Red acne appears in moderate to severe types of acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, inflammation is what determines the type of acne to appear on the skin's surface. If a pore is blocked and inflammation is at the surface of the pore, mild acne in the form of blackheads and whiteheads appear. When the inflammation is deeper however, red acne starts to appear in the form of a papule or pustule. Luckily there are home remedies for red acne.
Tea Tree Oil
Bacterial infections contribute to the red acne, and tea tree oil contains antibacterial properties. Tea tree oil has been proven to be just as effective as benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne. Make tea tree oil a part of your daily skin regimen to treat existing acne and help prevent further breakouts. Dr. Andrew Weil recommends washing with 5 percent tea tree oil gel, available from health food stores, to treat acne.
Zinc Supplements
Zinc is an antioxidant with natural anti-inflammatory properties as well as an ability to boost your immune system. The Mayo Clinic recommends taking zinc supplements to help in the treatment of acne. Zinc can also be found in high doses within eggs, whole grains, nuts and mushrooms. Zinc can be added to lotions and creams to be applied directly onto the acne.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Dr. Andrew Weil recommends increasing foods high in omega-3 fatty acids as they contain anti-inflammatory properties. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that the body does not naturally produce omega-3 fatty acids, so they must be consumed in foods high in them or taken as supplements, such as fish oil. A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids can also result in dry skin, which promotes excess dead skin cells that block pores.
Avoid Irritants
Heavy, greasy products such as oil-based make-up, sunscreen and moisturizers can irritate red acne further or result in new red acne. Use oil-free products on the skin to avoid clogging the pores. Longer hair can also be an irritant to acne-prone skin and should be kept away from any existing red acne. Styling products and the natural oils from hair can rub on and transfer the products to the skin, irritating it further.
Drink Water
Drinking at least the prescribed eight, eight-oz. glasses of water per day helps keep the skin in optimum health. This enables the skin to better fight the inflammation and infection naturally. It also helps prevent your skin from over drying and promotes the sloughing of excess dead skin cells that can clog pores. Water is also responsible for washing away any toxins from the skin and out of the body.
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