I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t struggle with acne. It was all fun and games until puberty hit me like a wall. My skin has been temperamental ever since. I feel like I have tried every product and every secret skin routine, but nothing works better for me than a good old natural remedy.
My skin routine doesn’t consist of just natural substances, but I find that when my skin is going through a rough patch, these work the best. If you’re struggling with skincare right now, I suggest you try a few of these natural remedies:
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a personal go-to and favorite of mine. You can purchase it in capsules or the concentrated oil form. Vitamin E is GREAT for scarring or small cuts; I’ve noticed a difference in the presence and darkness of my acne scars, and when using it on a fresh scrape or cut, it helps you avoid scarring. However, Vitamin E oil is very heavy. It’s important to use it the right way to avoid further breakouts, so make sure to apply it at night in place of a moisturizer.
Charcoal
Photo: LUSH Cosmetics
Charcoal is another favorite of mine. Activated charcoal is known to draw out bacteria, chemicals, and dirt from your pores, so it’s great to fight acne. Charcoal makes pores smaller and cleaner, and if you have oily skin, charcoal will help to draw out excess oil. I incorporate charcoal into my skincare routine by using Coalface from Lush — it’s a mild exfoliant and I love that it’s a solid bar (it’s vegan too!) It’s $14.95 for a 3 oz. bar, and it lasts what feels like forever. However, if you love DIY, there are several ways you can incorporate activated charcoal into an at-home mask.
Aloe Vera
Not only does aloe work great for sunburn relief, it's a miracle worker even when you’re not in the sun. Aloe has been known to help heal or soothe several skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema, but it's also great for treating acne. Aloe works as a great moisturizer because it doesn’t dry with a greasy feel, so it’s compatible with oily complexions. Aloe also contains two hormones known to combat acne, Auxin and Gibberellins. These hormones have wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. If you suffer from redness, I highly recommend trying aloe in your skin routine.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of a tree native to Australia and it's known to kill bacteria and fungi. This oil works well to combat acne because of its disinfecting and soothing properties. Tea tree oil can disinfect your pores (goodbye stubborn blackheads!) and dry out whiteheads. However, don't ingest tea tree oil, and if you have sensitive skin, tea tree oil might be a little too harsh. If you want to incorporate tea tree oil into your skincare routine, make sure to use a diluted solution. If you want to dilute the oil yourself, try combining it with aloe vera gel! Bonus points — tea tree oil also works well to combat dandruff.
What are your favorite natural remedies? Let us know!