There are so many natural treatments listed for acne that it's hard to know what are the most effective. To understand what may be effective, it's important to understand the causes of acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the result of excess oil in the skin, clogged pores, bacteria and inflammation. The best natural treatments help to address these causes.
Excess Oil
Excess oil can be reduced through a few different natural treatments. Washing the skin no more than twice daily with an all-natural glycerin soap will help wash the excess oils away. According to The Vitamins & Nutrition Center, vitamin A helps reduce the production of the skin's oil and can be found in yellow and orange fruits and vegetables and green vegetables. It can also be taken as a supplement. Eat foods high in fiber, such as oatmeal, to aid in absorbing excess oils.
Clogged Pores
Washing the skin twice daily also helps clear clogged pores. Using a cotton ball, apply apple cider vinegar to the acne prone skin to wash out the pores. In addition, apple cider vinegar can help to remove excess oil, fight bacteria and provide balanced pH levels. Glycolic acid is another natural substance that helps to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells to prevent them from further clogging pores. Keeping skin cells fully hydrated by drinking plenty of water will prevent the skin from overdrying and shedding excess dead skin cells into pores.
Bacteria
Tea tree oil is one of the best natural ingredients to fight bacteria. The Mayo Clinic reports that it has been proven to be just as effective as its chemical counterpart benzoyl peroxide. Apply to the acne-prone skin to benefit from its antibacterial properties. Note, however, that if you have acne rosacea, a different form of acne found primarily in adults where acne is accompanied by surrounding large red patches of skin, tea tree oil could worsen symptoms.
Inflammation
Zinc is not only an antioxidant gaining popularity in natural curatives due to its ability to boost the immune system, but it also has anti-inflammatory properties. The Mayo Clinic recommends zinc supplements as a natural treatment of acne. Dr. Weil also recommends eating more foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as wild salmon or other fish like tuna or halibut. A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids causes dry skin, so it is beneficial to the skin's health to maintain these levels.
References
- The Vitamins & Nutrition Center: Vitamins for Acne
- American Academy of Dermatology: Common Acne
- The Mayo Clinic: Diseases and Conditions: Acne: Expert Answers: Natural acne treatment: What's most effective?
- The Mayo Clinic: Diseases and Conditions: Acne: Basics: Lifestyle and home remedies
- Dr. Weil: Acne Treatments
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