Acne is a global problem that affects the majority of people (85%) at some point in their lives. It represents one of the most common skin conditions. It's a bothersome problem, to say the least. I know that because I'm one of those people who struggled with it for a long time, and I can tell you that the struggle is real!
It's a common belief that acne disappears after teenage years, and although it's true that it peaks through adolescence and teenage years, it does carry on with many people through to adulthood and can keep on causing a problem for many years. Studies have shown that approximately 50% of women in their 20s, 33% of women in their 30s, and 25% of women in their 40s suffer from acne.
Because acne is such a widespread problem, we come across a lot of products and natural remedies that claim to be beneficial for acne. In this article, we will explore some of those and tell you what you should try and what you should avoid.
What is Acne?
Acne is an inflammatory condition that happens when the pores that contain the hair follicles get clogged with sebum (an oil generated by sebaceous glands to protect the skin from drying out). The inflammation results in the formation of acne zits. Bacteria end up growing in the zits, and they're responsible for the redness, the swelling, the pain, and the local fever we sometimes feel around the acne zit or pimple. Acne manifests itself mostly on the face, but sometimes it appears on the shoulders, back, breasts, and groin area.
Types of Acne
Acne is not just one type; there are different types that vary in severity, causes, and prevalence. We have is Acne Mechanica, Acne conglobata, and the most common type that we are considering today is Acne Vulgaris, a condition in which the hair follicles get clogged with sebum, dead cells, and bacteria.
Sub-types of acne vulgaris
Acne vulgaris itself is divided into sub-types, you will find yourself familiar with them because most of the population suffers from at least one, if not more. Those sub-types are:
● Whiteheads: a hair follicle clogged with sebum and dead cells; the skin at the top of it doesn't break. It appears as a small white head that is not inflamed. Clearing whiteheads is mostly safe and doesn't cause scars, so it's okay if you want to manually clean them.
● Blackheads: They resemble whiteheads in everything except that the skin at the top breaks, and the air discolors the exposed sebum, causing it to look black. Cleaning blackheads is also okay because they are not inflamed.
● Papules: red and inflamed small lesions; they are tender to the touch, and it's advised not to touch them.
● Pustules: also known as pimples, contain white or yellow pus, and they're also inflamed; breaking them can cause acne scars and hyperpigmentation.
● Nodules: solid, large, and painful. They are found deep in the skin.
What can trigger your acne?
The things that can trigger acne are a lot, not to mention that they vary from one person to another. What triggers your acne can be different from what triggers another person's acne. That's why, in order to avoid the triggers, you need to pay attention to what causes your acne to peak and when it's calmer.
However, there are some common causes of acne, like the following:
Stress
A lot of us notice that our skin conditions worsen when we are under stress. As soon as we are put under pressure, those papules and pustules start making an appearance, making things worse for you than they already are; the reason behind this is that our glands produce more oil (sebum) when we are under stress. Stress is generally deeply connected to our skin's health, not just acne. So, if you are striving to lessen the acne outbreak, leave some time for relaxation and rest.
Hormones
The reason why acne peaks during adolescence and teenage years is the hormonal changes the body goes through during that period. Hormones is considered one of the main causes that result in acne outbreak. That's why some women always notice the appearance of a new acne pimples prior to their monthly I period, some of us call it the period acne.
Cosmetic products
Some beauty products, like make-up, can induce acne, especially if they are used often. This is due to the fact that make-up products increase the buildup inside the hair follicle and also increase the exposure of the skin to bacteria.
This can be avoided by cleaning your skin after you get back home, giving your skin some make-up-free time, and applying moisturizer after cleaning the skin.
Beside the makeup product, some products that are used in the treatment of acne, like tretinoin, can cause a spike in acne during the first month of usage. In a process called The Purge, this condition can last up to six months.
Gender
The percentage of men who suffer from severe acne (48.6%) is higher than the percentage of women who suffer from it (30.4%). A study that was conducted in Poland concluded that, while the percentage of men who have severe acne is higher, the percentage of women who struggle with it in terms of life impairment, stigmatization, and anxiety is greater than that of men.
Other factors that can induce the outbreak of acne are:
● Genetics.
● Age
● Environmental changes, sun exposure, and pollution.
● Lack of sleep.
Things to avoid if you have acne
There are things that you should avoid to prevent your acne from worsening. Some of those things are common practices and remedies, like:
● Picking up acne pimples: the first habit that you need to keep yourself from is picking up pimples. If you have pustules and papules, don't touch them; breaking those inflamed pimples will lead to scars and hyperpigmentation that can last anywhere from six to twelve months.
● Toothpaste: A very common practice is to put toothpaste on inflamed acne, but this method is not only ineffective; it can also be damaging to the skin.
● Going out in the sun without sunblock.
● Vinegar: has anti-inflammatory properties, so it might work to reduce acne. However, vinegar is strong for the skin; that's why it's better to try other remedies.
