NATURAL REMEDIES

Baking soda

Baking soda helps to reduce skin inflammation. It encourages the shedding off of dead skin cells, revealing new skin cells that will leave your skin looking clear and glowing. To use baking soda, mix two teaspoons of water with two teaspoons of baking soda to form a thick paste. Massage this paste onto your face using gentle circular motions. Leave the paste on your face for three minutes and then rinse it off with cold water. This will result in a smooth face. Do not leave the paste on your face for too long.

Lemon juice

Lemon juice has antibacterial properties that get rid of the bacteria that cause acne. It also has ascorbic acid, which will tackle the inflammation on your face. Its bleaching properties will help to lighten acne spots. To use lemon juice, squeeze two to three tablespoons of lemon juice into a bowl.

Soak cotton balls in the juice and then rub the juice on the scars. Leave to dry for half an hour and then wash your face. If you notice skin irritation when using this method, discontinue use and try out another remedy. Consistently doing this for two to three weeks will produce visible results.

Egg white

The white of an egg is rich in amino acids and protein, which will fasten the healing process of your skin. This reduces scarring on your face, while preventing new breakouts. To use the egg white, break one egg and separate the yolk from the egg white. Whip up the egg white until it is fluffy and then apply it all over your face using the tips of your fingers. Let it dry then rinse it off with warm water. Repeat this procedure two to three times a week.

Coconut oil and coconut water

Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer. It also has healing properties, which makes it ideal for dealing with acne scars. To use, scoop out a bit of coconut oil and massage it all over your face or on the affected areas only. Do this on a regular basis. You do not have to wash off the oil since the longer it stays on your skin, the more it will enrich it with essential vitamins and oils. However, if you are uncomfortable having an oily substance all over your face, you can rinse your face after half an hour.

Using coconut water helps to speed up the healing of scars. The coconut water can be used in two main ways. You can either drink it or you can dab a piece of cotton cloth in coconut water, then rub it on the scars.

Olive oil

Olive oil is rich in vitamins, iron and antioxidants. These help in dealing with the inflammation on your skin and in the cleansing of dirt from your face. It is also a good moisturizer. To use, apply olive oil all over your face then steam your face using a bowl of hot water, while covering your head with a thick towel or blanket.

This will help to open up the pores on your face. Wipe away the oil and water on your face using cotton fabric soaked in warm water and then wash your face with cold water. Apply a thin layer of olive oil on your face before going to bed.

Water

Drink lots of water on a daily basis to flush out toxins and bacteria from your body. Water also helps to keep your skin moisturized. This will reduce acne breakouts and acne scars on your face.

Potato juice

Potato is rich in vitamins, which helps to promote the healing of your skin. To get potato juice, get a raw potato, grate it and squeeze out the juice. Apply this juice on the affected area and leave it on your face for 15 minutes. Rinse off the juice using warm water. Do this on a daily basis. Alternatively, slice up a raw potato and place the slices on the acne scars.

OTHER OPTIONS

Exfoliation

Exfoliating your skin on a regular basis helps to get rid of dead and dry skin cells and exposes new, healthier skin. This will speed up the fading process of acne scars as in most cases, it is only the top layer of the skin that is affected.

You can exfoliate one to three times a week, depending on how dry your skin is. Use a facial scrub to exfoliate. You can make your own homemade facial scrub or you can buy one from a beauty store. You can also use a soft piece of cloth to exfoliate your skin by rubbing it all over your face, after wetting it with warm water.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a non-chemical procedure that involves the peeling away of the outer layer of your skin in order to expose the underlying healthier looking skin. This will greatly help to reduce scarring. If your acne scars are deep, dermabrasion will be more effective.

Before undergoing this procedure, it is essential that you talk with a dermatologist first as they can help you to evaluate if it is rely necessary for you to undergo this procedure or if there are other options that you can explore first. Microdermabrasion is a safe procedure. Find a qualified doctor to do it for you.

Topical creams

Use topical creams that are meant to help acne scars fade fast. These creams are sold over the counter. Consult a medical professional, so as to know the right cream to use. The creams usually help in reducing inflammation and promoting healing. Other creams work by lightening the acne scars. Use creams which have safe skin lightening ingredients that will not harm your skin.

