Natural Cures for Acne

Acne is a self-esteem drowning skin affliction which mainly affects teens, but can have adult sufferers as well. Those who have seen the telltale red bumps on their face know all too well the trials of finding an affective treatment that doesn't dry out the skin or cause a rash. Many decide to try to find a natural treatment for their acne in the hopes of achieving clear skin without the use of harsh chemicals. Here is a list of reported natural acne cures:

Lavender oil - Lavender oil smells lovely and works great for acne. Consider adding this traditional natural acne cure to an astringent or purchasing glycerin soap made with real lavender oil.

Honey - A well known bacteria buster is also an alleged natural acne cure. Just mix real honey with baking soda, apply as a paste, and rinse off after allowing the solution to dry.

Tea tree oil - Though some report allergic reactions to this natural acne cure, others claim wonderful results. Also a popular cure for yeast-based skin infections, tea tree oil can be purchased at most health food stores.

Garlic Oil with pummeled parsley - Though a smelly concept, pulverized garlic and parsley can be used to make a wonderful poultice for acne. Take a sock-style nylon and fill it with a pulverized garlic clove and a teaspoon of shredded parsley. Before application, soak the nylon in warm black tea. Apply to heavy breakouts and hold against skin until cool. Gross but affective.

Basil and Neem - Basil and neem make an interesting addition to a bottle of astringent. Just take fresh basil and neem and put them in a fresh bottle of astringent. Allow the herbs to steep in the astringent and leave them in the bottle. Use the astringent as indicated.

Turmeric Mixed in Lime and Cucumber - Take a lime and cut it into small pieces, including the peel. Add half a large cucumber, also cut into small pieces. Put pieces in a food processor along with an egg white and a teaspoon of turmeric. Add ½ teaspoon of ginger. Apply to the face like a mask and allow to remain on the face for fifteen minutes. Rinse. Be sure to refrigerate any extra face solution and throw it away after three days.

Witch Hazel - A tried and true astringent Witch Hazel has been a favorite acne cure for ages.

Fresh Orange peel extract with ground ginger and Nutmeg Astringent - Take a fresh orange peel and score the outer surface. Very carefully, sprinkle ginger and nutmeg over the peel. When ready for use, pinch peel to spray astringent on the face and lay peelings over the blemished areas while you relax.

Cucumber, aloe, and alfalfa blend face mask - Take a cucumber, a stalk of aloe, and alfalfa that has been soaking in distilled water for four hours. Add them to a blender and blend until well mixed. Apply this mixture to blemished areas to cool uncomfortable and sore skin.

Ground sesame and papaya aspirin compress - This sounds like a doozy, but pulverize sesame and aspirin together to make a light dust. Add enough papaya juice (a natural neutralizer) to create a light paste. Apply this mixture to blemishes and allow to dry before removal. (Please note, children under the age of 16 should never consume aspirin.)

Taters and Onions - If you can stand the smell, put a potato, skin and all, into a food processor. Add fresh diced onion, and apply to the face. Rinse this natural acne cure after drying.

Vitamin E, A, B-Complex, and Zinc - Whether you take it or whether you purchase the gel and apply it to skin, Vitamin E, Zinc, B-Complex vitamins, and Vitamin A have been reported as skin cures for many years.

Sandalwood powder - Right after blotting your face dry following a shower, apply a thin sandalwood powder to a blemished face.

Oatmeal - Ahh Aveeno! Aveeno oatmeal cures are wonderful for any skin ailment. But you can make your own oatmeal soak using a simple nylon stocking and ¼ cup of oats.

Molasses and cinnamon poultice - Take a tablespoon of sticky molasses. Add three tablespoons of cinnamon powder until it has the consistency of peanut butter. Apply this natural acne cure mixture to blemishes, blackheads, and oily skin. Rinse off after twenty minutes.

Mint - Simple mint oil, extract, and fresh mint leaves are great astringents. Just take mint leaves, steep in hot water, and lay on blemished or oily skin.

Rice Water or Coconut Oil - Starchy rice water mixed with sweet coconut oil is a great natural acne treatment that soothes irritated skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar - Banish oils and bacteria with this great natural acne cure.

Here are more ways that you can combat acne through activity and care:

Shower Daily to remove excess oils from your skin.
Take special care to wear your hair in styles where oily or style product moistened hair has minimal contact with the skin.
Eliminate Saturated Fats from you diet.
Completely dry skin after bathing to keep trapped water from irritating natural skin oils and encouraging bacterial growth.
Yoga is a well-known acne discouraging activity.
Drink plenty of water! Hydration is a great deterrence for acne.
Salty food aggravates acne, so it should be avoided.
Give up soda and coffee to keep caffeine from irritating acne outbreaks.
Avoid white sugar. It is an acne encourager.
Dump old or oily cosmetics.
Don't tan. Not only is tanning a skin cancer danger, it also causes an acne reaction in some individuals.
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Eat extra vegetation to encourage natural cleansing.
Exercise frequently.
Drink hormone-free milk to reduce the number of artificial estrogens in your system.

If none of these natural acne cures work on your acne, consider having your hormones checked by your doctor. Luckily most of us only have to deal with acne for a temporary period of time, but since it usually hits during the teen years, any day with acne can seem like a lifetime. Best of luck for clear, acne-free skin and a happy and healthy life!