Natural
Acne Treatments You Should Never Ever Try......
Between pricey products loaded with hard-to-pronounce
ingredients and remedies straight from the rumor mill , battling breakouts can
be a head-scratching experience. And when you want to go the all-natural route,
knowing what works becomes even tougher. We investigated 9 commonly-used,
natural pimple fixes to find out if they'll really give you the clear skin you
want—or if you're better off moving on to the next option.
Acupuncture aims to ease acne by targeting and treating its
triggers instead of directly attacking acne-causing bacteria, says Jamie
Starkey, a licensed acupuncturist at the Cleveland Clinic. So if your breakouts
are caused by stress at work or if it's that time of the month, acupuncture can
help. But it shouldn't be your sole acne-treatment method, particularly if you
have severe acne (i.e. the deep red, cystic type that often leaves scars and
requires a more intensive approach to control it), says Robert Polisky, MD, a
board-certified dermatologist and internist at Elk Grove Dermatology in Elk
Grove Village, Illinois. And be patient with acupuncture—it typically takes 8
to 10 consecutive weekly treatments to see a response, says Starkey.
Changing Your Diet
Going to be a Most
Cute
"The nutrients you're putting in your mouth eventually
show up on your skin," says Jessica Wu, MD, a Los Angeles-based
dermatologist, and author of Feed Your Face. That said, there simply aren't
enough studies to pinpoint any one specific food as an acne-instigator for
absolutely everyone, she says. To get one step closer to clearer skin, cut back
on foods with a high glycemic index (think cookies, cake, and chips) and dairy,
suggests Diane Madfes, MD, a dermatologist and clinical instructor at Mount
Sinai Medical Center. While these two types of food may not necessarily cause
acne, studies show an association between them and breakouts. Load up on foods
full of inflammation-fighting omega-3s, like wild salmon or trout, Wu advises.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Going to be a smart-
First things first: drinking apple cider vinegar won't cure
your acne, says Wu. Used topically as a toner, however, ACV may help due to its
acetic acid content, which is both antibacterial and antifungal and can kill
acne-causing bacteria. But whether it clears skin or has little effect, rest
assured that it won't do you any harm. You can test it out by making your own
ACV toner: Mix one tablespoon of the vinegar with two cups of water, and swipe
onto clean skin with a cotton ball.
Clay-Based Masks and Exfoliants
Going to be a beauty-
There's good reason the natural beauty aisle is packed with
clay masks: The masks can help dislodge pore-clogging oils and dirt, says
Alicia Zalka, MD, a Connecticut-based dermatologist. And they're a better
choice for people with sensitive skin and acne than salicylic or glycolic acid
masks, which have the same pore-clearing effects but can cause irritation, she
adds. Draw out impurities with this DIY clay mask recipe from Jessica Hayman,
ND, an Arizona-based licensed naturopathic doctor: Mix equal parts bentonite
clay ($5 for 1 lb, vitacost.com) and apple cider vinegar, leave on for 45
minutes, then rinse with warm water. Repeat weekly.
Tea Tree Oil
Going to be a free acne’c
Tea tree oil, a fragrant essential oil derived from the tea
tree, is an effective acne treatment, and one that's been backed up in the lab,
too. But while it's good at killing acne-causing bacteria, it can also irritate
the skin, says Polisky. The bottom line: This is one natural remedy you can't
DIY, since the pure ingredient is too strong to swab on alone. Instead, find it
in a soothing treatment like Dermalogica's Breakout Control ($46,
dermalogica.com), which pairs the ingredient with zinc sulfate to reduce
redness and minimize irritation.
Green Tea Extract
Going to be a freshness-
By now you know that sipping on green tea can do your body
good. But, as it turns out, applying the antioxidant-rich tea topically may
help keep your skin clear by inhibiting the activity of your skin's
oil-producing cells, says Wu. "Cold green tea compresses can help reduce
inflammation and oil production as well as calm breakouts," she says. Your
plan of action: Dip a thin washcloth in chilled green tea, wring it out, press
it gently on the affected areas for 1-2 minutes, and repeat 4-5 times per
session. Do it a few nights a week, or nightly, if you have time.
Rubbing Alcohol
To say bye-bye-
"A lot of people with oily skin swear by rubbing
alcohol to get rid of shine," says Zalka. And that's just one big, fat
no-no. While it does indeed act as an antiseptic and will remove surface oils
and dead skin cells, it's too harsh, drying, and irritating to be used
regularly, she says. Considering that it can lead to inflammation and even more
redness (talk about adding insult to injury), it's best to keep the rubbing
alcohol far, far away from your face.
Willow Bark Extract
Take a look at any of OTC acne-fighters and you'll probably
spot salicylic acid on the ingredient list. Willow bark is its natural,
botanical source. It sloughs off dead, pore-clogging skin cells, paving the way
for clearer skin. Look for products that list willow bark extract on the
ingredient list, like Eminence Organics Clear Skin Willow Bark Booster-Serum
($56, eminenstore.com).
Moisturizer--
It sounds like something you'd find in a science lab, but
this natural mineral can get you closer to clear skin thanks to its
antibacterial properties. While it may make your face smell a bit like rotten
eggs (the things we do for beauty…), it stifles acne-causing bacteria and
unclogs pores. Polisky suggests applying a sulfur-containing mask, like Sublime
Beauty Oil Control Sulfur Mask ($30, sublimebeautyshop.com), for 10-15 minutes
before rinsing it off to decrease the bacteria count in your skin. Sulfur can
be drying, however, so follow up your treatment with a healthy dose of your
favorite moisturizer.
Aloe Vera
Going to be a sweety-
Widely known as a sunburn remedy, aloe vera can also fight
the inflammation that turns small marks into hulking, mountainous zits, says
Polisky. The goo contains aloin and aloesin, two anti-inflammatory compounds
experts suspect are responsible for its soothing effects, says Wu. Since there
have been no studies determining whether aloe in creams and lotions is still
active, Polisky recommends sticking to aloe straight from the plant, which you
can find at your local health food or drugstore. Or look for a gel without a
laundry list of preservatives, and dot onto your spots or smooth over your
entire face after cleansing and before you put on lotion.
Coconut Oil
Going to be a silky hair
With the coconut craze still going strong, it's tempting to
want to use this sweet-smelling oil as a magical cure-all. But can it zap your
zits into oblivion? Unlikely. On the one hand, it's hydrating and
anti-bacterial, says Polisky. And it contains lauric acid, a fatty acid that
may help minimize acne-related inflammation, Hayman says. But with so many
proven acne fighters, it's not worth the risk—coconut oil is ultra-greasy and
may clog pores, says Zalka, which is the last thing any acne-prone woman wants.