WHAT TO AVOID

Stay away from the sun

The sun will darken your scars, making them more prominent. It will also slow down the healing process of the skin. When going out, use sunscreen or protect your face using a wide brimmed hat or an umbrella.

Avoid caffeine

Caffeine dehydrates your body, leaving you susceptible to acne scars. It also makes it difficult for scars to heal once you get them.

Avoid touching the spots

Constantly touching your face throughout the day will introduce bacteria on the affected areas, making it difficult to get rid of the scars. Cleanse your face on a regular basis, to avoid dirt and bacteria build up and then avoid touching your face with dirty hands. This will encourage faster healing of the scars.

Ice your pimples

Wrap a few ice cubes in a cloth and apply it directly to your acne, making sure not to put too much pressure on your skin. Too much pressure can cause the pimple to break, causing even more redness and spreading bacteria. Cool temperatures slow local blood circulation, reducing swelling and redness in the injured tissue. You have probably seen athletes using cold treatments such as ice baths and local ice. This helps to treat inflammation caused by injury.

Eye drops

Eye drops are made to remove redness. Put a small amount of the eye drop solution on a piece of cotton will and gently apply to the pimple. Alternately, freeze a Q-Tip that has been soaked in eye drop solution overnight. Apply is gently to the pimple. The cold will suppresses the inflammation and the eye drop should help relieve the redness. Rubbing it on your entire face can cause more irritation. Only rub on affected areas. Do not use this technique too often or it could have an adverse effect.

Aspirin Mask

Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which is one main ingredient in many scrubs and topical ointments used to treat acne. Salicylic acid produces its anti-flammatory effects by suppressing an enzyme responsible for inflammation. Mix the aspirin with a little bit of water to form a paste. Apply it to the inflamed area gently with a Q-Tip and rinse off once dry. While not an immediate fix, this will help with redness.

Toothpaste

Most toothpaste contains silica, which helps to dry pimples out. Silica is the same thing that is found in tiny white packets because it keeps dry food snacks, such as jerky, thereby slowing spoilage. Cover the pimple completely with a thin film of toothpaste right before bed, let dry, and leave on overnight. Wash it off in the morning. Do not use toothpaste that has menthol or fluoride. These ingredients may worsen redness and cause more pimple to appear.

Lemon Juice

Use a little bit of lemon juice, as it contains citric acid, which could help fight acne bacteria. Studies suggest that citric acid has natural skin-lightening components, which could help with redness. Wring out a little bit of lemon juice from a lemon, soak it in a cotton ball and apply to pimples at night. Because it lightens your skin, it will take a long time and repeated uses for it to show, but it will lighten the pigments in your skin.

If you only use lemon juice sparingly, however, and evenly over your face, it should not be noticeable. Ovoid long periods of exposure to sunlight after applying lemon juice. Because lemon juice tends to dry out the skin, it is especially susceptible to sun damage. Apply it only at night, wash your face in the morning and always wear sunscreen.

It may interfere with other acne medication, if you are using any. Like all home remedies, its effectiveness is not scientifically proven, and care should be taken using it. Talk with your doctor first before using any type of product or home remedies.

Tea Bags

Apply a hot washcloth or warm tea bag to the pimple. Compress applied to the acne will open the pores, potentially drawing bacteria or pus to the surface, and allow for the cleansing of oil, dirt and dead skin. Get water that is almost too hot to touch. On your face, it should fee a little uncomfortable at first, But pleasant after a while. Soak your washcloth in the hot water, or take your hot Teabag, and hold gently over acne for 30 to 60 seconds. Follow your warm compress with a good old-fashioned face wash. Facial scrub or wash will help remove some of the oil and bacteria that were drawn out by the warm compress.

Visit your pharmacy

Go to a grocery store pharmacy for a redness-reducing product to put on your pimple. Find an ‘immediate response’ product. A pharmacist may be able to help you.

Concealers

Use concealer to hide the redness immediately. There are concealers that contain salicylic acid to help dry the pimple out while covering it. Green colored concealers will take the redness out of your skin. A skin tone liquid make-up or powder then needs to be applied on top of it.

