Acne. Sigh! A universal and terrible face problem that manages to conquer the skin of most people irrespective of gender or skin type (unless you’re one of those really lucky ones!) So what do we do when it threateningly shows up on our face? Try possible solutions, of course! Herbal remedies, visits to the dermatologist, and wishful thinking are prospective answers to the problem. (Well, the last one is a joke!) Many people pop their zits open. No offense, but ugh! Did you know that you’re just adding to the pimple problem and making it worse instead of bettering it by doing that?

It is widely believed that benzoyl peroxide is the most popular over-the-counter solution for acne, followed by rubbing alcohol. Before we get you all excited about this treatment, let us stop to understand what the latter really is.

As we have seen above, rubbing alcohol is believed to work on acne, but at a heavy price. Thus, it cannot be classified as an effective treatment for acne, and cannot be classified in the category of ‘safe’ medications. It is not advisable to use it as a skin treatment, especially if one has sensitive skin. However, some people do find it extremely effective. What we can deduce is that its effectiveness depends on individual skin types―it might be bad for most, but be a blessing for some.

How to Reduce Visible Signs of Acne Redness

» Apply toothpaste (non-gel based) to the affected area. Keep it on overnight, and then wash it off in the morning with lukewarm water to observe a visible reduction in the redness.

» Place ice cubes in a clean cloth, and apply it on the blemishes. Keep it for around 2 or more minutes. Repeat the process at least 5-8 times a day for good results. Be careful not to break the pustule, and release the pus though.

» Applying eye drops that contain tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride to the affected area can visibly reduce the redness.

» Apply crushed fresh mint leaves to the affected area, and leave it on overnight.

» Cucumber and tomato juice is a simple home remedy that can help tighten up the pores, and reduce the redness drastically. Apply it on the face, and leave it on for around twenty minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water. In the absence of juice, rubbing half a tomato, or a sliced cucumber on the affected skin area, should also do the job.

» Applying garlic juice can also help clear up the redness and inflammation.

» Lemon juice mixed with rose water is great for reducing inflammation and swelling. Apply the mixture on your face, leave it on for around 20 minutes and rinse off.

» Aspirin tablets, meant for treating headaches, can come handy in reducing acne marks. Crush 1 aspirin tablet, and mix it to 2-3 parts water, and apply on the acne. Wash it off using a wet tissue or cotton after 30 minutes of its application.

» A paste of turmeric powder and Indian Lilac, or ground radish leaves, is a great antiseptic for clearing acne.

» A mask of vinegar and salt applied on the face can eliminate acne in no time. Apply the paste evenly over the face, and wash it off after thirty minutes with lukewarm water.

» Grated potatoes, mashed papaya, or a mix of fresh lime juice with groundnut oil can reduce the acne redness quickly.

» A glass of boiled milk with lime juice is not just great for skin whitening, but is also helpful in getting rid of pimples and redness.

» You can also use wet tea bags, or tea tree oil on the acne for 5 to 10 minutes, and get amazing results.

» Another option is using Aloe Vera gel on the acne. Wash off the thick gel after 30 minutes. It not only helps to reduce the redness, but heals the irritation and itchiness as well.

Few Tips for an Acne-free Skin
As it is said, prevention is better than cure, it is better to avoid acne and pimples than treating them. Here are a few easy steps to a glowing and healthy skin.

☞ Eat a balanced diet, high in vitamins and minerals which are essential for a clean and shining skin. Vitamin E, A, K, and B are responsible for keeping the skin healthy and acne-free. Fruits and green leafy vegetables are the best sources of natural vitamins and minerals.

☞ Drink plenty of water in a day. It not only keeps the skin hydrated and moisturized but also helps in flushing out toxins from your system. It is recommended to drink at least 5-8 glasses of water everyday.

☞ Engaging in regular physical activities also help in providing a well-toned skin as it facilitates good blood circulation supplying oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells. So regular exercise should be made a part of your daily routine.

☞ For a soft and supple skin, avoid heavy smoking and drinking as the toxins in them tend to clog the pores in your skin making it difficult for the skin cells to respire. The toxins and dirt accumulated in these pores lead to pimples and acne.

