A for Acne..

The very sight of those tiny bumps surfacing on the skin can cause distress (no exaggeration :) ) among us women. We then try every possible way to hide them from the world but most often fail miserably and end up causing more harm to our skin. These annoying zits appear at the most inconvenient of times, especially when you think the world is watching you.

I have found that going the natural way works way better than over the counter remedies. However, there is still a catch to it. Every individual’s skin is different and reacts differently to natural remedies. So you may have to find out which one suits your skin the best and stick to it.  Personally, tree-tea oil works best for me (I have combination skin with an oily T-zone).

So here are some of the tried and tested remedies to combat acne.

Baking Soda- is an excellent exfoliator and helps remove dead skin cells. It helps in wiping out break outs and also reduces inflammation.

Method:

·         Take equal parts of baking soda and lukewarm water to make a paste. Apply it on the acne individually and not on the entire face.

·         Leave the paste on for about 10-15 minutes or until dry.

·         Wash off with cold water to help close the pores.

·         Repeat at most twice a day.

Apple Cider Vinegar- has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties. Since it is in a concentrated form, it is advisable to dilute it with water (dilute few teaspoons with ½ part or ¼ part water) and apply to skin. Leave it on for 20 minutes or just let it stay.

Tea tree oil- is a Godsend miracle oil that is an all-natural remedy for acne. It has amazing anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and can be used for a host of other problems. Dab some tree tea oil onto the acne with a cotton ball and let it stay. Keeping it overnight works even better. It can be reapplied as and when required throughout the day. Tea tree oil can be bought from drugstores or beauty stores.

Lemon juice- Lemons are rich in vitamin C and have antibacterial and astringent properties. Cut a lemon in half and gently rub it over the acne. Keep it on for about 15 minutes and remember that citric acid in lemon has bleaching properties. So use sun screen afterwards to prevent skin from sun damage.

Garlic- is a great remedy not only when consumed internally but also works great topically. Thinly slice a clove of garlic and rub the slices on your skin, making sure the juice of the garlic is applied. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes.

There are several more remedies but I thought I would give you the most tried and tested ones. They seem to be effective if used regularly and result in clear and smooth skin. These tips are quick and easy and most importantly, you can find these ingredients right in your kitchen.

There is an amazing all natural cleansing method (for clear and glowing skin) that I would like to share with you, but I have decided to keep that aside for a new blog post. Also, note that these tips are to combat acne. Remedies to target pimples spot on will again be featured in a separate blog post.

That apart, it is very important that you keep your mind and body in good form by eating healthy, drinking plenty of water and exercising regularly as more often than not, acne is caused by hormonal imbalance, stress and unhealthy diets. Also, make sure to keep your bed cover and pillowcases clean, as they can carry bacteria if they are not changed regularly and result in acne.

Hope these tips benefit you and please feel free to drop in comments about the ones that worked for you. You could even suggest new remedies that have worked for you. Stay blessed and healthy until my next post. A product review coming up soon..