Drink lots of water

When dehydrated, we loose moisture in our skin. This meant that there is less circulation to the skin area to provide essential nutrients. When your body is not properly hydrated, your skin is the first place on your body to feel the change. Drinking more water will help your kidneys and liver detoxify more efficiently and more effectively. Drinking water will also make sure your colon is working as best it can.

Exercise

Even walking 20 minutes per day is a healthy way to exercise. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Volunteer to walk the dog. Exercise will decrease your stress leves, giving you a better chance at better skin. Get involved in sports. Sports are not just for jocks. There is virtually a sport out there for every kind of person. the most important thing is that you have fun, burn some energy and give yourself a nice outlet for your stress.

Scientists do not know exactly how stress causes acne, but they do know that there is a link. Cells that produce sebum have receptors for stress hormones, meaning that when you are stressed those sebum cells become unregulated. Sebum is the oil substance that clogs pore and leads to pimples.

Other Tips

• Rinse your face with hot water to open your pores. Then wash your soap off with cold water to close the pores.
• Avoid popping pimples if possible.
• Normal soap is fine, but try a specialized face wash if you have it.
• Use an oil-free sunblock every day. Some redness can be caused by overly dry skin.
• Visit a dermatologist who can prescribe a medication if this is a persistent problem.
• ‘Dove’ soap really helps to ease the redness of a pimple but any soap will do. You have to wash your face daily not just when you have pimples.
• Before using the steam method, make sure there is absolutely no dirt or dead skin on your face. Any debris present could clog your pores and cause more pimples.

Aloe Vera has several properties such as anti-flammatory, astringent, anti-bacterial, pain inhibitor and coagulating operator, scar decreasing properties and cell development which helps to treat the acne successfully and naturally.

It also contains several vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids and catalyst which your body and skin needs for capacity appropriately by boosting up the invulnerable body.

Acne and Acne Scars

Aloe Vera contains hormones and acts as anti-bacterial which helps in killing the microbes bringing on acne. It is a natural astringent that helps to uproot the excess oil, earth and dead skin cells, which further causes obstructs to your skin pores and reasons bacterial contamination. It also helps to enhance the cell development with the goal that the harmed skin will mend quicker and scar less.

It helps to reduce redness, inflammation and pain that connected with acne. It also acts as a pain inhibitor that reduces the pain when connected to the affected region. It enters the pain in The layers and remove inflammation. It also reduces scars successfully because it contains anti-oxidants which helps to reduce the pain and repair your skin. It contains zinc, vitamin E and C which aids in reducing the scars from the skin.

How to use Aloe Vera

There is a number of things which you can try to treat your acne. If you do not have a Aloe Vera plant, you might have to go to your nearest pharmacy and purchase ointment.

Treatment one

Take a fresh aloe Vera leaf and squeeze it to get the gel from the leaf. Take the gel and rub it on the acne effected parts of your body. Repeat the process for a day for no less than one week to dispose of the acne.

Treatment two

Squeeze the gel from a fresh aloe Vera leaf. Slice the leave open to squeeze out the mash. Make a fine gel by using the blender. Add a few drops of lemon or lime and after that again mix it together. Put this gel mixture in the fridge. Apply some of this paste to your face like a face mask.  Leave it on overnight and wash your face the following morning. Repeat this process regularly until you can see an improvement on your body.

Treatment three

Take fresh aloe Vera gel and add a bit of turmeric, honey, milk and a few drops of rose water. Mix it together and apply this paste on the effected parts of your skin. Leave it on your skin for about 15 to 20 minutes and wash it with water. Keep doing this process on a regular basis to get rid of the acne.

Treatment four

Wash your face regularly two times a day which contains aloe Vera. Once in the morning and once in the evening before you go to bed. This will help to enhance the side effects and prevent further breakouts. Use aloe Vera which contains cream, gels, cleansers, cream to saturate the whole face and other acne affected parts of the skin to reduce the breakout created by the development of excel oil, mellows the skin and reduces the presence of acne scars.