12 Natural remedies to fight acne
If you want to go all natural and treat your acne condition with natural remedies that are easily obtainable, you'll be glad to know that there is no shortage of natural remedies that can help you fight back acne. Here we give six natural remedies for acne:
1. Lemon juice
Lemons contain citric acid, which creates an acidic environment that works against bacteria. Cetric acid also helps with removing the hyperpigmentation that results from acne.
2. Castor oil
Yeah, you read that right. You are probably wondering how an oil can reduce acne when it's known that oil increases the risk of acne outbreaks. Castor oil is different; it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that make it a good natural remedy for acne. It reduces the redness and swelling that result from the inflammation. Not to mention that it gives your skin a very soft feeling.
Apply the oil one to two times a day.
3. Roselle Hibiscus
The dried petals of Roselle Hibiscus are used in Sudan to make delicious tea and juice, but aside from their tastiness, they have numerous benefits, one of which is that they can be used for acne. Soak the petals in hot water and wait till the water is red, then, with a pad of cotton, apply the extract to your face. Another method is to buy hibiscus oil.
4. Frankincense
Frankincense oil and water extract have antibacterial properties, which means they can work for acne-prone skin. They also help tighten the skin, an effect that you will notice the first time you apply one of them.
5. Myrrh
Another natural remedy that contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties is myrrh. Myrrh is widely used in skin care products; you will find it in creams, soaps, lotions, etc. Aside from its effect on acne, it also works as a tonic.
6. Tea tree oil
When it comes to tea tree oil, there are studies that support its anti-acne effect. However, caution must be followed when applying it. Concentrated tea tree oil can be irritating to the skin, so you need to dilute it first. You can do that by adding 12 drops of water to every one drop of the oil.
Test it on a small area first, then check for irritation.
7. Clove oil
Clove essential oil works for skin infections, including acne and pimples. That's attributed to its anti-septic properties. A study found that clove oil is more efficient at fighting acne than 10% benzoyl peroxide. Like tea tree oil, clove oil also needs dilution before usage. Dilute 10 drops of clove essential oil with 30 ml of a carrier oil, then apply it using a cotton swap.
8. Green tea extract
Green tea extract contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate, an antioxidant that helps reduce redness and sebum production. A study done in twenty participants found that using topical 2% green tea lotion is an effective treatment for mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
To use green tea for acne, follow these steps:
1. Boil the water and add the green tea to the water after it boils.
2. Leave the green tea in the water for 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Let it cool.
4. Use a cotton swap to apply it.
9. Tamarind
Tamarind is a leguminous tree that bears edible fruits. The fruit is used in making paste that is used in many places for cooking, for making a delicious sour juice, and as a traditional medicine in places like Sudan.The pulp contains a combination of acids like citric acid, acetic acid, and malic acid. It has a peeling effect on the skin's dead cells, which makes it a possible treatment for acne and hyperpigmentation as well.
Make a tamarind mask by boiling the pulp in water until it dissolves and forms a brown solution. Wait until it cools, and then apply it to your face using a cotton swap.
10. Honey
One of the oldest medicines, known for its numerous health benefits, honey contains glucuronic acid, which gets converted to glucose oxidase. Which is in turn immediately converted to hydrogen peroxide upon touching the skin, and hydrogen peroxide is one of the conventional treatments for acne. Honey is also famous for its soothing effect; it can be used to reduce the symptoms of inflammation that come with acne.
You can apply honey on its own, or you can combine it with lemon.
11. Turmeric
Who of us hasn't heard of turmeric and its many uses?! Turmeric, an Indian plant used as spice and coloring agent for food, as a coloring agent in cosmetics, and used in many beauty products for its benefits on the skin.Turmeric contains curcumin, an ingredient known for its potent antioxidant activity; it can also help with fighting inflammation, those properties make it a nice option for acne-prone skin.
You can use turmeric by making a paste. Add water to the turmeric paste until a paste is formed, apply it to your skin, and leave it until it dries. After that, wash your face with lukewarm water and apply a moisturizer.
12. Cucumber
Cucumber is high in water content; it also contains antioxidants like vitamin C. The water content in cucumber cleans the pores and hydrates the skin, which causes less buildup in the hair follicles. The ingredients in cucumber might also help in reducing sebum production.
You can make a cucumber mask by cutting it into pieces and then blending them with either milk or honey. Another method is to cut the cucumber into very thin slices, cover your face with those slices, lie down to relax, and then enjoy the hydrating and cooling effect.
Treating acne requires a lot of commitment, patience, and time.
Regardless of the approach you take, know that it will take at least three months until you start seeing some improvements. Don't start something and, after a month, drop it because you are not seeing results. Remember that choosing a remedy on its own might not be enough to treat acne completely, especially if you suffer from severe acne vulgaris. Most likely, you will need combination therapy to get rid of it completely. In the end, keep in mind that it is treatable, so don't give up!
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