☞ If you are the kind who loves to dab makeup on your skin, make sure to remove it before you go to bed. Use a mild face cleanser to get rid of all the dirt and chemicals, and wash your face with a gentle face wash.

☞ Lastly, a good night’s sleep works wonder for your skin. It helps recharge your body, and makes your immune system efficient to fight against bacteria and stress. 6-8 hours of good sleep is recommended for total health and well-being.

If the above methods do not work for you, then prescription ointments and antibiotics may help in reducing the redness and swelling. Most of the time, salicylic acid preparations are used for this purpose. However, you might want to consult a doctor before using any of these products as salicylic acid is associated with a number of side effects.

Also, before following any of the home remedies mentioned above, consult your doctor, as not all home remedies are clinically proven, and they may not show the same results for everyone.

Effect of Birth Control Pills on Acne
Oral contraceptives are made of a combination of progestin and estrogen. They manipulate the natural female reproductive cycles and change the internal hormonal patterns. These pills reduce the amount of testosterone within the body and this decreases the hormonal acne breakouts. The reduction in testosterone production, leads to lesser oil production by the sebaceous glands and hence lesser pore blockages. It takes two to three months, minimum, to notice a definite improvement in the acne problem. The problem could also worsen during the interim. Some birth control pills increase the testosterone levels in the body and this can actually make the acne worse. So tell your doctor to prescribe you the right pills.

Birth control pills work particularly well in curing the acne of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) patients. Certain birth control pills contain progesterone, which limits the androgen hormones. It is these androgens that trigger the oil glands to produce more sebum, leading to acne. The progestins can act as androgens as well as anti-androgens. The pills that act as androgens worsen the acne problems. The best pills for acne happen to be anti-androgenic. So look for those pills that contain less androgenic activity, such as norgestimate, norethindrone, desogestrel, ethynodiol or levonorgestrel.

Birth Control Pills Approved for Acne
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved certain birth control pills as acne treatments. They are:

Ortho Tri-Cyclen: The Ortho Tri-Cyclen contains norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol. It’s a combination of female hormones that help in prevention of ovulation. It is used as a contraceptive pill for the prevention of pregnancy, and also used for acne treatment. It’s available in three different colors: white, light blue and dark blue.

• Every light blue tablet contains 0.215 mg of the progestational compound norgestimate, 0.035 mg of the estrogenic compound and ethinyl estradiol. Inactive ingredients in each tablet include carnauba wax, lactose, FD & C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, microcrystalline cellulose, titanium dioxide and purified water.
• Every white tablet contains 0.180 mg of the progestational compound, norgestimate, 0.035 mg of the estrogenic compound and ethinyl estradiol. Each tablet contains following inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, carnauba wax, lactose, hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, and purified water.
• Every dark blue tablet contains 0.250 mg of the progestational compound norgestimate, 0.035 mg of the estrogenic compound and ethinyl estradiol. Inactive ingredients in each dark blue tablet include: croscarmellose sodium, FD & C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake, hypromellose, carnauba wax, lactose, polysorbate 80, polyethylene glycol and purified water.

Estrostep: Estrostep is an oral contraception that evens out the hormonal surges that cause oily skin. It has been approved by the FDA particularly for acne treatment. However, it may take a few months to treat a severe case of acne.

Yaz: Yaz contains progesterone that may help reduce the quantity of androgen hormones in the body thus limiting the outbreak of acne. The pill may also help curb excessive hair growth.

Yasmin: The birth control pill named Yasmin is similar to Yaz. It is used to prevent pregnancy and also for acne management. It helps alleviate the signs of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) like depression, anxiety, weight gain, headache and breast tenderness. However, it’s not advisable to use this medication during pregnancy, as it may harm your unborn baby.

While these oral contraceptives do help with the acne problem, they give rise to several side effects. No birth control pill prevents acne outbreak completely, they may reduce it by 30% – 60%. It’s always advised to consult your doctor before taking any birth control pill for acne. These tablets are not recommended for women who are:

• above 35
• smokers
• suffering from breast or liver cancer
• have blood clots in their legs

Some of the side effects of these tablets are mentioned in the paragraph given below.

