Acne begins by clogging the pores in your skin with oil and dead skin cells. Each pore is linked to a sebaceous gland producing an oily substance called sebum. Extra sebum can plug pores, causing a bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes to grow.P. acnes is attacked by your white blood cells, leading to inflammation of the skin and acne. Some acne cases are more severe than others, but whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples are common symptoms.
Many factors play a role when it comes to having healthy skin. Your exercise routine, diet, and water intake contribute to your skin’s health. Stress, poor nutrition, sleep deprivation, and imbalanced hormones are just a few of the factors that can lead to skin irritations and frustrating acne breakouts.
Acne home remedies
1. Cleanse Gently
Regular and gentle cleanse is a must when it comes to getting rid of blackheads and pimples. You can try your own homemade honey face wash which includes essential oils, honey, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar.
2. Tone to Restore pH Balance
Acne prone skin usually needs a good toner to restore the pH balance. You can use apple cider vinegar in the mornings and before you go to bed to kill the acne-causing bacteria. Simply dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply on the affected areas.
3. Use Healing Masks
Healing and hydrating masks are important remedies for acne. Use ingredients like cinnamon, honey, yogurt, and essential oil to make your own mask that fight off the harmful bacteria.
Option 1: Mix a tablespoon of yogurt and a tablespoon of raw honey and apply the mask to your face. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse.
Option 2: Mix a teaspoon of coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of raw honey, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Apply the mask on your face, leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse.
4. Exfoliate Regularly But Gently
Exfoliation on regular basis is also important to keep your skin clear and smooth. You can unclog pores and remove dead skin with oatmeal, sea salt, or brown sugar. To fight bacteria simply add honey, coconut oil, or kefir. Do this twice a week and the results will speak for themselves.
5. Spot Treat With Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has anti-fungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties which will keep acne at bay. Mix a teaspoon of coconut oil with 4-8 drops of tea tree oil and apply the mixture on the affected areas.
6. Use Holy Basil
Holy basil fights bacteria and can also work from the inside to balance the hormones. It can be used both as a toner and as a powerful ingredient in a homemade mask.
7. Moisturize
Moisturizing daily is also a must. You can do this with coconut oil as it will restore the health of your skin faster and prevent any acne breakouts.
8. Avoid Too Much Sun Exposure
UV ray can increase acne scarring so it’s best to avoid too much sun exposure. Always use a natural sunscreen when spending an extended time outdoors.
9. Take a Probiotic Supplement
Probiotics eliminate harmful bacteria which improves your gut health. This way you can fight acne from the inside.
10. Take Guggul
Guggul supplements are recommended for those who are struggling with cystic acne. Research shows that it prevents an acne relapse.
Symptoms of acne will depend on somebody’s particular type of acne and the underlying cause of skin irritation / inflammation. The most common symptoms caused by acne are:
Usually around the nose, forehead or chin, blackheads or small black dots on the skin.
These are also called “comedones” and are the result of a follicle trapping debris.Whiteheads that can form when pus builds a “head” under the skin.
These results from plugging follicles with sebum cells and dead skin cells.Papules and pustules (technical name for pimples) that cause skin bumps of small or medium size that are round, red and do not always have a “head” visible.
These are caused by acne types that are “moderate” and are not as severe as cysts or nodules.Cysts or nodules that are infected and painful severe pimples.
Within deeper layers of the skin, they can form, become very swollen or tender, and then take longer to heal papules and pustules.
Dark spots (hyperpigmentation) on the skin.
Scars, mostly left behind by nodules or cysts, especially if “popped” or picked