Aloe Vera Mask

Boil a fresh aloe Vera leaf in water for a few minutes. Mix it to make a past and add honey. Use this paste as a mask on your skin. Delicately rub it whiles your apply the mask. Repeat this application regularly to dispose of the acne problems.

Continually use fresh aloe Vera gel that has culled from the aloe Vera plant. It contains all the key ingredients that are exceptionally compelling to treat acne. It will also relieve your skin from aggravation, inflammation and from destructive poisons. It treats damage skin.

It is used to unclog the skin pores, purges the blood, reduces inflammation and prevents further contamination of acne. You can also drink a tad bit of aloe Vera juice once a day, which cures acne as well as helping to cure lung malignancy as well as type two diabetes etc.

Aloe Vera for Acne Scars

Aloe Vera contains an anti-inflammatory property which helps to heal scars rapidly. It prevents excess oil and keeps the skin hydrated. Take a fresh aloe Vera leaf and squeeze out the gel from the plant. Apply the gel directly to your scars. Leave it on for a couple of minutes and rinse it off with warm water. Apply an oil free moisturizer.

Precautions

Before drinking aloe Vera juice for the first time, make sure that your check if you are not allergic to garlic, onions, tulips or any other plants in the lilac family. Consumption of this aloe Vera juice for more than one year will increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Commercially prepared aloe Vera gel can be used before and after cleaning.

Pat dry your skin after washing with aloe Vera soap. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions before applying the feel. Aloe Vera is known to treat ace very well, but more than applying aloe Vera to your acne and its scars, you can change your lifestyle habits and diet plan which definitely show results in preventing ace now and in future also.

There is several factors which come into play when taking care of your skin. It is important to remember to drink many water. Water hydrates the skin and gets rid of all the bad toxins in your body, which will show on your face and on your body, when done regularly. When you do your research, everything you read will have the water factor in their story. Everyone will tell you that you need to exercise regularly and you need to eat a well balanced meal every day. It is a fact which cannot be avoided.

There are plenty of home remedies available to get rid of black heads. These remedies can quickly get rid of your blackheads and leave your skin looking much clearer. Here are 16 of the best.

1. Use tomatoes to get rid of blackheads overnight

First, mash a tomato up. Use its juice and peel as a facial treatment. If possible, leave this tomato treatment on overnight. It will dry up the blackheads and get rid of them overnight.

2. Facial steaming to get rid of blackheads quickly

You will need a large bowl of steaming water and a fluffy towel. If you like, you can put some lemon juice in the water. Once the water is boiling, remove it from the heat source. Then cover your head with the towel and bend over the steaming water, making sure not to get too close. Stay inside the towel tent as long as you can. Once you are done, wash your face gently with normal water. Pat dry and don’t use harsh chemicals or soaps.

3. Egg white mask

To use this mask you need a bowl, an egg, some pieces of tissue and a towel. Crack the egg over the bowl and separate the egg white from the yolk. Then wash your face and pat dry. Apply a thin layer of egg white over your face. You can use a piece of tissue to  put pressure on the face to apply the mask. Then apply a second and third layer of egg white. Make sure each layer dries before you put on the next layer.

4. Baking soda paste

This is effective and easy to make. In a small amount of water add two to three teaspoons of baking soda. Apply the paste on your skin and leave for 3-4 minutes. It will instantly unblock your pores.

5. Cinnamon and Honey

Cinnamon is very effective against blackheads but use a good quality cinnamon if you can. Mix two to three teaspoons of cinnamon in a little honey. Mix to a paste. Put on affected areas and leave overnight. Wash off and pat your face dry. Use consistently for 10 days and your blackheads will be gone!

6. Oatmeal

This is an effective treatment to get rid of blackheads from your face. Mix one to two teaspoons of honey with oatmeal and tomato juice. Apply the paste to your skin for 10 minutes. Wash off and pat dry. Use this for 10 days to get rid of your blackheads.

7. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is an astringent which minimizes pores so it is a great way to get rid of blackheads. Squeeze some lemon juice into a bottle. Pour on a cotton pad and tap on affected areas at bedtime.  Leave it on overnight. The next morning wash your face and apply moisturizer. Repeat this process once a week to keep blackheads away.

