Acne is a common skin issue that affects people of all ages. Although it can be frustrating, there are natural ways to treat scars.
Home remedies can often be cheaper and more effective than over-the-counter products, though it should always be done after consulting a dermatologist first.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is an all-natural remedy that can be applied directly onto your skin in order to reduce acne scars. Its composition of essential fatty acids makes it suitable for moisturizing without clogging pores.
It has also been known to reduce redness and swelling associated with acne blemishes due to its anti-inflammatory properties that can eliminate bacteria responsible for acne.
Before using any oil on your skin, it’s essential to test it on a small area first. If the oil proves irritating or painful, then don’t use it.
Apply castor oil directly onto your skin using a clean cotton ball and leave on for at least an hour or overnight to experience maximum benefits. You may also mix it with other oils like coconut or almond oil before application for even greater advantages.
Another way to utilize castor oil is by creating a mask. This straightforward treatment only requires 5 minutes of preparation time.
Turmeric Powder
Turmeric powder has long been used as a natural remedy for acne scars, helping reduce redness and inflammation while being an antioxidant that improves skin tone and combats free radicals.
Turmeric is packed with antioxidants and curcumin, an anti-inflammatory compound. As a healing agent, turmeric reduces inflammation, speeds wound healing and promotes collagen synthesis.
Its astringent properties also help reduce excess oil production and soothe inflamed skin. Applying it to the acne affected area several times a week helps promote healing and minimize scar formation.
Make a turmeric face mask at home to treat acne using a mixture of turmeric powder and milk with either neem leaves or multani mitti added. Apply this mixture onto the affected area and let dry naturally before washing off with water. Do this 2-3 times a week for best results.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is packed with antioxidants such as tocopherols, tocotrienols and flavonoids which help combat free radicals that damage DNA, alter gene expression and cause premature cell death, cellular aging and inflammation.
Coconut oil not only improves cell activity to promote healing, but it also contains medium-chain fatty acids like lauric acid, capric, caprylic, and caproic acids as well as vitamins E and proteins which help fight off bacteria that causes acne.
Coconut oil’s fatty acids help shield skin against infection caused by pores or open wounds, by keeping it hydrated, smooth, and supple.
Tea Tree Oil
If you are dealing with acne scars, tea tree oil is an effective natural remedy to consider. It helps reduce inflammation and remove dead skin cells to minimize their appearance.
Tea tree oil is an antibacterial agent, helping to eliminate bacteria responsible for acne. Additionally, it prevents pores from clogging and encourages healthy skin.
However, as with other treatments for acne, tea tree oil may take up to 12 weeks before you see results. This is because your skin needs time to adapt and adjust to the new agent in place.
For an effective topical treatment, combine tea tree essential oil with a carrier oil such as almond oil. Dilute this mixture to at least 5% before applying on skin blemishes once or twice daily.