Home Remedy for Zits

While it's not an issue of life-or-death, acne is a cause for embarrassment in teenagers and adults alike, and can result in disfiguring scars. Home remedies work from the inside and the outside, but they are not foolproof. If home remedies don't work for you within three or four weeks, consult a dermatologist for supplements, topical ointments, dermabrasion or light therapy sessions.

Causes of Acne

Pimples occur when the pores in your skin fill with natural oils and bits of flaked skin, causing the pores to become blocked, to harbor bacteria and potentially to become inflamed and red. Teenagers typically have acne because their increasing hormone levels cause the glands under the skin to overproduce natural sebum oils.

Psychological Factors

Your emotions can aggravate acne, according to the November 2006 "Harvard Women's Health Watch." While this may not be true for all people, scientific data suggest that stress, depression or anxiety can cause or worsen acne. Use your own home remedies to manage your stress every day, through exercise, listening to upbeat music, or taking deep breaths and stretching throughout the day. Take a yoga or meditation class or simply spend time each day finding your own ways to relieve stress.

Pastes

According to Elissa Altman, author of "Baking Soda, Banana Peels, Baby Oil and Beyond," homemade pastes make zits go away quickly. She recommends ¼ tsp. of baking soda mixed with a few drops of water left on your face for five minutes, cooked oatmeal left on for 15 minutes, and a paste with 1 tsp. of cornstarch and 1 tsp. lemon juice left on for four to five minutes. Rinse each paste off with cool water and pat your face dry. Evan Healy, a holistic skin care specialist, recommends clay as a natural formula for drawing excess oil from pimples.

Apply pastes cautiously and gently, only on the pimple itself, to avoid irritating your acne even more and spreading bacteria all over your face.

Keeping Face Clean

Use a mild soap that doesn't dry out or irritate your skin, and rub gently instead of scrubbing. If possible, avoid cosmetics and any products that could clog your pores more than necessary, on your face itself and on your hair that touches your face. Avoid touching your face with your hands, which will also spread oils and bacteria and contribute to clogged pores.

Internal Remedies

Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt, authors of "No More Dirty Looks," say that treating acne from the outside is like "shooting the messenger." In other words, a healthy diet and plenty of exercise may be the best home remedy for acne. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology acknowledges that some doctors now believe that a diet high in sugar or excess carbohydrates can increase your body's production of insulin, which in turn, causes hormone imbalances and acne.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and whole grains for their vitamins, minerals and fiber, to help your body eliminate wastes, might help you to look as good as you feel.