The battle against acne vulgaris or acne is an old one. The bad news is that acne is hard to prevent as the condition generally depends on skin type, diet and genes. The good news is that it is treatable in many different ways. Acne is not something that can be cured overnight.
Having said that, don’t believe the label of every product you come across. You have to read the ingredients and ensure that it contains compounds that are capable of effective action against acne problems. Consult a dermatologist before trying any anti-acne medication.
Methods To Cure Acne
Salicylic Acid
The topical application of salicylic acid is known to control pimples and cystic acne. It is an active agent in anti-acne products and reduces swelling, redness and eventually causes the acne to dry out. Salicylic acid also helps slough away the the dead skin cells so that new ones can form underneath. It is an excellent cure for mild as well as persistent acne problems.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Stronger than salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide functions as a peeling agent and is also effective in drying out acne. It is typically present in creams and ointment for more severe cases of acne. Choose products that contain 2.5% of benzoyl peroxide as higher concentrations can cause skin irritation. It is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
Tretinoin
Topical tretinion is good for treating small cysts. It enables skin regeneration, particularly when applied over areas where the pores are tightly clogged over blackheads and cysts. Use gels that contain around 0.01% tretinoin. Similar to benzoyl peroxide, children under 12 and pregnant women as well should not use products containing tretinoin.
Amaranth
The seeds and leaves of the amaranth plant are useful in preparing cleansers as they have a gentle astringent action on the skin. It contains saponins, the plant chemicals that have cleaning properties.
Arnica
This common herb belonging to the sunflower family is used in many herbal skin and hair products. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties make it a powerful tool to combat acne. Arnica is generally labeled as an active ingredient in skin care products.
Birch
Oil extracted from the bark or the twigs of the birch tree is said to contain salicylate and has astringent properties. It is often consumed in the form of tea and is available in some select ranges of herbal soaps. Good quality birch tar soap is said to be anti-septic, anti-parasitic and aids skin recovery.
Calendula
The essential oil of the calendula flower can easily be found in beauty stores. Calendula is used extensively in herbal treatments and is particularly effective in soothing inflamed skin and reducing redness, thanks to its anti-bacterial and natural restorative properties.
Coriander
The juice extracted from the leaves and seeds of this humble cooking herb is known to have several therapeutic benefits. It is anti-bacterial and works as a natural detoxifier. It is included in the preparation of face masks and anti-bacterial creams for treating acne breakouts and irritated skin.
Lavender
Known to be a relaxant with calming properties, lavender essential oil is frequently added in baths. Few are familiar with its effectiveness in dealing with acne problems. It frees the skin of bacteria and gently moisturizes without causing outbreaks or redness.
Pine
You might find it unusual to see the name of this tree featured here but pine tar soap is said to be a good exfoliant and has anti-fungal properties. Since pine tar is made from carbonized pine wood, use soaps that contain 25% pine tar. Soaps contain more than 25% are not suitable for sensitive, acne-prone skin.
Stinging Nettle
This flowering perennial herb has many medicinal uses. In spite of its unpleasant taste, many people have found drinking tea made from nettle leaves beneficial for dealing with acne problems. The tea is made by pouring boiling water over nettle leaves. Its cleansing properties make it useful in treating minor skin irritation.
Turmeric
Mix 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric with 2 tablespoons of homemade yogurt. The yogurt should be used at room temperature. Gently smooth the mixture on cleansed face and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with water and pat dry. You can use this face pack once a week. Compounds present in turmeric are known to exhibit remarkable anti-inflammatory properties. Yogurt is excellent for soothing painful acne and does not strip the skin of moisture.
Baking Soda
Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 1/2 tablespoons of warm water to form a thick paste. Apply this to your face and leave on for 10 minutes. Wash and pat your face dry. Apply an oil-free moisturizer as the action of baking soda can dry out the skin. Baking soda reduces further breakouts and removes dead cells.
Tea Tree Oil
This essential oil has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. It can control the spreading of acne across the face when applied regularly. Tea tree oil is much too strong to be applied in its undiluted form. It is generally mixed with a carrier oil and then applied to the affected areas using a clean wad of cotton.
Ice Cubes
At times when the inflammation is severe, one of the quickest ways to reduce it is to gently touch an ice cube to the acne spot. This will also numb the pain in cases where there is a build-up of pus. Do this a few times a day to reduce the redness associated with skin eruptions.
Tips & Precautions
Avoid touching your face repeatedly as your hands touch different surfaces and carry a great deal of bacteria. Drink 6-8 glasses of water everyday to keep your skin hydrated especially while undergoing acne treatment as the medicines can dry out the skin. Hold your head over a bowl of hot water. The steam will force impurities out of your skin naturally without using any physical pressure. This is a good way to cleanse your skin from time to time since it can be difficult to exfoliate over acne. Avoid eating oily food and drinking sugary drinks as these can cause further breakouts. A good exercise routine will help you sweat out the toxins in your body so work out regularly.