Acne, pimples, zits. breakouts call by any name the pain and embarrassment , people go to extreme edge to get rid of acne and pimples and are left disappointed and frustrated, because there is no quick fix and swift cure for this problem. With the use of natural cures and home remedies, acne and pimple can be reduced with natural ingredients like alum, neem bark and many such herbal remedies
Skin Care Routine For People with Acne-Prone Skin
Acne breakouts can happen during your teen years and even in your adult years. Either way, most people find it irritating and embarrassing. Whether you have persistent acne breakouts or be it occasionally, it is essential to have a skincare routine that will help treat your blemishes and prevent it from getting worse. You have to go the extra mile when it comes to choosing the right products and being aware of the proper rituals.
Here’s a skin care routine for acne-prone individuals to control breakouts and still maintain healthy skin.
Remove Makeup To Prevent Pore Clogging
Wearing makeup attracts more pore-clogging agents such as dirt, bacteria, and substances from the makeup product itself. Most cosmetics are made of an oily substance that leads to more appearance of acne and blackheads. Makeup residue can also cause more blemishes when left on the skin for hours, especially during your sleep when these substances can easily be absorbed by your pores.
If you’re acne-prone, it’s best to use oil-free foundations. Heavy cosmetic products can block your pores and cause acne to flare-up. It is also essential to get rid of every bit of makeup, especially before hitting the hay. Your best bet for makeup removers are products containing jojoba oil as it is an effective ingredient for treating skin lesions and mild acne. Since acne treatments can dry out the skin, this causes overproduction of oil or sebum and lead to breakouts. Jojoba oil is a herbal treatment that has vitamins,mineral, and additional properties that signal the skin to balance itself.
Deep Cleansing
It is essential to clear your skin from impurities, dirt, and oil. These impurities can clog pores easily and become a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. Once a pore is blocked, it can develop into whiteheads, blackheads and other blemishes.
Some cleansers may make your breakout even worse, this is why it’s important to stay away from products with harsh formulas. Instead, opt for mild, hydrating cleansers or with properties that target acne directly. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid which can be oil-soluble, meaning it can penetrate deep into the skin and do its job better. It will effectively help clear out pores from blockages and prevent new blemishes from forming.
Just beware of over-cleansing as it may irritate the skin. This can also dry out your surface, which signals your skin to produce more oil, causing over-production of sebum. Too much oil on the face can attract more dirt and bacteria – leading to more acne breakouts.
Light Exfoliation
Exfoliation can remove dead skin build-ups and help smoothen the skin’s surface. To fight acne from growing, you need to start hitting where it starts – in the pores. Dead skin cells can add up to the blockage and create a breeding ground for bacteria. You should exfoliate dead skin cells away to reduce the risk of acne from developing drastically.
While grainy scrubs are what immediately come to mind, they may not be the best exfoliation product for acne-prone skin. This will only irritate the skin more. Instead, opt for products with chemical exfoliants. These kinds of products can effectively exfoliate your skin without the help of abrasive agents. Some common exfoliating properties suitable for acne-prone skin are BHA, AHA, and Retinol.
Toning
Oils significantly contribute to acne growth. Toners can be used for removing extra oil from the skin. One ingredient that helps reduce inflammation is vitamin C. This can deeply cleanse your skin, which most facial washes can’t do. Toners also containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can also help keep those acne breakouts at bay.
But note that toners are best used as prevention or if you have few blemishes here and there. Using toners and astringents are not that necessary to use on a daily basis for acne-prone and sensitive skin. It should only be used mildly as it may do more harm than good.
Sun Protection I Must For Acne Prone Skin
You need to defend your skin from the harmful sun’s UV Rays, even more, when you have blemishes popping out from your skin.
Sunscreen is a must have to protect the skin and prevent breakouts from getting worse. There are products that are not heavy and greasy that won’t make worsen your condition. Choose light-weight and non-comedogenic sunscreen so it will defend your skin without clogging pores. Use this on a daily basis and not just during summertime.
Oil-Free and Light Moisturizing
It is not uncommon for acne-prone individuals to skip moisturizer, thinking it’s counterintuitive and can only add more moisture and oil, leading to more breakouts. But moisturizing is a good thing even if you’re acne-prone as it keeps the complexion healthy and balanced. It is just in the matter of choosing the right one with the right ingredients.
Acne medications and treatments can dry out your skin, which you will need to counteract. Oil-free and non-comedogenic moisturizers are your best bet. Non-comedogenic products do not clog pores – and breakouts start from pores clogged with dirt, dead cells, oil, and sometimes, substances from skin care products.
