Ayurveda Home Remedies for Acne

Posted by Uma on October 1st, 2015

Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine from India offers solutions that keep the skin, body and the mind free from the scars associated with acne. Ayurveda offers nature-based solutions that are free from side effects and that can be practiced safely at home. The human skin is a sensitive organ and might be sensitive to natural ingredients used in remedies. Avoid using what irritates your skin and substitute it with something equally good from the wide variety that Ayurveda provides.

Ayurveda believes that acne is the result of an imbalance between the three humors, vata, pitta and kapha. Pimples are a manifestation of impurities inside the body and a systematic detox routine would assist your efforts to remove toxins. Relief from stress, an effective detox routine and proper diet would ensure that your body responds better and faster to your attempts to fight acne. Here are a few Ayurveda based home remedies for acne:

Honey and Lemon juice:

The most popular and one of the more effective methods to fight pimples involve the use of honey and lemon. (Please check your sensitivity to lemon prior to application. While extremely effective, lemon juice also creates sensitivity in some. Also, lemon tends to be making skin photosensitive and you should avoid sun exposure while applying this mixture and make sure you apply SPF liberally while practicing this treatment!) Mix equal quantities of honey and freshly squeezed lemon juice and apply it to the pimples and acne scars. Leave it for ten minutes and wash off with warm water. Do take care not to apply on popped pimples as would give a burning sensation. Apply everyday and you would find results within a couple of weeks. Lemon is an excellent antimicrobial and acts against common microbes found on the skin like Pseudomonas and Micrococcus that grow in the presence of sebum. The low pH of lemon helps it remove bacteria and microbes when applied over skin. Honey has been used over centuries as an antimicrobial and antibacterial. Honey is particularly effective against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Enterobacteraerogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, S. aureus

Neem Leaves

Neem or Azadirachtaindica is a tree that has sustained the Indian civilization for thousands of years. For generations, Indian girls have relied on the medicinal properties of Neem leaves to combat acne. Neem offers anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activity. Neem acts against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. It inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria like propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and staphylococcus epidermidis. Fresh leaves are ground into a soft paste and applied on the pimples and scars. Wipe off after 10-15 minutes with tissue paper dipped in warm water. Where fresh Neem leaves are not available, dried bottled leaves or leaf powder may be utilized. If you are using the dried bottled leaves, steep it in water before grinding it into a paste.

Sesame seeds

While the oil extracted from these seeds have been used for treating cracks on the skin and keeping the skin soft and supple, the seeds can be made into a paste for application on the face. The seeds are to be soaked overnight and freshly ground into a paste. The paste is to be applied early in the morning and wiped off after 10 minutes. Sesame is loaded with vitamins, minerals and phyto-nutrients, substances that are essential to the body. The antioxidant action goes a long way in combating the signs of premature aging besides protecting the skin from the harsh rays of the sun. Sesame also exerts an anti-inflammatory action that helps in acne. If you happen to be living in cold conditions, take a drop or of sesame oil and gently massage it evenly over the face.

Turmeric and mint leaves

Turmeric offers multiple therapeutic effects that are unmatched by any other herb on this planet. Antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make turmeric an integral part of skincare. Mint leaves provide vitamin A besides toning up the skin and removing blackheads. Application of mint leaves lightens acne scars and blemishes on the face. Crush mint leaves to extract the juice. Mix this juice with organic turmeric powder. The resulting paste is to be applied over the pimples and left to dry for twenty minutes. Wash off with warm water. You would have to apply this paste once every three days for best results.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera has amazing properties according to Ayurveda. Cut a fresh leaf and apply the fresh gel on the pimples. Two among the properties of this amazing plant are its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action. It also protects the skin by keeping it moist. It also provides the hormones auxin and gibberellins that promote healing and reduces inflammation. Application of the gel on the pimples soothes the skin and reduces pimples in size. Peel the outer covering of the aloe vera leaf and apply the gel on the skin. Wash it off with cold water. Two applications a day over a period of 10 – 12 days yields best results. If fresh aloe vera is not available, organic aloe vera gel would suit the purpose.

Papaya

Papayas are good for health and the skin as it contains vitamin A, an antioxidant and papain that breaks down inactive proteins and eliminates dead skin cells. Mash a piece of papaya and mix it with honey to make a paste. Apply this paste over the face for 30 minutes. Dip a tissue in warm water and wipe off. Wash the face in warm water. Carry out this process until acne is gone.

Sandalwood and turmeric

Two ingredients that not only fight acne but help remove dark spots from face, sandalwood and turmeric are natures answer to acne. The natural oils in sandalwood lighten the skin complexion besides giving it a warm glow. Mix equal proportions of sandalwood and organic turmeric powder with rosewater to make a paste. Apply this paste on the face and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water.

Honey & Cinnamon

Honey and cinnamon make a great combination to fight acne. Cinnamon stimulates the blood vessels increasing the blood circulation in the part where it is applied. Cinnamon should be slightly roasted until it becomes brown in color. Grind the roasted cinnamon into powder and store it. Mix 1 tsp. of honey with 1 tsp. of this powder and apply to the pimples. Leave the paste on for 15 minutes before washing it off with warm water. Apply every day until the skin is free of pimples.

Tulasi or Holy basil

Tulasi is an excellent antibacterial and smoothens the skin giving it a radiant glow. Make a paste of the leaves and apply it to the affected area. Allow it to dry for 10 minutes before washing off with cold water. You may also add chickpea flour to Tulasi paste as chickpea has great skin whitening properties. Tulasi leaves may be crushed in a pestle and boiled with a cup of water to yield basil tea. Allow it to cool before applying it to the affected areas. If time permits, indulge in facial steaming using the Tulasi leaves. Crush the leaves and boil with water and steam the face for 10 minutes. Doing this opens up the pores, removes dead cells and expels toxins from the body. For oily skin, squeeze a piece of lemon. Splash cold water on the face after steaming.

About The Author:

This article is written by Maya Menon. Maya Menon is the Director of Marketing & PR, Uma Oils. Uma Oils is one of the best company that provides 100% natural & organic luxury skincare and wellness oils. These oils are grown, extracted, formulated and bottled entirely at a lush family estate in India. They carefully inspect every harvest, and handcraft our oils in small batches. They aim to transform skin and overall wellbeing with these oils as distinctive as the women who wear them.