A whopping 85% of people experience stubborn acne at some point.
Pimples are among the symptoms which can be annoying and challenging to get rid of.
Even though traditional acne treatments can clear them up, they frequently have side effects, including dryness and skin irritation.
To quickly clear up pimples, many people have turned to natural remedies. Unfortunately, while many natural acne treatments are available, only a few are effective by science.
Even though there might not be enough evidence to support them, here are a few natural strategies for acne treatment.
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1. Spot treat with tea tree oil
Melaleuca alternifolia, an Australian native tree, produces tea tree oil from its leaves.
It is renowned for eliminating bacterial growth and lessening skin inflammation. Particularly, P. acnes and S. epidermidis, two kinds of bacteria that might result in pimples, are combated by tea tree oil.
According to one study, 5% tea tree oil gel was nearly four times as efficient as a placebo at reducing acne lesions and almost six times as effective at reducing the severity of acne.
Another study found that a lotion with 5% benzoyl peroxide, a typical acne treatment, and a gel with 5% tea tree oil was equally effective at reducing pimples.
Less adverse side effects, such as dryness, irritability, and burning, were also seen after using tea tree oil.
It’s vital to remember that tea tree oil has a strong effect and might irritate and produce redness when applied topically. It ought to be diluted with carrier oil because of this.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, only a tiny amount of study has been done on the topical application of tea tree oil for medical issues. That research only suggests that tea tree oil might be beneficial for acne.
Tea tree oil may be pretty irritating and should never be applied undiluted to the skin, so if you decide to try it, use it carefully and always perform a test patch on your skin.
Using tea tree oil to treat acne
- Mix 1 teaspoon of carrier oil with one drop of tea tree oil.
- Apply the solution immediately on zits by dipping a cotton swab into the concoction.
- Using a moisturizer is optional.
- As necessary, repeat this procedure a couple of times daily.
2. Spot treat with other essential oils
Along with tea tree oil, numerous additional essential oils have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics that might hasten the healing of acne.
According to a thorough scientific review, the anti-acne bacteria S. epidermidis and P. acnes are combated by the essential oils of cinnamon, rose, lavender, and clove.
Lemongrass and rosemary have also been proven to prevent P. acnes.
One study examined the effectiveness of 10% benzoyl peroxide, clove-basil oil, and a placebo in treating acne. Benzoyl peroxide was shown to be less effective and slower at clearing up pimples than the 2% and 5% clove-basil oils.
Another study discovered that a gel combining acetic acid, orange, and sweet basil essential oils increased the rate at which pimples healed by 75%.
These essential oils are highly concentrated and might irritate the skin if applied topically, just as tea tree oil. Therefore, all essential oils should be diluted with carrier oil before use, a test patch should be done before daily usage, and service should be stopped if irritation occurs.
Using essential oils to treat acne
- One ounce (30 mL) of carrier oil should be mixed with ten drops of essential oil.
- Apply the solution immediately on zits by dipping a cotton swab into the concoction.
- Using a moisturizer is optional.
- As necessary, repeat this procedure a couple of times daily.
3. Apply green tea to the skin
Although many people drink green tea because of its health advantages, it can also be beneficial when administered topically.
Flavonoids and tannins in green tea are believed to help battle acne-causing germs and inflammation.
Additionally, it contains a lot of the antioxidant epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has been demonstrated to reduce sebum production, fight inflammation, and stop P. acnes from growing on acne-prone skin.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that applying a 2-3% green tea extract to the skin considerably reduces sebum production and acne in acne sufferers.
There are a few green tea-based skin care products on the market, but creating your blend is easy and inexpensive.
Green tea with acne: how to use it
- For three to four minutes, steep green tea in boiling water.
- The tea should cool.
- Using a cotton ball and some water or a spray bottle, apply it to your face.
- After leaving it on for ten minutes or overnight, wash your face with a aloevera face wash.
- As required, use it 1-2 times daily. For 2 weeks, it can be kept in the refrigerator.
4. Moisturize with aloe vera
A tropical plant known as aloe vera has leaves that secrete a transparent gel.
Aloe vera gel has been demonstrated to support wound healing, reduce inflammation, and kill infection when applied to the skin.
As a result, it’s a well-liked remedy for several skin issues, such as psoriasis, rashes, wounds, and burns.
Although research on aloe vera’s potential to treat acne mainly is limited, the results so far are encouraging.
Lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols, and sulfur are all present in aloe vera, all of which work to prevent acne-causing germs.
In one study, different amounts of aloe vera gel were put into a clove-basil oil and tested for their potential to treat acne. The lotion’s effectiveness in reducing pimples increased with the amount of aloe vera in it.
According to a different study, combining tretinoin cream with 50% aloe vera gel considerably improved the effectiveness of treating acne compared to using tretinoin cream alone. An acne treatment made from vitamin A is retinol cream.
Aloe vera gel improved the anti-acne properties of clove-basil oil and tretinoin cream, although it was ineffective in treating acne.
Aloe vera gel might help acne heal, but it might work better with other treatments or drugs.
Using aloe vera gel to treat acne
- Scrape the gel from aloe leaves with a spoon.
- When using other acne treatments, apply the gel to your skin. Consider combining it with another skincare regimen before applying it to your skin. Alternatively, the aloe gel could be used after the other acne treatment.
- Repeat 1-2 times daily or as often as needed.
