Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world, affecting an estimated 85% of young adults.
It occurs when your skin follicles become blocked with oil and dead skin cells. Though it is most common in people in their teen years, many people in their 40s or 50s have adult acne.
What causes acne
Acne starts when the pores in your skin get clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
Each pore is connected to a sebaceous gland which produces an oily substance called sebum; Extra sebum can plug pores, causing increased growth of bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes or P acnes.
The white blood cells attack P. acnes leading to skin inflammation and acne.
Many factors can contribute to the development of acne, including:
- genetics
- diet
- stress
- hormone changes
- infections
Standard clinical treatments are the most effective for reducing acne. You can also try home treatments, although little research has been done on their effectiveness.
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Home remedies to reduce acne
1. Make a honey and cinnamon mask.
It is antibacterial and easy to make.
How to use;
- Mix a bit of honey and cinnamon to form a paste
- After cleansing, apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Rinse your face completely and pat your face.
Cinnamon causes skin irritation, so do a patch test before applying it to your face.
2. Moisturize with aloe vera.
It is a natural ingredient in many products and can be combined with many other ingredients.
How to use;
- Scrape the gel from the aloe plant with a spoon.
- Apply the gel directly to clean skin as a moisturizer
- Repeat it once or twice a day.
You can also buy aloe vera from the store but ensure it’s pure aloe without added ingredients.
3. Apply apple cider vinegar.
It is affordable, easy to find and improves the appearance of acne scars.
How to use;
- Use 1 part apple vinegar and three parts water; use more water for sensitive skin.
- After cleansing, gently apply the mixture to the skin using a cotton ball
- Let it sit for 20- 30 seconds
- Rinse with water and pat dry.
You can repeat this once or twice a day. Apple cider causes burns and irritation to the skin; therefore, dermatologists should use it in small quantities and diluting with a lot of water if you choose to use it.
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4. Use ice cubes.
It helps unclog the pores and also reduces their sizes.
How to use;
- Put an ice cube on a cotton cloth
- Rub the cube with the cloth on places prone to acne
- Do it as many times as you can.
5. Use of turmeric.
It has antiseptic properties, which help in reducing acne scars and helps fight off bacteria.
How to use;
- Take a pinch of turmeric and add it to milk or water
- You can also make a mask of it with rice flour
- Apply it to affected areas
- Wash it off with cold water.
6. Use green tea.
Green tea is rich in tannins, antioxidants, and flavonoids. The antioxidant content of green tea aids in reducing acne.
How to use;
- Take a used green tea bag. Make sure it is warm and not
- Place it on your skin where the acne is
- Massage the green tea on your face and let it stay
- Consume 2 cups of green tea a day.
How to prevent acne
- Wash your face properly to remove excess oil, dirt and sweat daily.
- Use a moisturizer to avoid the production of excess sebum that clogs pores if the skin is dry.
- Limit the use of makeup and wash your face properly before bedtime.
- Resist touching your face because it transfers bacteria and pore-clogging impurities onto your skin.
- Limit sun exposure as it causes dehydration, which leads to oil production that blocks pores over time.
- Don’t pop your pimples as it may cause severe scarring or infection and increase inflammation and clog surrounding pres making the pimple problem worse.
