Last Updated on Tuesday, 09 March 2010 22:00

Natural Treatments for Acne

Alongside medical therapy there are a number of effective natural products that can help manage acne.

Green Tea and Green Tea Extract

Unlike other types of tea, green tea is not fermented. Instead, it is steamed soon after it is plucked. This prevents oxidation and retains the active ingredients within the leaves.

Green tea has significant antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. It contains antioxidants (polyphenols) which are much more effective than Vitamin C and Vitamin E. It can reduce the levels of the hormone which is one of the causes of acne breakouts. It also has gentle exfoliating and astringent properties.

There are hardly any side effects with green tea. The caffeine content is much less than that of black tea.

Drink 3 to 4 cups of green tea daily, without adding sugar. After that, you may wipe your face with the warm tea bag.

To make a natural moisturizer, infuse 2 or 3 bags of green tea in half a cup of hot water for 5 minutes and add 1 tablespoon of glycerine. Store in a bottle after it cools down. Apply on face one to two times in a day.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera contains polysaccharides, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins and minerals – all of which protect the skin. It is available as cream, spray, lotion, soap, liquid, gel, and capsule forms.

Though aloe vera is not known to cure acne, it can reduce the inflammation, enhance healing, decrease pain, improve blood flow, and reduce scarring with consistent use. If you have a deep or infected acne breakout, do not apply acne aloe vera treatment without a medical recommendation.

Always test it for allergic reaction on a small patch of skin before you apply it to the rest of the body. Never take the capsules with another type of medication without consulting a doctor.

Aloe Vera should not be used in pregnant women, young children, and the elderly.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil. It is obtained from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. You can buy it from stores as pure, undiluted tea tree oil or as gels, lotions, and creams.

Tea tree oil contains terpinen-4-ol, an active antimicrobial agent. Topical application kills Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria involved in causing acne.

Comparative studies show that although tea tree oil takes longer to work, there are far fewer side effects than with benzoyl peroxide.

Avoid applying undiluted tea tree oil directly on the skin. It may cause skin irritation, itching, stinging, burning, or dryness. A concentration of 5% tea tree oil is considered safe. You can prepare a 5% tea tree oil solution by mixing 5 parts tea tree oil to 95 parts water.

Keep the oil out of reach of children and pets. Taken internally, even in small quantities, it can cause immune disturbances, diarrhea and potentially fatal depression of the central nervous system. The person may experience excessive sleepiness, drowsiness, or confusion.

Olive Leaf Extract

Olive leaf contains oleuropein which has antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Its extract is available both as pills and liquids for internal use. Molds and yeasts present in your bloodstream produce very harmful toxins called mycotoxins. These interfere with the liver’s job of regulating the hormones and expelling toxic wastes out of the body.

Olive leaf extract is one of the most effective at-home acne treatments. It kills the fungus until you clear the mycotoxins out of your system. It also kills the acne bacteria.

Because of its high potency, it can cause reactions almost immediately. Watch out for fatigue, headaches, flu-like symptoms and diarrhoea. Preferably, take olive leaf extracts in a cyclic on and off schedule.

Remember no herbal therapy alone can cure acne. For best results, you must use them with a more complete acne program suggested by a skin specialist.