating the condition can be. Click here to find out more about herbal acne remedies and good nutrition that can stop breakouts for good.