Aside from the vast array of prescription and over-the-counter acne medications on the market now, there are several easy and effective at-home acne remedies that can provide you with surprisingly good results.
Lemon Juice
. The citric acid present in lemon juice helps reduce redness and inflammation in acne lesions. Apply with a cotton ball or cut a lemon in half and apply to cleansed skin. Leave on for 10-15 minutes.
Hydrogen Peroxide
If you are like many sufferers of acne, picking at your skin is unavoidable. This causes the skin to break open and the infection to spread. However, applying hydrogen peroxide to an open lesion will help to heal the infection and stop the spread of acne bacteria.
Egg White Mask
Crack 2-4 eggs and remove the egg whites, discarding the yolks. Apply the egg white to cleansed skin and leave on for about 10 minutes. Egg whites are full of protein, and the consistency of the mask will help to shrink your pores and remove oil and impurities.
Aspirin Mask
Aside from the obvious benefits from taking aspirin orally, many have also had great success with aspirin as a topical acne treatment. Crush between 3 and 8 uncoated aspirin in a cup or mortar. Add a few drops of water until the aspirin has the consistency of a gritty paste. Then, add a few drops of honey (Honey helps the mask stick to your skin). Leave this concoction on the skin for 10-15 minutes to achieve a complexion that is less oily and more even-toned.
Aspirin as a Scrub
Using much the same technique as the aspirin mask, take 3-8 uncoated aspirin into the shower with you. Hold them in the palm of your hand expose them to the warm water until they form a gritty paste. Scrub on the effected areas for 15-30 seconds and rinse.
Epsom Salt Wash
Replicate the healing powers of the ocean with this treatment. Pour 3 or 4 tablespoons of Epsom salt into a cup of warm water. Soak a compact or washcloth in the mix and apply to your face for 5 minutes. The salt will help to open your pores and exfoliate.
Vinegar
Much like lemon juice, the acidity of vinegar can be used topically to reduce acne inflammation. Apply topically with a cotton ball for 10-15 minutes.
Fish/Flaxseed Oil
These over-the-counter dietary supplements are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to improve cell reproduction and thus improve acne. They can be found at any major big-box retailer or pharmacy. Take twice daily.
Toothpaste
For larger pimples, you can dab some toothpaste on the effected area and leave it on overnight to dry out the pimple and reduce inflammation. Be sure to use a plain white paste and not a gel so as to avoid further irritation.
Green Tea
Lately, green tea has been touted for its many homeopathic benefits. One such benefit is that it helps detoxify your body and clear your skin. Try drinking 3 cups of green tea per day, for at least two weeks. You should see a marked improvement in your complexion.
