Home Remedies for Acne
What is acne?
Acne is an infection of the skin commonly found on the face, chest, back, and upper arms. Acne is caused by changes in the sebaceous glands. Oils from the glands combine with dead skin cells to block hair follicles. When the pore is blocked oil builds up and skin bacteria grows quickly and the skin becomes swollen and red. Acne is common during puberty because of fluctuations in the levels of hormones. Acne becomes less common as people reach adulthood. Acne is also hereditary so if your parents had it there is a good chance you and your siblings will also.
What causes acne?
First let’s look at what doesn’t cause acne. Chocolate, greasy chips, sugar, milk or seafood do not cause acne. The relationship between diet and the outbreak of acne has never been proven. Also too much sex or lack of sex has no relationship to an acne attack. Although sexual activity produces hormonal changes in our body it has no effect on acne.
Things that have been shown to have an effect on acne attacks do include stress, sun exposure, seasonal changes, and climate. Certain types of makeup especially those containing certain oils and chemicals such as lanolin, isopropyl myristate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and D&C red dyes should be avoided. Read the labels on your makeup to see if they contain any of these. Taking birth control pills is another acne inducer.
What are some home remedies for acne?
First the easiest remedy for preventing outbreaks is soap and water. Wash you face and areas that you get acne in twice a day with mild soaps and washcloths. This is the first defense against outbreaks and probably will prevent many cases. Other remedies are:
-Over the counter products containing benzoyl peroxide which kills the bacteria that aggravates acne. These products come in various forms such as gels, liquids, lotions, or creams. Many top doctors recommend these be used in the water based gel form which is less likely to irritate the skin. Suggested use is an hour or so each evening and washing it off at bedtime.
-Cleaning the skin with lemon has been suggested as treatment. Try rubbing lemon on your skin prior to going to sleep and wash off thoroughly in the morning.
- Another suggestion is applying a paste of sandalwood and fresh basil leaves on an affected acne area or applying witch hazel after a bath or shower can eliminate harmful bacteria.
-Other treatments suggested include applying the paste of orange peels or raw papayas or the paste of crushed strawberry leaves.
Lastly, it is recommended you drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day to flush certain oils and bacteria out of your system. Take note that you should try any treatment alone because a combination of treatments may do more harm than good.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and I offer this information not as medical advice but for general purposes. You should seek professional medical help before trying any of the above home remedies.