Acne affects up to 90% of all people in the western world at one point or another during their lives. It is most commonly associated with teenagers; their imbalanced hormonal systems tend to cause havoc on the skin. However, the condition can also follow a minority of people into adulthood – although to some people it is a minor nuisance, to others, especially where the condition is constant (not just the occasional break out), it can be a real problem in their lives.
The cause of acne can vary from person to person, but really it boils down to three things: (1) An imbalanced hormonal system causes the skin’s oil glands (more properly called its sebaceous glands) to produce too much oil (or sebum). (2) This oil then sticks to shed skin cells and blocks the pores. (3) A bacteria named P Acnes, which is naturally present on everybody’s skin, thrives in places with little oxygen. The blocked pores provide just the right environment for it to survive, and the body’s immune system then attempts to fight the infection, causing red, inflamed pimples.
The pharmaceutical and skin care industries spend millions of dollars each year into researching this condition, and there are many products on the market to help in the fight against acne. However, there are also a few home remedies for acne that you can try.
One acne home remedy is the topical use of diluted hydrogen peroxide solution. This is a common sight in any first aid kit because it is often used as an antiseptic. You will need to dilute it with water so that no more than 3% of the solution is hydrogen peroxide and then, using a cotton wool ball, gently wipe over your skin. As peroxide contains an unstable number of oxygen atoms, when applied to the skin, it quickly reacts and oxygenates the pores. This leads to the P Acnes bacteria, which thrives best without oxygen, being destroyed.
Using this home remedy can help you to quickly deal with a stubborn acne breakout. However, it is important to note that hydrogen peroxide, when not diluted, will burn the skin. You must never use an undiluted solution, and even then, never a solution that has more than 3% peroxide in it. Anything over 10% can cause permanent skin damage. It is also important to note that this is a short-term measure only, and constant use will cause drying of the skin, which can cause premature aging. (Also, avoid getting any of the solution in your hair, eyebrows or on clothes, because dying may occur.)
A number of acne remedies involve applying a food mix to your face; different methods will work better for different people, so it is advised that you try one method for a week or so and see how it works, then move on to another mixture if the first is not effective.
Probably the simplest method is to use lemon juice; simply squeeze fresh lemon juice and use a cotton ball to gently dab it on your face. Let it sit for twenty minutes, then wash it off with lukewarm water; this should reduce the amount of oil on your face.
Another mixture that should be applied with cotton balls requires a little more work: cook five or six bags of tea along with some dried basil; after the solution cools, apply it to your face. While you’re cooking, another method is to use raspberry, blueberry, or strawberry leaves; toss a bunch in a pot of water and boil them, then once they cool, use the water to wash your face.
Another face scrub, for getting rid of dead skin cells, can be created by mixing brown and white sugar with a bit of water. As always when cleaning your face, avoid scrubbing too vigorously so as not to irritate the skin, which can promote acne.
Finally, there are several pastes that you can make to create an anti-acne mask. The less messy one is one part yogurt to one part fine oatmeal; mix well to make a thick paste, then apply to your face for 30-45 minutes, after which time you’ll want to wash it off using with a facial wash or antibiotic soap. Finally, you can also try a mix of honey and cinnamon powder; this one should be left on your face overnight. (Obviously, you’ll want to wash thoroughly in the morning!) Not only is this effective on acne, it can also lighten acne scars; however, you may need to wash your pillow in the morning!
Many companies would like you to believe that you need to buy their specific products in order to effectively treat pimples, but home acne remedies can work just as well.
No related posts.
This entry was posted in Zit Removal. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
Home Remedies For Acne
Acne affects up to 90% of all people in the western world at one point or another during their lives. It is most commonly associated with teenagers; their imbalanced hormonal systems tend to cause havoc on the skin. However, the condition can also follow a minority of people into adulthood – although to some people it is a minor nuisance, to others, especially where the condition is constant (not just the occasional break out), it can be a real problem in their lives.
The cause of acne can vary from person to person, but really it boils down to three things: (1) An imbalanced hormonal system causes the skin’s oil glands (more properly called its sebaceous glands) to produce too much oil (or sebum). (2) This oil then sticks to shed skin cells and blocks the pores. (3) A bacteria named P Acnes, which is naturally present on everybody’s skin, thrives in places with little oxygen. The blocked pores provide just the right environment for it to survive, and the body’s immune system then attempts to fight the infection, causing red, inflamed pimples.
The pharmaceutical and skin care industries spend millions of dollars each year into researching this condition, and there are many products on the market to help in the fight against acne. However, there are also a few home remedies for acne that you can try.
One acne home remedy is the topical use of diluted hydrogen peroxide solution. This is a common sight in any first aid kit because it is often used as an antiseptic. You will need to dilute it with water so that no more than 3% of the solution is hydrogen peroxide and then, using a cotton wool ball, gently wipe over your skin. As peroxide contains an unstable number of oxygen atoms, when applied to the skin, it quickly reacts and oxygenates the pores. This leads to the P Acnes bacteria, which thrives best without oxygen, being destroyed.
Using this home remedy can help you to quickly deal with a stubborn acne breakout. However, it is important to note that hydrogen peroxide, when not diluted, will burn the skin. You must never use an undiluted solution, and even then, never a solution that has more than 3% peroxide in it. Anything over 10% can cause permanent skin damage. It is also important to note that this is a short-term measure only, and constant use will cause drying of the skin, which can cause premature aging. (Also, avoid getting any of the solution in your hair, eyebrows or on clothes, because dying may occur.)
A number of acne remedies involve applying a food mix to your face; different methods will work better for different people, so it is advised that you try one method for a week or so and see how it works, then move on to another mixture if the first is not effective.
Probably the simplest method is to use lemon juice; simply squeeze fresh lemon juice and use a cotton ball to gently dab it on your face. Let it sit for twenty minutes, then wash it off with lukewarm water; this should reduce the amount of oil on your face.
Another mixture that should be applied with cotton balls requires a little more work: cook five or six bags of tea along with some dried basil; after the solution cools, apply it to your face. While you’re cooking, another method is to use raspberry, blueberry, or strawberry leaves; toss a bunch in a pot of water and boil them, then once they cool, use the water to wash your face.
Another face scrub, for getting rid of dead skin cells, can be created by mixing brown and white sugar with a bit of water. As always when cleaning your face, avoid scrubbing too vigorously so as not to irritate the skin, which can promote acne.
Finally, there are several pastes that you can make to create an anti-acne mask. The less messy one is one part yogurt to one part fine oatmeal; mix well to make a thick paste, then apply to your face for 30-45 minutes, after which time you’ll want to wash it off using with a facial wash or antibiotic soap. Finally, you can also try a mix of honey and cinnamon powder; this one should be left on your face overnight. (Obviously, you’ll want to wash thoroughly in the morning!) Not only is this effective on acne, it can also lighten acne scars; however, you may need to wash your pillow in the morning!
Many companies would like you to believe that you need to buy their specific products in order to effectively treat pimples, but home acne remedies can work just as well.
No related posts.