2 Natural Ingredients That Can Help Mild Acne Just As Well As OTC Products
If you browse online or visit the local drugstore for skin-care products to help clear acne, you will likely see many products containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. While both of these ingredients can help mild cases of acne, benzoyl peroxide can be harsh and drying, and salicylic acid is often included in alcohol filled products that dry your skin out even more. Many of these products are also extremely expensive, whether they work for you or not. There are many natural and affordable remedies for mild acne that may help clear your acne even better without breaking your bank.
1. Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural oil that comes from the seeds of the Azadirachta indica tree. It is not drying and can actually add moisture to your skin while it treats your acne. It is not only effective at killing acne-causing bacteria, but it is also kills fungus and is a natural anti-inflammatory that can calm red, irritated skin.
Along with all of those acne-fighting properties, neem oil also contains natural salicylates, which are related chemically to aspirin and salicylic acid. These salicylates are not only part of what makes it a good anti-inflammatory agent, but they can help exfoliate and clear your clogged pores, just as salicylic acid can.
While neem oil can be great at fighting mild acne, it should be avoided if you have an aspirin allergy. To incorporate it into your skin-care routine, simply add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer daily. You can also use a dab of straight oil on blemishes to help heal them more quickly.
2. Green Tea
Acne is a very misunderstood skin condition, and the cause of one person's acne may differ from another's, which is why one treatment does not work for everyone. If skin-care products aimed at killing acne bacteria and clearing clogged pores have not worked for you, then the main cause of your acne could be inflammation.
Green tea has been gaining a lot of popularity in skin care, as the antioxidants in it can calm irritated skin and help improve acne. Green tea skin-care products can be pricey, while making your own green tea toner only costs pennies per usage.
To use green tea to help your acne, simply brew a cup of strong tea and allow it to cool. You can then use it as a toner by applying it to your face with a cotton pad a couple of times each day. You can even put it in a spray bottle to mist your face often to soothe inflammation.
Remember that mild acne differs from cystic and more severe cases of acne. If you have severe acne, it is best to visit a dermatologist for prescription products that can give you better results than OTC or even natural remedies. For more information, contact East Carolina Dermatology and Skin Surgery, PLLC or a similar location.