Here are ten natural ways you probably do not know can help eliminate dark spots, pimples and acne scars fast.

The remedies listed below are right at home and they can help you combat acne without needing to see a doctor or going through the stress of OTC.

acne is primarily caused by hormones, genetics, and lifestyle choices. Although you don’t have a say in the genes you inherit or the hormones your body produces,  but you do have control over your diet and stress management.

Start there, and then read on for additional natural treatment solutions for how to get rid of acne. If you are in need of a skincare solution to clarify your complexion and  how to get rid of acne without stress, consider the benefits and drawbacks of these various option.

1. Garlic

Garlic is a fantastic tool for fighting acne due to its high levels of antioxidants, as well as its’ anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. There are two ways you can use garlic to clear up acne. The first is a preventative measure, which is simply by adding more garlic to your diet.

This helps your general health as well as purifies your blood, which can help to stop future break outs. For more immediate results, take a peeled clove of garlic and rub it on the troubled area several times a day. If your skin is sensitive, try crushing the garlic and mixing it with some water.

2. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is renowned for being good for the skin. It also contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which makes it highly beneficial for acne treatment. In fact, studies that compare tea tree oil to the acne medication benzoyl peroxide shows it to be just as effective.

But please remember to dilute tea tree oil before you use it; otherwise, your skin may get irritated. To use tea tree oil mix tea tree oil with water in a 1:9 ratio, wash your face with warm water and apply the diluted mixture to the affected area with a cotton wool ball.

3. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel has a triple threat pleasant soothing effect on the skin. Not only does it cool your skin down, it also reduces the inflammation of pimples and removes the oiliness from your skin. Apart from buying aloe vera gel from organic markets and drug stores, you can also make your own.

Buy and cut aloe vera leaf into section, turn your blade to its side and slide it just under the skin to get the flesh, cut the flesh into pieces and place in a clean bowl and put the flesh into your blender and blend it smooth. Keep the smooth gel in your refrigerator and paste the aloe vera gel on the infected area of your skin every now and then.

4. Baking soda

Baking soda is a well-known natural remedy for pimples. Its antiseptic properties make it effective in destroying bacteria in the affected area. Also, baking soda has restorative function as it stimulates the growth of new skin cells. To use baking soda to cure acne mix equal portions of baking soda and water to form a thick paste, apply the paste on your skin for 30 minutes and rinse it off with warm water.

 

Cinnamon And Honey Mask

The stickiness of honey helps remove dirt from your skin. In addition to being delicious, honey is a natural antibiotic which makes it perfect for healing and reducing pimples. As an added bonus, its stickiness helps to remove excess dirt and impurities from your skin. In its raw form, honey is amazing and the darker it is the more medicinal properties it contains.

Mixing honey with cinnamon is a great renewal treatment that can help keep skin smooth and clear. Honey and cinnamon make a (literally) killer combo when it comes to acne. Cinnamon has antimicrobial properties, so it can help stop bacteria from getting out of hand. If it does, the honey is a natural anti-biotic, ready and waiting to wipe the little buggers out.

You can utilize this combination by making a simple mask. Rinse your face with water and pat dry. Mix 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon together until they are thoroughly blended and have formed a sort of paste. Apply the mask to your face (or spot treat) and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off completely, and pat your face dry.

5. Lemon

Lemon juice can help get rid of breakouts for a number of reasons. It is rich in vitamin C, which is good for all types of skin, and it is a citric acid, so it helps ‘exfoliate’ the skin as well. Most importantly though, it is an astringent. An astringent will cause a contraction of body tissues, and will therefore dry out the blemish itself.

It is also a natural skin whitener, which helps reduce redness. If you want to lighten your scar, lemon is a great choice. It has alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), meaning it has the healing properties your skin needs. Known as a natural bleach, this lightener aids in new cell growth and gives your skin its elasticity back.

Have your AHA moment with a little lemon. Start by cutting a lemon in half and rub a half over the scar; squeeze the lemon to let it soak the scar for about 15 minutes. Dab with cool water to rinse.

