5 Surprising Ways to Clear Up Your Acne
Up to 50 million Americans suffer from acne, making it the most common skin condition in the country. However, knowing a condition is common doesn’t make dealing with it any easier. Supermarket and pharmacy shelves are stocked with products promising they’re miracle cures, but many of them leave acne sufferers unsatisfied. Don’t spend another dime on another cream or cleanser; try these surprising acne treatments instead!
Apply Green Tea
Green tea isn’t just good for your body; it’s also excellent for your skin. This herbal tea has special antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. The catechins in green tea fight acne-causing bacteria while its antioxidants reduce inflammation, bacterial growth, and sebum production. A cool cup of green tea makes an excellent face wash. You could also rest with a green tea teabag laid over the affected parts of your skin.
Use Honey
Honey is another tasty ingredient with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Processing can reduce these properties, so look for raw honey without adding ingredients for the greatest results. Simply apply a liberal amount of honey to your acne-affected skin. Leave it to work for 30 minutes on your skin before rinsing it off.
Honey can also be a great ingredient for an acne-fighting mask. Mix half a cup of honey with a cup of plain oatmeal for this delicious acne treatment.
Go On Birth Control
Birth control pills don’t just prevent pregnancy. Since they regulate your hormone levels, they can also be an effective way to clear up acne. Nikki, a combination pill with a slightly extended active cycle, is a great option. It contains drospirenone, a type of progestin that’s been scientifically proven to fight hormone-based acne. However, every woman reacts to hormones differently. While many women get great results, others on Nikki notice little change in their skin.
Eat a Ketogenic Diet
Ketogenic diets are the hottest craze. Advocates claim eating keto can help you lose weight, reduce your risk of cancer, improve your heart health and brain function, and much more. However, you might not realize eating a high-fat, low-carbohydrate keto diet can also cure your acne.
Since people who eat keto avoid carbohydrates, they typically consume a lot less sugar than the general population. Sugar consumption and acne are closely linked, so it makes sense that cutting down on the sweet stuff can improve your skin. High carbohydrate diets also change the gut’s natural bacteria and spike blood sugar levels, which are two more factors influencing skin condition.
Apply Moisturizer Liberally
Many people with acne avoid moisturizing creams, believing these topical treatments will add more pimple-causing oil to their skin. However, dry skin tends to produce more oil. All that extra oil provides the perfect breeding ground for acne. By adding moisturizer to your skin, you can actually balance your skin and reduce your acne. Water-based moisturizers are the best option for acne-prone skin.
These acne treatments might be unconventional, but they can be surprisingly effective! Give them a try and say goodbye to your acne and hello to a brand-new you.
