Acne or pimples are common skin condition that affects people of any age, although they are more common in teenagers and young adults. Acne are formed when the follicle that carries the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, becomes clogged. Most often, the acne are inflammatory, but they can be developed as non-inflammatory as well. They appear as small pimples, papules, nodules (lumps) or cysts, according to the growing weight of their shape.

Acne usually appear during the puberty, because that is the period of significant hormonal changes in the organism. They are also common in women during the monthly hormonal changes.

They affect those skin areas that have the greatest number of sebaceous glands. Therefore, they are primarily visible on the face, chest, back, forearms and shoulders.

The acne usually disappear when the inflammation is gone, and the clogged pores calm down. They appear less often in the early twenties, because the hormonal levels become balanced. However, in rare cases, there will be a need of a doctor (dermatologist) for the treatment of the acne that are very persistent. In addition, since each person is physiologically different, the acne can appear until the late thirties and forties.

Although the acne are not a serious danger to the health, they can leave scars. The acne scars can sometimes be very persistent and may never completely disappear. They can also leave psychological effects, since the acne and the scars are generally considered unattractive, and this can lead to a lower self-esteem in teenagers and young adults.

What causes acne?

There are many causes for acne, and there are still a lot of studies about that. Some of the common causes of acne are:

• The hormonal changes that occur at the beginning of puberty or during pregnancy can lead to clogged pores.
• For women and girls, during the menstrual cycle there is excessive production of acne on the skin.
• When women suddenly start or stop taking birth control pills, this may cause the formation of acne as well.
• Genetics.
• Stress.

There is a belief that the chocolate and greasy foods contribute to the development of acne, but it has not been scientifically proven.

Natural Acne and Pimples Home Remedies

In addition to the conventional treatment, many people use the natural remedies in the fight against the acne. The natural remedies become more popular because generally, they are a lower risk of side effects, especially for the sensitive skin.

Here are some common natural acne home remedies:

Toothpaste

First, you should wash your face to remove all the dirt. When you finish the washing, you should gently pat your face with a towel to dry it, because if you rub the face, you will transfer the bacteria from the pimples to the rest of the skin. The next step is to apply small amount of toothpaste on the pimples and leave it until the morning. The paste will dry out the pimples and accelerate their disappearance.

Ice

The ice is another excellent way to get rid of the pimples during the night. The ice will help to improve the blood circulation in the area affected by pimples.

How does it work? This fast cure will freeze the pores and remove all the dirt and excess oil. We suggest you to use it 3 times a day if you want to get rid of the pimples fast. This will help to reduce the inflammation.

Honey

Honey is one of the best remedies against acne. It is a natural antibiotic that will help to prevent infection and speed up the healing process of the acne. We suggest you to put some honey on a cotton swab, and then gently rub the affected area. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, and then rinse it with warm water.

Lemon Juice

The lemon is natural bleach. Vitamin C in the lemon helps to restore the collagen. When you use lemon juice, your scars are brighter and the redness of the inflamed pimples is reduced. You should use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled one.

Take a cotton swab and dip it in the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Then apply it to the affected area and leave it during the night. In the morning, there will be a pleasant surprise waiting for you!

Here is a recipe for a lemon juice mask for acne scars:

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp almond oil
• 2 tbsp milk

You should apply this on the scars once a day, for about 7-10 days. You will see the difference. After applying lemon juice, you should not expose yourselves to the sun.

Garlic

Although it may seem surprising, the garlic is an excellent natural remedy that will help you to get rid of the acne. Rich in sulfur, the garlic will accelerate the process of drying and it will cure the pimples.

Cut a fresh clove of garlic in half and gently rub it on the pimples. After 5 minutes, wash the skin with warm water. You will get amazing results.

Advice: You may want to do this treatment before going to sleep, because the strong smell of garlic can stay on your skin for hours after you apply it.

Egg White

The egg whites are also incredible natural remedy that will help you to get rid of acne.

All you need to do is to separate the egg white from the yolk, whip it briefly, and then apply the mixture on the skin that is affected with acne or pimples. You should keep it like that until the next morning when you need to remove it with warm water. Your skin will be fresh and bright, and you will feel much better.

