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Effective Ways And Homemade Masks For Treating Acne

Pimples are the worst or embarrassing thing we all get especially during puberty age. Acne (Acne vulgaris) is a chronic condition which is most commonly occurs on the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back. Acne is the most common among adolescents but it can persist into adulthood and during pregnancy.

What is Acne?

Acne (Acne vulgaris) is non-contagious, chronic, inflammatory condition of the skin caused due to blocked hair follicles with oil (sebum) and dead skin cells. It is usually associated with hormonal fluctuation during the teenage years. There are various types of acne from simple to severe form. Usually, oily skin is more prone to acne than dry skin. Acne doesn’t just affect people’s skin but impacts their quality of life too.

Types of Acne

There are mainly two types of acne –

What are the Causes of Acne?

Acne occurs due to multiple factors. Acne forms when the tiny skin pores clogged with oil and dirt. Here are some causative factors of acne –

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Acne?

Did You Know?

  • Acne affects about 95% of people aged 11 to 30 in the United States. source: NHS
  • Washing affected areas of skin more than twice a day can irritate the skin and make acne worse. source: NHS
  • Avoid squeezing spots or blackheads to prevent worsening and scarring. source: NHS
  • There is no evidence that diet, poor hygiene, or sexual activity play a role in acne. source: NHS

How to Treat Acne?

When there is mild acne, you should try self-care remedies first and other options. The best treatment is to prevent the production of sebum, keep your skin clean, bacteria-free, and encourage shedding of the skin to unclog pores. Besides that acne treatment is purely based on the causative factor.

Self-care treatment for acne –

Acne can be mild, moderate, and severe. The treatment depends on its severity and intensity –

Mild Acne –

Mild acne can be treated with some remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) drug medications like gels, ointments. Here are some OTC medications for acne –

These preparations may cause some side effects such as skin irritation and burning. Hence always use it in low strength.

Moderate to Severe Acne  –

It is always better to consult a dermatologist if you don’t have control or prevent acne. There are various options to treat moderate to severe acne.

Homemade Masks for Acne-prone Skin  

For mild acne, you can try homemade masks to prevent acne and scar.

1: Turmeric Facial Mask

Turmeric is always on the top when it comes to beautiful skin. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antioxidant properties. For a facial mask, mix  ½ cup of chickpea flour and 2 tsp of turmeric powder and ghee or almond oil and combine them with water to make a paste. Apply it on the skin for 5 minutes and rinse with the cold water. Turmeric can treat and prevent acne and scarring.

2: Cucumber Face Mask

Cucumber has a soothing effect on the skin, reducing inflammation, irritation, and pain. For better results, make a paste by blending one small cucumber and 1 cup of oatmeal. Apply this paste on the affected area for 30 minutes and rinse.

3: Honey Mask

Honey has anti-bacterial properties which are used for inflamed acne, wounds, and burns. To get rid of acne, apply honey over the face for 30 minutes, and then wash it with lukewarm water.

4: Yogurt Mask for Oily Skin

Yogurt is a probiotic that inhibits the growth of bacteria. To make a mask, combine 1 tsp of yeast with little plain yogurt and mix it. Apply it on the skin for 15 to 20 minutes and wash it with cold water.

5: Egg White Mask  

This one basic kitchen staple is a game-changer. Egg white is the one ingredient that is known to destroy acne-causing bacteria due to its high lysozyme content. Not only that, but egg whites also contain astringent attributes which help in the removal of dirt, grime and surplus oil that clogs the pores. Apart from the important role it plays in giving your skin a healthy glow, it also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. The lysozyme protein creates a form of protective layering which helps in soothing inflammation.

6: Banana Lemon Mask  

Exfoliation is one of the most amazing benefits of bananas. It ensures that your skin gets rid of the dead cells that accumulate on it and even eliminates the unwanted sebum that sits on your skin. Adding lemon to the banana ensures that while the banana takes care of removing the excess sebum, it helps in drying out the remainder of it which is otherwise difficult to extract along with destroying the bacteria that cause acne.  

