Acne Remedy: Use Everyday Ingredients in Your Bath and Kitchen to Help Cure Acne

You just landed a date with the man you’ve been eyeing for three months. It’s this coming Friday night and what’s in the middle of your forehead – a big zit. Or, you have to give a presentation in front of your boss, his boss and a few members of your team. What’s crowding your forehead? A big, itchy, red rash of pimples. Need a cheap acne remedy that works fast? Use ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen cabinet to cure your acne. Following are three home remedies for acne you can whip up and start using today.

Before we explore these home acne remedy cures, let’s take a brief look at what causes acne. This will help you to better understand why these acne cures may work for you.

What Causes Acne

In simplest terms, acne is a disease of the skin that’s caused by clogged pores and/or inflammation of the sebaceous glands. The reason this clogging causes acne is that these glands produce too much oil. This causes them to become stopped (plugged) up. Once this happens, you see the outer manifestation of this in the form of blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.

Many acne sufferers make the mistake of popping pimples, which can cause further infestation because bacteria around the hair follicles then enter the skin. Also, squeezing pimples can cause unsightly skin scarring.

Who Needs an Acne Remedy the Most: Adults or Teenagers?

Many think of acne as a teenager problem. However, more adults suffer from acne than teenagers; in fact, over 50% of acne sufferers are adults. Experts estimate that over half of adults aged 25 to 49 suffer from acne. This is compared to only a quarter (25%) of teenagers.

With all of the above in mind, following are three home remedies for acne.

I. The Baking Soda Acne Remedy

The goal here is to make an acne remedy paste. Ingredients needed are simple – baking soda and water. How much of each depends on the size of the area you want to cover. The mixture should be moist enough to spread, but not so moist that it runs when you salve it on.

So in a bowl, mix baking soda and water (keeping in mind the advice just above).

Wash face thoroughly with a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser; then, gently pat dry.

Slowly and gently, massage the baking soda/water acne remedy on affected areas.

Let sit for 10-15 minutes.

Rinse with lukewarm water (be sure to wash hands before rinsing mixture off).

Gently pat dry.

Apply a light, hypoallergenic moisturizer.

Repeat twice a day (morning and night) for at least one to weeks.

Many who have tried this acne remedy report smooth, soft skin that feels unbelievably clean.

II. The Toothpaste Acne Remedy

The toothpaste acne remedy is quite quick, as there’s nothing to mix. Here’s what you do to cure acne with toothpaste.

Wash affected area thoroughly with a hypoallergenic cleanser (note: this is something you should do as a matter of course to any acne-affected area(s) you have).

Pat dry (don’t wipe dry, for this can aggravate skin; pat it).

Apply a small dab (film) of toothpaste to affected area; spread it gently (don’t rub it in; spread it).

Let the toothpaste dry (but, don’t leave it on for more than 5 to 10 minutes).

Rinse off with cool water; the affected area will feel cool and refreshed, kinda like the feeling you get when you wash your face with Noxzema or some other cooling face cream.

Pat dry.

Apply a light coating of a hypoallergenic moisturizer.

Repeat no more than once a day for as long as necessary.

Note: No matter how oily your skin is, it needs a moisturizer. If your skin is very oily, use water-based moisturizers; not oiled-based ones (eg, those that contain petroleum).

Toothpaste Acne Cure Warning: Use a toothpaste that contains as little fluoride as possible. Why? Because toothpaste can burn skin if left on too long. Remember, it is not intended as an acne remedy. While it can be effective for this, it can be harsh. And some can even experience allergic reactions. If used with severe caution though, you should be fine. To determine if you’re allergic, do a small test. If you experience a reaction (eg, redness, itchiness; consult a dermatologist immediately).

III. The Apple Cider Vinegar Acne Remedy

This, too, is a relatively simple acne remedy that anyone can use.

Clean the acne-affected area with a hypoallergenic cleanser.

Pat dry with a clean towel/face cloth.

Moisten a cotton ball or cotton pad with apple cider vinegar.

Smooth over entire affected area until cotton ball/swab is clear (eg, no dirt from your skin can be seen on it).

Once dry, apply a light, hypoallergenic moisturizer.

Note: There is no need to wash the affected are and dry it after you apply the vinegar. Simply wait for it to dry and then apply a moisturizer.

Why does this work? Reportedly, vinegar acts as a cleansing astringent. It normalizes the skin’s pH balance and also removes excess dirt, oil and bacteria – which all lead to clogged pores and acne.

Note: This is not an acne remedy that should be used daily. Every three to five days is sufficient.

Home Acne Remedies Note: Each person’s skin is different, as are the causes of their acne. Hence, an acne remedy that works for Person A may not work for Person B. If you fail to get the results you want using these home remedies for acne, consult a dermatologist.

How to Avoid the Need for an Acne Remedy

While some causes of acne are genetic, many of an acne sufferer’s daily habits may lead to acne. Hence, following are some tips for avoiding acne.

Cleanliness is Vital: Keep bed linens and covers clean. This is important because oil, hair product solutions, cosmetics and simply the accumulated dirt from linen use is deposited on your skin when sleeping. This leads to clogged pores – and hence acne.

Wash Face Often: You should wash your face at least twice a day with an antibacterial soap or cleanser containing salicylic acid. Do not use regular soap, as it can be harsh. If you do, use one that is gentle and doesn’t contain alkaline, as this promotes bacterial growth.

Note: Don't scrub your face when you wash it, as this can irritate already sensitive skin.

Use Hypoallergenic Products: Many cosmetics can cause acne. If you’ve noticed that you’re breaking out more after applying cosmetics, discontinue use and cleanse skin thoroughly. If this doesn’t help, consult a dermatologist.

Also, don’t work out with cosmetics on. This can lead to clogged pores. Wash your face before and after you work out to prevent bacteria from getting under your skin and leading to a break out.

How to Get Rid of Acne by Not Touching Your Face: It’s amazing how many times we touch our face during a day. Think about what your hands touch during the course of a day. Bacteria, oil and other acne-causing agents can be transferred to your face with just one touch. This is why it’s vital that you wash your hands often during the day – and keep them away from your face as much as possible.

While these tips may not eliminate your need for an acne remedy entirely, they can help to reduce acne breakouts – leading to a more confident you!