Do you suffer from the distressing condition of acne, or have a loved one who does, and wonder if it’s possible to treat it (or even prevent it in the first place) without the hassle, misery and expense of medical intervention and prescription medicines? If the answer is yes then look no further! We’ll show you simple and natural ways to treat acne. Before we do that, let’s consider what acne is and what causes it.
Acne is a common skin condition affecting, to varying degrees, an estimated 85% of young adults.
Described simply, acne starts as a result of the skin’s pores becoming blocked with the oily secretion of the sebaceous glands – called sebum – and dead skin cells. This causes an overgrowth of bacteria and subsequent skin inflammation – resulting in whiteheads, blackheads and spots.
A number of predisposing factors are involved including:
• Diet
• Hormonal changes/instability during adolescence
• Stress
Unnatural ways to treat acne – what are the conventional treatments?
Prescription and over-the-counter medication that may be used to treat acne include the following:
• Topical retinoids
• Topical antibiotics – there’s a risk that the bacteria on your face could become resistant to antibiotics (particularly if over-used). This could make your acne worse and cause additional infections.
• Azelaic acid
• Antibiotic tablets – typically tetracycline
• Benzoyl peroxide – works as an antiseptic to reduce the number of bacteria on the surface of the skin. It needs to be used sparingly, as it is a skin irritant – really? – because of its bleaching properties.
All of the above, being synthetic chemicals, carry various risks particularly the potential for a number of unpleasant side effects, such as redness, dryness and irritation of the skin.
Conventional ways to treat acne – what’s in it for Big Pharma?
The answer to this question, as to just why the pharmaceutical industry is committed to this particular (and growing) market is explained by the following statement:
“The global acne treatment market was valued at $9.39 billion in 2022 and growing at a CAGR of 4.90% from 2022 to 2030. The global market is expected to reach $13.76 billion by 2030.”
Not difficult to see why pharmaceutical companies cherish their teenage customers!
However, moving on from such facts that indicate the enormous number of people who are applying irritant chemicals to their faces – let’s look at natural ways to treat acne.
Let’s face it, that’s why you’re here – right?
10 natural ways to treat acne – the healthiest options?
Regular exfoliation
The essential practice of exfoliation is the process of removal of the topmost layer of dead skin cells – this effectively removes the cause of the skin pore blockage that promotes the infection seen in acne.
The importance and value of exfoliation is in keeping the skin’s pores open, allowing natural acne treatments (such as tea tree oil) to penetrate further – this means they are significantly more effective.
There are a wide range of such exfoliating products available, however you can make your own -these are just as effective. Why not try the following DIY face scrub:
Honey, lemon and baking soda – mix one teaspoonful of each and massage lightly over your face, rinsing with cold water. Do this twice a week for great results!
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is naturally anti-bacterial which is great for getting rid of the lesions of acne. A further property of tea tree oil is that it is particularly soothing so can offer relief from any pain associated with acne.
Tea tree oil is particularly effective when diluted in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil before applying to your skin.
Green tea
Green tea has a very high content of antioxidants – these promote general health and well-being and – significantly – has been shown to inhibit acne.
2017 research showed this effect and concluded that the polyphenol content of green tea acts by being antibacterial and anti-inflammatory – effectively tackling two features of acne.
In addition to drinking green tea for its beneficial effects, it can also be applied to the skin.
Aloe vera gel as an antibacterial skin moisturiser
Why consider aloe vera for your acne treatment? Quite simply, the clear gel extracted from aloe vera leaves is commonly used in the treatment of the following conditions:
• Rashes
• Wounds
• Inflammation of the skin
Aloe vera gel contains both natural salicylic acid and sulphur – both of these constituents are antibacterial and therefore effective when treating acne.
The gel may be scraped directly from aloe vera leaves. Alternatively, it may be purchased – do make sure it is pure and without additives.
Turmeric and honey
This is a particularly effective combination – turmeric powder is anti-inflammatory and will remove excess oil from the affected area of the skin, honey has antibacterial properties.
To use this anti-acne combination – add ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder to a tablespoon of honey, mix and apply to moistened skin and leave in place for five minutes, then rinse with water.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, when diluted, helps clear acne through its natural antibacterial and skin pH balancing characteristics.
To use apple cider vinegar, mix with an equal amount of water, place a cotton wool ball into this mixture and apply to the affected areas.
Echinacea
Echinacea boasts both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and may be used to effectively treat acne.
Echinacea can be used in a similar manner to green tea – simply soaking a face cloth with echinacea tea and using it to wash your face.
Alternatively, apply echinacea drops to cotton wool and gently apply this to affected areas.
A low glycaemic diet
Foods with a high glycaemic index will rapidly raise your blood sugar level – this results in a spike in insulin release which will increase the rate of skin sebum production. This in turn will affect both the onset and severity of acne.
It follows that eating foods with a high glycaemic index should be avoided – these include such processed foods as the following:
• White bread
• Sugar-laden soft drinks
• Cakes
• Candies
By contrast, foods with a low glycaemic index should be encouraged – these include the following:
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Nuts
• Legumes
Rosemary
Extract of rosemary carries antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties – when applied to affected areas this extract is particularly effective against the acne-causing bacteria P.acnes.
Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil is thoroughly recommended as one of the natural ways to treat acne for a number of reasons. These include being antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, having the ability to balance the skin’s sebum production and not blocking the skin’s pores.
Jojoba oil should be applied sparingly to affected areas using cotton wool twice daily – in the morning and evening.
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