Possible Side Effects
The side effects of birth control pills for acne are basically the side effects of taking the pill itself. The side effects can be listed down as follows.

• Nausea
• Weight Gain
• Breast Tenderness
• Menstrual Spotting
• Mood Swings
• Blood Clots
• Strokes
• Headaches
• Gallstones
• High Blood Pressure
• Depression

Some of the side effects disappear after a few months of usage, as the body gets used to the changed hormonal balance. The side effects vary between the combined (contain a combination of both, estrogen and progestin) oral contraceptives and the progestin-only contraceptive pills.

These pills take about 3 to 6 months to show some noticeable improvement, but they definitely work on the acne that worsens during ovulation and menstruation. The perfect use of combined birth control pills lowers the chances of pregnancy to 1 or fewer women out of a hundred, only if acne control abilities are a little lesser and slower. In comparison, the progestin-only contraceptives have a higher pregnancy risk, 2 out of hundred, but are better for curing the acne. Choose wisely, for the lesser of the two evils. Who would have thought that we’d be killing two birds with one stone, great skin care and the choice of charting your own motherhood plans. Utilize with care, your right to birth control.

Naturally-produced cortisone has very short lasting effects, hence, synthetically-manufactured cortisone is used to treat inflammation. Cortisone shots, however, are used as a part of acne treatment and can’t do much to prevent the re-occurrence of the same. Nowadays, one also gets cortisone cream for acne. It is said to be one of the most effective topical treatments for acne, insect bites, and psoriasis. There are different types of acne but almost all are caused due to the blockage in the sebaceous gland. This is an oil gland and when it gets blocked, bacteria thrives in it and causes this skin problem. This also causes inflammation in the area and sometimes pigmentation occurs. Also, people with cystic acne get nodules and cysts which are painful and can cause permanent scarring.

Lot of people are affected by acne and it can affect a person’s self-esteem due to its visible effects. Although there are many over-the-counter products to treat this skin condition, none seem to work really fast. In such cases, cortisone injections are the best remedy. Synthetically-manufactured cortisone is believed to have long-lasting effects and therefore is used to treat inflammation.

The technical term for this procedure is intralesional corticosteroid injection, where a dermatologist uses a very thin needle to inject the steroid in the affected area. Cysts and nodules cause lesions and the steroidal shot helps heal them within a week’s time. Dermatologists use dilute solutions of this steroid to avoid atrophy of the skin as some of the affected people require more than one shot. It is believed to be one of the best treatments when it comes to dealing with severe acne problems.

Cortisone injections are administered locally on the affected area, they are quick acting. Results can be seen within days as the swelling subsides and the wound starts to heal. Cortisone also accelerates the healing process thereby preventing scarring in the region. One can check with the dermatologist if he/she wishes to get a cortisone shot.

Side Effects

Cortisone is a steroid but it is administered locally and hence, does not have any major side effects. One of the most common side effects is the discoloration of skin.

Another painful side effect is known as the ‘steroid flare’ or cortisone flare. In this condition, the injected synthetic cortisone crystallizes in the area causing severe pain. Atrophy which is the degeneration of the skin occurs in some of the affected people who receive cortisone injections.

Since, the injection is administered subcutaneously there is a slight chance that one might experience the needle prick pain. People with diabetics or women who are pregnant need to disclose their condition to the doctor before getting a cortisone shot.

Cortisone injections are used as treatment options for people who have severe and recurring acne. They are directly injected in the affected area to treat papules, nodules, and cysts.

Hormonal imbalance resulting from zinc deficiency can lead to surplus production of sebum. As a result, oily matter clogs the skin pores that are located on the superficial skin. Bacteria that are already present on the skin increase in number, and thrive in the blocked pores. Too much bacterial presence causes skin infection, eventually causing acne. Zinc tries to restore normal hormonal balance, thereby helping to clear acne.

