5 Dermatologist-Recommended Acne Treatments That Actually Work!

Aliens, anthrax, atomic bombs … and yet the most dreaded A-word on the planet is Acne! Acne is universally hated because it blows in to town when we are at the most vulnerable stage in our lives and often sticks around for decades. There are numerous acne creams that promise miraculous results and yet the only thing that disappears is the money from your wallet!
Instead of shelling out big bucks for instant acne cures, it would be wiser to spend just a fraction of that amount on home remedies that dermatologists say actually work.


5 Acne Remedies Approved By Dermatologists

Every skin specialist is quick to point out that not all home remedies for acne are effective and some of them might even irritate your skin and increase the risk of scarring. For instance, garlic can be used to treat a number of skin problems, but it can also irritate your skin, especially if you apply it to acne skin that is already inflamed.
Instead, you can use any of these home remedies for acne that have been scientifically proven to be effective and are recommended by dermatologists.

 Honey & Turmeric:

“A mixture of honey & turmeric will reduce pimple-causing bacteria as well as moisturize & soothe your skin”
Honey has proven emollient, soothing, and humectant (able to retain moisture) properties and helps to regulate the pH balance of the skin, which is why it is ideal for just about any skin care routine. Similarly, turmeric has skin health benefits as it contains a compound called curcumin, which inhibits the growth of Propionibacterium acnes – the bacteria that is linked to acne.
Use a mixture of honey and turmeric on a regular basis to reduce your acne outbreaks and have visibly smoother skin.

  Lemon/Sour Lime:

“Lemon juice helps to get rid of excess sebum & prevent pimples as well as prevent the formation of dark scars after a pimple has subsided”
Lemon juice or sour lime juice makes an excellent face cleanser as it contains citric acid that helps to get rid of excess oils on the skin and helps in the prevention of pimples. Lemon juice also has vitamin C, which has anti-inflammatory activity and is useful in the treatment of acne as it also prevents scarring.

The skin of the lemon also has cleansing properties and so the best way to use lemon for acne is to grind a small piece of the peel along with a little fresh lemon juice and apply the paste to your skin.

 Green Tea:

“The topical application of green tea reduces sebum production & reduces pimple outbreaks”
Green tea is an excellent skin care tonic, as it is a good source of organic chemicals called polyphenols which act as potent antioxidants to reduce sun damage, wrinkles, and blemishes and scars. However, the reason that green tea is an effective acne remedy is because the compounds in green tea help to reduce skin sebum production, which in turn reduces pimple outbreaks.

 Neem Oil:

“Neem oil exhibits antibacterial activity against the bacteria that cause acne breakouts”
Neem is an ancient Ayurvedic herb that is often used to cure skin infections as it exhibits antibacterial activity against a variety of micro-organisms. In recent studies, scientists found that an anti-acne moisturizer that contained neem oil and green tea was effective in controlling the bacteria responsible for acne breakouts.

 Tulsi (Holy Basil):

“Tulsi essential oil & powdered tulsi leaves inhibit acne & prevent skin infections”
Tulsi is a revered plant for its many health benefits including the treatment of diabetes, asthma, stress, and anxiety. However, this herb is also very effective in the treatment of acne as researchers found that tulsi extracts inhibit acne. You can add a few drops of tulsi oil to your regular moisturizer or you can make a paste out of tusli leaves and use it as a cleansing skin mask.
When it comes to treating acne, what you need more than anything else is patience! If you are willing to invest a little time and effort into taking care of your skin on a daily basis, you can have acne-free skin