Aloe Vera for Acne: 10 DIY Recipes

Is your dressing table filled with a lot of lotions, creams, moisturizers, and all other sorts of products to help keep your skin glowing, healthy, and acne-free?

Fortunately, you can replace many of those products with just one single natural ingredient - aloe vera. It’s that one gift of nature that is capable of treating a plethora of your skin’s needs and problems.

A multipurpose medicinal solution, aloe has been used for thousands of years. It was part of Cleopatra’s beauty regime and the healing secret of the Greeks and Romans.

Benefits of Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is loaded with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants that benefit your skin in a lot of ways. The clear aloe gel contains two growth hormones, auxin, and gibberellins, which facilitate the healing of wounds, burns, and acne.

Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce inflammation, redness, and irritation caused by acne as well. (1) Plus, being an antibacterial, aloe gel removes the acne-causing bacteria Propionibacterium from the pores.

Aloe is popular enough that it is used in a variety of beauty products. Because it provides a lot of beauty benefits, including aloe in your beauty regime can help you get a glowing, soft, healthy, and acne-free skin.

Natural Ways to Manage Acne with Aloe Vera

Read on to learn how aloe vera can be used to deal with acne and acne scars. Also, if you want to use fresh aloe gel, you can learn how to extract the gel from the aloe leaf.

Method 1: Plain Aloe Gel

Aloe vera gel is one of the popular remedies to fight acne and acne scars. (1) As aloe has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it not only removes acne-causing bacteria from the pores but also reduces inflammation and irritation.

Plus, aloe has no oils; it doesn’t clog your pores, and it provides a soothing sensation.

Single-Step Treatment: Take some aloe gel and apply it on the acne

• Extract aloe vera gel from the leaf.
• Use a cotton swab to apply the aloe gel on your acne spots.
• Let it stay for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Wash it off with lukewarm water.

Repeat this remedy daily until your acne is healed completely.

Method 2: Aloe Vera and Tea Tree Oil

There is no better natural ingredient than aloe if you want to give your skin some TLC.

Using aloe gel with tea tree essential oil not only reduces the inflammation (3) but also soothes your irritated skin.  Plus, aloe gel helps to treat minor burns as well as dry out and heal acne.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (skin soothing) - 2 teaspoons
• Tea tree oil (anti-inflammatory and antibacterial) - 1 or 2 drops

Single-Step Treatment: Blend the aloe gel and tea tree oil and apply it to the affected areas

• Put 2 teaspoons of fresh aloe gel in a mixing bowl.
• Add 1 or 2 drops of tea tree essential oil.
• Mix the ingredients well using a cosmetic brush.
• Apply this mask to your face using the same brush.
• Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Wash it off with warm water and pat your skin dry.

Use this face mask once a week. Always apply a light moisturizer to seal the vitamins from the mask.

Method 3: Aloe Vera and Lemon Juice

Lemon is another alternative therapy for clearing acne. (4) Aloe vera gel and lemon juice, if used together, can give you an acne-free skin.

Aloe gel contains auxin, gibberellin (growth hormone), and glycoproteins that reduce inflammation and facilitate the regeneration of skin cells

The antibacterial properties of lemon juice help to remove bacteria, excess oil, and dirt from the pores. Plus, lemon juice helps lighten the dark spots and patches on your face.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (hydrates and regenerates the skin) - 2 tablespoon
• Lemon juice (antibacterial) - ¼ teaspoon

Single-Step Treatment: Blend the ingredients and apply

• Put 1 to 2 tablespoons of aloe gel in a mixing bowl.
• Add ¼ teaspoon of lemon juice in it.
• Mix the ingredients well.
• Soak a q-tip in the solution and apply it on the acne.
• Keep it on for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse it off with cold water.
• Pat your skin dry and apply a light moisturizer.

Repeat this remedy every night until the acne is visibly reduced and the scars fade away.

Method 4: Aloe Vera and Rose Water Face Wash

With the goodness of aloe and rosewater, this face wash not only cleanses your face from dirt and impurities but also helps you treat acne. (5)

Rose water is an astringent and helps to remove excess oil from the pores. Castile soap has cleansing properties and rose essential oil serves as an antibacterial, drawing the acne-causing bacteria out of the pores.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (skin soothing and healing) - 1 tablespoon
• Rosewater (astringent) - 2 tablespoons
• Castile soap (cleansing) - 2 tablespoons
• Rose essential oil (antibacterial) - 1 to 2 drops

Step 1.  Mix all the ingredients

• Put 1 tablespoon of aloe gel in a mixing bowl.
• Add 2 tablespoons each of castile soap and rose water.
• Also, add 1 to 2 drops of rose essential oil.

Step 2. Blend the ingredients and transfer the solution to a bottle

• Use an immersion blender to blend all the ingredients.
• Transfer the solution into a glass bottle using a funnel.
• Wash your face with this face wash in place of the conventional one.
• Rinse it off with water and gently pat your skin dry.

