The subject of natural or homegrown acne remedies is a broad one to cover as one must be able to separate the effective options from those that really amount to little more than old wives’ tales. Yet, with this said, someone searching for successful remedies for acne would be foolish to overlook the benefits of those natural remedies that have been passed on in families. These sorts of remedies based upon common sense practices or herbs are typically successful for most mild cases of acne. It is when these cases grow more severe that one should consult a physician or dermatologist.
For centuries, civilizations relied exclusively upon herbal and natural remedies for the treatment of every ailment. No, there were no convenient drive-up pharmacies to get a prescription for manufactured medications. In order to find ways to help treat sickness one had to venture into the woods and search for cures there. And for the most part, nature provided for these needs through the various herbs that were found to have medicinal value.
The earliest physicians were nothing more than what we today call herbalists or at a certain point in time, apothecaries. Either way, the natural remedies they discovered were the basis for scientists who later found ways to create synthetic substitutes for these herbs and distill the innate properties down into a form that can be amplified or augmented by other elements.
A List of Common Natural Remedies
Hot/Cold Compresses - A chief natural remedy that is recommended more often than not is the usage of hot and cold wet towel compresses to reduce swelling and eliminate clogged pores--the major culprit in the production of acne.
Drinking Water - This natural remedy for acne is simple enough. The premise behind it the idea that if you drink a sufficient amount of water per day, typically 7-8 glasses of water a day, your body is cleansed of elements of toxicity that can actually contribute to the development and spread of acne. It also should be noted, that many natural remedies not only recommend to merely drink plain old ordinary water, but a ctually adding herbal ingredients by boiling fenugreek seeds and corn into the water.
Oils and Juices - Though it can seem odd, the benefits of using natural substances like almond oil - which can actually help with the removal of acne scars - cannot be ignored. Apricot juice helps to alleviate the presence of cysts by cutting through them.
- Cucumber juice - Used as a topical application, either alone or combined with carrot juice, alfalfa or lettuce.
- Citric fruit juices - These types of juices, such as lemon juice, serve as a natural exfoliate, removing dead skin cells which might cause clogging of the pores. You should allow it to dry on the face for approximately 10 minutes before rinsing it away with cool water.
- Tea Tree Oil - Tea tree oil has been recognized as a potent antiseptic in Australia anecdotally for much longer than there has been solid scientific evidence. However, studies have recently been conducted which support the role of tea tree oil in skin care and the treatment of various ailments. In the treatment of moderate acne, topical application of 5% tea tree oil has shown a significant effect comparable to 5% benzoyl peroxide with less observed side effects; although, it does display a slower onset of action. This is definitely a
natural treatment worth trying. Bassett I, Pannowitz D, Barnetson R (1990). "A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne.". Med J Aust 153 (8): 455-8. PMID 2145499.
Fenugreek leaves - This remedy provides great prevention of breakouts and involves taking the fenugreek leaves, crushing them, and making a paste out of them. You should then apply it to infected areas every night, then wash it away the following morning with warm water.
Honey Mask - Because honey has naturally occurring anti-bacterial qualities it is often applied to the face as a mask, killing surface bacteria. Typically, the mask should be applied once or twice weekly depending upon the results of usage.
Distilled white vinegar - Apply the vinegar as a topical solution, letting it sit on the infected area for at least 5-10 minutes. Then rinse it thoroughly with cool water. Often the vinegar can be a little too strong so it is recommended that you dilute it, though not too much.
Make-up or Cosmetic Usage - Simply put, this is a common sense remedy for acne. Just avoid using these products because more than likely the chemicals and oils used to manufacture them will clog the pores, which, in turn, leads to more breakouts.
Further Remedies
Beyond the common natural remedies for acne, there are a few other interesting options available and worth mentioning at this time.
Diet and vitamin supplements - Unlike former days, when the diets of civilizations included only naturally occurring food from the ground, the usage of fertilizers and pesticides has taken a toll on the nutrient content of much of the food that we eat. Add to this the fact that our food is further manipulated by chemical preservatives and you have some further explanations for the occurrences of some acne breakout. To combat this, observing a proper and balanced diet and taking a hearty multi-vitamin can actually go a long way towards preventing certain bio-chemical conditions which provide fertile ground for acne.
Echinacea and Oregon grape - These herbs are both useful for boosting the body’s immune system and also combating many forms of acne-causing bacteria.
Vitamin A - Used in large quantities, vitamin A has actually been used to successfully treat some severe forms of acne. But it must be clear that if you plan to use vitamin A as a possible remedy you should consult a physician because, if used in large enough doses, it can be toxic.
Vitamin B5 - Following from the discoveries in mouse trials, in the late 1990s, a small study was published promoting the use of pantothenic acid to treat acne vulgaris.
According to the study, published in 1997 by Dr. Lit-Hung Leung, high doses of Vitamin B5 resolved acne and decreased pore size. Dr. Leung also proposes a mechanism, stating that CoA regulates both hormones and fatty-acids, and without sufficient quantities of pantothenic acid, CoA will preferentially produce androgens. This causes fatty acids to build up and be excreted through sebaceous glands, causing acne. Leung's study gave 45 Asian males and 55 Asian females varying doses of 10-20g of pantothenic acid (100,000%-200,000% of the US Daily Value), 80% orally and 20% through topical cream. Leung noted improvement of acne within one week to one month of the start of the treatment.
Today, many companies offer Vitamin B5 supplements aimed at reducing acne. The recommend treatment course, however, is difficult and expensive to maintain. Many sites suggest starting off the first three days with 5g and then moving up to 10g a day for three months. Since the largest pill available is 500mg (a 1g pill of B5 has been made, but is extremely difficult to swallow), this can result in as many as 20 pills a day. Even if powder is used for convenience in place of capsules or tablets, many people report feeling nauseas with such a high dose…and dislike the taste. The average cost for a bottle of 200 B5 500mg tablets is $10, so the cost can be steep. However, after three months many users suggest decreasing to 3-5g a day, with some claiming 1 g/day is sufficient.
Critics are quick to point out the flaws in Dr. Leung's study, however. Dr. Leung's study was not a double-blind placebo controlled trial. To date, the only study looking at the effect of Vitamin B5 on acne is Dr. Leung's, and few if any dermatologists prescribe high-dose pantothenic acid. Furthermore, there is no evidence documenting acetyl-CoA regulation of androgens instead of fatty acids in times of stress or limited availablity, since fatty acids are also necessary for life.
Zinc - This vitamin, if added to one’s diet, can actually aid in the healing of acne lesions and help in the prevention of scarring. Orally administered zinc gluconate has been shown to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory acne, although less so than tetracyclines.
Dreno B, Amblard P, Agache P, Sirot S, Litoux P (1989). "Low doses of zinc gluconate for inflammatory acne". Acta Derm Venereol 69 (6): 541-3. PMID 2575335. ^ Dreno B, Moyse D, Alirezai M, Amblard P, Auffret N, Beylot C, Bodokh I, Chivot M, Daniel F, Humbert P, Meynadier J, Poli F (2001). "Multicenter randomized comparative double-blind controlled clinical trial of the safety and efficacy of zinc gluconate versus minocycline h ydrochloride in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris". Dermatology 203 (2): 135-40. PMID 11586012.
The following treatments are based on a theory that acne is often caused by an imbalance or shortage of certain essential elements (most commonly sulfur, magnesium, and zinc).
Sulphur - MSM
Magnesium supplements
Special electrolyte (salt) solutions
Chromium - Chromium supplementation appeared to work in
a small study.
Insulin treatment - insulin treatment has been reported to
work, although no big studies have been performed
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