Acne Treatment
Controlling acne needs two approaches – proper skincare routine and acne treatment. Your skin care routine can’t be complete without having to directly treat your main problem, which is your acne breakouts. Treatment can help to really clear up your skin. Acne medications, such as over-the-counter products, can help with mild cases.
If your acne breakouts come and go, it is best to supplement it with acne treatments. Spot treatments consisting of Vitamin B3 and Sulfur can rapidly reveal clearer, and healthier-looking skin. Vitamin B3 reduces inflammation, heals acne, lightens pigmentation, and promotes skin regeneration. While sulfur reduces the skin’s oiliness and slough away dead skin cells to prevent them from clogging your pores.
For stubborn cases, it is best to consult your dermatologist to target active acne effectively. Of course, every breakout is followed by stubborn acne scars. Innovative solutions, such as laser treatments can help you get rid of these blemishes immediately and prevent them from getting worse. Click here to learn more about this non-invasive acne scar treatment.
Guest Post By Ellie Mathias
The Benefits of Meadowfoam Seed Oil For Skin and Acne Care
Taking care of your skin now can help it stay healthy and young for years to come. The key to this is finding the right treatment that works for your specific skin profile. To that end, the article below will cover the benefits of Meadowfoam, a new contender on the natural herbal treatment scene.
What is Meadowfoam?
Meadowfoam is a low growing annual flower that does the best in winter because it is able to adapt to soils that are poorly drained and is cold resistant. The colloquial name “Meadowfoam” comes from the plant’s appearance: white clusters of flowers dot the surface of the plant similar to the way that foam rises above water. This flower is found primarily on the Northwest Coast of the United States, as well as in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The plant can grow to heights of 18 inches, and is easy to transplant thanks to its shallow root system. Meadowfoam is not a self-pollinating flower, which means that it requires insect intervention to spread pollen. However, this particular flower is not favored by pollinators, so expanded growth can be difficult. For proper care, Meadowfoam should be kept in cooler environments that do not see excessive rainfall, as this flower is not water tolerant.
What are the Skin Benefits of Meadowfoam Seed Oil?
The composition of naturally occurring fatty acids in Meadowfoam oil give it a unique, non-greasy feel that works as an excellent emollient. When used as a base in skincare products, Meadowfoam oil drastically increases the moisturizing effects of any lotion or cream. Its unmatched stability also makes it useful in extending the shelf life of other oils and natural skincare products that are prone to faster aging thanks to their lack of commercial preservatives.
Meadowfoam oil is thick enough that it is able to form a sort of “barrier” across the skin that helps lock in moisture and keep up a continual delivery of nutrients to the skin over time. Thus, this is not a quick use product whose effects fade after a few minutes; this oil will last longer than most and provide powerful results along the way.
Thanks to its ability to provide and lock in moisture, Meadowfoam oil is highly adept at smoothing out scars and stretch marks. You can add other oils to it (for scent or additional health benefits) and apply the mixture directly to the affected areas for smoother, less damaged looking skin.
What Specific Nutrients are in Meadowfoam Oil?
Meadowfoam oil is not only a super-moisturizer, but it is also high in antioxidants and a variety of other nutrients that are highly beneficial for proper skin care, including:
- Vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant that offers an extra layer of protection for cells and is used frequently in skin and hair care products to increase smoothness and strength)
- Linoleic Acid (an essential fatty acid that can only be obtained outside of the body that promotes healthy cell growth)
- Oleic Acid (an essential fatty acid that helps protect cells from damage)
- Vitamin C (in addition to its immune-boosting properties, Vitamin C is also good at preventing wrinkles)
- Eicosenoic Acid (another fatty acid that does not block pores and is easily absorbed to improve skin health)
- Docosadienoic Acid (another fatty acid that is beneficial for skin health and appearance)
How Can Meadowfoam Oil Help with My Acne?
With its many skin-nourishing benefits, Meadowfoam is an ideal acne combatant for your beauty routine. The oil has highly effective detoxifying properties that can help strip excess oils and dirt from the surface of your skin.
When added to a facial scrub, Meadowfoam oil has proven that it is an excellent for unclogging pores and removing stubborn blackheads. The natural ingredients of the oil are adept at sinking down into pores and using their nourishment properties to clean them out and keep them moisturized, leaving the skin feeling smooth and fresh.
