Do Home Remedies for Acne Work?

Home remedies for acne are often tried by those who suffer from regular bouts of acne. The reasons for trying home remedies for acne can vary. Those who attempt to clear up their acne at home can do so because they want to save money or because they prefer natural treatment options. Medicine cabinets, kitchen cupboards and back yards all can be rifled through to find the solution to acne, but many home remedies are not effective in clearing up acne completely.

Home remedies for acne can include ingredients such as toothpaste, garlic, potatoes, lemons, limes, cucumbers, vinegar, aloe vera and basil. Popular home remedies include spreading toothpaste on the effected area, rubbing lemons over pimples and smoothing aloe vera over the skin to prevent or reduce scarring. However, the effectiveness of such home remedies is questionable, and they often have unintentional, detrimental effects on the skin.

Individuals who try home remedies for acne should be aware that they are taking the chance of further aggravating their skin. Many of the ingredients in home remedies for acne are not suitable for direct contact with the skin and can clog pores or dry and irritate the skin, leading to the emergence of more acne. Those who suffer from more than just the occasional pimple likely will need to look past home remedies. Many acne cases can be successfully treated using products that can be purchased over the counter.

Over-the-counter products that contain sulfur, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can encourage the skin to clear, and they yield satisfactory results. Acne products containing these ingredients also can be available in prescription form, but many individuals with acne can experience comparable results just by using the over-the-counter products properly and consistently. Some studies have shown that using a product containing 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide is just as effective as using a prescription product containing 5 percent or 10 percent benzoyl peroxide. To get clear skin, it's simply a matter of regularly using enough of the 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide over-the-counter product.

Hormone imbalances that cause acne won't respond to home remedies and might require that an individual visit a doctor. Acne can be the result of an imbalance, so patients will have to correct their hormone levels before they see a significant decrease in the severity and frequency of acne. Puberty, pregnancy and menopause are all events that can precipitate acne. For many, hormone imbalances during these times are expected. However, acne also can stem from less generally recognized sources such as hypothyroidism, so hormone levels might need to be checked when acne doesn't seem to respond to any remedies, home or otherwise.