7 cheap home remedies for acne

Are you one of the thousands suffering from severe acne in the United States? Like many others, you might be avoiding specialized treatment because of the cost. You groan at the thought of paying for an expensive dermatologist on top of any over-the-counter or prescription medications. Rather than ignoring your acne problem, however, you could try a variety of cheap home remedies to clear up the inflammation.

1. Baking soda
   

This simple ingredient that nearly every household keeps on hand is a great help for those with acne. For spot treatments, you can mix equal parts baking soda with water until it turns into a paste. Then, apply to acne or acne scars and leave it on for about 15 minutes.

You could also mix a half teaspoon with your normal daily facial cleanser for an added scrub. Be aware that baking soda does effectively remove oil from the skin, potentially causing dryness. You should use a moisturizer after any acne treatment.

2. Aspirin

While this home remedy might surprise you, aspirin actually contains an ingredient that helps clean out and close pores. It also helps to heal redness that often plagues those with acne.

Crush several tablets in at least double the tablespoons of water (1 tablet to 2 tablespoons of water). Mix well; then, apply to your face for 10 minutes. You can use this treatment all over or directly on the acne. Also, try mixing with a few tablespoons of honey for an added acne punch.

3. Honey

Honey actually fights bacteria on your face while leaving your skin soft and moisturized. In order for honey to improve your acne, though, be sure to buy raw honey. Most other kinds may be too processed to give any lasting results.

Before you do the honey treatment, cleanse your face gently. Then, spread the honey all over your face for about 15 or 20 minutes. You’ll also want to carefully remove all the honey afterward to avoid having dirt stick to your face from the treatment.

4. Lemon Juice

For this home remedy, simply squeeze fresh or bottled lemon juice into a bowl. Use a cotton ball to spread the juice all over your face and leave it on for at least 10 minutes. The cleansing power of lemon will get right to work on your acne.

If you have dark skin, most professionals would not advise using lemon juice topically. The lemon may cause dark spots in place of the acne because its juice actually affects melanin-producing cells.

In addition, those of you with sensitive skin may want to test an area of your face for a few days. If redness or burning occurs, dilute the lemon or try a different home remedy. You can mix the lemon juice with honey or aloe vera to offset the acidity.

5.Aloe Vera

You might often use an aloe vera gel to treat a kitchen burn or sunburn, but you can also use it as an effective acne treatment. The aloe vera works because of its anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for inflamed pimples.

Spread a tablespoon or so of pure aloe vera gel on your face twice per day. You can choose to mix in a teaspoon of lemon juice for extra cleansing. The aloe gel will dry on your skin, leaving it clean and tight.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

This vinegar contains several helpful acids known to fight acne-causing bacteria, including citric, acetic, and lactic acid. In addition, the lactic acid reduces scarring commonly associated with severe acne.

To use apple cider vinegar as a treatment, you will want to dilute the vinegar heavily. Use one part vinegar to three (or more) parts water. Apply the mixture for only a few seconds because of the highly potent acids. Rinse well and repeat twice daily.

7. Tea Tree Oil

Recently, tea tree oil has proven more effective than benzoyl peroxide in acne treatment. While some people might show sensitivity to the oil, it actually causes fewer side effects than its chemical counterpart.

For spot treatment, apply pure tea tree oil directly to the skin with a cotton swab. If you have sensitive skin, you should use one part oil with one part water. Let the treatment dry and repeat twice a day.

For a cleanse, mix four drops of oil with one cup of water. Rinse your face in the mixture, but keep this cleanse to once per day.

With these effective home remedies for acne, you no longer have to forgo treatment because of cost. Many of these treatments use ingredients already on hand, making them affordable options for everyone. You can control your acne and enjoy a clear complexion again.

This article first appeared on AskDrManny.com.