There are a variety of effective over the counter medicines available (topical ointments, face and body washes, and even astringents or medicated cleansing cloths). You can also see a dermatologist for a stronger, more personalized acne treatment regiment.

But for some people, whether for budgetary reasons or just the desire to do things without chemicals or medicines, home remedies for acne are the most appealing. Many of these tips and tricks may prove to be effective if your acne is mild. Or, use them in conjunction with a regular treatment to keep your skin in the best shape possible.

But remember! Washing, scrubbing, or otherwise ‘messing with’ your skin too much can do more harm than good. Keep your acne treatments to a regular minimum to avoid irritating your skin. For each of these ideas, try it on just a small spot of your skin first. If you turn out to be allergic to something, you wouldn’t want your whole face to turn pink!

Face “Masks” or “Masques”

Many different fruits and vegetables have vitamins and enzymes that help your skin stay balanced, not just by eating, but by applying directly. With a simple online search, you can find remedies that use any of the following ingredients to help your skin shine, in a good way:

• pumpkin

• honey

• oatmeal

• avocado

Topical “Spot” Treatments

People swear by all sorts of ingredients for treating individual blemishes. One common “stand by” is putting toothpaste on individual pimples before going to bed. People attribute toothpaste’s success to the way it dries out the skin (again, be careful: you could over-dry). Others rub raw garlic over a blemish several times a day to reduce its severity.

Super-Fresh Splashing

Many common home remedies involve splashing your face with water containing natural ingredients, or applying these mixtures with a cotton ball. Some of the most common include “facial teas” including the following main ingredients:

• flowers and herbs (rosemary, lavender, nettle, rose water, bay leaves)

• leafy greens (lettuce, etc.)

• fruits (lemon juice, apple cider vinegar)

• other (fresh yeast)

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