6 Simple Herbal Remedies for Acne

Acne can create very painful and inflamed pimples on the face and other parts of the body. This condition is found in adults as well as younger individuals. There are many treatments offered by dermatologists, some can be very effective but some can be harsh on the skin.

As far as herbal remedies for acne are concerned, there are some simple and affordable options to treat and relieve acne at any age. Most herbal remedies are suitable for sensitive skin types.

• Burdock

This herbal treatment can be taken internally and applied externally. You can purchase burdock root capsules or a tincture to take as a dietary supplement. Burdock root cleanses the skin and reduces acne. To apply burdock root to the skin, you can use burdock root tea bags and apply them directly to the skin. You can also drink the tea or use it as a face wash. You should apply burdock root to the skin at least twice daily for best results.

• Aloe Vera

It’s best to purchase 100% pure aloe vera gel, or use it straight from the aloe vera plant. Externally, aloe vera offers antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties for the skin. You can also take aloe vera juice internally, but make sure you are purchasing the one that is specific to internal use and not external use. When taken internally, aloe vera juice helps to regulate hormones. A hormonal imbalance is the cause of some acne breakouts and if it’s been indemnified as the cause of your acne, you may want to consider taking aloe on a daily basis.

• Tea Tree Oil

This treatment is compared to using benzol peroxide, but has been found to be even more effective without the side effects. One thing to remember about tea tree is that it is a very powerful herbal treatment and may not be suitable for those with very sensitive skin. Tea trea oil can be found in lotion form or you can purchase straight tea tree oil and add it to an oil (such as jojoba) before applying to the skin. It should not be used undiluted. You can make a simple tea tree solution by mixing 5 parts tea tree oil to 95 parts water, which would be 5ml of tea tree oil with 95 ml water. You can then dab it on the skin with a cotton ball.

• Chamomile

This gentle and calming herbal treatment has been found to stop acne and reduce or eliminate acne scars. Chamomile can be found in capsules and taken internally for relaxation purposes, which may be the most known use of this herb but it’s in no way it’s only attribute. Take chamomile tea bags, after making the tea, and apply it to the areas of acne on the skin. You should drink the tea, which will also help to reduce acne. Chamomile oil can be found, usually slightly diluted with jojoba oil, and applied directly to the skin to reduce acne.

• Yellow Dock

This is one of the most popular herbal medicines for skin health in general. Taking yellow dock internally and applying it externally can help to treat acne and prevent further acne breakouts. Research has shown that people who take yellow dock internally see an improvement in their acne that lasts the rest of their lives. An easy way to apply yellow dock to the skin is either by making a paste with yellow dock powder (mixed with water) or by applying a tea bag filled with yellow dock herb (premade tea bags can be purchased).

• Calendula

Also known as marigold, this herb offers healing and soothing properties for the skin. It’s a very popular ingredient in creams and lotions because of its soothing effect on the skin. For acne, this herbal treatment can reduce and eliminate acne breakouts. It has anti-inflammatory properties as well as antibacterial properties. There are a few ways to use calendula. It can be found in essential oil form and applied directly to the skin with a cotton ball. Calendula is also found in soaps, which would be beneficial to use on acne prone areas. Like most other herbs, calendula can be purchased in tea bag form and applied to the skin.

Although not mentioned above, witch hazel can be an effective treatment for acne. You can even carry a small bottle of witch hazel with you or leave some on your desk at work to apply to the skin if you feel a pimple coming on while you are away from home. Whichever method you choose, it may take a month or so to notice results with some of the treatments.

Aloe vera, applied on the skin, usually shows results almost immediately and can often stop a pimple from developing further. It may take longer to notice results from burdock or yellow dock, but the results can be very effective once they start to appear. You can also combine methods, such as using both aloe vera and tea tree oil throughout the day but at different times.

Most remedies are very affordable, so it can be economical to try one out and see how it works before pursuing more expensive methods.