Treatment

Foods High in Zinc
Daily intake of foods high in zinc is a natural remedy to combat acne successfully. Following are the foods, considered to be a rich source of zinc:

• Oysters
• Fortified cereals
• Dried watermelon seeds
• Vegetables like potatoes and beans
• Lamb
• Roasted beef

Zinc Supplement
Besides eating foods high in zinc, you may be required to take zinc supplements in your diet. This is because, it is observed that in today’s times, crops are cultivated with extensive use of fertilizers. This can eventually deplete the content of zinc in foods. So, to be on the safer side, and to ensure adequate intake of zinc, you may have to take it in supplemental form.

Today, zinc supplements are sold under various brands, but it is found that all do not work to relieve acne. OptiZinc is one of the best supplements that can work wonders to get rid of this skin condition. When using OptiZinc, avoid taking birth control pills as they contain a high amount of copper, which can reduce your ability to absorb zinc. The daily required dosage may vary from 50 mg to 200 mg, depending upon the severity of the skin problem.

Topical Cream
Skin imperfections like acne can be successfully treated with zinc creams. For acne-free skin, one can certainly rely on these topical ointments. A point to note here is that zinc oxide creams are prescription ointments and therefore cannot be purchased without a doctor’s recommendation.

Treatment for Scars

Healing the skin with zinc has several advantages. It not only repairs the damaged skin at a faster rate but also ensure that scars do not appear, after the skin condition heals. Zinc promotes growth of new skin cells and boosts production of collagen (a type of protein in the inner layers of the skin that keep the skin elastic and smooth) which benefits to prevent acne scars from occurring. So, besides curing acne, zinc does not allow scars to form.

In addition to the above treatment, one can also opt for natural acne remedies like application of aloe vera juice or a paste of cucumber on the affected area. Drinking plenty of water (7-8 glasses) everyday is equally important to get rid of acne as sufficient water intake flushes of the toxins responsible for causing this skin problem.

Acnezine Ingredients
Following are some of the primary ingredients that Acnezine claims to include:

• Aloe Vera: A natural antiseptic and moisturizer, aloe vera is believed to keep infections and bacteria at bay and impart moisture and suppleness to skin.
• Bioperine: A standardized extract from black or long pepper, bioperine is considered to act as an antioxidant and catalyze the absorption of nutrients. It is also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and acts as one of the best natural antibiotics for treating acne.
• Resveratrol: Extracted from red wine, resveratrol is believed to have anti aging properties and impart a youthful appearance to the skin.
• Berries Extracts: Acnezine claims to have included certain berry extracts among its ingredients which have potent anti oxidant properties.
• Concentrated Elasticin: Elasticin is clinically proven to give skin elasticity and fight wrinkles. Elasticin tightens the skin pores to effectively reduce the incidence of acne and wrinkles.

Does Acnezine Really Work?
In theory, yes. In reality, may or may not. Going by user reviews on Acnezine acne treatment, the long-term verdict on Acnezine solution is that Acnezine benefits are temporary and short-term. Acnezine is eying a place among the best acne treatment products and claims to work by neutralizing the body toxins and giving the liver more time to tackle the hormones who play mischief with skin, prompting it to produce more oils. It does not kill the acne bacteria, the chief cause behind acne, but makes its growth conditions non-conducive, thereby assisting in acne treatment for oily skin. Go through the following review to decide whether this belongs among the best acne treatments or not.

A Review of Acnezine Acne Treatment
Let us cast a bird’s-eye view of actual user reviews on Acnezine acne treatment.

• It doesn’t work as well as it claims to; the antioxidants present in it are often not enough to give any material benefit to the issue.
• It is a short-term fix, if at all it manages to fix. Acne is a result of hormonal imbalance which is often due to improper diet and lifestyle and improving these are the only permanent methods of achieving any kind of long-lasting and natural acne cure.
• Acnezine acne treatment, however, is a good, mild and reasonable alternative to laser treatment and even to some of the best over the counter acne treatment options.
• Acnezine comes with a promise of refund – but then, getting such a refund is not an easy task. If the product doesn’t give you the desired result, you may have to do a lot of pursuing to get your money back.
• Acnezine does not work for everyone since each individuals physiology works in a different way. This means different people can experience different Acnezine side effects and different intensity of effectiveness.
• If you suffer from chronic acne outbreaks and have already tried zillions of acne treatment solutions and have been disappointed then it would be wise to skip this one. In case you want an easy-and-lazy solution or have a mild case of acne, you may go for this product.
• Some users have reportedly experienced adverse side effects such as fatigue and mild headaches.

