For those dealing with acne prone skin , it’s common knowledge that it’s a constant battle to not only treat zits and spots but to prevent them from coming back. But if reading about ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and AHAs makes your head spin and if you want to take a more natural route, here’s what you can try.
1) Try tea tree oil as a spot treatment
Tea tree oil is a popular acne-fighting ingredient because of its bacteria-zapping and inflammatory powers. Applying 5 per cent tea tree oil to breakout prone areas is a good step towards clear skin because it soothes and calms the area down while fighting the infection. Tea tree oil contains multiple compounds including terpenin, the main antiseptic component that is known to kill certain bacteria, fungi and viruses.
2) Use an apple cider vinegar rinse
If alcohol-based toners are too strong for your skin, a diluted ACV tonic serves as a natural astringent. It can kill bacteria on the skin surface, while restoring balance to the skin pH. This helps to fortify the skin barrier, a key factor in healthy skin.
3) Mix turmeric into your topical and oral regimen
Turmeric has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and is one of the best skin brighteners around plus it also boosts collagen production. When added to your smoothies or food, turmeric can improve wound healing and reduce inflammation from the inside-out, all of which help to reduce acne.
4) Try treating with green tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants and has bacteria-fighting and anti-inflammatory properties, which are ideal for treating and preventing acne. Just steep some green tea in boiling water for a few minutes and then let it cool before applying to the face with a cotton ball.
5) Apply honey all-over
The primary reason honey is said to be good for acne is because of its natural antibacterial qualities. Plus, the sugars in honey soak up the water content in the pore lining, which creates an environment where acne-causing P acnes bacteria can’t thrive.
6) Soothe the skin with aloe vera
If you’re only using strong exfoliating ingredients on acne-prone skin, stop! You’ll want to counteract the drying properties by soothing and coddling skin with aloe vera. Not only is it the best at soothing aggravated skin, it helps calm inflamed pimples and also keeps oiliness in check. It even contains salicylic acid and sulphur, both of which have amazing acne-fighting properties, making aloe a great way to fight off breakouts while cooling the skin. “For all the other ingredients, I’d exercise caution and use just a pinch. But with aloe vera nothing is too much . You can slather it on an irritated face, after you’ve gotten waxing done or have had a bad reaction to a skincare product.
7) Steam your skin
Steaming has been a popular practice to help detoxify and refresh the skin. The heat helps open up clogged pores (the pre-cursor to acne), making it easier to unplug and clean out. Plus, the heat also improves blood circulations, forcing blood and nutrients to rush to the skin and give you a glow. To amp it up, using a clay mask after really helps to draw all the impurities out.
8) Ice it
While it may sound all too easy, cold temperatures can constrict the blood vessels and reduce redness in the area, a key factor if you’re dealing with an inflamed, painful zit. Just be sure not to apply the ice directly on your skin to prevent burning the skin. Instead, wrap it in a napkin or paper towel and apply on your spot for a few seconds at a time.
9) Exfoliate often
The process of exfoliation helps clear off the top dead layer and reveal the new healthy and younger skin cells. You can go the DIY route with this step too, choosing a fruit enzyme or a home-made scrub to slough off any dead skin cells on the surface.
10) Drink more water!
The easiest one of all, drinking enough water balances the oil and water content on the skin. This helps to prevent excess oil and sebum secretion, which means fewer clogged pores and acne. Plus, a hydrated body is able to improve the natural ability to detoxify as well.