acne remedies

Common Ingredients in Acne Remedy

Many acne remedy treatments are available and work in different ways to clear acne. Some of the medication ingredients target certain areas of the acne while others kill the bacteria that can clog the hair follicle. Some acne medicine offer short term relief while others give you long-term relief. There are some side effects that come with a few ingredients. Most go away with use. The most common ingredients in acne medicines are the six listed below.

Alcohol and Acetone

These two ingredients are the main ones used in many acne products especially cleansers. They work great in removing oil and dirt from the skin. Unfortunately, they can cause the skin to burn or sting. Some dermatologists will tell you not to use products with this in it if you have severe acne.

Benzoyl Peroxide

This is one of the most effective ingredients in acne remedy. It kills bacteria and also removes dead skin cells. Most acne medicine have about 2.5 percent of it but can reach as high as 10 percent, depend on how severe the acne is. It has drying and peeling effect which helps the skin renewal, and may cause redness and swelling of the area.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid reduces the formation of blackheads, whiteheads and can also be used for other skin conditions like psoriasis, dandruff, corns, etc. It works to dissolve the breakouts by removing the dead skin cells stuck inside the hair follicle and prevents clogged pores. The first few days of use might bring on mild redness and stinging. A two percent mixture is all that is necessary. A stronger mixture might be needed if the acne is severe.

Antibiotics

Some acne products have antibiotics in it to kill the bacteria, stop the spread of the acne, and prevent scars. The antibiotic acne remedy can come in oral form or tropical creams and ointments. They have a regular schedule of use and must be used within a certain period of time. Natural Tea Tree oil is a natural acne remedy to use in place of the antibiotics.

Sulfur

Sulfur is almost never used in acne remedy without something to accompany it. Sulfur is good for acne reduction, removing excess oil, and peeling the dead skin cells. It helps to dry the skin and can cause it to be sore especially at the beginning of treatment. If the problems continue, the sulfur must be stopped until the side effects go away. A lower dose might be used.

Isotretinoin

This acne remedy ingredient helps to lower oil and sebum production, sooth irritation and inflammation. The pores will also be unclogged and dead skin cells removed. Isotretinoin can cause scaling and dryness especially around the lip area.

acne remedy

Acne Home Remedies

If you have limited budget in solving your acne problem, there are available acne remedies that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. You can look better, feel better, and raise your self-esteem by getting rid of your acne cheaply, naturally and for good.

Baking soda: Combine baking soda with water and make a paste. Apply it to surfaces affected with acne before bedtime. Let the paste stand all night and rinse with water the following morning.

Olive Oil: Mix some olive oil with salt and make a paste. Use the treatment daily for the first week then you could lower it down to two to three times a week afterwards.

Lemon slices: This could leave your skin blemish free and could take off dry skin. Apply it on the face two to three times a week and you will see best results.

Herbs such as lemon balm, tansy and aloe vera may be used topically to the inflamed skin. Substances like kali bromium and sulphur lotion are also considered as natural remedies for acne. However, these solutions may not be adequate enough to treat severe acne but they go very well for mild acne.

You can also apply virgin coconut oil to the area daily. Try it on a small test area for a day or two first. Apply it throughout the day if possible and at bedtime. Get the unrefined, unbleached type found at health-oriented food stores or order it online.

Treatment with raw apple cider vinegar will work better on your skin if it isn’t already noticeably irritated from acne products or other failed treatment.

Green tea

Topical: Make a quick facial mask by mixing some powdered green tea, a little water, lemon juice and honey, until you have a smooth paste about the consistency of white glue. You can apply this as a spot treatment or as a mask if your whole face is covered with blemishes. Leave this on for approximately 5 minutes then rinse off with warm water followed by cool water. The honey has great antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and the lemon acts as an amazing astringent. There is no harshness or excess drying side effects like the use of Benzoyl Peroxide. Another additional use… after you’ve finished drinking your morning or evening brew, try rubbing the green tea bag on your face. Leave this to sit for a few minutes before washing your face.

Inside Medication: If you can’t drink multiple cups per day, you can buy extracts and capsules on the market which give the same effect as drinking 2 cups per day. Green tea is perfectly fine to drink while on other acne medication. It’ll help heal your skin from the inside out.

Tea tree oil: Apply daily on those parts affected by acne. Other alternatives include honey, almond oil, peppermint oil and citric juices. Each of these variants can be combined with other remedies on the one condition that once you take up a treatment you should stick to it.

Some alternative doctors recommend eating a raw clove of garlic daily for acne, chop one up and add it to your daily salad! Eating red or orange colored fruits will help improve you skin health and prevent acne. Eat high-fiber snacks like raw nuts, raw seeds, fresh or dried fruit, such as dates, and figs. Use olive oil with a little very fresh flaxseed oil in your salads. Drink plenty of pure, filtered water, a minimum of a quart a day. Eating foods with essential fatty acids are particularly important to people with dry skin or acne.