Going by these reviews on Acnezine acne treatment, it seems that this product is a good herbal alternative for isolated cases of mild outbreak. However, since it comes as an oral medication, it would be wise to consult a specialist before starting its consumption – since it goes inside your body, it may affect more than just your skin. You should be especially careful if you are allergic to any of its ingredients; that reminds me – make sure to check all ingredients carefully to check whether you are allergic to any of them! The reader must understand that this Acnezine acne treatment review is based on survey, and response thereto, of actual users. As I had mentioned earlier, different people may react differently to it, hence, this review is neither an assurance of the product’s efficacy nor a dismissal of it. This is just a collection of facts to enable you to make your own decision regarding its use against opting for all conventional acne treatments that work. Think carefully, decide wisely!

Acne, as we know, is mainly associated with clogged pores. Pores get clogged primarily due to the excess secretion of ‘sebum’ or oil by the overactive sebaceous glands. The sebum collects within the skin pores, and forms papules, which can cause the appearance of blackheads and whiteheads.

Such clogged pores can also harbor bacteria, dirt, and dead skin cells, which can eventually lead to infection and inflammation, or the development of acne lesions.

Effectiveness in Treating Acne

Being a beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid possesses exfoliating properties. Unlike alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids have larger molecular structures, which is why they can remain on the surface of the skin for longer. This makes beta hydroxy acids very effective in penetrating the skin pores and exfoliating the dead skin cells. Exfoliation is the key to unclog the skin pores, and accelerate the shedding of dead skin cells. It helps prevent the blockage of skin pores, and reduce the number of acne breakouts.

The over-the-counter salicylic products used for the treatment of acne and acne scars are usually available in the strengths of 0.5% to 2%. A large number of products like creams, lotions, gels, face wash, and face pads are available in the market. You can choose any of these products, but be consistent in its application, and follow the instructions given on the package.

However, do not use several salicylic products simultaneously, as its excessive use can cause skin dryness. You can also experience a mild tingling sensation on the skin, skin flaking, peeling, and increased sensitivity to sunlight after using it. However, compared to some other over-the-counter acne products, this organic acid is milder on the skin, and many of its minor side effects can be managed by using a good quality oil-free moisturizer.

Salicylic Acid Vs Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is another over-the-counter medication used for acne treatment. It works by destroying the bacteria and sloughing off the dead skin cells. It is effective for treating moderate to severe acne, while salicylic acid works well for mild to moderate acne. But this beta hydroxy acid is not effective in treating severe and inflammatory acne lesions. However, it is much gentler on the skin as compared to benzoyl peroxide, and so, it can be used by people with sensitive skin as well.

Benzoyl peroxide, on the other hand, is stronger than salicylic acid. It can cause a few side effects like skin dryness, redness, scaling, and minor swelling, besides making the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, it is usually not considered suitable for sensitive skin. But it can be effective in treating breakouts in oily skin. So, the choice between these two products depends on the skin type, and the severity of the problem that is being treated.

One can also use salicylic acid for scar removal, as this organic acid can slough off dead skin cells. But it can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. So, be sure to apply sunscreen before going out in the sun. However, before using any kind of acne products on your skin, it is better to get your condition properly evaluated with the help of a dermatologist. This will help you find out the product that will be best for your skin. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should confirm with their physician before using salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide for acne treatment. If you experience any kind of reactions or side effects while using these products, be sure to inform your dermatologist as soon as possible.

Apart from this, hormonal changes, stress, psychological disturbances, unhealthy lifestyle, and even the use of certain medications like steroids or the contraceptive pills, could all lead to its formation. However, to control and cure this condition, there are variety of skin care products available nowadays, however it would be difficult to choose amongst them.

