Home remedies for the treatment of acne and blackheads

As part of my "fight" for a clear skin, I research home remedies for the treatment of acne and blackheads. I have tried some of these remedies that I found online, and have been happy with the results. But ,it's just a lot easier squeezing a solution out of a tube, isn't it. (Thank's Paula)

Might be worth trying though and it's fun...

1. Put toothpaste on your pimple before you go to bed, should help reduce swelling overnight. Make sure it is the paste not the gel. One of the most popular acne home remedies.

2. Wash your face twice a day in warm salty water. This should leave your face oil free without aggravating the acne.

3. Extract juice of one lemon and mix with equal quantity of rose water. Apply this mixture on the face and let it stay for about half an hour. Wash the face with fresh water. About 15 days application helps cure acne, pimples and reduces blemishes and scars.

4. Apply fresh mint juice over the face every night for the treatment of acne, pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.

5. A couple of garlic cloves, crushed and dabbed on the face 1-2 times a day. One of the smellier acne home remedies!

6. Home face wash for acne: Mix together 1 or 2mls each of the following: witch hazel, tea-tree and sweet fennel essential oils, adding essential oil of geranium for women and essential oil of rosewood for men. Mix with 300mls of water. Shake before use, as the oils will float on top of the water during storage. Dab affected areas with cotton wool two or three times a day. The oils will clean and unclog giving antibiotic-like protection to the skin.

7. Apply fresh lemon juice on the affected area overnight. Wash off with warm water next morning.

8. Use 2-3 tsp. dried basil leaves to 1 cup boiling water. Cool, and apply with cotton ball. Leave it on for 10-20 minutes and rinse it off.

9. Grind orange peel with some water to a paste and apply on affected parts. One of the best acne home remedies.

10. Clean face with cotton wool dipped in rose water 2-3 times a day.

11. Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice in 1 teaspoon finely ground cinnamon powder and apply on affected areas frequently.

12. Ice down the acne before bed, by morning it should be noticeably less swollen. Works best on larger pimples that have not yet formed a head.

13. Take vitamin B5 and zinc supplements daily to strengthen the skin's resistance to acne.

14. Mix mint juice with turmeric powder and apply on affected area. Leave for 15-30 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.

15. Mix some vinegar and salt in a bowl. Pour a little bit in your hand and rub it on the pimples. Soak a face towel in it and dab it on the bumps. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off.

16. Blend cucumber and make a paste. Apply this as a mask on your face and leave it for 1/2 hour and then rinse. This refreshes your skin and prevents acne.

17. Mix corn flour with egg white and apply on your face. Let is dry completely for 1/2 hour. Dip your hands in warm water and massage your face and wash off. This when repeated regularly gives you a smooth skin.

18. Grind some nutmeg with milk and apply on affected area. Pimples disappear like magic without leaving a mark.

19. Make a mixture of lime juice and rose water. Apply on face and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

20. Make a paste by mixing 3 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply this paste on the pimples at bed time and wash it off the next morning with warm water. Repeat for two weeks, pimples will disappear forever.

21. Rub fresh garlic on and around pimples. Pimples will disappear without a mark with regular applications.

22. Mix 1 tsps groundnut oil with 1 tspn fresh lime juice to prevent formation of blackheads and pimples .

23. First wash face and then dab acne with cotton balls soaked in vinegar.

24. Apply juice of raw papaya (including the skin and seed) on swelling acne, pimples.

25. Apply ripe Tomatoes pulp on acne, pimples for up to 1 hour, then wash.

Very important: Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. At least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables should be included in your diet. All acne home remedies should include a healthy diet.

Facials are a "must"!

Pollution takes an extra toll on the skin and unfortunately products alone aren't enough, especially when you live in a city like Jakarta, which is probably quite high up the list of "most polluted cities in the world".

At the very least, a good facial will clean up impurities, exfoliate, re-hydrate and soothes the skin, lighten skin discolorations and control acne breakouts and enhances the absorption of skin care and anti-aging products, for that more youthful looking skin that we are all after.

I've had a couple of facials over the past couple of months from 3 different salons/spa's in the attempt to sort out my breakouts.




Jamu Traditional Spa - The spa is a great place to relax and prices are very reasonable. The ingredients used for all treatments are natural, and there is a fantastic aroma of honey and nuts and other "au naturale" ingredients in the air. The Jamu experience was good and very relaxing. Note: A lot of people have facials as a pamper session, but I prefer a facial where I can feel my skin being deep cleansed; enzyme, glycolic peels, extractions, high frequency etc. etc. Facials from Rp.190,000 (approx. $20).






Miracle Aesthetic Clinic - Not recommended if you are after a "Spa" atmosphere!

This is a very well appointed clinic where they do facial treatments, laser therapy, aesthetic surgery and more.

I've had two vitamin enzyme facial over the past couple of weeks, which they recommended to help clear my breakouts. The treatments are a bit pricey, from Rp.500,000 (approx. $50) onwards, and they also have other special treatments like collagen eye masks, oxygen infusion treatments from Rp.100,000 (approx. $10) onwards.

I've heard a lot about the "wonder facials" which apparently gives Madonna her youthful looks. An oxygen facial is an amazing treatment that literally breathes new life into your skin by using pure oxygen and a unique rejuvenation serum.

Whether an Oxygen facial and an Oxygen infusion therapy is the same thing, I'm not entirely sure. But, when Miracle Clinic explained that they offer Oxygen therapy that will provide visible results to all skin types, and can continue to improve the overall health, texture, hydration and elasticity of the skin; I of course had to try it. I can't say that I noticed immediate results, but hey, it's worth a shot and my skin did look and feel great, especially around the eyes.

Not that I will be doing it every week but F.Y.I. A weekly session over a course of six weeks is recommended for long lasting results.








Puri Santi - What a fabulous spa. Puri Santi is slightly more expensive than Jamu but still affordable and well worth it. They also use natural products from Bali but include equipment such as an extraction sucking tool, high frequency etc. which really made for the perfect facial experience. Facials Rp.250,000 (approx. $25)

Summary: I will alternate my facials between Puri Santi and the occasional more expensive treatments at the Miracle Clinic every 4 to 6 weeks (as recommended by the experts).

So, with my new facial treatment regime and Paula's Choice products that seem to work, I really hope my breakouts will be a thing of the past, in the very near future!

A Blemish Solution, that works!

As per my previous posts, I am happy with the results of my Paula's Choice products that I've been using for the past couple of months and I've decided to stick with it.

I unfortunately still struggle with breakouts and I decided to try another Paula's Choice product, which had really good reviews online:

Extra Strength Blemish Fighting Solution has a 5% concentration of benzoyl peroxide, considered to be the best over-the-counter ingredient for combating and killing acne-causing bacteria in the pores. It is a lightweight lotion texture contains no irritating inactive ingredients (such as alcohol and menthol) found in many acne-products.

I've been using the solution for about 6 days and "it works". I find it to be really effective on blemishes and I quickly saw great results.

Like with most acne creams and lotions, slight dryness and peeling occurs. I choose dry skin over pimples, any day though. I usually only use it ones a day, at night, and I apply a good night cream once the solution is dry, which solves that problem.

NOTE: You should always wear sunscreen anyway ;-) but if you do apply the solution during the day, remember to always wear sunscreen rated SPF 15 or greater.

If you are still looking for something to treat your breakouts; look no further!