You can use this face wash twice a day until your acne fades away. Plus, you can use it daily to cleanse your skin.

Method 5: Aloe Vera and Turmeric Face Mask

Aloe vera is a natural ingredient that has strong antimicrobial properties. Additionally, it also soothes and heals your skin from within, reducing the redness and swelling in the affected areas. (7)

The active compound of turmeric is curcumin, a yellow pigment that has potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps you maintain your overall skin health. (6)

When applied to acne-prone skin, it helps to eliminate bacterial infection that is responsible for the acne breakouts.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (skin soothing and healing) - as required
• Organic turmeric powder (antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory) - 1 teaspoon

Single-Step Treatment: Combine the aloe gel and turmeric powder and apply

• Put 1 teaspoon of organic turmeric powder in a bowl.
• Add enough aloe vera gel to make a smooth paste. If the paste is too thick, you may want to dilute it with a few drops of water.
• Apply it in on your acne or pimple-prone skin and keep it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Rinse your face with water and dry it gently using a soft towel.
• Apply a light, oil-free moisturizer.

You can apply this DIY turmeric mask for acne and pimples two times a week to get a blemish-free skin.

Method 6: Aloe Vera and Cinnamon Cleanser

You’ll be upping your chances at having a smooth skin that’s acne-free by using an aloe and cinnamon-honey cleanser. Together cinnamon and honey help fight acne-causing bacteria. (8)

Aloe vera, which is being adored for its various nutritional benefits, is also helpful in reducing inflammation caused by acne. Plus, it helps treat skin problems such as sunburns, minor wounds, and burns.

The antimicrobial property of cinnamon facilitates the removal of acne-causing bacteria and accumulated dirt from the pores.

Honey is a natural humectant and helps provide adequate moisturization to your skin.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (anti-inflammatory) - 1 tablespoon
• Honey (humectant) - 2 tablespoons
• Cinnamon powder (antimicrobial) - ¼ tablespoon

Single-Step Treatment: Blend the ingredients and apply the mixture on the acne

• Pour 1 tablespoon of aloe gel into a small mixing bowl.
• Add 2 tablespoons of honey to it.
• Add ¼ tablespoon of cinnamon powder.
• Use an immersion blender to blend the ingredients.
• Apply the mixture on your acne using a cotton swab and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Wash it off with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry.

Repeat this remedy daily for a week or two to treat your acne and breakouts.

Method 7: Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel Toner

This all-natural DIY toner helps tighten your pores without drying out your skin. Aloe and witch hazel are one of the common ingredients used in commercial skin moisturizers. (9)

Witch hazel is an astringent that helps cut off excess oil, sweating, and the development of blackheads or whiteheads, which then lead to breakouts.

Aloe gel and raw honey have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that remove bacteria from the pores and reduce the redness and inflammation. Plus, rose water helps cleanse your skin by removing accumulated dirt.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (anti-inflammatory and moisturizing) - ½ tablespoon
• Raw honey (antibacterial) - ½ tablespoon
• Witch hazel (astringent) - 1 tablespoon
• Rosewater (cleansing) - ¼ cup

Step 1. Combine all the ingredients

• Put a ½ tablespoon each of aloe gel and raw honey in a mixing bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of witch hazel.
• Add a ¼ cup of rose water.

Step 2. Blend the ingredients and spray the toner on the acne

• Blend the ingredients well using an immersion blender.
• Transfer the solution into a spray bottle.
• Spray it on the affected areas.

Use this remedy thrice weekly until your acne fades away.

Method 8: Aloe Vera and Vitamin E

Vitamin E is also known as the “skin vitamin.” It has excellent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-healing properties, which make it an excellent remedy for various skin and hair problems. (10)

Using vitamin E oil with aloe vera helps to soothe your skin. As aloe has antibacterial properties, it facilitates the removal of acne and acne scars.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (skin soothing) - 1 to 2 teaspoons
• Vitamin E oil (antioxidant) - a few drops

Single-Step Treatment: Mix the ingredients and apply the mixture on the affected areas

• Pour 1 to 2 teaspoons of aloe gel in a mixing bowl.
• Puncture a vitamin E capsule and add it to aloe gel.
• Thoroughly mix the ingredients.
• Soak in a cotton ball in the solution. Apply it to the acne-affected areas.
• Let it sit for an hour and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Repeat this remedy daily until the acne gets removed completely.

Method 9: Aloe Vera and Sugar Cleansing Scrub

This aloe and sugar cleansing scrub helps to soothe, moisturize, and brighten your skin. As this scrub has sugar, it draws moisture to your skin.

Aloe serves as an antibacterial agent that removes the harmful acne-causing bacteria, Propionibacterium, from the pores. Plus, aloe helps to heal acne and acne scars.