Also Read: How to Get Rid of Butt Acne: Proven Strategies and Solutions

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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7 Powerful Home Remedies For Acne!

In one word, ”acne” is a pain! And the worst part is, they make a grand entry on our face when we least want them to.

Causes of acne:

Pores get clogged with dirt and dead skin cells and this leads to acne formation on the surface of the skin. Acne can vary in form and varies from person to person. Whiteheads, blackheads and pimples are common symptoms of acne. 

The factors affecting acne formation can differ depending on factors such as:

Each day, people spend thousands on expensive acne treatments while you can treat this condition easily at home by implementing many simple and easy to carry out remedies. However, always consult a doctor and never self-medicate.

To get you started, here are a few!

Although the most common reason for people with acne to visit a dermatologist might be to address the aesthetic and facial appearance, the commonly used drugs are usually the topical medications to be applied directly on the face, and they are known to frequently cause skin dryness and irritation. Consult your dermatologist if the symptoms worsen after starting the treatment.

Dr Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Also Read: Removing and Preventing Blackheads on Nose: A Complete Guide

#1 Lemon Juice

Thanks to its astringent and exfoliating attributes, lemon juice scores many brownie points on the treatment front of acne. Just squeeze a lemon into a bowl and add a few drops of rose water to it. Apply this mixture with a cotton ball on the affected area such as the neck or the face. Not only will this prevent pimples from forming but will also help for glowing skin and reduce the appearance of scars. This is your one sure-shot natural way to keep control of acne and pimples!

#2 Aloe Vera

This cool gel does wonders to your skin! Just cut an aloe shoot in half, scrape the gel out with a spoon, and apply it to the acne. Make this a regular ritual and say goodbye to bacterial infections and acne-causing inflammation. You can also buy Aloe Vera gel for skincare from a herbal store but make sure it does not contain any hidden ingredients. Are you ready for soothing, loveable, baby-like skin!

#3 Chamomile

Chamomile is another treasured ingredient that can be used to keep acne and pimples at bay. You can use this ingredient in two ways – empty the contents of a chamomile tea bag in a blender, add water and blend into a smooth paste. Apply this paste on your face and bid a good long adieu to acne! Alternatively, you can also boil one to two chamomile tea bags in two cups of water. Allow the mixture to cool and apply on your blemishes to have the same positive effect on your skin. Include this step in your skincare routine.

#4 Echinacea

Known to speed up the healing process, Echinacea also helps in controlling acne, pimples, and other skin infections. You can either use Echinacea tea as a regular face wash or apply a few drops of the tea on the affected areas with a soft cloth or cotton.

Also Read: How to Get Rid of Butt Acne: Proven Strategies and Solutions

#5 Toothpaste

Your humble toothpaste can also come in very handy in treating acne and removing the scars formed by them. Just apply a little toothpaste on the problem areas and see the size of the pimples reducing in a few days’ time.

#6 Honey

This powerhouse of nutrients is also a good natural contender in the treatment of acne and pimples. Apply a healthy serving of honey directly to the acne and allow it to dry. In an hour or so wash off! The stickiness of honey helps in removing excess dirt from the pores of the skin.

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, malic acid, and lactic acid, which are often used in skin care products; natural healers often suggest using ACV as a cystic acne treatment to help exfoliate dead skin and kill bacteria. However, using it in proper dilution is necessary.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka – MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

#7 Mint

Mint helps to de-clog the pores and helps to keep a check on bacterial infections. To help maintain an acne clear face, mix about two tablespoons of finely chopped fresh mint and two tablespoons of yoghurt and oatmeal. Whisk to a smooth paste and apply to your face. Leave it to dry for ten minutes and then rinse off with cool water.

Acne home remedies

Also Read: Skin Care Must-Haves When You Are On Vacation!

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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