8. Sugar and Olive Oil

Use one teaspoon olive oil and one teaspoon of sugar. Rub on the affected area for one minute. If you have acne don’t rub the area, leave the mask on. Rinse, and pat dry.

9. Green Tea Solution

Because of its antioxidant qualities it is no surprise that this is a great cure not only for blackheads, but also for acne. Fill a saucepan with a mug of water. Bring it to the boil. Remove from heat and let two green tea bags seep for half an hour. Then pour this into a mug and place in the fridge till chilled. Wash your face with a tender face wash or baby wash. Rinse and pat dry. Use a cotton ball to apply the green tea solution to your face. Leave on for 15 minutes. Then rinse and apply moisturizer.

10. Toothpaste Solution

Clean your face for one minute with a tender and mild face wash. Rinse and pat dry. Apply a little toothpaste to the affected areas, using the white, minty kind not the gel kind. Leave on overnight to dry. Once dry, remove by using water and rubbing in circles to remove the blackheads effectively. Wash your skin with warm, clean water.

11. Toothpaste and Salt

This will give you a faster solution than just toothpaste. Wash your face with a mild and tender face wash. Mix one teaspoon of salt with a little toothpaste and apply to affected areas. Rub in a circular motion for 1 minute then rinse off. Make sure that you don’t let your skin dry before applying this solution and don’t use sea salt.

12. Oatmeal and Rosewater

Take three tablespoons of rosewater and some oatmeal. Make a thick paste and apply to affected areas. Leave on for 30 minutes then wash off. Do not leave this on for longer than an hour!

13. Lemon and Milk

This little known solution works wonders for blackheads. Mix four teaspoons of lemon juice to two tablespoons of milk. Apply all over and leave for 30 minutes. Then wash off.

14. Turmeric and Mint

Take two teaspoons of turmeric and add three teaspoons of mint juice. Apply this paste onto your face for 10 minutes then wash your skin.

15. Epsom Salts

Mix one to two teaspoons of Epsom salts to a few drops of iodine and hot water. Let the salt dissolve completely and the water to cool down to room temperature. Apply the mixture to affected areas and allow to dry for five to 10 minutes. Then wash off.

16. Fenugreek

Make a paste from fresh fenugreek and water. Apply the paste on the affected area and leave it to dry. Rinse it off with lukewarm water

So, now you are armed with many ways in which to remove your blackheads. Use your preferred remedy regularly to prevent them from returning and enjoy a healthy, dewy skin from now on!

Lemon

Lemon is well known for its ant-tanning properties. It helps to get rid of the blemishes and also reduces the dark spots on your skin. You can apply the lemon on all the darkened areas. Leave it on for about ten minutes and wash it off with cold water. Make sure that you do not use lemon on cuts and wounds as it will cause a burning sensation. While you are applying the lemon, do not expose yourself to sunlight.

Honey Combos

You can make a very good combination with lemon and honey which will help lighten your skin. Mix lemon and honey in equal quantities and apply it on your skin. Leave it on for about twenty minutes. Then wash it off. If you have a very dry skin, you can try a combination of honey with cucumber juice. Mix them in equal parts as well. You can apply it to any part of your body including face, hands and legs.

Apply this mixture to your skin for 15 minutes and then wash it off. You can also use a honey and milk pack. Mix these in equal quantities and apply. After applying, keep it on for some time. Massage the paste in a circular motion. Wash it off with cold water. If you have oily skin use low fat or else use full cream milk.

Oatmeal Combo

Oatmeal helps you to remove the dirt which goes into the skin pores. Soap usually fails to remove this dirt. Mix oatmeal with a little turmeric and a few drops of lemon. The quantity of the turmeric powder should not be too much. Make a thick paste of it. Apply it to your skin and leave it for a few minutes until it goes a bit dry. Take off the mask by washing it with lukewarm water.

Bananas

Bananas has a variety of advantages. It keeps your heart healthy and is also a mood booster. It also helps you get a glowing skin. Mash ripe bananas and grease your skin with it. Keep it on for some time and rinse it. Repeat this procedure weekly to get good results. You can also add raw milk to the mashed bananas to get a nice glow. Raw milk is also helpful in getting a fair skin.

