Acne Herbal Treatment

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Annette McDermott — Updated on March 22, 2017

Acne is caused by clogged pores and bacteria, and it’s often challenging to manage. Over-the-counter and prescription treatments may help, though some can cause serious side effects. If traditional treatments are unsuccessful, or if you prefer to try something more natural, you may decide to turn to herbal remedies.

Acne

Herbal remedies were used to clear up acne and other skin conditions well before modern treatments existed. Despite the lack of research on many herbal solutions, anecdotal evidence is plentiful.

Herbal Blooms Acne Treatment Pack

Herbal remedies tend to have fewer side effects than modern treatments. Some herbs have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. These properties may help reduce acne-causing bacteria and inflammation, and heal blemishes.

) is a perennial herb popular in Ayurvedic medicine. It’s thought to support your lymphatic system, which is critical to healthy skin. Research shows that manjistha has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiandrogenic abilities that may help prevent and treat acne.

Traditional therapeutic uses of neem include treating skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. According to a 2001 study, neem has antibacterial activity against several micro-organisms. This includes

Effective Chinese Herbal Remedies For Acne

) is an herb used to treat skin problems and wounds. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory abilities that may reduce the number of acne lesions. In a

A topical gel containing 5 percent tea tree oil was compared to a topical cream containing 5 percent benzoyl peroxide. Both preparations reduced the number of inflamed and noninflamed acne lesions. Though the tea tree oil took longer to work, it resulted in fewer side effects. These included dryness, itching, irritation, and redness.

Acne by removing excess skin oil. It also has anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce redness and bruising. Witch hazel is often used alone or as a base for homemade acne remedies.

Natural Remedies For Acne That Actually Work, According To Experts

Possible side effects associated with most herbal remedies for acne include allergic reaction and skin irritation. If you experience inflammation, itching, or burning, discontinue use and consult your doctor.

Tea tree oil has been known to cause blistering rashes. You shouldn’t use it if you have sensitive skin or are allergic to plants from the myrtle family. This includes eucalyptus, allspice, and clove.

Some people take herbs internally in an effort to treat acne systemically. You shouldn’t do this unless you’re under the supervision of a trained practitioner. Many herbs are fine to use on the skin but are toxic when consumed, especially in large amounts.

Vibrant Glamour Herbal Acne Treatment Set Tea Tree Oil Acne Pimples Re

Tea tree oil is poisonous when swallowed. You shouldn’t use it on the skin around your mouth where it may be accidentally ingested.

Acne treatments depend on severity. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), there are four grades of acne. Grade 1 is mild and grade 4 is severe. In the case of grade 1 acne, products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid may work.

Herbs

If your mother warned you that eating junk food causes acne, she knew what she was talking about. According to the AAD, eating a low-glycemic diet may reduce your acne risk. It’s thought that high-glycemic foods, such as sodas and highly processed carbs, increase insulin and hormone levels. This can cause acne. Dairy may also be a culprit.

A. Vogel Acne Formula

Although more research is needed, it certainly won’t hurt to try a low-glycemic diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Your skin may look better, and you may become healthier overall. You may consider keeping a food diary to track the foods that trigger your acne breakouts.

Try to keep your skin as clean as possible. Wash it after sweating with a nonabrasive, alcohol-free cleanser. Avoid touching your face throughout the day and, no matter how much you may want to, don’t pop those zits!

Has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site.

Acne & Pimples I Safe & Effective Herbal Treatment

Audrey has been in the beauty editorial industry for over 8 years, interviewing celebrities, writing investigative features, and testing countless makeup, skin care, and hair products. She has previously held editorial positions at Vanity Fair, Allure, , and Refinery29. Today, she is a contributing writer rounding up the best products in makeup, skin, and hair. You can also find her freelance work at Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, Bustle, POPSUGAR, WWD, Martha Stewart Living, and Well+Good.

