Can you get rid of acne naturally? While there are many products known to treat acne, going natural is the best choice. That’s because most natural products don’t have harsh chemical properties or allergens that react with your skin.
Several natural remedies can help treat skin scars. From apple cider vinegar, baking soda to milk, you only need to take a closer look at your kitchen to develop a treatment. While there is no conclusive scientific research to support most of them, anecdotal studies have shown that a few works.
Does Honey Cure Acne?
Since time immemorial, honey has been widely used as a natural remedy for treating different skin conditions, including acne. Whether consumed or applied externally, honey is beneficial to the skin.
This wonder product possesses antiseptic properties, which prevents the growth of microorganisms like bacteria that cause illnesses. According to Vitro studies, these properties inhibit the growth of S. Aureus and Propionibacterium.
Honey has a considerable content of sugar that also restricts bacteria multiplication. Also, it produces hydrogen peroxide in small quantities, which acts as a skin disinfectant. Its anti-inflammatory qualities can reduce the swelling and redness that results from acne.
Best Honey for Treating Acne
It’s crucial to note that it’s the raw and un-adultered honey that seems to work and not the commercially processed one.
Raw honey is the one that bees produce after collecting nectar from the flowers. It contains propolis, which is a substance that bees use to seal their hives. Propolis contains a special compound known as pinocembrin, which a flavonoid that has antifungal qualities. Raw honey is rich in vitamins, amino acids, and enzymes that can heal acne.
Manuka honey is a honey produced from the Manuka tree’s nectar, usually found in Australia and New Zealand. It possesses these antimicrobial properties and has low pH levels and high sugar content, which is good for your skin.
Apart from that, Manuka honey has qualities similar to raw honey, including substantial antioxidant content. That means it can be useful in treating scars, wounds, and infections.
Naturally, darker honey contains more antioxidants, according to researchers. So, consider buying the honey that appears darker.
Benefits of Honey to the Skin
Honey has numerous benefits to the skin. It is a natural remedy that anyone can take advantage of unless you are allergic to bees. If you’re allergic, then the honey remedy is not safe for you. Consult your doctor before you proceed with the treatment.
Here are some of the main benefits of honey:
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Cleanses Skin Pores
Honey contains antibacterial properties, which is why it makes an excellent face wash. This can help remove debris and dirt from the skin. To use honey as a cleanser, wet your skin before applying it to avoid too much stickiness.
Be careful when applying the honey to your face to avoid splashing it into your eyes. You don’t want to get your eyes sticky.
You can also use honey to cleanse pores after makeup. When removing makeup, add a little jojoba or coconut oil to cleanse the skin thoroughly.
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Exfoliates Skin
When used with baking soda, honey can form a perfect exfoliator. To use it for exfoliating the skin, blend one spoonful of honey with two spoonful baking soda. Then, apply the mixture or scrub the area with it for up to two times a week.
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Fades Scars
Honey contains small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. This hydrogen peroxide possesses lightening properties, which can cause skin discoloration. This is particularly useful in managing post-acne marks and hyperpigmentation. Using honey with coconut oil mixture can help heal or revive skin cells faster. Mix one equal amount of honey with coconut oil and dab them gently onto wet skin in circular motions. Then rinse it thoroughly.
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Treats Skin Breakouts
Due to its antibacterial and antifungal qualities, honey is an excellent remedy for skin breakouts. Applying honey on the affected area can heal a scar faster.
Honey works perfectly as a spot treatment. Dab a little raw honey to the blemish and leave it there for 10 minutes. Then thoroughly wash the area with warm water.
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Hydrates the Skin
Honey is a perfect ingredient for making a face mask ideal for hydrating and nourishing the skin. A honey face mask can help hydrate dry skin caused by either cold weather or the effects of using harsh skin cleansers.
It works by spreading one tablespoonful of honey on a thin layer of damp skin and letting it rest for about 20 minutes and then washing it off.
