6 Natural Remedies for Acne (Including One of Our Faves)

For many, acne isn't an adolescent right of passage; it's a problem that carries into adulthood. Those of us who still have acne-ridden skin know that it's an ongoing battle to not only treat the blemishes already on our faces but to prevent them from ever coming back, be it with oral medication or topical treatments that are either prescribed or over-the-counter.

But sometimes the best thing to do when fighting acne is go back to the basics—or go natural. 

In this article, we’re talking about the natural remedies for acne and which ingredients we should be looking for, what we can make of the natural ingredients we've found, and why these ingredients are ideal for treating acne.

1. Baking Soda

Technically, baking soda and water soften blackheads and any clogged pores in the skin. Baking soda is best for congested skin as this type is the most prone to pore blockages. You can try a DIY baking soda mask, which you can leave on for 10 minutes and follow up with a moisturizer.

Baking soda also works to neutralize the pH level of your skin. This is important because, if your pH is imbalanced, you may become prone to acne breakouts, dryness, and premature aging.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

It's the best astringent in nature because it helps to balance the skin’s pH, making you both less oily and less dry. But be aware that, because it contains acetic acid and alpha hydroxy acids, apple cider vinegar is very pungent, you should dilute the substance before using it. Try using a mixture of one part vinegar to four parts water. Apply to your face with cotton or a spritzer. No need to wash it off.

ACV may also chemically exfoliate the skin, fight blackheads, and improve hyperpigmentation, but only when used correctly. Without dilution, the ingredient can cause burns and skin irritation, especially if there are any open wounds on your skin.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is packed with antioxidants that provide many benefits for the skin, including brightening and purifying the skin. It also has an antibacterial property that makes turmeric great for treating eczema and psoriasis as well as acne by calming inflammation and reducing flare-ups.

Mix it with gentle, exfoliating bases like chickpea flour, oat powders, or kaolin clay.

Turmeric powder is made from the root of Curcuma zedoaria, a form of ginger native to Southeast Asia. Its active ingredient, curcumin, is what gives it a yellow-orange tinge; it's also what makes it such a potent anti-inflammatory. In addition to treating acne, turmeric can also lighten hyperpigmentation.

4. Manuka Honey

Honey is a well-known natural remedy due to its antibacterial and humectant properties. But perhaps what is less recognized is that not all honey is created equal—manuka honey, one that's made by honey bees that feed on manuka trees in New Zealand, contains the most antimicrobial activity and is great for treating acne, inflammation, and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. And since it's also a humectant, which means that it traps moisture in the skin once applied, honey leaves the skin smooth and hydrated, not oily.

For a DIY facial, mix manuka honey, aloe vera, one teaspoon of chickpea flour, and a pinch of turmeric to make a paste. Spread the paste on your face, and once you rinse off with cool water, use an ice cube on the skin for 30 seconds to further treat a congested face. 

Helpful tip: Aloe vera is a succulent plant that contains a topical agent within its leaves that's best for soothing skin. The plant's mucilage, or the gel that is used to treat skin, contains about 99.5 percent water, which makes it perfect for adding hydration to the skin while calming it.

5. Fine-Grain Salt

Fine-grain salt cleans deeply, removes dead skin cells, balances moisture, and pulls toxins from pores, making it especially great for preventing acne or quick treatments during flare-ups on the face and body. And since it contains antibacterial properties, sea salt may help treat skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, and even wounds. 

The simplest way to use sea salt is to wet your face or body, put some salt on your wet hand so it sticks, then pat it gently onto your skin. You can leave it for a few minutes or rinse immediately. Just make sure not to scrub too hard—it is too abrasive by itself.

6. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a great antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. It's renowned for its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties, making it an easy and effective spot treatment.

Per its anti-inflammatory nature, it reduces redness and swelling of the skin while also minimizing acne breakouts and reducing dandruff-causing fungus.

Try diluting tea tree oil in a dab of extra virgin olive oil or organic jojoba oil and applying it directly on a zit. 

Natural Acne Skin Care

While DIY skin care is great for in a pinch or keep up with your acne prone skin type with Wild Naturals! Our products can help combat breakouts and keep your skin bacteria-free with manuka honey-rich formulas and plenty of other incredible natural ingredients! Head over to our online store today for true natural acne skin care that works.