Some Prescription Medications

An effective treatment medication is one that can slow down oil production, remove or dry oil from the skin, and help in clearing the scars and marks. Hence, the medications that are given below play an essential role in treating this condition by combating the various factors that lead to the same.

Oral Antibiotics
These are usually given to the affected people with mild to severe or persistent conditions. These medications work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria causing this condition called P. acnes, reducing the inflammation, and opening of the blocked pores. The common oral antibiotics include:

• Erythromycin: This is an effective oral antibiotic that fights a broad spectrum of bacteria that block the sebaceous gland with sebum.
• Tetracycline: Tetracycline and its derivatives like doxycycline and minocycline are used to treat moderate to severe conditions, as well as reduce the papules and pustules (inflammatory lesions).
• Sodium sulfacetamide: This is a topical antibiotic which is effective in treating inflammatory acne. It works by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria and opening the clogged or blocked pores.

Topical Antimicrobials
Just like topical antibiotics, antimicrobials are also commonly used to treat mild to severe conditions. They work by suppressing the P. acnes bacteria population and other factors that lead to this disorder.

• Clindamycin: This is a semi-synthetic antibiotic that works by killing this bacteria, and reducing the skin inflammation.
• Azelaic Acid: It cures inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions by subduing the populations of this bacteria, reducing the abnormal shedding of skin cells and inflammation.
• Benzoyl peroxide: Similarly, benzoyl peroxide which comes in a gel, lotion, cleanser, cream, and wash works by combating it that clogs the sebaceous glands with sebum.

Topical Retinoids
These are considered to be the best treatment products and are used for mild to moderately severe skin conditions and to keep them from coming again. These medications are derivatives of vitamin A and work by opening clogged pores and preventing whiteheads and blackheads from forming.

• Adapalene: It is a synthetic retinoid that comes either in gel or cream form and possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties for unclogging the pores.
• Tazarotene: This is another synthetic retinoid that comes either in gel or cream form and is effective in clearing clogged pores and treating this skin disorder.
• Tretinoin: It is one of the most oldest and commonly used retinoids that not only unclogs the blocked pores but also keep them from clogging in future.

Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin (Accutane) is an oral retinoid that is used to treat scarring cystic acne or acne which do not respond to other medications. This medication is very powerful and should only be taken under a dermatologist’s recommendation.

Topical Combination Therapy
As the name says, this therapy includes medication formed by combining topical antibiotics with other acne fighting ingredients. This medication benefits by killing the bacteria causing it, keeping the pores clear, and reducing the abnormal shedding of skin cells. This combination mainly includes:

• Benzamycin (benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin)
• BenzaClin (benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin)
• Duac (benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin)
• Sulfacet-R (sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur)
• Ziana (tretinoin and clindamycin)

Oral Contraceptives
Though surprisingly, research studies show that oral contraceptives or birth control pills are quite effective for the prevention and control in women as they work by simply suppressing the highly active sebaceous glands.

These were some of the types of prescription medications that can help one get rid of this skin disorder and their scars, and further, prevent them from reoccurring. Apart from these medications for their control, one can also try some home remedies in order to remove the scars naturally. One should remember that before opting for any of these medications, it is necessary to consult the dermatologist regarding their various pros and cons as some of them have been reported to cause side effects like skin irritations, redness, itching, etc.

For example, if you have sensitive skin, then it is better to select a mild natural cleanser, and avoid using harsh soaps. If you have oily skin, then a gel or water-based formula works well. For those with dry skin, it is advisable to go for a cream which provides moisture to the skin along with unclogging the pores. Let’s look at some of the treatments listed below.

OTC Creams/Ointments/Gels

• DDF BP Gel 5% with Tea Tree Oil comes with a natural ingredient like tea tree oil, and benzoyl peroxide, which helps to remove blemishes and fight new breakouts.
• DermaClear helps in removing pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads, by clearing up the pores.
• Johnson & Johnson Persa Gel has been used since a long time for breakouts. It is excellent for normal and sensitive skin.