Lavender Oil

The lavender oil is another effective remedy for acne. It will help to ease the inflammation of the skin, and you will get rid of the pimples until the next morning.

You should apply the lavender oil on your skin before going to bed. The next morning, your skin will look healthier.

Steam

The steam is your answer to the problem with acne. It will help to open the pores and remove the dirt and excess oil.

Pour hot water into a bowl and put you head over it, so that your face comes into contact with the steam (do not put your head too close because you can burn yourselves). It would be good to put a thin towel over your head and direct all the steam to the face. Then, wash your face with warm water and a product for cleaning of the skin and then apply a moisturizer.

Thyme Tincture

Put the thyme in alcohol for a week. This process will draw the healing ingredients from it! Then use the liquid to regularly clean your face and eliminate those horrible acnes.

Sea Salt

Boil 2 dl of water for a short time and add 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt. Use this solution (with the help of cotton pads) to clean your face several times a day. It will help to dry the existing pimples fast and the skin will become less oily and therefore, less prone to the formation of new pimples.

Baking Soda

The baking soda acts as a gentle exfoliant on your skin. It unclogs the pores and removes the dead skin. It also helps to regulate the pH balance of the skin and it has mild anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. All these features make it the perfect home remedy for the elimination of acne.

– Mix one or two teaspoons of baking soda with a little water and apply it on the skin. Wash it off after a few minutes.

– Also, you can mix two tablespoons of baking soda, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, juice of half a lemon, and five tablespoons of honey. Apply this on your face and wash it after five minutes.

You should apply baking soda on the skin once or twice a week.

Apple Cider Vinegar

This is an old and proven natural remedy against acne and pimples. Boil 1/2 liter of water for a short time, when it is completely cool you should add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Use this solution and, with the help of cotton pads, apply it on your face every night (if it is necessary, apply it on other areas of the body). The apple cider vinegar prevents the growth of bacteria thanks to its antiseptic properties.

Propolis

This is another simple, but effective natural remedy against acne if you apply the propolis on the affected area of ​​the skin several times a day. A similar effect is achieved if you use a mixture of honey and propolis.

Honey and Cinnamon

The Eastern nations recommend a mixture of honey and cinnamon for the treatment of acne and pimples. You should apply it on the affected areas, once a day before going to bed.

Aloe Vera

This plant has proven its great effect in the treatment of many skin diseases, and the acne and pimples are on this list as well. The process is not complicated. Apply the fresh juice from the aloe leaves or aloe vera gel on the acne several times a day.

The evidence suggests that the aloe vera may be effective in the treatment of minor skin infections, burns, cuts, as well as sebaceous cysts.

Cucumber

The mask of fresh cucumber cleans the face and soothes the inflammation of the skin, and it is also recommended in the fight against pimples and acne.

Papaya

The juice of raw papaya in the form of a face mask. You should apply it with a cotton pad.

Marigold

It is known that this plant has an antiseptic effect, it is part of many pharmaceutical products for treatment of the skin and skin care. For the treatment of acne, the traditional medicine recommends to wash your face with marigold tea twice a day (in the morning and in the evening).

Walnut Leaves

It is also good to wash your face with tea of ​​walnut leaves.


Wild oregano for pimples on the face

The most effective herbal antiseptic in the nature will accelerate the process of the elimination of pimples and acne. All you need to do is to put a few drops of oil of wild oregano in the facial cleanser.

The chamomile and the marigold eliminate the small pimples on the face

Mix one tablespoon of dried chamomile and one tablespoon of marigold with 2 dl of boiling water, cover it and let it sit for at least 3 hours and then strain it. Before you go to bed, soak a cotton pad in the tea and tap your face with it for at least 15 minutes. Let it dry and wash it in the morning. Repeat this for 15 days.

Yeast mask against pimples on the face

This is a great mask against pimples on your face: Mix a tablespoon of fresh yeast with a little warm water to get a dense paste and apply it on a clean face. Keep it until the mask is completely dry, and then wash your face with warm chamomile tea. Repeat this for at least one week.

