Natural Acne Remedies and Cures That Won't Cost a Fortune

Natural Acne Remedies That Won't Cost a Fortune

Having a teenage boy in my life I can personally attest to the fact that acne and teen angst do not go together. You don't have to be a teen to have acne however, so everyone having blotchy skin can benefit from the low cost natural remedies that I will be outlining.

Before we can into specifics let take a look at what acne is.

According to the MedTerms.com website acne is a localized skin inflammation as a result of overactivity of the oil glands at the base of hair follicles. Acne happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to life around puberty, when these glands are stimulated by male hormones that are produced in the adrenal glands of both boys and girls.

The oil glands, which are located just beneath the skin, continuously produce and secrete oil through openings in the skin. The oil lubricates and protects the skin. Under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the openings of the oil glands block the openings. This causes a buildup of oil underneath the skin.

Let me say again that you don't have to be a teen to have acne adults in all walks of life unfortunately suffer from acne and sadly spend a fortune on creams and cleansers to try and fix this problem.

Now of course if you have a large problem with acne please seek doctor's help in the situation. However, if you want to try some natural remedies that cost pennies first and see if it helps here are some wonderful tried and true natural ingredients that will not harm you face. Also, nothing can be accomplished if you don't cleanse "internally" as well. That means drinking plenty of water to detox your skin. Keep a water bottle with you on your desk or take it with you in your backpack. Stay away from sodas. Even diet drinks are loaded with chemicals that will make your skin less luminous and clear. Take your vitamins, especially the B vitamins! Stay away from fast food if possible. I know this is a hard thing to follow but the more organic and natural foods you can eat the better your skin will become. 

Natural Remedies for Acne

Try the remedies below. I would suggest not trying every single one all at once. Try one for approximately two weeks and see how your skin reponds. Then go and try the next remedy until you see results. Some of the remedies below such as steam or mud clay mask can be combined with other procedures.

1. Tea Tree Oil - One of my favorites and also something you can apply for warts! Comes in a small bottle with a topper stick that you dab on the acne areas. This oil has a very strong smell. I would recommend that you use this nightly when not in social settings where people will start to sniff you!  : ) But the next day you will see some results. It has the ability to really dry the acne pimples fast!
2. Licorice Root Extract - Another great root that when applied to the skin directly will dramatically improve the skin. Licorice Root extract tea can also be sipped for internal cleansing. 
3. Green Tea Extract - Green tea can be brewed for a wonderful herbal tea for internal cleansing. This is an ancient Chinese remedy for acne that has been used for centuries. You can also make a strong tea, cool it down and use it as a toner on the face. Internal detoxing using teas is as important as external applications on the skin.
4. Witch Hazel - You can buy a huge bottle of Witch Hazel at any drugstore. This is something that should be kept in the house! Use it as a toner after cleansing your face. Witch Hazel is a natural astringent and a personal favorite of all grandmas throughout the ages.
5. Zinc - This goes with the earlier statement of taking vitamins. Another internal treatment. Do not over do on this vitamin but do make sure that you are getting enough. Zinc helps to really clear up the skin.
6. Natural Milled Hard Soaps - This is something I personally do not go without. Available at any Vitamin or health food store and now seen at most grocery stores. My personal favorite is Rose Water or Rose Petal soap. With with Rose extract which is a natural astringent. Try, Lemon Grass, Tea Tree Oil, Oatmeal soaps. I would avoid Avocado Oil and Olive Oil soaps for oily skin and acne. 
7. Clay Masks - Again available in most health food stores, grocery stores and even pharmacies now for a reasonable cost. Clay naturally dries up oily spots on the skin. I remember applying this wonderful mask on my face and as it would dry, I could actually see the areas that it was "extracting" oil from on my skin. Fabulous stuff. Available is tubes and jars. Make sure that it is all natural!  Speaking of clay, now you will not believe this but it is true...kitty litter...the all natural kind of course made out of pure clay can be moistened and applied to the face to dry. It really, really works!
8. Yogurt Mask - Plain old fashioned yogurt...no fruit please and no sugar or fake sweeteners!  : )  Buy some for pennies, then cleanse your face (with one of the hard milled soaps) and apply a slather of yogurt on your face. It is advisable to lay down for this procedure so that you are not dripping yogurt all over the house. Leave on for about 15 minutes. Rinse off with cool water. You can follow up with one of the tea toners if needed. Your skin will be baby smooth!
9. Egg Whites - Okay DON'T buy the egg substitutes for this. You need a real egg. Use only the white and beat it until it is fluffy...again this is an at home procedure. Spread the mixture on your face with your fingers and then take 15 minutes or more (up to 30 is fine) and lay down and relax. Rinse off with cool water and follow with toner as needed. Tones the skin, tightens and dries the acne.
10. Steam - Yes steam...an age old remedy and one that was even used at a prominant facial salon. Those steam machines really work. You can steam using a pot of water, bring to a boil and if you want place chamomile leaves for a wonderful infusion. Take the pot to a table. Make sure you have a pot warmer under it. Drape a tower over your head to make a tent and then place your face over the pot so that the steam envelopes it. Not too close that it hurts or burns. Do this for about 15 minutes. Then you can follow with one of the masks (clay or egg white). Rinse off the mask as done in the above steps and pat dry. You will look like you just came back from a wonderful relaxing vacation.

Acne is not going to magically disappear overnight but if you start today and get your face and body in optimum shape with detoxing and cleansing, you will start to see results. 

Now, get to that grocery store and start shopping!