6. Egg Whites Mask

Egg whites are an easy and affordable way to help reduce acne and fade scars left by unfortunate blemishes. The reason people have found egg whites to be helpful for their skin is because they are chock full of proteins and vitamins that both combat acne, and help to rebuild your skin cells. They also soak up excess oil, which means excess sebum. Just make sure to use a good moisturizer afterwards, as they can dry your skin out a bit.

To apply separate the whites from the yolks. You can use as many as you like, but normally 2 to 3 is enough. Whisk the whites until they are frothy, and let them sit for a few minutes. Cover your face with the mixture focusing on problem spots. 3 to 4 layers is usually enough, but make sure to wait the first has dried before applying more. Allow the mask to sit and dry for about 20 minutes before rinsing off completely with warm water and a patting dry with a soft washcloth. Apply moisturizer appropriate for your skin type.

7. Turmeric Powder

Turmeric is great for acne scars specifically because it contains curcumin, a compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce excess production of melanin, which adds pigmentation to your scar and makes it darker.

This treats discoloration and helps skin glow. It’s also antiseptic so it smooths your skin without irritation. Use it with honey, just add equal parts of honey and turmeric (1 tsp each) and keep it on for about 20 minutes to allow the paste to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

8. Shea Butter

We all know shea butter helps women prevent or eliminate stretch marks, so why wouldn’t it work on scars? Apply it daily to feel its moisturizing effects brightening your skin. If you can find unfiltered raw shea butter, use that instead of any refined version. Refined usually means nutrients have been broken down or destroyed. So ensure you get the unrefined one and apply it to the affected areas.

9. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a powerhouse when it comes to acting as an acne remedy. This is because apple cider vinegar helps to kills off the bacteria that may be causing all the trouble in the first place. It also becomes alkaline, and balances the pH of your skin, which in turn makes it harder for bacteria to thrive.

To top it all, it is an astringent like lemon juice, and will help dry up excess oil. Keeping that in mind, don’t overdo and dry out your skin too much. This could cause the sebaceous glands overproduce to compensate, therefore triggering an outbreak.

To apply dip a cotton ball into vinegar and apply it directly to the blemish. Leave on for at least 10 minutes, or overnight. Reapply several times a day, washing face thoroughly after each time. Make sure to use a moisturizer afterwards as well if you feel like your skin is getting dry.

10. Cucumber

Cucumber works as an anti-inflammatory, which is why people use cucumber slices to combat puffy eyes! They work just as well for pimples and will help to reduce the angry redness of them. You can make a cucumber face mask for instant effects.

Peel one-half of a cucumber and chop it into pieces, toss the pieces into a blender add 2 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and add 1/2 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Apply the mixture on your skin and leave it for 10-15 minutes and rinse it off with warm water.

However, haven’t said all that, you need to know what kind of treatment is most effective on which type of acne? Here are the top suggestions:

Hormonal Acne

Talk to your doctor to see if birth control might be a good form of systemic treatment for your hormonal acne. In the meantime, aim to keep your stress levels low and try eliminating dairy from your diet, as both are likely to cause hormone spikes and worsen outbreaks.

Acne Vulgaris

Comedones associated with acne vulgaris are usually easy to clear using OTC products, but papules and pustules are a little tougher to treat. Since they arise from trapped, infected pores, the first step in their treatment is to remove the inflammation and reduce the swelling so the pore can heal and breathe.

Nodules are one of the few acne conditions that actually demand treatment, as some risk the potential of becoming cancerous. Medical treatment with traditional antibiotic therapy will relieve the symptoms of your acne nodule and gradually decrease its size.

Cystic Acne

Cystic acne will most likely need treatment via antibiotic medication. In most cases, topical solutions are not strong enough to reach the infected pores lodged deep within the skin. To start your acne’s healing process, consider a chemical peel or microdermabrasion.

Acne Inversa

There is no cure for the lumps that form due to acne inversa, but there are treatment options. Medications, corticosteroid injections and sometimes surgery can help manage symptoms. Be sure to avoid smoking to prevent worsening your conditions.

Having a regular skin care routine and adding a good natural acne remedy to it may take extra work, but stay committed, do things right, and give your treatment time to have an effect.

Remember, you live in your own skin and that is not ever going to change. Taking the extra effort to really care for it will make all the difference in terms of your comfort, happiness, and confidence.