Parsley for the face

Pour 2 dl of boiling water over one tablespoon of ground fresh parsley and leave it covered for half an hour. Then add 1 dl of white wine and let it sit covered for another half hour. Strain it, soak a cotton pad in it and gently apply it on the whole face. Keep it for at least an hour and wet your face all the time. Then wash it with warm water. You can keep the unused lotion in the refrigerator for several days.

Tea Tree Oil

Another popular remedy against acne is the tea tree oil. This oil acts as an antiseptic and it disinfects the pores. In addition, it kills the bacteria that cause acne. You should apply one drop of tea tree oil to the affected area, three times a day.

If the use of undiluted tea tree oil causes skin irritation, redness and excessive drying then, you should use the 5% solution of tea tree oil.

Mask of aspirin and honey to remove the pimples and scars

Although the aspirin is not a natural ingredient, you can always use it with honey. Salicylic acid in the aspirin does wonders and its persistent texture gives a perfect peeling.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp honey
• 2-3 aspirins
• A few drops of water

Put an aspirin in a few drops of water in order to dissolve it. Do not use too much water because you can lose the texture for peeling. Add the honey and stir the paste. Apply it on the scars and keep it for 15 minutes, then wash it.

Orange Peel

The acidic properties and the vitamin C contained in the oranges make it perfect for the treatment of acne. You can use the orange juice as well as its peel, but the peel is generally more efficient.

Here is how to prepare it: Put the orange peel in the sun and let it dry completely. Grind the dried peel into powder and add water to make the mixture. Apply the mixture to the affected area and keep it for 10 to 15 minutes. Then wash your face with warm water.

Teas against pimples and acne (for internal use)

Nettle Tea

The nettle tea cleans the organism successfully, so it can eliminate some internal reasons for the occurrence of acne. For this cause, they recommend to drink about 1 liter of tea, continuously throughout the day.

Green Tea

For similar reasons, to fight against acne and pimples, the green tea is very useful as a powerful antioxidant and it will be enough to drink two cups of this tea a day.

Tea of Thistle and Yarrow against acne

Mix 3 tablespoons of ground thistle roots and a tablespoon of yarrow leaves and flowers, then pour 7 dl of boiling water and leave it covered for 120 minutes. Strain it and drink a cup of it before breakfast, lunch and dinner. The treatment of pimples on the face lasts for 5 days.

What to eat?

In order to get rid of the pimples and acne, you should not eat food that is too spicy and too greasy, refined oils, sauces, ketchup, mayonnaise, chips, fatty meat and meat products, full-fat cheese, sweets, snacks and fast food, as well as coffee and sodas. You should eat whole grains, low fat dairy products and a lot of fruits and vegetables, because they contain plenty of dietary fiber. This is true especially if you have small red pimples on the face, but also for all other types of pimples.

You should drink at least one liter of water a day and avoid industrial juices because they are full of additives, colors and artificial sweeteners. In the diet, you should include foods that are rich in calcium, phosphorus, potassium, chromium, sulfur, selenium, zinc and vitamins A, B, C and PP.

The calcium can be found in the dairy products, fruits and vegetables. The fish, cheese and eggs are rich in phosphorus, and the peas, beans and soy are rich in chromium. You can compensate for the lack of potassium by regular consumption of raisins, prunes and cabbage, while vitamins A, B, C and PP are contained in the milk, tomatoes, lemons, peppers, liver, saltwater fish, carrots, cranberries, rose hips and cabbage.


This article originally appeared on For Health Benefits.

While beauty issues such as acne, wrinkles, dark patches, cold sores and hair loss may seem easier to cover up than resolve, correcting them can be as easy as understanding the cause and getting back to nature says holistic health expert and coach, Tyler Tolman.

Tolman, who runs an in-demand juice fasting and healing retreat in Bali, shares his top tips on treating common beauty woes – naturally.

Acne

Cause: Pores becoming blocked with bad bacteria and oil. Can be due to toxins in the liver, bowel or colon; hormone, nervous system or digestive imbalances; and the body’s inability to eliminate waste.