When it comes to preventing acne, natural remedies aren't always top-of-mind. Instead, many of us reach for antibiotics, prescription topicals, or harsh, over-the-counter measures. But sometimes the best thing to do when fighting acne isgo back to the basics—or go natural.

Collection

We spoke toS.W. Basics founder Adina Grigore, celebrityfacialist Joanna Vargas of Joanna Vargas Salon, and board-certified dermatologists Dendy Engelman and Keira Barr about natural ways to treat acne.

Ayurvedic Treatment Of Acne (pimples), Herbal Remedies

While many of us drink coffee in the morning and soda throughout the day, this can wreak havoc on the skin. Looking at caffeine consumption is another thing to consider when it comes to acne, says Barr. Studies show that consuming a dose of caffeine (specifically 400 mg, in one study) up to six hours before bedtime can disrupt sleep.

And lack of sleep can lead to a cascading effect on the body. Disruption of sleep messes with your circadian rhythm and hormone balance between cortisol and melatonin, leading to increased cortisol levels, she adds. Increased cortisol leads to increased sebum, inflammation and dysbiosis which equals more breakouts.

As difficult as it can be, limiting stress is often key to preventing breakouts. Too much stress not only causes skin irritation, inflammation, accelerates fine lines and wrinkles,   it also contributes to breakouts, says Barr.

Effective And Safe Home Remedies For Acne

So, how does one cope? Barr recommends movement, meditation, breathwork, art, journaling, time in nature and time spent doing things you enjoy with people you enjoy as a way to help minimize stress levels. Most importantly, she adds, offering yourself grace and self-compassion when your complexion is offering insight that your body is inflamed is vital.

Technically, baking soda and water soften blackheads and any clogged pores in the skin, Vargas says, adding that baking soda is best for congested skin as this type is the most prone to pore blockages. She recommends a DIY baking soda mask, which you can leave on for 10 minutes and follow up with a moisturizer.

Natural

Baking soda may also work to neutralize the pH level of your skin. This could be important because, if your pH is imbalanced, you may become prone to acne breakouts, dryness, and other skin irritations.

Gram Right Acne Herbal Balm Soothies, Ckears & Renews Made With Natura

It's the best astringent in nature because it helps to balance the skin’s pH, making you both less oily and less dry, says Grigore of using ACV on your skin. But beware, because apple cider vinegar is very pungent, you should dilute the substance before using it. I recommend using a mixture of one part vinegar to four parts water. Apply to your face with cotton or a spritzer. No need to wash it off, she says.

ACV may also chemically exfoliate the skin, fight blackheads, and improve hyperpigmentation, but only when used correctly, Engelman cautions. Without dilution, the ingredient can cause burns and skin irritation, especially if there are any open wounds on your skin.

Our experts recommend Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar ($10) for at-home skincare remedies, to be used four times per week or less.

Acne Cream, Anti Pimple Cream, Acne Remover Cream 20 G

Turmeric is packed with antioxidants that provide many benefits for the skin, including brightening and purifying the skin. It also has an antibacterial property that [makes turmeric] great for treating eczema and psoriasis as well as acne by calming inflammation and reducing flare-ups, Engelman says.Try mixing it with gentle, exfoliating bases like chickpea flour, oat powders, or kaolin clay.

Turmeric powder is made from the root of Curcuma zedoaria, a form of ginger native to Southeast Asia. Its active ingredient, curcumin, is what gives it a yellow-orange tinge; it's also what makes it such a potent anti-inflammatory. In addition to treating acne, turmeric can also lighten hyperpigmentation.

Best

Honey is a well-known natural remedy due to its antibacterial and humectant properties. But perhaps what is less recognized is that not all honey is created equal—manuka honey, one that's made by honey bees that feed on manuka trees in New Zealand, contains the most antimicrobial activity and is great for treating acne, inflammation, and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, Engelman says. And since it's also a humectant, which means that it traps moisture

Blue Herbal Acne Cleanser Treatment