How to Get Rid of Acne Using this 1 Ingredient

As dramatic as it sounds, bad timing of acne breakouts can sometimes bring life to a standstill. An important interview, the party you’ve looked forward to for months or a special date – an unsightly breakout has the power to ruin it all.

The red lumps and bumps on your skin that you refer to as acne are caused when the hair follicles get clogged with dirt, excessive sebum, and dead skin buildup. These clogged pores become a breeding place for bacteria, which gives rise to redness, irritation, pain, and sensitivity.

Sometimes the acne goes away quickly. Sometimes it’s there to stay. So what are your options besides coping? Hit that acne with some effective home remedies.

Unlike the countless solutions available at the beauty market or drug store, these home remedies will not have an adverse effect on your skin or body. They provide a lasting effect. And the best part of all, most of these are extremely cost-efficient and make use of readily available ingredients.

Here are six home remedies to get rid of persistent acne.

Method 1: Using Honey and Cinnamon

Things you’ll need:

• Honey
• Cinnamon powder
• Cotton swabs

Make a paste of cinnamon and honey

• Add honey to cinnamon powder to make a thick but spreadable paste. The quantity of honey should be double the amount of the cinnamon powder. Don’t make it too runny, as this sweet and sticky paste will make a mess on your face.

Both cinnamon and honey are known for their antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Honey also has hydrating properties and helps maintain the oil balance on your skin.

• Wash your face with water and pat it dry.
• Use cotton swabs to apply the cinnamon-honey paste on the acne-ridden skin. You can use this paste as a face mask or for spot treatment.
• Leave it on for not more than 15 minutes before rinsing it off. Pat your face dry with a soft towel.

Repeat 2 or 3 times a week as required to get rid of acne using this 1 ingredient.

Note: This remedy may not suit people with sensitive skin as cinnamon can sometimes result in a burning sensation.

Method 2: Using Baking Soda and Honey

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda
• Water
• Honey
• Cotton ball

Make a paste of baking soda, honey and water

• Put some baking soda in a bowl.
• Add equal amounts of honey and water to make a spreadable paste.

Although baking soda has some anti-inflammatory properties, it works on acne by clearing up your skin. Baking soda is a great exfoliator and has the ability to refresh the skin. It unclogs the pores by removing dead skin cells, thus clearing up the acne.

Baking soda, however, can be drying. Using it with honey, which is known for its hydrating properties, prevents the skin from drying out. Honey also eliminates the acne-causing bacteria and brings down swelling in the area. Honey will also help prevent scarring.

• Apply the mask over your face with a cotton ball. If you don’t mind the stickiness, use your fingers.
• Lightly massage the paste on your face and leave it on for about 5 minutes.
• Rinse the paste off with lukewarm water and pat your face dry with a soft towel.

Repeat this remedy twice a week.

Method 3: Using Lemon Juice

Things you’ll need:

• Lemon juice
• Rose water
• Cotton ball

Dilute the lemon juice with rose water

• Squeeze some fresh lemon juice into a small bowl.
• Dilute it with an equal amount of rose water.

Lemon juice is probably one of the most “effective in one application” remedies for acne. It clears out the sebum and bacteria clogging the pores.

Concentrated lemon juice can be harsh on sensitive skin. Rose water is a good way to dilute it. Rose water is itself considered a very gentle acne remedy. It heals acne wounds as well as diminishes the scars and tones the skin.

• Using a cotton ball, dab the diluted lemon juice on the acne. You may also apply it on your entire face.
• Let it dry completely before washing your face with cool water.

Repeat this remedy 2 or 3 times a week, depending on your sensitivity to lemon juice.

Method 4: Using Turmeric

Things you’ll need:

• Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
• Rice flour – 2 teaspoons
• Yogurt – 3 tablespoons

Step 1. Combine the ingredients together

• Put 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder into 3 tablespoons of yogurt.
• Add 2 teaspoons of rice flour to it.

Turmeric powder has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the pain, swelling and redness in acne bumps.

Both rice flour and yogurt have exfoliating and skin lightening properties. They remove dead skin cells and debris from the pores which reduces the inflammation and speeds up the healing process.

