Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Take good care of your skin
• Part 2 of 4: Improving your diet
• Part 3 of 4: Using herbal remedies
• Part 4 of 4: Get professional help
• Tips
• Warnings

If you have acne, you are not alone. Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when fat and dead skin cells clog pores. It is mainly present on the face, chest, back, shoulders and neck. Acne can have all kinds of causes: heredity, hormones and sebum production. There are several things you can do to get rid of acne quickly and naturally. Learn good skin care techniques, improve your diet, and try herbal remedies.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Take good care of your skin

1. Determine what type of acne you have. The different treatment methods depend on how serious the situation is. Most acne is mild, but if you have severe acne, you may have deep lumps or cysts that can swell and leave scars. This form of acne requires immediate medical treatment. Common types of acne include:
   • Closed blackheads: arise when dirt or excess oil (sebum) is trapped under the skin, where they form white, firm bumps.
   • Open blackheads: arise when pores open, so that dirt and sebum come to the surface of the skin. The black color is due to oxidation when melanin, a pigment in sebum, reacts with oxygen.
   • Pustules (or pustules): Sores that form when dirt and oil are trapped under the skin, causing inflammation, irritation, swelling, redness and pus. Pus is a thick, yellow liquid made up of white blood cells and dead bacteria, usually in response to an infection of body tissue.
   • Noduli: hard, large, inflamed pustules that lie deep in the skin.
   • Cysts: Pus-filled, painful pimples that lie deep in the skin and often lead to scarring.
2. Stop smoking. Smoking can cause smoker's acne, where the body does not produce antibodies to repair the skin, as it does with normal acne. Smokers are four times more likely to develop mild acne after puberty, especially women between the ages of 25 and 50. Cigarette smoke can also irritate the skin, especially with sensitive skin.
   • Smoking also causes wrinkles and premature skin aging. That's because it creates free radicals, hinders collagen production, and breaks down proteins in the skin.
3. Don't touch your face. Dirt and bacteria on your hands can clog your pores and make acne worse if you constantly touch your face. If your skin feels irritated from the acne, use a mild, grease-free facial tissue to remove dirt and soothe your skin.
   • Don't squeeze or squeeze your pimples or you can get scars. Squeezing your pimples can also spread the bacteria even further across your skin.
4. Choose the right cleaning product. Use a mild facial cleanser without soap and without sodium laureth sulfate. Sodium laureth sulfate is a cleaning and foaming agent that can irritate the skin. Many products without soap do not contain harmful chemicals, but natural ingredients. You can find it at most drug stores.
   • Strong soaps and exfoliants can irritate your skin and make acne worse.
5. Wash your face regularly. Wash your skin with your fingertips in the morning and at night. Remember to rinse your skin with lukewarm water after washing. Don't wash it more than twice a day and if you've been sweating.
   • Sweating can also irritate the skin. Wash your skin as soon as possible if you are sweating.
6. Use the right care products. Apply an oil-free moisturizer if your skin feels dry or itchy. Only use an astringent on your face if you have oily skin, and then only on the oiliest areas. If you want to exfoliate or exfoliate your skin, ask your dermatologist what is best for you.
   • People with acne that is not inflamed, such as with open and closed blackheads, can use a mild scrub or peeling product from the drug store. If you have dry, sensitive skin, don't use it more than once or twice a week. If you have oilier, thicker skin, you can use it every day.

Part 2 of 4: Improving your diet

1. Eat healthy. Do not eat meat that contains hormones or other substances that can unbalance your hormones and cause acne. Instead, eat a lot of fiber, fresh vegetables and fruits. Foods high in vitamins A, C, E and zinc help against acne because it has anti-inflammatory properties. Some good sources of these vitamins are:
   • Paprika
   • Kale
   • Spinach
   • Amaranth leaves
   • Turnip greens
   • Sweet potato
   • Pumpkin
   • Mango
   • Grapefruit
   • Melon
2. Take zinc. Research shows that eating zinc can help with acne. Zinc is an essential trace element that acts as an antioxidant. It protects cells from damage from bacteria and viruses. Many people eat too little zinc, but if you take multivitamins and eat a healthy diet, you should get enough zinc. You can take supplements, but the best sources of zinc are:
   • Oysters, shrimp, crab and shells
   • Red meat
   • Poultry
   • Cheese
   • Beans
   • Sunflower seeds
   • Pumpkin
   • Tofu
   • Miso soup
   • Mushrooms
   • Boiled green vegetables
   • Easily absorbable types of zinc are: zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, zinc acetate, zinc glycerate and zinc monomethionine. If your stomach hurts from zinc sulfate, you can try another type, such as zinc citrate.
3. Eat more vitamin A. According to studies, you can suffer from acne if you are deficient in vitamin A. Vitamin A is an anti-inflammatory compound that balances your hormones and can help regulate your sebum production.You can get more vitamin A by eating healthy and avoiding unhealthy fats such as margarine, hydrogenated fats and processed foods.
   • Vitamin A is mainly found in carrots, green leafy vegetables and yellow or orange fruit. When taking a supplement, the recommended daily dose is between 10,000 and 25,000 IU. Too high a dose of vitamin A can have harmful side effects, including birth defects, so watch how much you take.
4. Eat more vitamin C. Vitamin C promotes healing. It does this by supporting the production of collagen, an important protein needed to repair skin tissue, cartilage, blood vessels and wounds. You can take vitamin C 2 to 3 times a day, with a maximum of 500 mg. You can also try to get more vitamin C through your diet. Good sources of vitamin C are:
   • Red or green pepper
   • Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, pomelo, lemon or fresh juices thereof.
   • Spinach, broccoli and Brussels sprouts
   • Strawberries and raspberries
   • Tomatoes
5. Drink green tea. Green tea is not directly associated with the occurrence of acne. But it contains many antioxidants that prevent skin aging and protect the skin. This can help keep your skin younger and fresher. Infuse 2-3 grams of green tea leaves in a cup of warm water (80-85ºC) for 3-5 minutes. You can drink a cup of green tea two to three times a day.
   • Green tea can also have anti-inflammatory effects and reduce the risk of cancer. Some studies show that green tea also protects the skin from the sun's harmful UV rays.

