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How Do I Choose the Best Homemade Acne Treatment?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

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.

A boy with acne.
A boy with acne.

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.

Grapeseed oil, which can be used to make a mask for treating acne.
Grapeseed oil, which can be used to make a mask for treating acne.

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.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

SteamLouis

There are so many ways to treat acne at home. My favorite natural acne treatments are sandalwood and turmeric. I mix sandalwood powder with water to make a paste. I use it as a face mask. I do the same thing with turmeric. Both sandalwood and turmeric have antiseptic properties and dry out pimples. They also reduce skin's oil production.

Tea tree oil is also great for acne. It can be used as a spot treatment or a little bit can be added to a facial cleanser to treat pimples.

fify

@burcinc-- I use an aspirin mask once or twice a week as an at home acne treatment. It works great. Aspirin is similar to salicylic acid which is a common ingredient in acne products. It helps exfoliate skin and fights inflammation. You don't have to add honey to it.

It's very easy to make the mask. I just crush 3-4 aspirin tablets and add a little bit of water to make a paste. I apply the paste on my face, rub it with circular movements and then leave it on for about ten or fifteen minutes. I then wash it off.

I highly recommend this easy home remedy. Just make sure to use uncoated aspirin tablets or you won't be able to crush them. Don't use this mask if you're allergic to aspirin. You can add a little bit of plain yogurt to the paste if you find it hard to apply.

burcinc

What's an easy and effective homemade acne treatment recipe that I can prepare with ingredients I already have at home? I don't have grapeseed oil and I'm allergic to honey.

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    • A boy with acne.
      By: Jörg Hackemann
      A boy with acne.
    • Grapeseed oil, which can be used to make a mask for treating acne.
      By: Anson
      Grapeseed oil, which can be used to make a mask for treating acne.
    • Acne can leave behind scars and marks.
      By: Budimir Jevtic
      Acne can leave behind scars and marks.
    • When mixed with sugar or salt, olive oil can make an effective acne scrub.
      By: margo555
      When mixed with sugar or salt, olive oil can make an effective acne scrub.
    • Aspirin tablets can be dissolved for use in a mask for acne.
      By: blueskies9
      Aspirin tablets can be dissolved for use in a mask for acne.
    • Garlic and potatoes are common home remedies for acne.
      By: Cheryl Casey
      Garlic and potatoes are common home remedies for acne.
    • Homemade acne treatments should be avoided if a person has allergies to ingredients such as aspirin, eggs or nuts.
      By: AustralisPhotography
      Homemade acne treatments should be avoided if a person has allergies to ingredients such as aspirin, eggs or nuts.