Fighting acne is hard enough without fighting the telltale scars it leaves behind. You are not alone in this fight, though. It's estimated by the American Academy of Dermatology that as many as 50 million Americans suffer from acne and its long-term consequences. According to the Acne Research Institute in California, acne can continue to be a struggle for adults up to 35 years old and in some instances even older. The good news is that there are safe, effective, natural remedies you can use to eliminate acne scars and discoloration without the use of harsh chemicals or costly prescriptions. These seven natural remedies are just the tools you need to win the fight:
Fuller's Earth
This ancient remedy is very effective for oily skin. It's jam-packed with nutrients like magnesium chloride and dolomite that not only keep oil at bay but have terrific antiseptic and antibacterial properties that provide the perfect environment for fast, complete healing. It's recommended to mix the Fuller's Earth with tomato juice to create a paste for particularly stubborn scars.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a popular essential oil in the fight against acne due to the high levels of terpinen-4-ol, which naturally eliminates bacterial activity. It's important to make sure you purchase a high-quality essential oil. The best essential oil brands will not feel and look like oil, so to speak. You can test this by placing a drop on a piece of paper. If it leaves a ring on the paper, you should find another brand. Once you've found a high-quality brand, use your tea tree oil to make a sandalwood paste for scars. You'll need 2 tablespoons of sandalwood powder, 3-4 drops of tea tree oil, and just enough rosewater to make a paste. Just apply and let dry daily until you see the scars lighten to your desired result.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is a gentle essential oil that can actually be used undiluted on small areas of skin, unlike the majority of essential oils which require dilution or the addition of a carrier oil such as rosehip oil, sweet almond oil, or coconut oil. It's cytophylactic properties make it a powerful anti-scarring agent. However, if you want to take lavender oil to the next level, combine about 8-10 drops of lavender oil with 6 tablespoons of melted shea butter to create a potent balm that not only heals but moisturizes. Again, make sure you've procured a high-quality essential oil!
Egg Whites
Egg whites provide essential building blocks for rebuilding damaged skin cells. They also contain Lysozyme, an enzyme known for eliminating bacteria associated with acne, and albumin which has antiviral properties. To get the full benefit, you'll want to apply the egg whites directly to the scars and leave it on overnight.
Raw Honey
Honey is a go-to solution for wound care due to it's high antioxidant content, antiseptic and antibacterial properties, and its ability to act as an anti-inflammatory agent. Honey is also moisturizing and allows skin to heal from the inside out, which is particularly important with deeper scars. Ideally, using Manuka Honey is the absolute gold standard due to it's amplified methylglyoxal content. However, you may find Manuka Honey cost prohibitive. If so, any raw, unprocessed honey can be used.Combining 2 teaspoons of honey with 1 teaspoon sea salt and 1 teaspoon cinnamon creates an effective facial scrub that will slough off dead skin cells and promote new, healthy growth.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known for its benefits to damaged skin. It's the first thing we reach for when we've encountered a nasty sunburn. It has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. When combined with 7-8 drops of lemon juice and 10-12 drops argan oil and applied daily, you'll see those scars begin to fade in no time!
Carrot Seed Oil
Carrot seed oil is rich in beta-carotene which is essential in repairing skin damage and growing healthy skin cells. This oil is ideal for sun damaged and/or mature skin. You can combine high-quality carrot seed essential oil with helichrysum essential oil and sweet almond oil to make a highly effective serum for fighting scars, wrinkles, and sun damage.
As you can see, there are a plethora of natural options for treating visible acne scars and promoting healthy, glowing skin. Pursuing natural remedies reduces side effects and unwanted or excessive chemical exposure. As with anything, you'll want to ensure you do not have any allergies to any ingredients used. You may want to test a small patch if you are unsure. Feel free to try different options until you find the one that works best for your skin type and lifestyle.
This Infographic - 10 Best Essential Oils For Skin - Was Created By Fixyourskin.com
About the author:
Hello, Sarah, here from FixYourSkin.com! I have a lot of experience with skin health and have written several articles that have been published. FixYourSkin has a lot of tips, health advice and DIY recipes which can give you great looking skin without any side effects!