Tomato

If you attended the La Tomatina festival every month, you probably already have a gorgeous fair skin. Tomato is also a skin lightening agent. It absorbs all the oil of your face and treat the open pores. Make tomato pulp in the required quantity and apply it to your skin. Leave it on for some time so that it dries. Rinse it off with water. Tomato give your skin a nice pinkish glow.

Fruit Pack

Fruits can work wonders for your skin and also provide you with a naturally glowing skin. Prepare a fruit pack by combining the pulp of an avocado, papaya and cucumber. Then add two teaspoons of cream. Mix well to form a paste and apply all over the face. Leave it for about 20 minutes and rinse with warm water. People with oily or combination skin can avoid adding cream, they can add sandal wood pack in it.

Egg Pack

Egg is very good in making skin fair. It does not smell, but it is good. Beat an egg until it is fluffy and frothy. Apply it on your face and keep it on until it dries off completely. Rinse of with cold water. You can also add lemon juice or two drops of lavender oil or tea tree oil, to reduce the smell of the egg. So, next time get an extra egg more from the store for your skin!

Hot Oil Body Massage

Indulge in the hot oil body massage for relaxation and also to get fairer skin. Choose a base oil such as almond oil, coconut oil or olive oil. Add crushed neem and tulsi leaves to the oil and warm it gently. Apply this all over your body and massage well. Keep it on for about 30 minutes and get into the shower. Hot oil massage increases the blood circulation all over the body and thus reduces tan.

Milk, Oil and Lemon

The combination of milk, oil and lemon will do a great job for your skin. Mix one spoon of milk powder, one spoon of lemon juice and one spoon of almond oil. Apply this concoction on your skin. Leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it off. This is an effective skin lightening mask. This home remedy gives excellent results in getting fair skin at home.

Potato

It can be used for skin lightening and also works as a natural bleaching agent. Squeeze the juice of a potato in a bowl. Apply it to your face. Keep it on for some time and wash off with cold water. This is a slow and gradual process. The results will be visible to you after a while.

Sandalwood

This is an absolutely wonderful remedy to use. Make a paste of sandalwood and some turmeric. You can also add almond oil to it. Apply this paste to your face. Keep it on for some time. Then start massaging it in circular motion. Wash it off with cold water. This will help in skin lightening and will also give a glow to your face.

Aloe-Vera

Aloe Vera is a good quality astringent, which will help to remove the scars from the face and leave skin glowing. The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe-Vera, will help to reduce the blemishes on the skin and make it look smooth and refreshing. You can cut a few thick leaves from the Aloe plant. Alit open the leaves carefully by making an incision horizontally. Scoop out the gel like transparent substance with the help of a spoon. Apply the gel on your face and allow it to dry naturally. Wash your face, once the gel dries off.

The main thing is that nothing can substitute the CTM routine. Cleansing, Toning and Moisturizing will ensure that your skin does not get tanned much. Also, do not forget to use a good quantity sunscreen lotion before stepping out of the house to keep that fairness and glow intact. There are alternative choices such as beauty clinics, but they are very pricey.

Acne Uses

Tea tree oil contains a constituent called terpinen. It is thought to be responsible for most of tea tree oil’s antimicrobial activity. Because tea tree oil can kill bacteria, applying topical tea tree oil to acne lesions has been thought to destroy Propionibacterium acne. This is skin-dwelling bacteria that are involved in the development of acne.

Research

Tea tree oil is a very popular remedy for acne, although there have been few studies on tea tree oil and acne. A single-blind, randomized study by the Department of Dermatology at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia compared the effectiveness and tolerance of five percent tea tree oil gel with five percent benzyl peroxide lotion in 124 people with mild to moderate acne. Both groups of people had a significant reduction in inflamed and non-inflamed acne lesions over a three month period.

Even though the tea tree oil took longer to work initially, there were less side effects with tea tree oil. In the benzyl peroxide group, 79 percent of people had side effects including itching, stinging, burning and dryness. Researchers noted that there were far less side effects in the tea tree oil group. In 2007 a smaller study was conducted, involving 60 people with mild to moderate acne.