The lactic acid in milk helps in exfoliation, leaving you with soft and smooth skin. Plus, it helps to soothe the acne-prone skin.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (antibacterial) - 2 tablespoons
• Powdered sugar (humectant) - 4 tablespoons
• Milk (skin soothing) - ½ tablespoon

Single-Step Treatment: Stir the ingredients well and apply the mixture on the acne

• Put 4 tablespoons of powdered sugar in a mixing bowl.
• Add 2 tablespoons of aloe gel and a ½ tablespoon of milk to it.
• Blend the ingredients well to form a uniform scrub.
• Apply it to the acne-affected areas.
• Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Wash it off with lukewarm water and gently pat your skin dry.

You can repeat this remedy twice a week to get acne-free skin.

Method 10: Aloe Vera Acne Cream

This DIY acne cream is made with aloe vera gel which is a popular component of commercial acne moisturizers (2), coconut oil, shea butter, vitamin E oil, almond oil, and essential oils - all of which are incredibly good for your skin’s health.

Aloe vera and coconut oil have moisturizing, hydrating, and healing properties that help eliminate harmful bacteria from the skin, including Propionibacterium acnes. (11)

Shea butter is called a superfood for the skin, due to its constituents including unsaturated fats, essential fatty acids, vitamins E and D, and pro-vitamins.

Due to their content of multiple vitamins (A, B, D, and E), proteins, essential minerals, fats, and antioxidants, almond oil and vitamin E oil are exceptionally good for wrinkles, acne, scars, and fine lines.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (lightens the skin color) - 2 to 3 tablespoons
• Almond oil (removes wrinkles and fine lines) - 1 tablespoon
• Coconut oil (natural moisturizer) - 1 tablespoon
• Shea butter (contains vitamins and minerals) - ½ tablespoon
• The essential oil of your choice (adds fragrance and nourishment) - 2 or 3 drops
• Vitamin E oil (moisturizing) - 2 or 3 drops or ½ capsule

Step 1. Put the aloe gel and shea butter in a mixing bowl

• Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of aloe gel in a bowl.
• Add ½ tablespoon of shea butter to it.

Step 2. Mix the oils

• Pour 1 tablespoon each of coconut and almond oils.
• Puncture a vitamin E capsule and pour 2 or 3 drops into the bowl.
• Add 2 or 3 drops of your preferred essential oil.

Step 3. Whisk the ingredients; store and use the moisturizer nightly

• Whisk the ingredients thoroughly.
• Transfer the mixture to a container.
• Apply this DIY cream each night before going to bed for a healthy, soft, and acne-free skin.

Additional helpful tips

• In case you’re allergic to aloe vera, you can use DIY baking soda masks for acne.
• Use freshly extracted aloe vera gel in place of the ones available on the market.
• To treat your acne, you can also try DIY turmeric masks.

Resources:

1. Forest JM, Rafikhah N. Aloe vera Juice, and Acne Vulgaris: A Placebo-Controlled Study. Science Alert. https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=ajcn.2014.29.34. Published October 2, 2014.
2. Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Pongparit K. Moisturizers for Acne: What are their Constituents? The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4025519/. Published May 2014.
3. Mazzarello V, Donadu MG, Ferrari M, et al. Treatment of acne with a combination of propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera compared to erythromycin cream: two double-blind investigations. Clinical pharmacology: advances and applications. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6298394/. Published December 13, 2018.
4. Tan AU, Schlosser BJ, Paller AS. A review of diagnosis and treatment of acne in adult female patients. International journal of women's dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5986265/. Published December 23, 2017.
5. Tofighi Z, Molazem M, Doostdar B, et al. Antimicrobial Activities of Three Medicinal Plants and Investigation of Flavonoids of Tripleurospermum disciforme. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research: IJPR. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4277635/. Published 2015.
6. Vaughn AR, Branum A, Sivamani RK. Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence. Phytotherapy research: PTR. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27213821. Published August 2016.
7. Moriyama M, Moriyama H, Uda J, et al. Beneficial Effects of the Genus Aloe on Wound Healing, Cell Proliferation, and Differentiation of Epidermal Keratinocytes. PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0164799. Published October 13, 2016.
8. Julianti E, Rajah KK, Fidrianny I. Antibacterial Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Cinnamon Bark, Honey, and Their Combination Effects against Acne-Causing Bacteria. Scientia Pharmaceutica. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28398231. Published April 11, 2017.
9. Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, et al. Moisturizers for Acne: What are their Constituents? : JCAD | The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. JCAD. http://jcadonline.com/moisturizers-for-acne-what-are-their-constituents/. Published May 20, 2014.
10. Chan H, Chan G, Santos J, Dee K, Co JK. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy and safety of lactoferrin with vitamin E and zinc as an oral therapy for mild to moderate acne vulgaris. International journal of dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28369875. Published June 2017.
11. Lin T-K, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. International journal of molecular sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796020/. Published December 27, 2017.