Stocksy
When it comes to preventing acne, natural remedies arent always top-of-mind. Instead, many of us reach for antibiotics, prescription topicals, or harsh, over-the-counter measures. But sometimes the best thing to do when fighting acne is go back to the basics—or go natural.
We spoke to S.W. Basics founder Adina Grigore, celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas of Joanna Vargas Salon, and board-certified dermatologists Dendy Engelman and Keira Barr about natural ways to treat acne.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Keira Barr is a dual board-certified integrative dermatologist and the creator of Somatic Skin Science.
Joanna Vargas is a celebrity facialist and the owner of Joanna Vargas Salon,
Adina Grigore is the founder of natural skincare company S.W. Basics.
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Opt for Tea Over Coffee
While many of us drink coffee in the morning and soda throughout the day, this can wreak havoc on the skin. "Looking at caffeine consumption is another thing to consider when it comes to acne," says Barr. "Studies show that consuming a dose of caffeine (specifically 400 mg, in one study) up to six hours before bedtime can disrupt sleep."
And lack of sleep can lead to a cascading effect on the body. "Disruption of sleep messes with your circadian rhythm and hormone balance between cortisol and melatonin, leading to increased cortisol levels," she adds. "Increased cortisol leads to increased sebum, inflammation and dysbiosis which equals more breakouts."
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Manage Your Stress
As difficult as it can be, limiting stress is often key to preventing breakouts. "Too much stress not only causes skin irritation, inflammation, accelerates fine lines and wrinkles, it also contributes to breakouts," says Barr.
So, how does one cope? Barr recommends "movement, meditation, breathwork, art, journaling, time in nature and time spent doing things you enjoy with people you enjoy" as a way to help minimize stress levels. "Most importantly," she adds, "offering yourself grace and self-compassion when your complexion is offering insight that your body is inflamed is vital."
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Try a Baking Soda Mask
"Technically, baking soda and water soften blackheads and any clogged pores in the skin," Vargas says, adding that baking soda is best for congested skin as this type is the most prone to pore blockages. She recommends a DIY baking soda mask, which you can leave on for 10 minutes and follow up with a moisturizer.
Baking soda may also work to neutralize the pH level of your skin. This could be important because, if your pH is imbalanced, you may become prone to acne breakouts, dryness, and other skin irritations.1
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Tone With Apple Cider Vinegar
"Its the best astringent in nature because it helps to balance the skin’s pH, making you both less oily and less dry," says Grigore of using ACV on your skin. But beware, because apple cider vinegar is very pungent, you should dilute the substance before using it. "I recommend 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," she says.
ACV may also chemically exfoliate the skin, fight blackheads, and improve hyperpigmentation, "but only when used correctly," Engelman cautions. Without dilution, the ingredient "can cause burns and skin irritation, especially if there are any open wounds on your skin."
Our experts recommend Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar ($10) for at-home skincare remedies, to be used four times per week or less.
Michela Buttignol/buuk.top
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Apply a Turmeric Mask
Turmeric is packed with antioxidants2that 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," Engelman says.Try mixing it with gentle, exfoliating bases like chickpea flour, oat powders, or kaolin clay.
Key Ingredients
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; its also what makes it such a potent anti-inflammatory. In addition to treating acne, turmeric can also lighten hyperpigmentation.3
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Slather on the Honey
Honey is a well-known natural remedy due to its antibacterial and humectant properties.4But perhaps what is less recognized is that not all honey is created equal—manuka honey, one thats 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, Engelman says. And since its 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 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.
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Make a Fine-Grain Salt Scrub
"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," says Grigore. And since it contains antibacterial properties,5sea 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."
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Use Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a great antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent, according to experts. "Its renowned for its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties, making it an easy and effective spot treatment," Grigore explains.
Per its anti-inflammatory nature, "it reduces redness and swelling of the skin while also minimizing acne breakouts and reducing dandruff-causing fungus," Engelman says.
Grigore suggests diluting tea tree oil in a dab of extra virgin olive oil or organic jojoba oil and applying it directly on a zit.
Article Sources
Milstone LM. Scaly skin and bath pH: rediscovering baking soda. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010;62(5):885-886. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2009.04.011
Hewlings SJ, Kalman DS. Curcumin: a review of its effects on human health. Foods. 2017;6(10):92. doi:10.3390/foods6100092
Tu CX, Lin M, Lu SS, Qi XY, Zhang RX, Zhang YY. Curcumin inhibits melanogenesis in human melanocytes. Phytother Res. 2012;26(2):174-179. doi:10.1002/ptr.3517
Burlando B, Cornara L. Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2013;12(4):306-313. doi:10.1111/jocd.12058
Maarouf M, Hendricks AJ, Shi VY. Bathing additives for atopic dermatitis - a systematic review. Dermatitis. 2019;30(3):191-197. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000459