How to Reduce Acne Inflation

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, most people will experience the unpleasant effects of acne at some point as they pass through their teenage years. It is caused when the hair follicles become blocked with an oil called sebum from glands beneath the skin. It is so far unproven what prompts this over-production of an oil naturally designed to hydrate our skin, but it is believed to be largely hormonal and not because of poor lifestyle habits.

Use vinegar to treat acne inflammation. (Image: smirart/iStock/Getty Images)

Step 1

Apply an ice cube to the inflamed acne at least twice a day for several minutes. You can wrap the ice cubes in a cloth or tissue of some kind if needed. The intense cold will reduce blood flow to the area and therefore decrease inflammation.

Step 2

Dab a cotton wool ball in vinegar and apply to the inflamed acne. The acids present in the vinegar have antibacterial qualities, which will remove infectious bacteria and help calm the skin.

Step 3

Use spice and honey on the inflamed acne. Mix 1 tsp. of honey with the same amount of powdered nutmeg. Apply it to the acne and leave for 20 minutes before rinsing off. Unprocessed honey, such as Manuka honey from manuka trees in New Zealand, is reported to have antiseptic properties.

Step 4

Take aspirin or ibuprofen. These help calm acne due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Take the specified dose of these painkillers up to 4 times daily--but not for more than a few days.

Step 5

Dab a cotton ball in tea tree oil and apply to the acne three times daily. It is reported to have antiseptic properties and is able to prevent infections, according to MayoClinic.com.

Things You'll Need

• Ice cubes

• Cloth

• Vinegar

• Cotton balls

• Teaspoon

• Nutmeg powder

• Honey

• Aspirin/Ibuprofen

• Tea tree oil

Tip

Lemon can be used as a substitute for vinegar. Honey can be mixed with oatmeal to create a face mask. Alternatively, honey can be applied on its own. Tea tree oil can be substituted with aloe vera gel or an over-the-counter product containing benzoyl peroxide, which is a natural compound MayoClinic.com states is effective for curing mild acne.

Warning

Consult your doctor before starting any home treatment particularly if using painkillers. Aspirin and ibuprofen should not be taken by people under 16 years of ago. MayoClinic.com notes that more research must be performed on natural remedies to confirm their efficacy.