Try this Acne Home Treatment

Acne is a truly serious worry for teenagers and younger adults across the country. It can be a serious impediment to enjoying life while growing up. Mostly this is due to the undue importance our society places on appearances and being "normal" looking. In this article, we will examine several home treatments for acne in search of ways to clear your skin without emptying your wallet. Remember, clearing your skin can take time. Don't be discouraged if you don't see instant results when trying any of these home treatments.

Doing it Yourself

Treating your acne doesn't necessarily involve buying a bunch of expensive prescriptions or even over-the-counter products. All natural treatments can be made from common materials or plants that you probably already have around your house.

The old favorite is toothpaste applied directly to the affected area. Simply apply the toothpaste to your zit before bed, and let it stay on overnight. Just make sure that the toothpaste you are using as a home acne treatment is actually the paste type, not the gel kind. You can also try a variety of solutions, pastes, and facial masks made from different plants, fruits, or vegetables.

A simple salt and vinegar solution (be careful not to make it too strong) can be applied a few times a day to help dry out excess skin oils. Lemon, lime, or tomato juice can be used in a similar fashion. Herbs and herbal products (such as dried basil, mint juice, turmeric, and nutmeg) can be made into a solution or paste and used as well.

Oatmeal masks are always popular, and cucumbers have been used to reduce inflammation for years. Some of the more exotic home treatments for acne are made from such ingredients as sandalwood, ground sesame seeds, papaya, ground orange peel, or fenugreek leaves. As you can see, natural home treatments for acne can be found in abundance.

The solutions, such as salt and vinegar solution, should be applied 2-3 times per day, with or without rinsing after 15 minutes. The pastes and other masks should be left on for 15 minutes, then rinsed away, and applied no more than twice a day. The honey and cinnamon mixture should be left on overnight if you are using this home treatment for acne.

Remember, overdoing things can cause more harm than good. Give your skin time to heal, not more treatments. Most of the time you will notice a gradual decrease in the oil and pimples that are visible, with 15 days being the average time to notice a significant improvement.

Over the Counter Treatments for Acne

If making pastes and extracts just isn't your thing, there are tons of over-the-counter treatments for acne. Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most common ingredients in commercial home treatments for acne. It helps remove excess oils from your skin, which is the main cause of acne. A good facial cleanser is important as well; you want a cleanser that will clean your face without over-drying, with just enough moisturizer to ensure that your skin stays smooth and soft.

Some Dos and Don'ts

Even with proper skin care, you will probably get a pimple at some point. When this happens, follow these tips to speed healing and minimize scarring.
DO keep the affected area clean.
DO continue to use your home treatment for acne.
DO use topical antibiotics (but not harsh ones like rubbing alcohol), especially if the lesion is raw. DON'T pop a pimple.
DON'T squeeze blackheads.
DON'T pick at healing acne lesions.