As we understand more about the possible side effects of drugs and pharmaceuticals, more and more of us look to nature to offer cures for various ailments. Because of this, many of us prefer to seek herbal treatment for acne to help clear this problematic skin condition naturally.
But are herbal treatments and home remedies effective for acne? Are the so called herbal remedies really herbal and are they safe? Let’s have a look at what works and to what extent.
Herbal treatment for acne
Neem: One of the most commonly used natural antibacterial agent, is neem which has been used in natural therapies such as Ayurveda for centuries. It can be applied topically or taken in tea form.
Tea tree oil: The natural antifungal and antibacterial properties of tea tree oil are also well known and this too can help fight acne when applied topically.
Aloe vera: Another simple herbal remedy is aloe vera. You don’t have to buy it from the store – if you grow this plant in a pot or in the garden, you simply snip off a piece of the plant and take the jelly like substance to apply it directly to the skin.
Vinegar: This is another natural antibacterial that can be used for fighting acne. According to experts, apple cider vinegar works best.
Nutritional remedies
Diet: Many experts insist that there is no connection between diet and breakouts. However studies have shown that people and cultures that have lower incidences of acne probably owe this to their diet. Diet modifications can help reduce the frequency and severity of breakouts. Cutting out refined and processed food as well as food treated with hormones can help as can the eating of more whole, natural foods.
Allergy: Sometimes acne can be an allergic reaction to particular foods. So, isolating that food and cutting it out will naturally be of help.
Water: Drinking plenty of water can also help according to some experts. This can help the body manage waste better and could possibly help prevent pimples.
Other remedies
Find out if it is makeup or a particular brand of it that tends to cause acne. Also look at your face washing regime – do you wash your face too often or not often enough? Is your cleanser suitable for your skin type?
Get plenty of fresh air and sunlight. Exposure to sunlight is known to kill some of the bacteria associated with acne. However, do so in moderation.
Having said all of this, some types of acne may not respond to herbal and home remedies and may need prescription treatments. Something else you should remember is that when you try the herbal treatment, don’t assume that it is safe simply because it claims to be ‘herbal’.
Great article, using natural remedies to treat skin disorders like acne is always going to be a superior solution to using over the counter medications. Thanks for the article!