Part 3 of 4: Using herbal remedies

1. Use tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is widely used for skin conditions such as acne, wounds, infections and skin damage. To treat the acne, you should use tea tree oil that has been diluted to 5-15%. Put 2-3 drops on a cotton ball and dab over your acne.
   • Never ingest tea tree oil. Also, don't expose it to oxygen for too long. Oxidized tea tree oil is more likely to cause an allergic reaction than fresh.
2. Use jojoba oil. Put 5-6 drops of jojoba oil on a cotton ball and rub it on the acne. Jojoba oil is an extract from the seeds of the jojoba tree. It is very similar to the natural oil your skin produces (sebum), but it does not clog pores or make your skin oily.
   • Jojoba oil keeps your skin hydrated. It usually doesn't cause skin irritation, but check with your dermatologist before using it if you have sensitive skin.
3. Use juniper oil. Juniper oil is a natural antiseptic astringent. You can use it as a facial cleanser and toner to clear clogged pores and treat acne, eczema or dermatitis. Put 1-2 drops of the oil on a cotton ball and apply it to your face after washing.
   • Don't use too much juniper oil as it can irritate your skin and make acne worse.
4. Apply aloe vera gel to your skin. Apply a generous amount of aloe vera gel to your skin every day. You can buy it at most drugstores. Aloe vera is a succulent plant with antibacterial properties that is very effective in treating acne and reducing inflammation. It prevents bacteria from causing acne wounds and it speeds up the healing process.
   • Some people are allergic to aloe vera. If you get a rash, stop using it and talk to your doctor.
5. Use sea salt. Look for a lotion or cream with less than 1% sodium chloride. Apply it on your face for up to 6 times a day for 5 minutes. Research shows that sea salt has anti-inflammatory properties, that it prevents skin aging and that it protects the skin from UV rays. You can also use it as a face mask to relieve tension. You can buy sea salt or products with sea salt at most drugstores or pharmacies.
   • People with mild acne can safely use sea salt. People with dry, sensitive skin or moderate to severe acne should first discuss with a dermatologist about starting a sea salt treatment, as it can dry out and irritate the skin.

Part 4 of 4: Get professional help

1. Consider light therapy. Laser and phototherapy are popular alternative options for treating acne. Light therapy is used to treat inflamed pustules, severe nodules and cysts.
   • Research has shown that light therapy is an effective remedy for many people. Consult with your doctor to see which option best suits your individual needs.
2. Consider hormone therapy. High androgen levels, especially in women, can lead to excess sebum production that causes acne. Sebum also contains fatty acids that the bacteria that cause acne are very fond of. Some causes of hormonal changes include puberty, pregnancy, amenorrhea, or change of medication.
   • To find out if the acne is caused by hormonal changes, talk to a dermatologist.
3. Go to a specialist. A dermatologist can assess your skin condition and provide a targeted approach to cure it. Surgical options include removing closed or open blackheads, or cryosurgery, a freezing technique that involves injecting steroids into the pimples. Dermabrasion is a technique in which the scars on the surface are removed, so that the deep scars are less deep.
   • If your acne keeps coming back and you've tried everything, don't hesitate to get help.

Tips

• Dermatologists recommend washing your hair often when it is oily. The fat can get on your skin and cause breakouts.
• Do not apply makeup immediately after washing your face as this can also clog your pores. Use oil-free cosmetics for your skin and hair.
• Be careful when applying cream around your eyes as you should not pull too hard on the sensitive skin there.
• It is recommended that you take 30 mg of zinc three times a day if you have acne. Once the acne is under control, you can keep a maintenance dose of 10 to 30 mg per day.
• Zinc can lower copper levels in the body if you use it for a few months at a time, so doctors recommend taking at least 2 mg of copper a day in addition to zinc.
• Since vitamin E and zinc are both needed to make vitamin A, you should add this to your diet as well. The recommended dose of Vitamin E along with Vitamin A is 400-800 IU.

Warnings

• Do not use salt with iodine or products with iodine in it, as that can cause irritation whether you take it or put it on your skin, which can make acne worse.
• Do not take a high dose of zinc for more than a few days unless directed by your doctor. Talk to your doctor before taking zinc supplements.
• If you don't see any improvement after 8 weeks, see a dermatologist.