Acne, a common skin disorder affecting 60 million Americans, occurs when pores become clogged with excess oil secretions, according to the Acne Resource Center. The appearance of red, inflamed, pus-filled cysts may develop when white blood cells rush to infection sites. While you should seek medical attention if you have an extreme case of the skin condition, natural home remedies can provide safe and effective methods to relieve redness associated with acne.
Ice
Ice reduces redness and helps to inhibit swelling connected with acne, according to Acnetalks.com. Rub ice on your blemishes every 30 minutes. Hold the ice on the affected area for three minutes. As inflammation subsides you can then cover the pimple with a green-tinted makeup concealer. Alternatively, rub ice on your pimples before bedtime. Marked improvement should be evident in the morning.
Cucumber
Cucumbers, commonly used in folk medicine to inhibit heat and inflammation, cools and soothes the skin when used externally, and it can actually prevent pimples and blackheads from occurring, according to Home-Remedies-for-You.com. The website suggests applying grated cucumber on affected areas for 15 to 20 minutes. You will find that cucumber reacts particularly well when treating red and swollen pimples.
Eggs
Look no further than your refrigerator for a natural acne eradicator. Eggs provide anti-acne astringent and anti-inflammatory agents that draw the red out, according to Dr. James Fulton, a California-based dermatologist, as stated in the book "Home Remedies: What Works."
Clean your face with soap and water. Breaking an egg, separate the white from the yolk. Dab a cotton swab into the egg white and apply it to your pimples. You can also mix corn flour with egg white to use as a facial mask. Allow the mask to dry for 20 to 25 minutes, and then rinse with warm water. Wash your hands with soap and hot water as a protection against salmonella. According to Beauty-Cosmetic-Guide.com., when applied regularly, egg facials will promote bright, clear complexions.
Honey
Honey, used for centuries as a natural medicine for skin problems, works well as a cystic acne remedy. It soothes raw skin tissue and provides antifungal and moisturizing benefits. Additionally, as stated by BenefitsofHoney.com, honey "offers incredible antiseptic, antioxidant and cleansing properties." The website also reports that the natural sweetener "not only fights infection and aids tissue healing but also helps reduce inflammation and scarring."
You can add crushed aspirin with 1 tbsp. honey to use as a face scrub. GrannyMed.com recommends a honey and oatmeal mixture as a facial mask to reduce inflammation. Mix one serving of plain oatmeal with 1/4 cup of honey and smooth it on your face. Allow it to dry for 20 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with warm water. Dr. Randall Neustaedter, author and Oriental medicine practitioner, suggests dabbing raw honey directly onto your skin.
References
- Acne Talks: How to Cure Acne at Home
- Beauty Cosmetic Guide: Home Remedies for Pimples
- "Home Remedies: What Works"; Gale Maleskey; 1995
- Benefits of Honey: Amazing Benefits of Honey
- Home Remedies for You: Acne