Solution: Cut out refined sugar, deep fried and processed foods – keep the diet as ‘natural’ and plant-based as possible. Add in lots of leafy green veggies, avocado, raw nuts and seeds, extra-virgin olive oil, berries, onion, garlic and vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts — these help to detox excess hormones, which can help with acne control.

Increase water intake to help purity the blood. Aim for 1L of water per 22kg of body weight each day – add organic tea or fruit to your H20 to mix things up. Also try squeezing lemon juice into warm water and drinking first thing in the morning. This will help cleanse the intestinal tract and give you essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, which help calm inflammation.

Adding one tablespoon of alkalising apple cider vinegar to water and sipping throughout the day can also help return an acidic body to an alkaline state.

Wrinkles

Cause: Skin getting thinner, dryer and less elastic. Dehydration and a lack of ‘good’ oils; lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet and excessive UV exposure; genetics; and ageing may all be contributing factors.

Solution: Try Guasha, a form of skin exfoliation (more about this below), then moisturise with coconut oil, which has a natural SPF of 5-7, or organic rose hip oil.

Keep hydrated and eat more whole, raw foods – especially Avocado! Rich in antioxidants, avocado is beneficial in preventing aging symptoms and the glutathione in avocado can boost immune systems and encourage a healthy nervous system. Avocado oil is added in many cosmetics because of its ability to nourish the skin and make it glow. I recommend using avocado straight on the skin, let it set for at least 20 minutes, then wash.

Hyperpigmentation and dark patches

Cause: Caused by increased melanin production, as a result of excessive UV exposure; hormones during pregnancy or from the contraceptive pill; and toxins or imbalances in the liver.

Solution: A great remedy is skin cleaning such as dry brushing or Guasha.  Used by Ancient Asian, Greek and Egyptian civilizations, Guasha opens up the skin and rids the body of toxins and bad bacteria.

To make Guasha, simply mix aluminium free bi-carb soda with triple distilled vodka. Rinse off in the shower then apply a tablespoon of the mixture onto a loofah or in your hands and scrub your entire body, including your face (be gentle at first), then rinse it off completely.

Once you’ve exfoliated the skin, apply lemon juice directly to the dark areas and lie in the sun to soak up the Vitamin D.

Cold sores

Cause: Herpes simplex virus. Outbreaks can be caused by a weak immune system; cold or infection; stress; poor diet choices; and extreme hot or cold to the area of infection.

Solution: Improving your general health and immunity is a good start. Selenium is one of the most vital and potent antioxidants for protecting and healing the immune system – try including more brazil nuts and sunflower seeds in your diet. 

I recommend a daily CABALA (carrot, apple, beets, apple, lemon, and apple) juice. It contains a variety of natural colours, including three different apple types (red, green and yellow) and is super for fighting viruses and infections.

For a topical treatment for herpes lesions, apply a dab of hydrogen peroxide, H202 (make sure you buy the 35% food-grade stuff) directly onto the sore, five or six times a day, over a couple of days. It will kill the virus to the core.  Lavender oils can help too, as well as consuming garlic, which is one of nature's most powerful tools in fighting infections.

Hair loss and poor condition

Cause: Stress and anxiety; iron deficiency; hormone changes; poor diet; and kidney imbalances can be contributors.

Solution:  Stress plays a huge role in the health and condition of our hair, as it creates acid in our bodies, so I recommend taking time out for meditation, yoga, regular exercise – and sleep!

A lot can be told from the colour, texture and shine in our hair as these factors are directly attributed to how healthy we are on the inside. So completing a water or juice fast can help detox and heal you from the inside out.

Consuming a diet of clean foods, such as raisins, bean sprouts, walnuts, spinach, carrots, and bok choy can all assist in hair loss prevention and hair growth.

To help treat all of these beauty conditions, Tyler recommends juice fasting. This act helps cleanse and detox internal organs and redirects energy, normally used for digesting food, into healing the body.

Visit Tyler’s website to sign up for his FREE 7 day online juice fast – www.tylertolman.com.