Touted as a teenager’s nightmare, acne, is a skin condition characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and lumps. Visible on the face, neck, upper arms and shoulders, it is an embarrassing issue. Plagued by misconceptions that it is contagious and is caused by dirt, or by consumption of chocolate or potato chips, it is a continuous battle to find a cure for it. Though eating vegetables and fruits and going for facials do offer some relief, but apart from these there are some remedies through which one can banish acne scars.
Garlic
Garlic contains active sulphur which is an antibacterial agent. For generations, garlic has been known to heal and cure the toughest of acne scars. Take a clove of raw garlic and rub it gently on the skin several times a day. This clears the skin of spots, pimples and boils. Another remedy for acne is to mix and consume two cloves of raw garlic with warm water early in the morning. This helps in cleansing the blood and the system. Or one can treat acne scars, if one consumes 3 cloves of raw garlic once a day for a month. Through this, the blood stream gets purified and keeps acne away. However, one must take not to rub garlic onto the skin vigorously as this may break the skin. It also advisable to avoid using garlic before or after any surgery as it may disturb anticoagulants. Garlic should also be avoided if one is on any medication and should be taken only after consulting the doctor.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera, has as many as 75 nutrients which help regenerate the skin, giving way to a smooth, healthy skin. This succulent plant is well-known and proven for its great moisturizing attributes, healing wounds, mild skin infections etc. is also known to treat acne as well as prevent further breakouts. The best way to do this is to break the plant itself or by cutting off a piece of it and rubbing it on the affected area. If you doesn’t have an access to this, you can use aloe vera based creams, lotions or soaps available in the market.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are an effective and natural remedy to prevent acne. Cut the tomato into half and rub the inside of it on the affected area. Leave it on for a few minutes and then wash it off. Another way to tackle acne is to prepare a face mask. Take a ripe tomato, make a cross cut on the top of it and put it into hot water for a few seconds. This peels off the skin of the tomato. After the skin peels off, cube the tomato and then de-seed it. Mash the de-seeded tomato and apply as a face mask. Leave it on the skin for 1 hour before washing it off. Mix 1 tablespoon of fresh tomato juice with a few drops of lime juice. Apply this mix on the skin with a cotton ball. Leave it to dry and wash it off. Or mix tomato juice and cucumber juice. Apply this mix on the skin with a cotton ball. Leave it to dry and wash it off.
Cucumber
Cucumber is another source to battle acne. The most common and simplest way to treat acne scars is to a blend/grate a cucumber. Apply it all over the face and leave it to dry for about 15 minutes and then rinse off. Or blend or grate a cucumber with tomato juice and make and apply it as a face mask. This not only helps in curing acne but also tightens the skin pores. Blend/grate a cucumber and mix it with lemon juice and make a paste. Apply on the face. Let it rest for half an hour and wash it off. Blend/grate the cucumber and mix it with yogurt/curd. Make a paste. Apply on the face. Let it dry and wash it off.
Eggs
Eggs have vitamin B2 which is a natural stress reliever, vitamin B3 which improves the blood flow and zinc which heals wounds. To make an egg mask, crack the egg and separate the yolk from the white. Add a few drops of lemon juice to the egg white and whisk it. Apply this paste on the face. Let it dry for about half an hour and then wash it off. Another way to fight acne is to cook and eat the egg white. Or just simply spread the plain egg mask on the face with fingertips. Massage it in gentle circular motions. Allow it to dry for about 15 to 20 minutes. Wash it off with warm water. Though this remedy works best for oily or combination skin but those with sensitive skin should first try in on a small area of their skin to observe for any reactions before applying it.
Honey
Nothing is sweeter and better than honey. Recognized as a sweet way to treat acne scars, honey is an excellent antioxidant that heals and restores the damaged cells and gives the skin a softer, firmer and smoother look. A simple way to treat acne scars is to dab honey evenly on the face. Leave it to dry and wash it off. Another way to treat acne scars is to make a mask of honey and cinnamon powder. Mix one tablespoon of honey with 1.5 teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply this mix on the face and leave it to dry and thereafter wash it off. Or one could even use a mix of honey and nutmeg powder to treat acne scars. Mix about half a teaspoon of nutmeg powder with about a quarter teaspoon of honey. Make it into a paste. Apply it on the face face and leave it for about 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing it off.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal has amazing qualities like absorbing and removing excess oils, removing bacteria and exfoliating dead skin cells. In addition to this, it also has astringent qualities which constrict skin pores and provide a cleansing action. It also soothes the discomforting and irritability characteristics of acne. Blend/grind 3/4 cup of oatmeal, add 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Cook this mixture for 1 to 2 minutes and remove from the heat. Allow it to cool. Apply it on face. Leave it to dry and wash it off.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek, also known as Greek hayseed or bird’s foot, is known for its therapeutic use for treating and healing acne scars as it contains powerful antioxidants. It is quite versatile in its use as such both its leaves and its seeds are used for treating acne. Take a bunch of fenugreek. Blend/grind it to make a paste. Apply this paste all over the face and allow it to dry. Wash it off with warm water. You can also apply this paste and leave it overnight and wash it off with warm water the next morning. Another effective way to treat acne is to boil some fenugreek seeds in water. Allow it to cool it before making it into a paste. Apply it on the face. Allow it dry and then wash it off with water.
Yogurt
Yogurt, an excellent dairy coolant is a very important natural product to treat acne scars. Simply apply yogurt on the face every day and wash it off after a few minutes with cold water. This will not only keep the complexion smooth, healthy and fresh but cures acne scars as well. Or one could apply a mask of yogurt and lemon juice. Apply it on face and leave it dry. Wash it off with water. Another ideal way to cure acne scars is to have a daily healthy helping of yogurt. This will help prevent acne and also keep the skin smooth and healthy.
Watermelon
Think summer. Think watermelon. It may come as a surprise to many that this fruit is packed with powerful antioxidants. A scrumptious daily helping of watermelon is the key to treat acne scars. All you have to do is to rub, massage the rind pulp on the face. Or you could just simply drink watermelon juice regularly to treat acne scars.
Lemon
Lemon, a natural bleach and astringent has been long used to treat acne scars. Take a few spoons of lemon juice and with the help of cotton ball. Apply it all over the face and wash it off after it dries. This will lighten the scars and blemishes. Or one could use lemon rind or peel to treat acne scars.