Meadowfoam oil is also a natural anti-inflammatory that can help to reduce the redness around problem areas. Its powerful moisturizing properties give it the added ability to soothe irritated skin and reduce the appearance of redness. Which makes it perfect for acne, but also a great choice for those who suffer from eczema or other forms of chronic skin irritations.
One of the primary triggers of acne is the body’s natural production of sebum, which is secreted from the sebaceous gland and can cause increases in oily or dry skin, depending on the individual. The eicosenoic acid in Meadowseed oil is a rare fatty acid that can be used to help balance the body’s production of sebum and reduce oily or dry skin. Thus, Meadowseed oil is a natural response to curbing the acne curse, and its chemical makeup makes it a highly effective choice.
What Else is Meadowseed Oil Good for?
In the same way that Meadowseed oil is adept at moisturizing and protecting skin, it is also an excellent choice in other cosmetic and body care products that are focused on areas of the body in need of a little extra moisture.
Skin Moisturizer
Meadowseed oil makes a great addition to lip moisturizers thanks to its ability to lock in that moisture over long periods of time. The oil’s natural composition makes it perfect for creating a soft surface on the lips that not only feel amazing, but looks plump and beautiful.
Keeps Hair Hydrated
In hair, there are few compounds more efficient at providing maximum moisture to the follicles and scalp. Even better, your scalp will retain that moisture longer, giving your hair a more fluid, soft appearance and feel throughout the day. For individuals with curlier hair, this is a particularly important benefit, as the oil will help keep curls hydrated and frizz free. That moisture power also works to decrease dandruff, since dry skin is one of the oil’s primary targets.
Anti Aging Effect
The Vitamin E in Meadowfoam oil is perfect for anti-aging efforts, as well. Regular use of the oil (either by itself or as an additive to other facial lotions, scrubs, cleansers, or creams) will help reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and other age spots that begin to develop over time.
Conclusion
The discovery of Meadowseed oil was a breakthrough in many ways and across various sectors of industry. Its most important benefits center around the prolongation and maintenance of one’s health, and the cosmetic benefits are a happily welcome bonus. When searching for a new skin care regime, consider trying Meadowfoam oil and see if its super moisturizing abilities are good for your routine and skin type.
Four Natural Products That Can Cure Body Acne Naturally
If you’re struggling with acne on your back and chest, you may be considering visiting a dermatologist to get a prescription acne cream or cleanser.
Before you go this route though, you might want to consider taking a look through your pantry. You probably have a lot of safe, natural products on hand that have the power to treat your breakouts.
If you feel that curing Body acne using natural remedies is not your cuppa, you may buy products that will help you fight body acne. Skin on our body is not the same as your face, so always consider products that are specifically made for the body. Using a face exfoliator wont help much in exfoliating the body, you will have to buy a body exfoliator like this one.
Our back is the most ignored part of the body while we take a shower, thus it is prone to oil and dirt build up thus resulting in acne breakouts.
Listed below are four natural products that you can use today to get treat and prevent acne flare ups.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is all the rage these days. That’s because it works wonders for a variety of conditions, including acne.
Apple cider vinegar helps balance out your skin’s pH to prevent breakouts. Its malic and lactic acids soften and exfoliate the skin, and it also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Before using it on your skin, dilute a few teaspoons with ¼-½ cup of water and apply it to your skin with a cotton ball. Make sure you’re also using a raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar that contains “the mother,” as this has the most nutrients available.
Suggested Read: Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar
2. Green Tea For Curing Body Acne
Green tea contains a number of antioxidants that help eliminate inflammation and dryness. It also helps control your body’s production of sebum, which, in excess, can clog the pores and cause breakouts, thus helping in minimizing the occurrence of body Acne naturally .
To use green tea for skin care, simply brew a cup of hot tea, either with a tea bag or tea leaves. Once the tea has cooled completely, pour it into a spray bottle and mix it with about ½ of water.
After a shower or bath, simply spray the tea onto your the affected area and pat yourself dry with a clean towel. You can do this daily until your breakouts clear up. This is a natural cure for body acne .
3. Oatmeal
This breakfast favorite is also a great option for exfoliating the skin, cleaning the pores, and absorbing excess oil on the skin.
Simply mix one cup of cooked oatmeal with one tablespoon of honey and the juice from half of a lemon. Rub it on the areas where you’re experiencing breakouts and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, rinse it off with warm water. You may need to use a back scrubber for the shower to get it all off. Choosing a long handled body brush if you have Back Acne will make exfoliating easy for you.