They were treated with either a gel containing five percent tea tree oil, or a placebo for 45 days. It was found that the tea tree oil worked better than the placebo in reducing the severity and amount of acne lesions.

Should you apply undiluted oil to acne?

If you apply undiluted tea tree oil to your acne, it may cause skin irritation, redness, blistering, over drying, and itching. The concentration used in studies was a five percent tea tree oil solution, which was applied to acne prone areas. A five percent tea tree oil solution can me made by mixing five parts tea tree oil to 95 parts water.

Commercial Products

There are several new topical acne products that contain tea tree oil. Have a look at the skin care aisle of the health food stores. There should be a selection of topical tea tree oil gels, some containing other herbal antiseptics, such as witch hazel. Another place to look would be the drug store or a cosmetic store. There may be products that combine benzyl peroxide with tea tree oil.

Athlete’s Foot

A randomized controlled trial examined the use of 25 percent tea tree oil solution, 50 percent tea tree oil solution, or placebo in 158 people with athlete’s foot. They applied this, twice daily for four weeks, the two tea tree oil solutions were found to be significantly more effective than placebo.

In the 50 percent tea tree oil group, 64 percent were cured, compared to 31 percent in the placebo group. Four people using the tea tree oil withdrew from the study because they developed dermatitis (which improved after ending tea tree oil use). Otherwise, there were no significant side effects.

Fungal Infection of the toenails

A randomized, controlled trial published in the Journal of Family Practice looked at the twice-daily application of 100 percent tea tree oil or one percent clotrimazole solution (a topical antifungal medication) in 177 people with toenail fungal infection. After six months, the tea tree oil was found to be as effective as the topical antifungal, based on clinical assessment and toenail cultures.

Another randomized, controlled trial examined the effectiveness and safety of a cream containing five percent tea tree oil and two percent butenafine hydrochloride in 60 people with toenail fungal infection. After 16 weeks, 80 percent of people using the cream had significant improvement compared to non in the placebo group. side effect included mild inflammation.

A third double-blind study looked at 100 percent tea tree oil compared with a topical antifungal, clotrimazone, in 112 people with fungal infections of the toenail. The tea tree oil was as effective as the antifungal.

Dandruff

A single-blind study examined the use of five percent tea tree oil shampoo or placebo in 126 people with mild to moderate dandruff. After four weeks, the tea tree oil shampoo significantly reduced symptoms of dandruff.

Home Uses

You can create an all-purpose cleaner. Combine two teaspoons of tea tree oil in two cups of water in a spray bottle. You can also take 14 ounces of water with one ounce of Murphy’s oil soap and ten drops of tea tree oil. Mix these solutions with kosher salt to scrub bathtub and bathroom tiles. Add a few drops to dishwasher dispenser, then fill with a green dishwashing soap. A few drops added to each load of laundry, leave your clothes smelling cleaner.

Control mold with a tea tree oil/water spray. Remove mustiness with that same tea tree oil/water spray. To keep germs at bay, spray it on high chairs, car seats and other high traffic spots. 15 Drops in a quart of water can be effective insect repellent. Be sure to take some with you when hiking and camping to put directly on insect bites or blisters.

Common Uses

Tea tree has a long history of traditional use. Australian aboriginals used tea tree leaves for healing skin cuts, burns, and infections by crushing the leaves and applying them to the effected area. Tea tree oil contains constituents called trapezoids, which have been found to have antiseptic and antifungal activity. The compound terpinen, is the most abundant and is thought to be responsible for most of tea tree oil’s antimicrobial activity.

Popular uses

You may use tea tree oil for the following conditions:

• Acne.
• Athlete’s Foot.
• Fungal Infection of the Toenails.
• Dandruff.
• Blackheads.
• Cystic Acne.
• Vaginitis.
• Thrush.
• Periodontal disease.
• As an antiseptic.
• Boils
• Skin tags.
• Ringworm.
• Lice.
• Eczema.
• Psoriasis.
• Yeast Infection.

