8 acne treatments you're not using but should be
BY CAITLIN CORSETTI
Having
battled acne for about half my life, I'd say I'm pretty knowledgeable about
treatments considering I've tried them all. I'll try just about anything to
make my face clear. Even give up dairy. While I'm not a dermatologist or an
esthetician, I work with plenty of them, am best friends with an esthetician,
and have my dermatologist pretty much on call. If you need medical advice, this
isn't my domain. But if you need to discuss your acne woes with someone who's
been there and tried everything, I'm your girl.
Acne
sucks, and it's easy to get wrapped up in trendy treatments and miracle
products. A lot of them are scams, and some natural treatments can go horribly
wrong. There is a lot of trial and error in treating acne, so you'll have to
put in the time to find what works best for you, like I did. If you need a
little help, here are some treatments you never thought of before.
Ice
When
I was dealing with painful cystic acne, my dermatologist told me to use ice
cubes to minimize inflammation and redness. And it worked! Yes, it's a little
jarring to hold freezing water on your face, but it can help reduce the life of
a zit very quickly. If it's too cold for you, wrap a cube in a paper towel or
washcloth before applying. Or get yourself an ice roller that you can keep in
your freezer and reuse. I have this one — I love it.
Hydrocortisone
For
really red spots, my dermatologist suggested applying a bit of hydrocortisone
cream, like Cortizone 10. Typically, you associate using hydrocortisone with
dry, itchy skin, but it's also great for reducing redness and irritation. This
makes it a good solve in a pinch for spots that appear overnight or before a
special occasion. But, my dermatologist warned not to go overboard as using too
much can make your acne worse, in addition to causing bleaching or other
irritations.
Calamine lotion
Mario
Badescu's Drying Lotion is a favorite among the stars and myself, but the $17
price tag for a one ounce bottle is a bit steep. I took a look at the
ingredients, and one of the main ingredients is calamine. I tried swapping out
regular calamine lotion to see if it would have the same effect. And it did!
While the brand name Drying Lotion works faster thanks to the help of salicylic
acid, calamine lotion really takes down redness and swelling. It's my go-to
spot treatment now.
Turmeric
We've
explained the benefits of turmeric before, but I can attest from my experience
that it is truly one of the best natural remedies for acne, both as a
supplement and topical application. Turmeric has amazing anti-inflammatory
properties that are difficult to rival. When I added turmeric into my vitamin
regimen and started drinking it, I noticed a huge difference in my skin. If my
skin is particularly red or irritated, a turmeric mask is one of my favorite
things to do. Though my skin has a little yellow tinge afterwards, it's always
smoother, less red, and less inflamed.
Tea tree oil
Oil?
For acne? Yup! Tea tree oil doesn't feel like an oil. It has a dry feeling to
it. Tea tree oil comes from the Melaleuca tree, native to Australia. With
microbial and antiseptic properties, it's been used to solve minor medical and
skin ailments for ages. You may have heard that tea tree oil helps with
dandruff or an irritated scalp, but it's great for acne relief as well. You can
use it as a toner all over or apply it as a spot treatment, but be careful
because it can be incredibly drying and lead to flaking or cracked skin. I
recommend diluting it with water before applying, especially if you have really
sensitive skin.
Honey
Honey
is sweet, but it's also an anti-inflammatory. You can use regular honey on your
face to ease redness and soothe irritated skin. I like to do this once a week.
And while regular honey is great, Manuka honey is even better. It's even used
to treat wounds according to wound care specialist Frank Bongiorno, MD. He says
Manuka honey's pH content, which leans toward acidic, helps the healing
process. But Manuka honey has to be certified, so make sure you get one that is
verified by the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (UMF).
Banana peels
Banana
peels aren't just something to slip on — they're packed with antioxidants and
potassium, which are super helpful in healing acne. How does it work? Well, you
save a banana peel, cut it up, and rub the peel on blemished areas. It will be
less red, less swollen, and may heal much faster. Next time you eat a banana,
give it a try.
Aloe vera
Aloe
vera is perhaps the most common treatment for sunburn, but did you know it
helps treat acne too? Now, I'm not talking the bright blue kind from the drug
store. I'm talking real, natural aloe, with no additives and with real healing
properties. Aloe is a hero plant that can reduce redness, inflammation,
itching, and more. It's pretty amazing, but I bet you never thought to put it
on your zits. Meet one of your new favorite spot treatments. Applying aloe to
blemishes can help them go away almost overnight, not to mention, aloe also
makes for a great moisturizer.
Test first
As
with anything you dare put on your face, it's very important to do a spot test
so you can determine if you'll have a reaction or not. Test a small patch on
your jawline or neck before applying to your whole face. And if you have any
concerns about something, contact your dermatologist or an esthetician. Natural
remedies aren't for everyone, but I've found several that have worked for me.
Whatever you end up trying, make sure you keep in mind that these might not
work for you. Your skin is as unique as you are, so it's trial and error that
will help you find the best skincare regimen.
SOURCE: THELIST
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