Alternative Acne Treatment

This section deals with alternative acne treatment and provides examples of the most natural solutions to effect your acne cure. Alternative acne treatment using natural ingredients is nearly always going to be best for your skin, since natural ingredients are much less likely to irritate and aggravate your skin than harsh chemicals and other products will.

Making facial cleansers and masks at home with natural ingredients is not difficult, if you know what to mix together and how to use them.   Here are some simple recipes for homemade cleansers and facial masks; many are perfect for acne-prone or oily skin.

Basic cleanser and exfoliant mask. 

Mix a heaping tablespoon of baking soda in a half cup of water and add a splash of hydrogen peroxide; this mixture should be a paste, so adjust your level of soda and water accordingly.   Don't add any more peroxide than just a good splash.   Once it's a good consistency, apply it to the skin, allow it to dry, then rinse it away with cool water.

Simple egg yolk mask. 

Eggs are full of protein, vitamin A, and fatty acids that are very good for the skin.   You can take one beaten egg and apply it to the face with a cotton ball, or add a bit of vitamin E oil to the beaten egg.   Let it dry on the face and sit for about 15 minutes, then rinse off with cool water. 

This is a great treatment to try once every week to keep your skin hydrated.

Honey and oatmeal mask. 

This mask is probably one of the oldest there's ever been when it comes to home mixtures.   You simply mix honey and oatmeal in proportion to make a paste and apply to your skin for a good 15 minutes.    The oatmeal absorbs excess oils and dirt while the honey helps to moisturize and condition the skin. 

You can even use this as a scrub for exfoliating; simply apply it to your skin and rub in a very gently circular motion for several minutes, then rinse away.

Mask for oily skin. 

Take a fourth of a tomato and peel away the skin, then put it through a strainer to get all the seeds out.   Add two tablespoons of plain yogurt, a few slices of cucumber (mashed), a quarter cup of oatmeal, two teaspoons of vitamin E oil, and a crushed mint leaf.   Mix all these ingredients together, apply to your face and leave on for about ten minutes.   Use a warm damp cloth to remove.

Yogurt and honey mask. 

This mask has also been around for ages.   You simply mix equal parts of natural yogurt (not low-fat or fat free) that is at room temperature with honey that has been warmed enough to become runny (a minute in the microwave usually does the trick) and apply to your face; leave on for 15 minutes and then rinse with a warm cloth.   Make sure the honey is not too hot before you apply it!   You can even add a bit more honey than yogurt for added moisture.

Milk of magnesia. 

Plain, unflavored milk of magnesia is actually very natural and comes from magnesium, which is an element that naturally absorbs acids and other harmful ingredients in the stomach.   However, some are finding that it makes for a great facial mask!   You simply apply a very fine film of it to your face, let it set for 15 minutes, and then rinse.   This mask is great for very oily skin.

Lemon and strawberry for oily skin. 

Lemons and strawberries work as natural astringents for oily skin.   Combine one teaspoon of lemon juice or the juice of one lemon with two egg whites, a few tablespoons of honey that has been warmed enough to be runny, and a cup of strawberries.   Mash or blend this all together and apply to your face, let set for ten minutes, and then rinse with a warm cloth.

As with any other product you use, if you notice irritation of the skin after trying any of these mixtures then discontinue their use.   While most are very gentle and shouldn't be a problem to most persons, you need to be aware of how they may be affecting your own skin.   And a special note as well - consider rinsing some of these over your kitchen sink rather than the bathroom sink, as some have ingredients that need to go down the garbage disposal!   No sense having beautiful skin if your bathroom sink is clogged up.