How to Treat Acne at Home

Males suffer more from acne, which is caused by an excess of male hormones causing sebum (oil) to over-produce. Acne is also caused by bacteria and clogged pores. Food and stress are not factors, according to the researchers at the University of Nevada.

Some simple tips to reduce or shorten an outbreak are:

Handle skin gently; avoid rubbing or scrubbing, especially on pimples.

Keep hands off skin.

Use an alcohol-soaked pad to cleanse fingertips before applying lotions or cosmetic products to skin. This will help prevent adding more oil or bacteria to the skin.

Avoid overexposure to sun.

Cleanse daily but no more than three times; excessive washing dries the skin and causes more oil to be produced.

Buy water-based cosmetics.

Shave carefully. Here is a well-done video tutorial: www.acne.org

There are two basic types of home remedies for acne: over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and homeopathic (animal, vegetable, or mineral) substances. Home remedies do work but according to Skin Care Physicians "at-home treatment requires 4 - 8 weeks to see improvement".

Four OTC medications are effective as home remedies for acne: resorcinol, sulfur, benzoyl oxide, and salicylic acid.

Sulfur smells bad, and is usually combined with resorcinol in acne medications. You can purchase it at: www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp

Salicylic acid costs an average of $5.99 and can be found here:www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp

Benzoyl peroxide preparations can be purchased OTC in varying strengths ranging from 2.5% to 10%. Benzoyl peroxide can cause redness and other side effects so it is best to start with a low strength product applied lightly and increase the dosage as skin adjusts to the medicine. www.americarx.com/Products/15799.html

Fenugeek, coriander, and baking soda have proved effective as home remedies for treating acne. Some good recipes for home acne remedies can be found here: www.acnetalks.com/pimple/Acne-Treatment/Herbal-Natural/Homemade-Blackhead-Removers.htm

Tomato and lemon juices are used in homeopathic remedies for acne. There is an extensive list of effective home remedies here: www.ayurvediccure.com/homeremedies_acne.htm

Use witch hazel as a toner after washing face. It is a mild astringent and should not stimulate excess sebum production. Brewed green tea is a good toner with astringents and antioxidants to kill bacteria and heal acne. Keep tea in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage or mold.

Why do most home remedies seem ineffective in treating acne? Many people are not patient enough to wait two months for the treatments to work. Others add too many variables, so they are unsure of what is or is not working - they try one OTC treatment one week, and then switch to another.

For best results, treatments should not be combined. This could make the acne worse by irritating the skin. Follow all package or recipe directions carefully, and do not skip or add steps.

Home remedies for acne can be effective for mild cases. For severe acne or related skin issues, consult your skin care physician.

Sources:

www.unr.edu/shc/writing/whats_updoc/acne.htm
lwww.grannymed.com/meds/acne.aspx
skincarephysicians.com/acnenet/treatingmildacne.html