Natural Remedies for Adult Acne

Many people think of acne as something suffered solely by hormone laden teenagers, but many adults can attest that that's simply not the case! At least eighty percent of adults suffer from acne at some point after leaving their teens, and many adults suffer recurring bouts of acne well into their thirties and even forties.

Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) commonly suffer from acne due to high testosterone levels. Applying topical prescription treatments for acne is not always effective.

So what is an acne sufferer to do? One excellent place to start is by looking at natural acne remedies. Many are just as effective as their over the counter or prescription counterparts, but are often much more gentle and far less likely to irritate sensitive skin.

There are several products which work effectively against acne, many of which are plant based, or herbal in nature. It's possible to buy many herbal based acne products online or even from your local pharmacy or health food store. For many people, this is a convenient way of treating their acne naturally. However, other people prefer to make their own completely natural herbal acne medications.

One natural herbal remedy involves the use of strawberries or strawberry leaves. The use of moistened strawberry leaves as a treatment for acne actually dates back to Egyptian times. You can replicate the treatment of the ancient Egyptians quite simply, by moistening strawberry leaves with a little water, and then leaving them on your face for ten to fifteen minutes as you rest. Alternatively, you can try using mashed strawberries, applied as a paste to your skin.

Another natural herb for treating acne is dandelion. To use dandelion, you can chop up both the leaves and root of the plant and boil it in water. After simmering the mixture gently for ten minutes, turn off the heat, allow it to cool and then strain. The liquid can be drunk as a tea, or applied directly to the skin (or both!).

Aloe Vera gel is also considered to be an excellent treatment for acne. In Ayurvedic medicine, Aloe Vera gel is mixed with essential oils as an acne treatment. It has been shown to reduce inflammation, and may also help to moisturize and rejuvenate the skin. Aloe Vera regularly applied has also proven to be an effective treatment for acne scars, and can prevent the eruption of new acne pustules.

Many practitioners of herbal medicine recommend both internal and external treatments for acne. Acne is often a symptom of internal discord in the body, and thus treating the skin does little to solve the problem. Knowing this, it makes sense to heal the whole body rather than simply focus on the skin, as many other medications do. An excellent external remedy involves a combination of different essential oils, including Tea Tree Oil (known for its exceptional antibacterial and antifungal properties, and its ability to penetrate the skin), peppermint oil and clove oil.

The good news is that if you are a woman suffering from acne, there is something you can do about it. If your acne problem is severe or persistent, it may make sense to visit a naturopath or other practitioner of complementary medicine, who can do a full analysis of your overall health. Armed with this information, the practitioner can prescribe an acne treatment tailored for your unique situation, which may ultimately prove more beneficial and effective than something you purchase off the shelf.