You can do this once a week to keep your skin healthy and smooth.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Last, but certainly not least, is tea tree oil.
This naturally occurring essential oil has antibacterial properties and can soothe red and inflamed acne flare-ups when applied correctly. Disinfect clogged pores and help to dry out pesky whiteheads by applying just a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier like jojoba oil or witch hazel to a cotton ball and dabbing the affected area. Be careful though as tea tree oil is dangerous when consumed, and can lead to skin irritation if not properly diluted.
Body acne is frustrating and can even be painful.
Anti Acne Treatement At Home : Neem Tulsi Face Pack Powder
Acne can be caused due to several reasons like Puberty, reaction, pollution, hormonal changes and even due to clogged pores and excessive oiliness of the skin. The sebaceous glands are responsible for producing sebum, excess production of sebum increases greasiness and results in clogged pores. Primarily you can try to treat Acne at home using natural remedies, if homemade packs for acne fail to work you need to see a dermatologist as chronic acute acne is more likely to leave scars that will change the appearance of your skin for life.
You may have used store bought herbal / organic face packs but making it at home is always better as you are aware of what goes in the pack. Make this Anti Acne Neem Tulsi pack at home and use it, this works wonderfully on Acne, pimples and blemishes, this being a natural at-home anti acne treatment does not have higher risk of side effects .
Whatever be the cause of an Acne breakout, it is always embarrassing and the appearance is unsightly. You literally feel that you better become invisible. Preventing the occurrence of Acne is altogether a different tangent to be inspected. Acne breakouts involves a lot of aspects majorly the diet, exposure to pollution and the type of skin, oily being the most vulnerable.
When a person starts getting frequent Acne breakouts, he /she tries to do every possible remedy that is known to mankind. In this quest we usually overlook the side effects of the products we are using, and many land up worsening the condition. There was a time when I was having nodular Acne all over my face (cheeks, forehead and chin). I rushed to the dermatologist and was prescribed Isotretenoin. And the result was horrible, the breakouts flaired up with each passing day and I was clueless. It was in this phase, that someone suggested me to use Neem bark on my acne, and to much of my surprise it worked like a magic. My severe severe severe acne was now fading off. And within a weeks time I could see huge difference on my skin.
Inspired with the Neem Bark Acne remedy, I prepared one anti acne face pack powder that is specific to deal with acne and Pimple problem. Since this homemade acne pack is in powdered form you can prepare and store them for later use.
How To Make Anti Acne Face Pack Powder At Home
To make this Neem Tulsi Acne pack you need following ingredients
- Neem Bark Powder 2 tbsp
- Orange Peel Powder 1 tbsp
- Lemon Peel Powder 1/2 tsp
- Tulasi (Holy Basil) Leaves Powder 1/2 tsp
- Nutmeg Powder 1/2 tsp
How do these ingredients help
Neem Bark : Antiseptic and Astringent properties helps in healing the acne.
Orange Peel Powder: Astringent and skin toning properties. It will also help in fading away the scars.
Nutmeg : Works great on pimples, it has anti-inflammatory properties.
Lemon Peel Powder: Promotes healing of damaged skin
Tulasi Leaves : The natural oil present in Tulasi helps in reducing the blemishes and Acne. It has cooling effect thus it also relieve the skin irritation caused due to the Acne.
Benefits Of Using Homemade Anti Acne Face Pack Powder
- Treats Acne and Pimples very effectively
- Tones the skin
- Heals Blemishes
- Stimulates healing of scars caused due to the acne
- Cleanses the skin making it clean and fresh
- Removes marks and spots
- Brightens the skin
How To Make Homemade Anti Acne Pack
Mix all the ingredients and store in a bottle or jar.
Treatment Method
This is a very simple to do anti acne treatment, you can do it at home without any fuss.
Take 2 tsp of the anti acne powder and make a paste using water. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes and then wash it off with water. Do not use hot water. Use this pack daily for 10-12 days, then reduce the frequency to 3 times a week.
Using organic products for making this natural treatment acne pack will be a better choice. This acne pack will reduce the acne in 10 days however you should be able to see visible difference after 3 days.
If you find it difficult to get the supplies for this pack, try the Alum Remedy for Acne, all you need is an Alum block and you can start the remedy right-away.