OTC Overnight Products

• Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment contains just 2.5% benzoyl peroxide which prevents and minimizes blemishes.
• Clean & Clear Maximum Strength Overnight Acne Patches are tiny patches which help to control breakouts.
• Acne Spot Dry is a very effective overnight skin care product, which helps to reasonably shrink the breakouts.

Scrubs

• Stridex Conditioning Acne Scrub is a scrub which is mixed with the convenience of a pad. You just need to rub it on the affected region, and it will help to exfoliate the skin.
• You can also make a homemade scrub with plain yogurt and fine rice powder, and use it for scrubbing your face.

Face Masks

• Astara Blue Flame Purification Mask works great for getting rid of pimples overnight and reducing blemishes. It contains a gentle scent of lavender and is to be dabbed onto the affected areas.
• Fuller’s earth with rose water is another homemade mask that works best for oily skin.
• Neutrogena Pore Refining Cooling Gel Mask helps to clear up the pores, deep-cleanse the skin, and control breakouts.

Natural Treatments

• Tea tree oil is one of the most powerful essential oils and the best natural cure for acne. To use it for treating pimples, mix it with jojoba oil in a 3:10 proportion, and apply on the affected area.
• Lavender oil is another alternative treatment. It also has a pleasing smell that helps to control stress, and thus, prevent worsening of the condition.
• Carrot juice, when had everyday, helps to clear up acne and reduce blemishes.

Natural Scar Treatments

• Rosehip oil is one of the most beneficial oils for scar removal. Mix it with jojoba oil in a 4:10 proportion, and apply on the blemishes.
• Aloe vera gel from the plant or from a bottle can also be used to clear up blemishes.
• Sandalwood powder with rose water makes a wonderful pack, that helps to remove scars that are left behind.

Remember, a regular cleansing regime and a balanced diet are equally important to get rid of acne. For severe cases, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist.

Effective Remedies for Teenagers

Some popular medicines for treating acne include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, resorcinol, and sulfur. These are easily available as over-the-counter medications for an acne-affected skin. Here are some remedies you can try.

Peppermint

The first in the list of herbal treatment for acne is peppermint. This medicinal herb contains menthol, which is known to be a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. Get a handful of its leaves and make a paste out of them with a mortar and a pestle. Rub the leaves and juice on the affected area and leave it for 5 – 10 minutes. Thereafter, rinse the area with cold water.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal works by cleansing the pores and exfoliating the skin. And this very technique helps in preventing and treating acne outbreaks. Prepare oatmeal, as you would for eating. Add 2 tbsp. of honey to it, and allow it to cool down to the room temperature. Apply the paste on the affected area and leave it for not more than 10 – 20 minutes.

Aloe vera

The gel of aloe vera plant is a natural antibiotic, and it has a cooling and soothing effect on the acne sores. Get an Aloe leaf and apply its gel on the affected area.

Lemon juice

Make a mix of lemon juice with rose water, taking both in equal proportions. Apply it directly on the skin and rinse after 15-30 minutes. Lemon juice is known to be a natural astringent and mild antibacterial agent, and so is rose water. Their mixture aids in curbing any further progress of pimples and also helps in the recovery.

Home Remedies

• Make a thick paste of natural yogurt and fine oatmeal. Apply this paste onto the skin and leave it to dry. Rinse it with lukewarm water and pat dry. Apply a pimple cream thereafter.
• Get some cinnamon powder and honey. Apply the paste as a face mask and leave it overnight. Wash it off the next morning with an Aloe vera-based soap.
• Combine raw milk with gram flour and use it as a daily wash.
• Another method is a mixture of groundnut oil with lime juice, 1 tbsp. each.
• Get some ripe tomatoes and make a paste out of them. Apply it on the affected area and leave it for about an hour before rinsing it.
• Soak some lettuce leaves in water and wait until they become saturated. Use this solution to rinse acne.
• Prepare a paste out of mint juice and turmeric powder. Apply it on the skin and rinse it with lukewarm water after keeping it for 30 minutes.
• Crush some fresh fenugreek leaves with water and apply the paste and keep it overnight. The next morning, you can get your face washed with lukewarm water.