A homemade acne treatment can be made with basic household ingredients, and may help reduce mild to moderate acne inflammation. Exfoliants, masks, and scar treatments can all be created from basic products, and may be used alone or combined with chemical acne-fighters to create a acne-blasting skin regimen. It is important to consider potential allergy sources when trying a homemade acne treatments; allergies to aspirin, eggs, nuts, and certain fruits or vegetables can all interfere with homemade acne remedies. A homemade recipe should be avoided if a person has or suspects an allergy to any ingredients.
Creating a homemade acne treatment that can be used as an exfoliant is a simple process that requires just a few ingredients. Baking soda is a natural antimicrobial and antifungal substance that can be used to create a great exfoliant. Wet down a small handful of baking soda with water and gently rub it over a damp face. Rubbing in small circles helps the textured powder remove dead skin and thoroughly clean out pores. Sugar and salt mixed with grapeseed or olive oil can make a good acne exfoliant that will combat dryness while removing dead skin. Adding a drop of tea tree essential oil to either a baking soda or or salt exfoliant can also boost antiseptic properties, fighting current blemishes as well as preventing new ones.
One great way to create a homemade acne treatment is by whipping up a mask. Masks are generally thicker solutions that are left on the skin for 10-20 minutes and may be repeated a few times a week. One popular homemade acne treatment is an aspirin mask, which is a mixture of aspirin tablets dissolved in water and mixed with honey. This mask can be great for a temporary reduction in redness, but should only be used by those who are sure they are not allergic to aspirin. Mixing oatmeal with water can also be used as a mask to soak up excess oil and rid the face of blackheads while being gentle enough to avoid over-drying the skin.
If skin is prone to scarring or red marks tend to remain months after an acne blemish has disappeared, consider creating a homemade scar treatment. These treatments can temporarily reduce redness, or help improve cellular turnover to rid the skin of old marks. Leaving lemon juice or fresh tomato juice on skin overnight is recommended by some; the citric acid in these products may help lighten discolored skin. A simple olive or grapeseed oil mask can also serve as a homemade acne treatment for scars, since the intense moisture softens the skin and may reduce the hard edges around sunken or icepick acne scars.