Related Products
Khadi Neem, Basil and Mint Pack
Vedantika Herbals – Ayurvedic Anti Acne Mask
MahaGro Pimple Pack
3 Ways To Use Alum For Pimples And Acne Treatment
Home remedies for Acne and Pimples must be among the most searched remedies, and using Alum or Potash Alum on Acne and pimples even for blackheads removal can be of great help. A block of Potash Alum (Phitkari /Fitkari) can be easily powdered by heating in a pan. This powdered Alum can be used for acne treatment. By the end of this post you will know a few simple ways to use Alum for Pimples and Acne removal.
Alum , Potash Alum and Potassium Aluminium Sulfate all these names refer to a chemical compound which is called Phitkari in India. Alum is used in several home remedies and Ayurvedic medicines. One of its most popular uses is as an after shave. In India Alum has been used in water treatment since ancient times. It is usually sold in form of blocks, these blocks can be ground to powder for using it in various natural remedies.
In Ayurveda Alum is referred as Shubhra and Sphatika Bhasma is an Ayurvedic Powder prepared with Alum. Alum or Fitkari is effectively used in Ayurveda and Unani medicine. In Ayurveda Alum is indicated in treating bleeding gums, jaundice, head lice and nits and in treating several hair and skin problems.
My Experience With Alum For Treating Acne
Alum is an excellent home remedy for pimple and acne treatment, back in 2007 when I suffered severe acne problem due to stress, I was struggling to stop the breakouts and to treat the ones that had already surfaced. I was prescribed Isotretenoin which only made the situation go worse.
That was the time when I was trying almost every home remedy that came to my knowledge and to much of my surprise I found my ultimate solution in Neem Bark. Another remedy that impressed me was Alum which I have been using since then whenever I have a breakout.
In my opinion it is wise to use home remedies for acne treatment. Though they take time but natural remedies certainly save you from the side effects that ointments and creams may cause. Alum blocks i.e Phitkari are inexpensive and very useful in curing those unsightly and painful Acne breakouts.
Other common uses of Alum are
As after shave
Natural Deodorant
Water Purifier
In Tooth and gum Problems
In these years I have figured out few most effective ways to use Alum on pimples. I am sharing here all the remedies in this post. All the remedies listed here are to be applied topically. A skin sensitivity patch test is always recommended.
Properties of Alum
Alum is a natural astringent
It is a natural antiseptic
Alum inhibits bacteria
How to Use Alum For Pimples And Acne Treatment
Alum Crystal available as Block, Alum stone and as Alum powder is a natural element used in treating acne, pimples and greasy skin naturally. Mix Alum powder and lemon juice and gently apply on the acne and spots, rinse off when dried. Alum (phitkari / Fitkari in Hindi) has astringent properties. It kills bacteria thus it is used in many beauty and personal care products. Alum is already acclaimed as a natural deodorant and a conventional after shave.
The most important thing to remember while using alum on acne and pimples is that you do not overdo it. Excessive rubbing of alum can aggravate the condition. Be gentle while application and that will help you get the desired result. Alum can be used in following ways to get rid of acne and pimples :
Potassium Alum Block and Lemon Juice for Acne
This is one remedy that has worked on my severe acne and applying potash alum on acne certainly reduced my nodular acne quite effectively. Besides neem bark remedy for acne, if I have to trust on one home remedy that can treat acne it has to be Potash Alum.
How To Apply Alum On Acne For Best Results
- Warm up dry alum stones or crystals on a girdle.
- Crush it and make powder.
- Cut a lemon into half.
- Put the alum powder on the surface of half cut lemon.
- Press the powder using teaspoon so that the powder gets mixed with lemon juice.
- Now gently rub the lemon on face for 2 mins.
- let it dry for 10-15 mins then wash with lukewarm water.
Potash Alum Powder and Witch Hazel for Pimples
- Mix Alum powder with witch hazel
- Soak a cotton ball in this mixture
- Dab directly on the pimple / acne. This shall clear up the pimples soon.
Alum Face Mask with Multani Mitti For Acne
- Make a face mask by mixing egg whites, powdered alum and fullers earth.
- Apply it all over the face and let it dry.
- This mask will not only help in reducing pimples and acne but will also control oiliness of skin, it will tighten the skin leaving it clear and smooth.
Conclusion
I have witnessed how effectively Potash Alum works on face acne, all you need to do is dab the alum lemon mixture on your face precisely on the acne and pimples.
A Word Of Caution
Some remedies suggest rubbing alum block on the acne but if done too vigorously it may cause redness and discomfort thus worsening the condition. Always take a patch test before starting any home remedy.