There are many factors that play a role in the health of your skin. Your diet, exercise routine and water intake can either contribute to healthy, glowing skin or acne breakouts. Poor nutrition, stress, PCOS, birth control pills, sleep deprivation, menopause and imbalanced hormones are just a few of the factors that can cause inflammation in the skin that leads to frustrating acne breakouts and other skin irritations.

Home Remedies for Acne

1. Cleanse Gently

Home remedies for acne include regular gentle cleansing. To get rid of pimples, blackheads and whiteheads, try using a homemade honey face wash. The ingredients, including apple cider vinegar, honey, coconut oil, probiotics and essential oils, help soothe the skin while fighting acne-causing bacteria. Use on damp skin morning and evening.

2. Tone to Restore pH Balance

Home remedies for acne include using a toner to help restore pH balance to the skin. Use apple cider vinegar morning and evening to help kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin. Apple cider vinegar contains magnesium, potassium and various enzymes that fight harmful bacteria. Dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and use it on your face and neck, especially in areas that are prone to acne breakouts.

3. Use Healing Masks

Home remedies for acne include hydrating and healing masks. Use soothing ingredients like yogurt, honey, cinnamon and essential oils to create a homemade mask that fights harmful bacteria.

  • Yogurt and honey mask: Mix 1 tablespoon of raw honey with 1 tablespoon of yogurt. Apply the mask to your face, let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse.
  • Honey and cinnamon mask: Mix 2 tablespoons of raw honey with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Spread the mask onto your face and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse.

4. Exfoliate Regularly But Gently

Gently exfoliating on a regular basis can help keep you skin smooth and clear. Start with a gritty base to remove dead skin and unclog pores, such as sea salt, brown sugar or oatmeal. Add in some coconut oil, kefir or honey to help fight bacteria, fungi and candida overgrowth on the skin. Use the mixture 1-2 times per week. Coconut oil, honey and lavender essential oil can also help prevent scarring.

5. Spot Treat With Tea Tree Oil

Home remedies for acne include tea tree oil. Tree tea oil has natural antiseptic, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that can help keep acne at bay. For a homemade acne remedy, mix 4-8 drops of tea tree oil with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or jojoba oil. Lightly dab to mixture onto problem areas to help fight acne-causing bacteria.

6. Use Holy Basil

Home remedies for acne including using holy basil to fight bacteria. Research has shown that holy basil can help fight acne from the inside out by working to balance hormones. Holy basil or holy basil tea can be used as a toner or added to a homemade mask to help kill bacteria. (1)

7. Moisturize

Home remedies for acne include moisturizing on a regular basis. Try using coconut oil as a natural moisturizer to help fight bacteria while hydrating the skin. Coconut oil’s medium-chain fatty acids work to restore the health of the skin while preventing acne breakouts. (2)

8. Avoid Too Much Sun Exposure

To keep your skin clear, it’s important to avoid to much sun exposure. UV rays can increase acne scarring. When spending an extended time outdoors, use a natural sunscreen free of chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin.

9. Take a Probiotic Supplement

Home remedies for acne include probiotics. Live probiotics improve gut health by eliminating harmful bacteria. A healthy gut and a strong immune system can improve skin health and fight acne from the inside out. (3)

10. Take Guggul

Home remedies for acne include guggul supplements. Guggul is especially beneficial for those who are struggling with cystic acne. Research has shown that guggul can help reduce acne and prevent an acne relapse.