Acne Alternative Medicine

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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.

Ways To Prevent Acne Naturally

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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

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.

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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 in the skin once applied, honey leaves the skin smooth and hydrated, not oily.

For a DIY facial, mix honey, aloe vera, one teaspoon of chickpea flour, and a pinch of turmeric to make a paste. Spread the paste on your face, and once you rinse off with cool water, use an ice cube on the skin for 30 seconds to further treat a congested face.

Fine-grain saltcleans deeply, removes dead skin cells, balances moisture, and pulls toxins from pores, making it especially great for preventing acne or quick treatments during flare-ups on the face and body, says Grigore. And since it contains antibacterial properties, sea salt may help treat skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, and even wounds.The simplest way to use sea salt is to wet your face or body, put some salt on your wet hand so it sticks, then pat it gently onto your skin. You can leave it for a few minutes or rinse immediately. Just make sure not to scrub too hard—it is too abrasive by itself.

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Tea tree oil is a great antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent, according to experts. It's renowned for its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties, making it an easy and effective spot treatment, Grigore explains.

Per its anti-inflammatory nature, it reduces redness and swelling of the skin while also minimizing acne breakouts and reducing dandruff-causing fungus, Engelman says.

Grigore suggests diluting tea tree oil in a dab of extra virgin olive oil or organic jojoba oil and applying it directly on a zit. 

Herbal Medicine For Skin Care Stock Photo

Takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Our skin is a reflection of our overall health, which is why glowing, beautiful skin often results from proper care, hydration and eating a nutrient-dense diet. On the other hand, skin ridden with whiteheads, blackheads, nodular acne and other types of pimples can indicate oxidative damage, poor nutrition and hormonal imbalances — making it all the more important to find home remedies for acne.

A healthy diet, applying essential oils, proper gentle cleansing and balancing hormones are all home remedies for acne so you can restore your skin’s health, reduce unsightly pimples or other types of irritation, and prevent acne scars.

Getting rid of stubborn pimples, blackheads and whiteheads starts with thorough but gentle cleansing of the skin. Try my recipe for Homemade Honey Face Wash to cleanse skin without causing irritation.

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It features apple cider vinegar, honey, coconut oil, probiotics and essential oils (like tea tree oil). The honey soothes the skin, the coconut oil helps fight bacteria and fungus, and the tea tree oil helps invigorate the skin.

Dampen skin with warm water, and massage into face and neck. Rinse well, and pat dry. Do this each morning and evening and, if needed, after workouts.

If you find that acne appears around your hairline, commercial hair products may be to blame. Shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, gels and mousses contain acne-causing ingredients, including petroleum, parabens, silicone, sulfates, panthenol and other chemicals.

Alternative Medicine/ Integrative Medicine/ Acupuncture Medicine

Try my Homemade Honey Citrus Shampoo that is void of harmful chemicals and leaves hair soft and manageable. Follow with a touch of coconut oil or my Homemade Conditioner made from apple cider vinegar and essential oils.

Toning is an important step in proper skin care. It helps remove any residue after cleansing and helps restore the skin’s natural pH levels.

You can use pure apple cider vinegar (with the mother culture) as your evening and morning toner. Apple cider vinegar is packed with potassium, magnesium, acetic acid and various enzymes that kill bacteria on the skin.

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Chronic acne can be the result of bacteria and fungi that continue to spread and grow on the surface of the skin. With a cotton ball, smooth ACV over skin, paying particular attention to active breakouts and acne-prone areas.

To hydrate and heal your skin, try applying masks a couple of