This document lists 13 home remedies for acne, including tea tree oil, green tea, honey, mint, echinacea, aspirin, chamomile, witch hazel, aloe, lemons, apple cider vinegar, acidic foods, and omega-3 fatty acids. Some remedies should be applied topically as pastes or solutions to problem areas, while others involve using the ingredients as part of a face wash or incorporating certain foods into one's diet for their anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial properties to help fight acne.

1. 13 Surprising Home Remedies for
Acne

2. Tea Tree Oil
• With its natural inflammation-fighting
properties, a 5 percent solution of tea tree oil
is less harsh than a 5 percent benzoyl peroxide
solution and can be just as effective against
acne, though it may clear up a little less
quickly. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with
between 20 and 40 drops of witch hazel, then
use a cotton swab to apply. Try this remedy up
to twice a day; more could dry your skin and
make the acne worse.

3. Green Tea
• Green tea has antimicrobial and antioxidant
compounds that can help fight acne. To get its
effects, use a cooled cup of green tea as a face
wash or lay the bag over the affected area.

4. Honey
• Honey’s antibiotic properties can help
improve acne. Apply a teaspoon to affected
areas, or make a mask by mixing 1/2 cup of
honey with 1 cup of plain oatmeal and leaving
it on for 30 minutes.

5. Mint
• Mint can help remove pore-clogging oil. To
help clear acne before it begins, mix 2
tablespoons of finely chopped fresh mint with
two tablespoons each of plain yogurt and
oatmeal (use a blender to pulverize the
oatmeal to powder). Leave the concoction on
your face for 10 minutes, then rinse off with
water.

6. Echinacea
• Echinacea is traditionally used to speed
wound healing and prevent colds and flu, but
its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
properties can help with acne as well. Use
echinacea tea as a daily face wash by soaking
a cloth with it, or put a few drops of tincture
on a cotton ball and dab it on blemishes.

7. Asprin
• The salicylic acid in aspirin is a go-to for acne
treatments, and the aspirin can dry up
pimples and reduce inflammation. To take
advantage of its benefits, form a paste by
mashing aspirin in a little water, or dissolve
four pills in 2 tablespoons of water.

8. Chamomile
• Chamomile helps decrease inflammation from
acne. In a blender or coffee grinder, combine
the contents of a chamomile tea bag with
enough water to form a paste, and apply that
to acne. Alternately, steep two chamomile tea
bags with 1 cup boiled water for 15 minutes.
Let the tea cool, then use a cotton ball to dab
it on your face after cleansing.

9. Witch Hazel
• Witch hazel can act as an astringent, naturally
drying and shrinking blemishes. To get its
benefits, pour witch hazel onto a cotton ball
and wipe your face each morning and night.

10. Aloe
• Aloe, known for its burn-relieving properties,
can promote healing, fight infection, and even
reduce scarring. Scrape the gel from an aloe
plant out with a spoon, and apply to acne. You
can also buy aloe gel from health-food
stores—just make sure it’s pure aloe, with no
added ingredients.

11. Lemons
• Lemons act as an exfoliant, skin lightener, and
disinfectant to reduce the appearance of scars
and prevent new pimples from forming. On a
clean face, dab acne with a cotton ball or
cotton swab dipped in lemon juice, then rinse
with cool water.

12. Apple Cider Vinegar
• Apple cider vinegar contains malic and lactic
acids that can exfoliate, reduce red marks, and
treat acne. For a DIY toner, mix equal parts
apple cider vinegar and water and apply to
skin with a cotton ball, making sure to shake
well before each use.

13. Acidic Foods
• Acidic foods like citrus fruit juice or vinegar
can flush pores. Dab a little onto a cotton ball
to help battle acne; gently swipe the cotton on
the affected areas.

14. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory
properties that can improve acne. Get the
benefits from a taking a multi-nutrient capsule
containing fish oil, or add more salmon,
albacore tuna, flaxseeds, and walnuts to your
diet.