Acne blemishes, which include blackheads, pustules and nodules, can appear on all skin types. Although many people try to treat their acne breakouts with over-the-counter products, such as benzoyl peroxide creams or salicylic acid gels, these treatments can aggravate the skin and can actually exacerbate skin problems. Luckily, acne breakouts can be eliminated by following a routine that utilizes home remedies that can flush out the pores, kill off acne-causing bacteria and keep the skin properly toned.
Step 1
Flush out your pores using a non-comedogenic oil, such as castor oil. Smooth 2 tsp. of castor oil onto your skin, and use your fingers to massage the oil in for three minutes. Fill a bowl with nearly boiling water, and lean 12 inches over the bowl. Cover your head with a towel, and allow the steam to cover your skin for at least five minutes. Lift your head, and wipe off your skin with a wet washcloth. Repeat two times per day.
Step 2
Kill off acne-causing bacteria on each blemish using tea tree oil. Dip a cotton swab into pure tea tree oil, and then dip it again into water to sufficiently dilute the oil. Dab the oil onto individual blemishes, and let the oil soak into your skin. Repeat twice per day after applying the castor oil.
Step 3
Tone the skin using lemon juice, which is high in vitamin C. Soak five to six cotton pads in concentrated lemon juice, then place the pads onto the affected areas of the skin. After five minutes, remove the pads and let the skin dry naturally. Repeat twice per day after applying the tea tree oil.
Tips and Warnings
- Castor oil is a non-comedogenic oil that will not clog or block the pores when applied to the skin. Castor oil is also a purgative oil, and can flush out the skin by bonding to the oils and sebum inside the pores and enabling the impurities to empty out of the skin once steam is applied. Tea tree oil is an antibacterial oil that kills off the bacteria on the skin that causes acne. The Department of Dermatology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, suggests that tea tree oil can be just as effective as benzoyl peroxide cream in clearing the skin, but without the side effects, like peeling, itching or burning. Vitamin C increases skin cell turnover, which enables the skin to slough off dead skin cells more quickly and to create new skin cells faster. When the skin cell turnover speeds up, the pores can remain more clear and free of blockages.
Things You'll Need
- Castor oil
- Bowl
- Towel
- Washcloth
- Tea tree oil
- Cotton swab
- Lemon juice
- Cotton pads
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