Acne can be embarrassing at any age, but it can be especially hard to deal with as an adult. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to tackle pimples from the comfort of your own home, as long as you know what works and what doesn’t. If you have acne breakouts and haven’t tried these best homemade remedies for acne yet, now’s the time! You can say goodbye to pimples and hello to a clearer complexion in no time.
1) Apple Cider Vinegar
One of the most popular home remedies for acne is apple cider vinegar. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help to kill bacteria that cause acne.
ACV also helps to dry out pimples and remove excess oil from the skin. To use it, just apply a small amount to a cotton ball or Q-tip and dab it on the affected areas.
Be sure to clean your face afterward so you don’t get any vinegar residue left behind. You can add one teaspoon of honey if you have sensitive skin, but know that this may be more irritating than using plain ACV.
2) Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the oldest and most trusted home remedies for acne. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help heal the skin and reduce redness.
To use aloe vera, simply break off a leaf and apply the gel to your face. You can also find aloe vera products in most health food stores.
However, be sure to buy organic as it may not be safe to ingest certain chemicals found in non-organic versions.
3) Baking Soda
Baking soda is a simple, cheap, and effective way to treat acne. Just make a paste by mixing baking soda and water and apply it to your skin.
You can also use it as a spot treatment by wetting a cotton ball with baking soda and water and applying it directly to pimples.
Leave the paste on for 10-15 minutes before washing it off. Do this once or twice a week.
4) Coconut Oil
1. Coconut oil is an effective remedy for acne because it contains lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties that can kill acne-causing bacteria.
2. Plus, coconut oil can help to soothe inflamed skin and reduce redness.
3. To use coconut oil as an acne treatment, simply apply a small amount to the affected area and massage it in gently.
4. Leave it on for a few minutes before washing it off with warm water.
5. Repeat this process once or twice a day until your acne clears up.
6. You can also try using coconut oil as a spot treatment by applying it directly to pimples as they arise.
5) Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the most popular and effective home remedies for acne. It has natural antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to treat and prevent breakouts.
Just add a few drops of tea tree oil to a cotton ball or Q-tip and apply it directly to the blemish. You can also add a few drops to your regular moisturizer or face wash.
For best results, use tea tree oil as part of your daily skincare routine.
6) Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is one of the most popular natural remedies for acne. The citric acid in lemon juice helps to dry out pimples and prevents new ones from forming.
Lemon juice also has bleaching properties, which can help to lighten any dark spots left behind by acne. To use this remedy, simply apply fresh lemon juice to a cotton ball and dab it on your skin.
You can do this once or twice a day, depending on how sensitive your skin is. If you find that lemon juice is too drying, you can try adding a bit of honey or aloe vera gel to the cotton ball before applying it to your skin.
7) Onion Juice
- Onion juice is great for treating acne because it helps to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.
- To use, simply cut a fresh onion in half and squeeze the juice onto a cotton ball.
- Apply the juice to the affected areas of your skin and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
- You can do this once or twice a day, depending on how severe your acne is.
- Onion juice may sting a bit when you first apply it, but this will subside within a few minutes.
- You should start to see results within a few days to a week of using onion juice as a treatment for acne.
8) Garlic Paste
To make a garlic paste, start by peeling and mincing 3-4 cloves of garlic. Then, add the garlic to a bowl with 1 teaspoon of water and 1 teaspoon of honey.
Blend the ingredients until you have a paste. Apply the paste to your acne-prone areas and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
If you do this a few times a week, it will show a noticeable improvement. The antibacterial properties in garlic can help fight inflammation and prevent new breakouts from forming.
9) Coconut Milk
One of the best homemade remedies for acne is coconut milk. One of the healthy fats in coconut milk is lauric acid, which is helpful for many conditions like inflammation and bacterial infection.
This is why it is often found in acne creams. To use coconut milk as a treatment, simply apply it to the affected area and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off.
The longer you let it sit, the more moisture will be drawn out of your skin. You can do this twice a day to speed up the healing process or once a day if you have sensitive skin.
To make your coconut milk mask, mix one tablespoon of raw honey with two tablespoons of raw organic virgin coconut oil until they form a liquid paste and then add two teaspoons of full fat organic whole milk yogurt or kefir (optional).
Apply this mixture directly onto your face avoiding eyes, mouth, and hairline, and let it set for 20 minutes before washing off with warm water.
If needed reapply every 3 hours as often as possible until desired results are achieved.
10) Neem Powder/Tea
Neem powder is a popular remedy for acne and other skin conditions. To use it, mix 1 teaspoon of neem powder with 1 tablespoon of water.
Let the paste dry on your face. Rinse it off with warm water. You can also make a neem tea by boiling 1 teaspoon of neem leaves in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes.
Pour the tea into a strainer and drink it one time a day.
11) Cucumber
Cucumbers are rich in vitamin A and beta carotene which is both necessary for healthy skin cells. Rubbing cucumber slices on your face will also soothe inflamed acne areas.
If you have a bad breakout, try using this remedy twice a day for two weeks to see an improvement.