If there was one thing we all dreaded from our adolescence, it was the takeover of acne on our faces.
That was the puberty phase of our lives that was supposed to end then and there, right? And for many that became true and their acne problems became a thing of the past. But for the rest, acne problems have followed them all the way into adulthood.
Causes could begin from times of stress to hormonal changes in the body such as menstruation cycles and menopause. These are issues for women, which is part of why they are at a higher risk of suffering from acne. But psychological problems linked to the pressures from today carry an added factor into skin problems. Socioeconomic pressures, poor diet, light stimuli, depression, anxiety, and the likes, along with having a   genetic predisposition, smoking and the use of certain medications make acne a bothersome problem even among adults.
Doctor prescribed treatments can be a solution, but the risk of chemicals for your skin becomes higher if not taken with precautions. If this is so, how then do we deal with teenage hormonal problems that continue as an adult?
Home remedies might just be a solution for you. As always, though, one should try these out with care. Everybody has a different type of skin, allergies, and reactions that vary. Which is why certain precautions, like trying out the homemade solutions on a small patch of skin before, commencing a healthier diet, and putting a stop to the annoying habit of picking at blemishes (as awful as they may look) may help to get better results from the following remedies:
- Using honey and cinnamon can help fight bacteria and reduce inflammation with the number of antioxidants they carry (vitamin B3, linoleic, fatty acids, vitamin C derivatives, etc.).
You can prepare a mask with these ingredients by first mixing 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 of cinnamon and form a paste with it. After cleaning your face, apply a thin layer on your skin and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse the mask off with warm water and pat your face dry.
- Apple cider vinegar can fight many viruses and bacteria because of the organic acids it carries. It has succinic acid which has been found to reduce inflammation on the skin and prevent scarring.
You can apply it on your skin by mixing 3 parts water and 1 part apple cider vinegar then shake it well to mix. If your skin is sensitive, pour more water then use a cotton ball to dab the mixture on your skin after washing your face. Leave it for 5-10 minutes and then rinse again. You can repeat this process 1-2 times a day but always be careful to not use too much of the vinegar since it can cause burns and irritation if not well diluted with the water.
- It is important to exfoliate the skin when treating acne since it removes dead skin cells that clog up pores. You may do this with honey or coconut oil, as it helps with bacteria and fungi, and use   sea salt, ground sugar or even oatmeal to help unclog the pores  with the gritty texture they have.
In a bowl, use equal parts honey or coconut oil with brown sugar and mix. After the usual face cleansing, apply it on your skin and scrub gently in a circular motion for 3-5 minutes. Rinse with warm water, moisturize and repeat the process once daily.
- Moisturizing your skin is an important factor in keeping skin healthy from acne, and  aloe vera can provide the help. It contains salicylic acid and sulfur, which is used in the treatment and reduction of acne. It promotes healing, fights infections and reduces scarring.
With pure aloe, scrape the gel from the inside of the plant and apply it to your skin as a moisturizer, or directly onto the acne affected spots. Repeat this process 1-2 times daily, and wait for results.
- And as a reminder, acne treatment also must be done from the inside. Avoid eating highly processed foods, like processed grains, flour products, and excess sugar, which contribute to a low glycemic diet. Eat clean food products like leafy greens, lean protein, grass-fed meat, etc. and begin taking  multi-nutrient capsules containing fish oil, which is high in omega-3. Or simply add more salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts to your diet and avoid the inflammation on your skin with the properties they carry.
High school doesn’t have to keep haunting you. There are ways to get rid of acne that does not involve harmful chemicals or costly trips to the dermatologist. With a little patience and careful testing of these remedies, natural products could end up being the solution to getting a clean, acne-free skin.