Home Remedies for Acne (Pimples)

Acne is a skin disorder resulting from the action of hormones on the skins sebaceous glands (microscopic glands in the skin which secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate the skin and hair) which leads to blocked pores (blackheads and whiteheads), and outbreaks of cysts or nodules commonly called pimples. They may occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms.

What is Acne?

Acne is a disorder that causes skin eruptions and inflammation. Acne lesions can appear as whiteheads, blackheads, small pink bumps called papules, or pimples (pus-filled red lesions). Acne occurs most commonly during adolescence/teenage years, affecting more than 89% of teenagers, and frequently continues into adulthood. For most people, acne diminishes over time and tends to disappear or at the very least decrease after one reaches one's early twenties. There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take to disappear entirely, and some individuals will carry this condition well into their thirties, forties and beyond.

What causes Acne?

It is thought that the increased production of the Testosterone hormone (male sex hormone) and natural oils in the body during the teenage years is responsible for the formation of pimples. However other physical and genetic factors may also play a role. Stress, psychological disturbances, and irregular living habits can also bring on Acne. Following are the major acne causes:

• Improper diet,
• Use of cosmetic products,
• Hormonal disturbances,
• Lack of hygiene,
• Indigestion and constipation,
• Presence of toxins in blood,
• Menstruation.

What is the impact of Acne?

While Acne is not life-threatening, it can have a very adverse psychological impact on it's young sufferer. At the very time of your life, when you're extra-conscious about your looks and want to fit in, being marked out by acne can be extremely difficult to live with. Teenagers with acne are often prone to depression and often show poor self-esteem and a general lack of confidence.

What can I do about it?

There are many natural home remedies for acne that we have in our kitchen or we can get from the health food store. These are not very expensive. Here are some to get you started:

• Wash your face every evening before bedtime to wash off any excess dirt and oils from your face that has been accumulated during the day.
• Orange peel has been found very effective home remedy for acne treatment. Mixed well with water on a piece of stone, the peel should be applied to the affected areas.
• Slice a lemon in half and rub it on the effected area and leave it over night and rinse your face in the morning, or squeeze the juice and mix it with rose water and apply to the effected areas.
• Aloe Vera juice applied twice a day can greatly help in healing of the scars of the acne.
• Cucumber is one of the easiest and refreshing treatments used for the treatment of acne and to refreshen up the skin. It makes our skin feel looking young. Blend the cucumber into a paste and apply it on the affected area. Leave it for 30 to 45 minutes and then wash it off.
• Another good home remedy for acne is to make a paste of sandalwood (chandan) powder with black gram (masoor) dal which can be used on facial skin for acne treatment. Keep it overnight and wash it with cold water the next day.
• Tomato can also be used for the treatment of blackheads and to open the pores of the skin. Cut the tomato and rub it on the skin. Leave it for fifteen minutes and then wash it off with water. This will reduce open pores and blackheads. This treatment is good particularly for oily skin.
• Garlic has been used successfully in the treatment of acne. Rub raw garlic on the affected skin several times a day, it will help to remove the scars. Chronic forms of acne are also healed by this method.
• Make a paste of nutmeg (jaiphal) with unboiled milk and apply on affected area. This works as a wonderful ointment. Pimples disappear without leaving a mark. This is one of the useful home remedies for acne.
• Egg whites are also used to get rid of acne. Apply it on face and leave it overnight. Wash off in the morning.
• Neem is used for the treatment of all sorts of skin problems. It contains Nimbidol and Gedunin, which have very good fungicidal properties. Neem has proved to be beneficial in skin disorders such as warts, scabies, psoriasis, eczema, and even dandruff. It is extremely effective in acne treatment.
• Take 3 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon (dalchini) powder. Make a paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. Repeat for two weeks, pimples will disappear forever. This is an effective home remedy for acne treatment.
• Mix 1 tablespoon groundnut oil with 1-tablespoon fresh limejuice to prevent formation of blackheads and pimples.
• Make a paste of fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves. Apply it over the face every night for 10-15 minutes and washed with warm water. This will prevent pimples, blackheads, and wrinkles.
• Take a teaspoon of coriander (dhania) juice; mix it with a pinch of turmeric (haldi) powder. It is a very effective home made ointment for pimples and blackheads. The mixture should be applied to the face after thoroughly washing it every night before going to bed. Mint (pudina) juice can also be used in a similar manner as coriander juice.
• Juice of raw papaya (including the skin and seed) can also be applied on swelling pimples.
• Make a paste of roasted & powdered pomegranate (anar) skin with fresh lime juice and apply over boils, pimple, blackheads and whiteheads. This is one of the important home remedies for acne.
• Apply a small amount of toothpaste (paste, not gel) on pimples before bed; this helps dry out the pimples.

There are many other home made remedies or you can say natural remedies like some of the special diets which help you to get rid of acne and acne scars. The only thing is: you should be very regular in getting the natural or home treatment because these may be a slow treatment for acne but they does not have any kind of side effects and helps you in healthy lifestyle.