One of the most prevalent skin disorders worldwide, acne affects an estimated 85% of teens and young people. These are proven to be the most effective ways to get rid of acne: benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide, and salicylic acid, they can be costly and have unfavorable side effects including lack of moisture, inflammation, and itching.
Many individuals have been motivated by this to attempt home remedies for acne. Actually, according to a survey, 77% of acne sufferers have attempted over-the-counter acne remedies.
There have to be more studies done on the efficacy of home cures because many of them lack scientific support.
However, there are still solutions available to you if you’re seeking alternative therapies. Popular at-home treatments to get rid of acne are examined in this article.
What is Acne?
When sebum and cellular debris clog your skin follicles, acne is the resultant skin problem. Most individuals have had acne at some point in their lives; it’s a pretty typical ailment, especially in teens when sebaceous glands generate more oil. Acne has no age restriction; many adults with acne are in their late 40s or 50s.
What Causes it?
Logging your skin follicles with oil and cellular waste is the first step toward acne. A greasy sebum is produced by sebaceous glands, which are linked to each pore. Pore clogging by excess sebum can lead to the formation of Propionibacterium acnes.
You have acne and skin irritation when your white blood cells fight P. acnes. Breakouts, blackheads, and whiteheads are typical signs of acne, while certain instances are more extreme than others.
Other factors include:
- Hormone Changes
- Infections
- Genetics
- Stress
- Diet
Remedies to Get Rid of Acne
To treat acne, conventional clinical therapies are most successful. You can also attempt home remedies; however, further studies are required to determine their efficacy. These are as follows.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Fermented apple cider, or the untreated liquid from squeezed apples, yields apple cider vinegar. Similar to other vinegars, studies have shown that it can combat a variety of germs and fungi.
Citric acid and zinc oxide have been shown in studies to be effective in killing P. acnes. Research suggests that the acid found in this vinegar may help acne scars look better.
Although some of apple cider vinegar’s ingredients could be able to treat acne, there isn’t any proof as of now to back up this claim.
Given that it might irritate the skin, many dermatologists recommend not to utilize apple cider vinegar at all.
Zinc Supplement
Zinc is a necessary mineral that is critical to immune system function, metabolism, hormone synthesis, and cell development.
When compared to other all-natural acne remedies, it has undergone a fair amount of research.
A meta-analysis revealed that the inflammatory blemish count significantly improved in zinc-treated individuals compared to those not receiving the treatment.
It’s generally advised to not take more zinc than the suggested safe maximum limit of 40 mg per day unless you are being closely monitored by a physician. Overconsumption of zinc can have negative consequences, such as gastrointestinal distress and rashes.
It’s also crucial to remember that no proof administering zinc topically to the skin works. This might be a result of ineffective skin absorption of zinc.
Honey & Cinnamon Mask
According to research, the honey and cinnamon wood extract together have antibacterial properties against P. acnes.
According to research, honey by itself can either stop P. acnes from growing or eradicate it. This conclusion does not, however, imply that honey is a useful acne treatment.
Putting honey on your face following the use of antibacterial soap did not improve acne treatment any more than using the soap alone, according to research involving 130 individuals with acne.
Further study is necessary, however, the soothing and antibacterial qualities of cinnamon and honey may help to get rid of acne.
Tea Tree Oil
Melaleuca alternifolia is a tiny native Australian tree whose leaves are used to produce tea tree oil, a sort of essential oil.
Utilizing tea tree oil topically has been shown in studies to potentially lessen acne. In a tiny trial, those who used a tea tree oil lotion for acne reported reduced aggravation and dry skin when compared to those who used benzoyl peroxide. They were also satisfied with the way the therapy had gone.
Another study suggests that tea tree oil could be a useful alternative to oral and topical antibiotics, which, if taken repeatedly, might lead to bacterial resistance. Because tea tree oil is so strong, it is best to dilute it before using it topically.
Green Tea
Due to its strong antioxidant content, drinking green tea might help support overall health. Additionally, it could lessen acne.
Research suggests that this is probably because green tea’s polyphenols aid in the battle against germs and the reduction of inflammation, two major factors that contribute to acne.
Further study is required to fully understand the potential advantages of green tea consumption for acne, as there hasn’t been much of it.
For four weeks, 70 women participated in a research where they were given 1,500 mg of green tea concentrate daily.
Women who consumed the remedy had reduced acne around their lips, on their chins, and on the nose by the conclusion of the research.
Green tea’s external application could also be advantageous as it may reduce sebum production hence helping against acne.
Aloe Vera
The foliage of the tropical plant aloe vera provides a transparent gel. Moisturizers, lotions, soaps, and cleansers frequently include the gel added to them.
An earlier study found that it’s frequently used to treat:
- Skin inflammation
- Burns
- Wounds
- Abrasions
- Rashes
Salicylic acid and sulfur, which can be discovered in aloe vera, are often used to get rid of acne. According to findings, salicylic acid used topically helps to clear up acne.
According to a different study, aloe vera gel may help with acne if mixed with additional ingredients like tretinoin lotion or tea tree oil.
Even though the research appears encouraging, more studies are needed to fully understand aloe vera’s anti-acne properties.
Exfoliation
The act of exfoliating involves eliminating the outermost layer of dead skin cells. By eliminating the skin tissues that obstruct pores, it could help acne.
Exfoliating may help as remedies for acne work better on the skin by enabling it to go deeper once the outermost layer of skin has been removed.
There has been little study on microdermabrasion and its efficacy in treating acne. Exfoliation treatments come in a lot of different forms, but you may simply use sugar or salt to produce scrubs at home.
Be aware that rigorous exfoliation may harm the skin and cause irritation. Because of this, some physicians advise using products containing glycolic or salicylic acid for mild chemical exfoliation.
To protect your skin from harm, massage it lightly if you decide to give physical exfoliation.
The Ultimate Line
Skin conditions like acne are prevalent and have a variety of underlying reasons. The best treatments to get rid of acne are traditional ones, such as benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide, or salicylic acid, however, most people find them unpleasant.
Though they offer a substitute for medical treatments, the majority of over-the-counter medicines for acne have not been proven to be scientifically beneficial. However, if your acne is really bad, you might wish to see a skin specialist.
A Popular Question: Do Acne Scars Go Away?
Marks from acne cannot fade away by themselves. However, in-office treatments like additives surfacing, microneedling, exfoliation, and lasers can make them look better.
The visibility of acne scars might be lessened by frequent exfoliating and using natural therapies like apple cider vinegar.