You wake up, look in the mirror and what do you see? Acne! Is it ironic that acne tends to pop up just before any special event? Not really. Acne is brought on by many different aspects in life including stress. These little red menaces begin when you’re a child and gain momentum through puberty and can also be troublesome as a young adult. The problem with acne isn’t necessarily having the bumps. It’s when the bumps turn into scars.
Even if acne is a part of almost everyone’s daily life, scars from acne don’t have to be. If you are a pimple popper, STOP popping the pimples! When you pop pimples, you are causing a bigger inflammation of the skin and impeding the natural collagen in that area. Collagen is a protein fiber which gives the skin its elasticity. Plus, pimple popping can lead to bacteria getting in the core area of the pimple and causing a deeper scar to form. If you do have acne scars, there are many ways to treat them naturally.
Let’s look at the 11 top remedies for treating acne scars:
Lemon Juice
The Vitamin C in lemon juice helps to rebuild collagen and lemon is also a natural bleaching agent. This means the juice from a fresh squeezed lemon can lighten your scars. Lemon juice can also lighten freckles and reduce redness in swollen pimples. However, lemon juice makes your skin more susceptible to sun rays even hours after it is applied to the skin. Be sure to use sun block to protect your skin when going outside.
How To: Squeeze the juice from a fresh lemon. Use your fingertips or a cotton ball to apply the juice to the scar. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse with water. Do this once a day for 2-3 weeks and watch your scars fade away.
Honey
Also great for removing scars, honey can be quite sticky so many people do not like to use plain honey. Nevertheless, there are two great ways to use honey.
How To #1: Apply honey to acne and leave it on overnight. Wash it off in the morning.
How To #2: Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 1/4 cup of oatmeal. Apply this mixture to scars and leave on for 15-20 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
Aloe Vera
Regenerates damaged tissue and boosts the healing process.
How To: Peel off the outer green leaf of the plant. Apply the gel-looking substance from within. Leave on the skin for about an hour and a half and then wash off. Apply twice daily.
Olive Oil
Contains anti-inflammatory properties as well as lots of vitamins, iron and antioxidants.
How To: Before bed, apply a little olive oil to the pimple area. Massage into the skin until it feels absorbed. Take a clean cloth and drape it in warm water. Put the cloth over your pimple area and allow the steam to moisturize your skin. Gently wipe away the oil with the cloth. After 1-2 minutes, wash your face with water.
Baking Soda
Great for exfoliating and removing dead skin.
How To: Mix a couple teaspoons of baking soda with water to make a consistent paste. Gently massage the paste onto the affected area for 1-2 minutes. Then leave the paste on for a few minutes before washing off with warm water. Apply some moisturizer or some olive oil since it is high in vitamins. Repeat 2 or 3 times a week for beautifully exfoliated skin.
Raw Potatoes
Effective in removing acne scars but patience is a virtue with this process.
How To: Cut a potato into round slices. Rub a slice all over your face in a circular motion until the potato has gone dry. Take another slice and continue this process for 15-20 minutes. Leave the leftover potato juice on your face until it feels absorbed into your skin. Then wash it off and apply moisturizer. Do this potato massage 3-4 times a week for approximately 2 months and relieve your face of scars.
Raw Tomatoes
Can help eliminate facial acne scars.
How To: Cut a red tomato into pieces. Then crush the pieces into pulp. Apply the pulp onto the face and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Wash your face and repeat daily for 1-2 weeks.
Tea Tree Oil
Known for its many wonderful properties including the fact that it is anti-fungal, antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
How To: Add 2-4 drops of tea tree oil to 1-2 tablespoons of water. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and apply this mixture to acne scars. Repeat 2-3 times a day. Note: Never apply undiluted tea tree oil to the skin.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Has many great properties including being an astringent and a natural disinfectant.
How To: Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 1 part water. Dip the cotton ball into the mixture and apply it to the acne scars. Leave on the skin for 5-10 minutes then wash off. Use daily.
Vitamin E
Can be used to moisturize the skin while healing scars.
How To: Allow your pores to open up by administering steam. You can do this by running hot water in the bathroom sink or showering and standing close. Apply a few drops of Vitamin E to your acne scars. Gently massage in a circular motion for about 10 minutes or until the oil is absorbed in the skin. Leave the oil on the face for about 15-20 minutes and then wash off. Do this daily.
Cocoa Butter
The fat derived from cocoa seeds makes it an extraordinary moisturizer and emollient. It can heal scars and prevent new ones from occurring.
How To: Before bed, wash your face and pat it dry. Apply cocoa butter to your face and gently massage for a couple of minutes. Leave it on your face overnight and wash it off in the morning. Repeat daily.
– SP