7 Best Natural Remedies To Remove Acne

Acne is a very common skin issue affecting more than 80% of people at some point in their lives. There are many treatments and products that help treat acne however, some people may like to try home remedies before splashing out.

What Is Acne?

Acne is a common skin condition that causes spots and oily skin, with the main symptoms being spots on your face, back and chest. Symptoms may be that your skin is oily, or it may be hot or painful to touch.

Acne is often linked to changes in hormone levels during puberty, but can start at any age. It's also known to run in families.

What Causes Acne?

Acne occurs when tiny holes in the skin, known as hair follicles, become blocked. Sebaceous glands are tiny glands found near the surface of your skin. The glands are attached to hair follicles, which are small holes in your skin that an individual hair grows out of. In acne, the glands begin to produce too much sebum and this excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells forming a plug in the follicle.

So, let’s take a look at some of the natural remedies for acne:

1) Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has several uses, including keeping your skin, hair, and nails healthy. It is an essential oil that’s extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a small tree native to Australia. A 2018 study found that applying tea tree oil to the skin may reduce acne.

How to use:

1. Mix 1 part tea tree oil with 9 parts water.
2. Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it to the affected areas.
3. Apply moisturiser if desired.
4. Repeat this process 1 to 2 times per day, as needed.

2) Honey And Cinnamon Mask

Some research has found that the combination of honey and cinnamon bark extract exerted antibacterial effects against acne and also indicates that honey on its own can block the growth or kill acne.

However, while the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of honey and cinnamon may reduce acne, more research is needed.

Try a honey and cinnamon mask by following these steps:

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to form a paste.
2. After cleansing, apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Rinse the mask off completely and pat your face dry.

3) Green Tea

Green tea is very high in antioxidants, and drinking it can promote good health, with it also possibly helping to reduce acne.

According to some research, this is likely because the polyphenols in green tea help fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which are two main causes of acne.

The benefits of green tea for skin can be harnessed by regularly using green tea as part of your skincare routine. It can be applied directly to the skin or as an active ingredient in skincare products.

Apply it to the skin using this method:

1. Steep green tea in boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Allow the brewed tea to cool.
3. Using a cotton ball, apply the tea to your skin or pour it into a spray bottle to spritz it on.
4. Allow it to dry, then rinse it off with water and pat your skin dry.

4) Moisturise with Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a tropical plant whose leaves produce a clear gel. The gel is often added to lotions, creams, ointments, and soaps.

It is commonly used to treat:

• Abrasions
• Rashes
• Burns
• Wounds
• Skin inflammation

A common skincare ingredient, aloe vera contains a small amount of salicylic acid which is the main ingredient used to treat acne. Aloe vera is also vitamin rich with A, B, C, and E as well as magnesium, potassium and zinc all thought to help with the healing benefits of aloe.


How to use:

1. Scrape the gel from the aloe plant with a spoon.
2. Apply the gel directly to clean skin as a moisturiser.
3. Repeat 1 to 2 times per day, or as desired.

5) Take Fish Oil Supplement

Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that offer a multitude of health benefits. Fish oils contain two main types of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

High levels of EPA and DHA can decrease inflammatory factors, which may reduce the risk of acne.

Many foods contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids such as:

• Salmon
• Sardines
• Anchovies
• Walnuts
• Chia seeds
• Ground flax seeds

6) Exfoliate Regularly

Exfoliating regularly is a crucial part of keeping your skin healthy and glowing as it removes dead skin cells from the outer layers of the skin. It can be beneficial for removing dry or dull skin, increasing blood circulation, and brightening and improving your skin's appearance. This only needs to be done 2-3 times a week maximum as too much exfoliation can lead to skin irritation. Read more on exfoliation here.

Try the DermaQuest Algae Polishing Scrub. Once you have cleansed, apply this. It utilises jojoba beads in place of traditional plastic beads to remove excess skin cells through gentle physical exfoliation. It leaves the skin smooth and prepped for serums or advanced treatment products.

7) Focus On Your Diet

Diet plays a big part in our skin health. Eating a healthy balanced diet will contribute to how your skin looks and feels. Foods containing antioxidants are great for your skin as they are naturally occurring vitamins and minerals—like vitamins A, C, E, and green tea—that protect your skin against free radicals.

Broccoli, spinach, carrots and potatoes are all high in antioxidants, and so are artichokes, cabbage, asparagus, avocados, beetroot, radish, lettuce, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, collard greens and kale. Find out more on how antioxidants can revitalise your skin.

So, as you can see, there are many natural ways in which you can take care of your skin.

For more information on this or to speak to a skincare professional, book an online skin consultation with our GlowBay expert and get on the right track to healthy skin!