How to Use Honey for Acne
Honey, whether used alone or if mixed with other ingredients, is an effective remedy for treating acne marks. Before trying these methods on the whole area, do a patch test to know its side effects or know if you are allergic to any product. Here is how to use honey for acne:
1.Honey on Its Own
Before applying the honey, wash your face with soap and lukewarm water. Then rinse off and massage the face with your fingers. Leave it to dry on its own, and don’t use a towel.
Once the face is fully dry, gently apply the honey and let it rest for 20 minutes. Then rinse it off. Repeat this routine daily for a few months until you get rid of acne completely.
2.Honey and Cinnamon
Honey, combined with Cinnamon, is another effective remedy. Both have anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties, and thus together, they create a more potent disinfectant.
To prepare this mixture, take one tablespoon of cinnamon and mix it with three tablespoons of honey. Then massage it on the face once it’s clean and dry and leave it for around 30 minutes. Then use lukewarm water to rinse it off thoroughly.
This mixture can be used for spot treatment, which involves applying to the affected area only. Just as a precaution, it’s good to note that cinnamon may cause skin irritation. To know whether you want to continue with this method, try the mixture on a small patch to test it on your skin.
3.Tomato Paste and Honey
Mixing tomato with honey can also help treat acne. Tomato has a toning effect as it contains lycopene, which protects the skin from photodamage.
The process here involves mixing a puree of one tomato with one tablespoon of honey. Then apply the mixture to your face after washing and letting it dry on its own. Gently massage it and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water.
4. Honey and Tumeric
For eons, turmeric has been in use in Chinese and Ayurveda medicine as it has therapeutic effects. It has antiseptic and healing properties which can improve the skin breakouts.
When mixed with honey, It can form a potent combination that can help treat acne. Blend a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a tablespoon of honey and dab it in your face for 20 minutes. Repeat this procedure until you get satisfactory results.
5. Neem and Honey
Neem is another potent ingredient commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is an extract obtained from a medicinal tree that possesses antimicrobial properties that inhibit S.Aureus bacteria’s growth, which is known to cause boils and pimples.
You only need to combine a little paste of the neem leaves with a bit of honey and apply it on your face gently. Let it rest for a while until it dries and rinse it off. Repeat this until you get the desired results.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey
Apple cider vinegar alters the skin pH levels, which in turn helps kill bacteria. To use this mixture, dilute a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a teaspoon of water and then mix it with a honey tablespoon. Then apply the mixture to the face and wash it off after 15 minutes.
7.Red Sandalwood and Honey
Red sandalwood, also called rakta Chandan, is also used in Ayuverdic to treat inflammation and promote wound healing.
To use it, mix a teaspoon of honey with Sandalwood’s teaspoon, and apply it on your face. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse it off.
8.Sea Salt and Honey
Sea Salt improves skin barrier repair functions. When mixed with honey, sea salt can help prevent acne or any other skin inflammation, and it also soothes the skin
To use it, combine a teaspoon of honey with a teaspoon of sea salt. For better results, consider dissolving the salt in hot water and then add honey to it. Massage the mixture to the affected area and let dry. Then rinse it off.
9.Honey and Olive Oil Face mask
According to a study on mice, olive oil’s topical application fosters dermal reconstruction, reduces oxidative damage, and promotes wound healing. Olive oil is also known to hamper the skin barrier. Along with honey and sesame oil, olive oil prevents wound infection in burn scars.
For acne treatment, mix olive oil with honey and then apply it to the affected area. Leave it for a while and rinse it off.
10.Coconut Oil and Honey
Coconut oil is another incredible ingredient in treating acne. Same as honey, it contains anti-inflammatory effects, which is beneficial for conditions like acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
However, Coconut oil is not suitable for all skin types and may aggravate the breakouts, especially for oily skin. To make a mixture, take a teaspoon of cold-pressed of extra virgin coconut oil and mix it with a teaspoon of honey. Then apply It to the affected area and wash after a while.
Conclusion
Honey has medicinal benefits for treating acne. There may be no scientific proof, but many people who have tried it have confirmed this. Give it a try as there is no harm in trying it out as long as you are not allergic. Mixing the above-mentioned natural methods with other medical treatments that can result in an incredible outcome.
