Your awkward teenage years are the worst, because you have to deal with acne, the resulting scars, and how to get rid of them both. Ugh! But if you’ve already hit your 20s, but your breakouts aren’t showing any signs of abating, then you, my friend, are dealing with adult acne. Yes, it can be quite heartbreaking actually.
If you had acne growing up, then you’ve got oily skin, which is prone to breakouts. However, even if your skin isn’t oily and/or you didn’t have acne growing up, you might still end up with adult acne. However, knowing what causes these breakouts in the first place will help in dealing with them successfully.
Suggested read: Acne problems? Here’s what your breakout means (and what you can do to fix it)
Causes of adult acne
These are the most common causes of adult acne:
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Stress
- Pollution
- Genetic factors
- Using wrong skin products
- Cleansing too frequently and intensely
- Not cleansing enough
- Certain foods like chocolates, pizza, caffeine, fried foods, and nuts, and even dairy products
- Certain medications like birth control pills, corticosteroids, lithium, and androgens
- Sugar intake
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Things to do to prevent adult acne
If you believe prevention is better than cure, then you need to make these changes in your routine:
- Change your diet by cutting out refined foodstuffs like sugar and flour, along with fried foods.
- Include lots of fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals in your daily dietary intake.
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking enough water to cleanse your internal system naturally.
- Cut back on smoking, alcohol, and caffeine by significant levels.
- Cleanse your skin gently twice a day with skin products that are non-comedogenic, water-based, and oil-free.
- Use a natural toner or good one that suits your skin type to restore your skin’s natural pH levels.
- Exfoliate your skin regularly, but gently, with the right products. If you use natural ingredients, all the better for your skin.
Home remedies for adult acne
Although it seems bleak when you’re dealing with adult acne, you need to keep in mind that it can be treated effectively with a few natural, home remedies for adult acne. Let’s take a look:
1. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera gel is another excellent natural remedy for adult acne. Its soothing properties help reduce the irritation caused by acne, while also helping reduce the inflammation.
Remedy
- Slice open an aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the fresh gel into a clean bowl. Apply this gel on your face and neck, paying special attention to the acne spots. Leave it on for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar possesses anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and astringent properties, which make it ideal as an acne remedy. It helps kill off all the bacteria that might cause breakouts, and helps balance the pH of your skin, keeping it on an even keel.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water. Dip a cotton ball in this and apply it directly to all the spots of acne on your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy several times a day, rinsing your face thoroughly after each application.
Pro tip: Remember to apply moisturizer after washing your face.
3. Banana peel
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Banana peels contain an antioxidant called lutein, which is extremely helpful in reducing swelling and inflammation caused by acne. So the next time you eat a banana, don’t throw away the peel.
Remedy
- Take a banana peel and rub it all over your face and neck in circular motions. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, before washing it off with cool water. Apply a moisturizer after patting your face dry.
4. Eggs
Egg whites are known to help reduce acne, while also helping lighten acne scars and other blemishes on your skin. It’s full of essential proteins and vitamins, which help successfully combat acne and rebuild skin cells.
Remedy
- Whisk the whites from 3 small eggs till they’re frothy and resemble a fluffy white cloud. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then apply it all over your face, giving special attention to the acne spots. Let this layer dry for a few minutes, before applying another coat of egg whites. Do this thrice more. Now, let the mask sit for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a soft towel, and apply a mild moisturizer that suits your skin type.
Suggested read: People with acne look younger and live longer, says Science!
5. Honey
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Honey is a natural antioxidant, which possesses anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal properties, which make it an excellent remedy to treat adult acne.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of honey with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Stir well to form a smooth paste. apply this on your face, especially focusing on the acne spots. Let it sit for 15 minutes, before washing it off with cool water.
6. Milk
Dairy products are said to be oily in nature and cause acne, but milk has been known to improve your skin tone, while putting a stop to acne breakouts. It helps soothe irritated skin, while also helping tone down the redness caused by acne breakouts.
Remedy
- Mix together 1 tablespoon each of low-fat milk and raw honey to form a runny paste. Smear this liberally all over your face and neck, focusing on acne spots. Let it sit for 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Remember to moisturize your face with coconut oil or olive oil to keep the hydration in.
7. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is another excellent home remedy to treat adult acne. It helps absorb the excess oil from your skin, which is the main culprit that causes adult acne in the first place.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, combine together 2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal and 2 teaspoons of honey. Mix well to form a smooth paste. Apply this all over your face and neck, paying special attention to the acne spots. Leave it on for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with tepid water. Repeat this remedy once in 2 days for positive results.
8. Orange peel
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Orange peel is a rich source of citric acid, which is amazingly helpful in treating acne. It helps get rid of the bacteria and the dead skin cells that worsen acne. Plus, the huge amounts of vitamin C that it contains, acts like an astringent, helping close all the pores.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of orange peel powder and 2 teaspoons of rose water to form a smooth paste. Apply this paste generously all over the acne spots, leaving it on for 20 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Pat your face dry with a towel, and apply a mild moisturizer suitable for your skin.
9. Papaya
Papaya contains a compound called papain, which helps reduce inflammation, which is a main concern when you have an acne breakout. Also, it helps remove dead skin cells, while making your skin feel soft, supple, and smooth.
Remedy
- Mash a few pieces of ripe papaya with the back of a fork, so that it’s lump-free. Apply this on your face and neck, paying attention to the acne spots. Let it sit for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with tepid water. Once you’ve cleansed your skin, make sure to apply a mild moisturizer to help seal in the moisture.
10. Peppermint
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Peppermint contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which make it ideal in treating adult acne.
Remedy
- Using a mortar and pestle, crush a handful of fresh peppermint leaves. Apply this directly on the affected areas, leaving it on for 15 minutes, before washing it off with cool water.
11. Strawberries
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Strawberries contain high amounts of salicylic acid, which is a primary ingredient which helps reduce acne, and found in commercial acne treatments. Not only does it help remove dead skin cells, it also helps open up clogged pores and get rid of bacteria that causes acne.
Remedy
- Mash or blend 3 strawberries to make a smooth paste. To this, add 2 teaspoons of raw honey, and mix well. Apply this paste on your face and neck, focusing on the acne spots specifically. Leave it on for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a soft towel and apply a mild moisturizer. Follow this remedy twice a week for a month to see positive results.
Suggested read: 10 super effective natural face masks for acne you can make at home
12. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that works both as an antiseptic and an anti-fungal agent, thereby helping reduce the frequency of acne breakouts.
Remedy
- Use a Q-tip to dab some tea tree oil and apply it directly on the acne spots. Let it overnight. The following morning, wash your face in lukewarm water. Pat dry and apply a suitable moisturizer to seal in the moisture.
Pro tip: Use tea tree oil that has been diluted with a carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil, because the undiluted oil may worsen the inflammation.
These are all the natural home remedies for adult acne. Try these, and we will guarantee it that you will find positive results.
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
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