Teenage acne is horrible. But when it doesn’t clear up when you get older it can lead to serious insecurities and worse, can cause plenty of scars on the skin. This is when action needs to be taken. Visiting a dermatologist is popular. But many report that even the medicated creams cannot solve the acne problem. This leaves many acne sufferers with little hope. But don’t think that you are destined to wear a balaklava There is a solution: Apple Cider Vinegar ( ACV ). And many, many people out there report great success rates with this simple home remedy.

What is Acne and What Are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?

Well acne occurs when hair follicles are clogged with dirt, oil or dead skin. It can affect the face neck, back and even the shoulders. When your skin’s pH balance changes that is normally the most common cause of acne. ACV  has malic and lactic acids in it. This softens and exfoliates the skin.

It also gets rid of red marks on your skin. It can be used to treat acne on your face and on your body. It restores your skins normal pH balance, making the possibility of acne occurring highly unlikely. The great thing is that all this is hiding in your kitchen cabinet. So, its easy to make a great at-home acne skin treatment with ACV.

Why Does ACV Work?

ACV has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It is also a fantastic way to restore the pH levels of your skin. In essence, without it your skin can face many problems. The worst of all is acne, but you could also suffer with dry skin or red and burning skin. As a detoxifier ACV rids your skin of free radicals and toxins that cause acne.

The face and body has a defensive acid mantle which protects it from dreaded outbreaks like acne or dry skin. However, this acid mantle  can be disrupted through the use of cosmetics, face washes and other facial products, as well as body products.  This leaves an unbalanced pH level and makes your skin susceptible to break outs. ACV restores this balance and ensures protection for your face and body. Your skin should have a pH balance of 5.5.

However, this can be disrupted. ACV, which has a pH value of 3 and contains and alpha-hydroxy acids that balance out your skin and restores your pH balance. As mentioned, the toner properties in ACV are also great for getting rid of red marks and scars left by acne. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties it also helps fight whiteheads, blackheads and large pimples by reducing the swelling, thus reducing the pain.

There are many reasons your skin can be susceptible to acne. First, if you use products that are either too high in acidic quantities, or too low in alkaline quantities, you lose the balance in your skin. Even excess stress causes acne and disrupts your face even more. As ACV restores your pH balance and contains all the vitamins and minerals to help your skin fight infection it helps clear up your acne faster and get rid of scars.

How Do You Use ACV to Clear Up Acne?

There are a multitude of ways in which this super tonic can work. Here are a few of them.

1.  ACV and Water

Mix one part ACV and one part water. Use a cotton ball to apply the solution. If you do this at night, leave it on over night. If you do it in the morning. Leave it on for a few minutes then wash off and apply moisturizer. It will clear up acne and scars.

2. ACV and Baking Soda

Mix two table spoons of ACV with 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda. Apply this as a mask for about 20 minutes until the skin becomes tight. Then rinse with water and apply moisturizer.

3. ACV and Honey

Wash your face with lukewarm water and and a mild cleanser. This will clean your pores. Exfoliate with baking soda. Steam your face for 3 minutes over a pot with a towel over your head. Then add two teaspoons of honey to your face and rub in till the honey becomes sticky. Leave on for 15 minutes then rinse your skin. Pat dry with a towel without rubbing. Then apply a solution of ACV with water ( 1:1 ) with a cotton pad wiping upwards. Then rinse and put on moisturizer.

Using ACV to Treat Scalp Acne

Just like facial acne, ACV can be used to effectively treat scalp acne. The pores on your scalp can be blocked through the same imbalance in acidity as your face. Here is a remedy to treat this condition.

Wash and condition hair as per normal. Pour a solution of ACV over your head to rinse. Repeat once weekly every 3 – 4 weeks.

Using ACV Internally to Treat Acne and Scars

ACV can really help with acne when consumed. It aids in digestion and fills your blood stream to remove impurities and toxins from your body. This can help treat and prevent acne. Make sure that after drinking the ACV you drink water to prevent teeth degradation.

ACV can also be bought in capsule form to help remove impurities in your body as well as treating diabetes and obesity. If you want to use ACV internally you can mix two tablespoons of ACV in water and drink once daily. If you don’t like the taste add some honey to the mixture and drink once a day.

It is more than obvious that ACV is great for acne and scars. There is no reason for you to give it a try and watch the great results!