You can also substitute yogurt with raw milk, buttermilk or sour cream. This mask is very gentle, suits a variety of skin types and can be applied on the entire face.

 Step 2. Mix and apply

• Mix the ingredients well to make a smooth paste.
• Apply the mask on the entire face with a makeup brush to prevent turmeric stains on hands.
• Let the mask dry completely, then wash off with lukewarm water.
• If your skin ends up stained with turmeric, you can clean your face with a cotton ball soaked in raw milk or buttermilk.

Apply this turmeric mask 2 or 3 times a week to treat acne and prevent any scarring.

Method 5: Using Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Things you’ll need:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Water

Dilute the apple cider vinegar with water

Dilute some apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water.

This is also an effective, albeit a little stinky, remedy for acne. Being acidic, apple cider vinegar eliminates the bacteria and unclogs the pores by clearing out excess sebum, dirt and dead skin buildup. It also evens up the skin tone.

• Apply the diluted ACV on your face, especially on the acne-affected areas.
• Let the ACV stay on your face for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Wash your face with water and pat it dry with a soft towel.

Repeat 2 or 3 times a week, as needed.

Method 6: Using Aloe Vera

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera

Apply aloe vera gel on your face

• Extract some aloe vera gel from the leaves of the plant. Fresh gel straight from the leaves is the best, though you can also get aloe vera gel at any drug store.
• Apply the gel over your entire face, concentrating on the acne.
• Let it stay on your face for about 30 minutes before washing it off with water. If applying at night, you can easily leave it on overnight for better results.

This remedy can easily be applied 3 times a week or more. Aloe vera is extremely mild and can also be used daily without any repercussions.

Aloe vera is antimicrobial and has commendable healing properties that help soothe irritated skin around the acne. Besides effectively curing the acne, it will also make the skin healthy, radiant and glowing. This may also help prevent any future breakouts. As an added bonus, treating acne with aloe vera even prevents scarring.

If you want fresh aloe vera gel, you can easily get a potted aloe vera plant. Aloe vera is a hassle-free plant that is easy to care for. This way you’ll always have a fresh supply of aloe vera gel for beauty and health remedies.

Method 7: Using Tea Tree Oil

Things you’ll need:

• Tea tree oil
• Cotton ball

Apply tea tree oil on your face

• Put some tea tree essential oil drops on a cotton ball and dab it on your acne.
• Essential oils are quite potent and may irritate the skin. Do a skin test before applying it on your face.
• If your skin feels sensitive to tea tree oil, you can easily dilute it with a little coconut oil. Use water for diluting if you have oily skin.

Repeat this remedy twice a week to cure acne.

Tea tree essential oil is antimicrobial and has anti-inflammatory properties that make it an effective acne cure.

Additional Tips

• Keeping in mind the ratios, these acne remedies should be made in required quantities. While best used fresh, the remedies can be stored for up to a week in the fridge. Lemon juice should preferably be always freshly squeezed.
• If you’re allergic to any of the ingredients used, it is best to try another method. Find the method that suits you best and that you can use regularly.
• Use a good sunscreen, and avoid going out in the sun for 48 hours after you apply lemon juice on your face. Lemon juice makes the skin susceptible to damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays.
• Don’t touch your face unnecessarily. Especially, avoid touching and prodding the breakouts. This irritates the skin, making the problem worse and may end up causing the acne to spread.
• Regularly wash your pillowcases. Doing so will help prevent future breakouts.
• Keep your makeup brushes clean as well. Dirty makeup brushes spread the stale sweat, dirt and bacteria on your face, clogging and infecting the pores and resulting in fresh breakouts.
• Always keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. For oily skin, a light moisturizer may be used.
• Drinking herbal teas like chamomile, green and rooibos tea can help clear out your acne from within. They are antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory. You can also apply the tea topically after brewing.
• Include products with benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid or salicylic acid in your skin care regimen. Benzoyl peroxide provides an oxygen-rich environment in which the acne-causing bacteria can’t survive. Azelaic acid and salicylic acid have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. While the former is beneficial in bringing down the swelling, the latter is a good alternative for mild acne and sensitive skin.