How to Treat Acne with Common Household Products

How to Treat Acne with Common Household Products
By Terence Roberts

Almost every family has their own unique homemade acne treatments that have been passed down from generation to generation. Some of these treatments are very effective in treating the blemishes that are so embarrassing to young and old alike. Since everyone’s skin is different, you may have to experiment with what works best with your skin, but since these homemade creams, masks and scrubs are easy to make and don’t cost much, it is easy to try several.

Remember when using or making homemade acne treatments to use only fresh ingredients and to make only small amounts at a time, especially when using fruits and vegetable ingredients. Fruit and vegetables can turn rancid and, if they do, it will result in bad smelling and very unhealthy treatments.

Since various skin types may have special needs with regards to treatment, consider using the following:

Oily skin

Oily skin can handle more absorbing and drying agents. Even so, it is important to avoid over-using these products as they can result in dry, flaky or irritated patches of skin. Good homemade acne treatments for oily skin include:

• Beat one egg white until very stiff. Add a couple of drops of fresh lemon juice or one or two drops of witch hazel. Apply this mixture to the face and allow to stand for one or two minutes. Before it dries, simply rinse the face with warm water and follow with a cool rinse.
• Oatmeal is great for drawing oil from the pores. Mix a small amount of oatmeal with boiling water and mix to a thick paste. Allow to cool until warm or even cold. Add a little more water to make the mixture easy to spread and apply to the skin. Allow to stand for five minutes and then gently rinse off. The oatmeal will soothe dry skin as well and will act as a gentle exfoliant.
• Slice a raw tomato into about ¼ inch slices. Press between a paper towel to remove excess moisture, or mash the tomato and allow to stand in a kitchen sieve. Place either the towel dry slices or the damp tomato mash on the face and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water followed by cool.
• Strawberries can also be mashed and then applied to the face. Some people add a bit of oatmeal to the strawberry pulp to create an oatmeal-strawberry facemask. Be sure to rinse off in five to ten minutes, as it can be very drying to the face.

Dry skin

For those individuals that have both dry skin and blemishes, or that have combination skin, it is important to provide moisture and avoid drying agents. The following treatments are effective:

• Mash an avocado and apply it directly to the skin. Allow to sit for a few minutes and rinse off.
• Mash a very ripe banana and apply to the skin. Leave on about two minutes and rinse off with warm water followed by cold.
• Oatmeal can also be used to sooth irritated, dry skin. Mix as above and allow to cool. Apply the mask cold to the skin and gently rinse off with warm water. Do not rub or scrub, simply rinse off.
• For a very nourishing treatment, mix one egg yolk, one tsp of olive oil and one teaspoon of honey. Allow to stay on the skin for several minutes and then rinse off. Pat dry.
• A small amount of honey added directly to the top of a blemish and then covered with a band-aid will act to naturally decrease the redness overnight.

Using homemade acne treatments is a great way to use everyday kitchen products to have the healthiest possible skin.

Terry Roberts is a professional translator and linguist, with a wide range of interests. To read more about natural treatments for acne - and about acne in general - visit his website: Just Acne.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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