Acne is one of the most common skin problems across the world. It is believed that almost 80 to 85 percent of the population across the world go through it at some point in their lives.
Although acne can outbreak at any age irrespective of sex and ethnicity, it is more prevalent among teenagers and young ones.
Why does acne occur?
Your skin has an oil gland called sebaceous gland which secretes an oily substance called sebum to protect the inner layers of your skin. Sometimes your sebaceous glands secrete more than the needed amount of sebum. This excessive sebum rises to the skin surface gets mixed with dead skin cells, and dirt and forms a plug that blocks your skin pores.
This block created by hardened sebum is what leads to whiteheads, blackheads or acne.
Pimples usually appear on your face, jawline, forehead, chest, shoulders, and upper back.
You can find many over the counter solutions available to get rid of your acne at a health store near you. However, many of them contain chemical compounds that cause side effects and some can even make the condition worse.
Your safe bet would be to get started with a natural remedy and see if it does the trick. And one of the best known natural remedies of acne is lemons.
Lemons have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties, which helps to effectively control acne breakout.
Remedy one: Lemon juice
Dip a cotton ball into freshly extracted lemon juice and gently press it against the affected parts of your skin. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse the area using warm water.
If you have sensitive skin, then you can dilute the lemon juice with little water. Do not get too generous with water though as it will reduce its acidic effect. You can mix 1 part of lemon juice with 1/4th part of water.
Remedy two: Lemon and honey
Honey is well known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It will help to reduce inflammation on the skin surface and inhibit bacterial growth in the pimples.
The mixture of lemon and honey is believed to be the most effective remedy for acne.
Mix equal parts of lemon juice and honey, and lather the resulting mixture over the affected area leave it on for around 60 minutes and rinse it off using lukewarm water.
Remedy three: Lemon and rose water
Rosewater has antibacterial property that helps to dislodge the bacterial infestation. Additionally, it has a cooling effect that helps to reduce itching and irritation over the affected areas.
Rosewater also cleanses the dirt and oil particles from skin pores, which helps to speed up the healing process.
Mix equal parts of freshly extracted lemon juice and rose water together. Soak a clean cotton ball into this mixture and gently dab it over the affected areas of your skin. Let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it off using cool water.
Repeat this method at least two times a day till the acne clears off.
Remedy four: Lemon and turmeric
Traditionally turmeric paste has been used in India for topical application on the skin for injuries and for other skin problems. Turmeric has anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that help to protect your skin from inflammation, swelling, and acne-causing bacterias.
Lemon and turmeric work great together and this perfect mixture is just what your skin needs to clear off the pimples.
Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric and apply this paste over the affected areas of your skin.
Leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off using cool water.
Remedy five: Lemon and baking soda
Baking soda is alkaline in nature and it helps to neutralize the acidic wastes of the bacterias on your skin surface. This helps to reduce pain and irritation caused by acne. Additionally, it helps to speed up the healing process.
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one tablespoon of lemon juice and make it into a paste.
Spread a thin layer of this paste over the affected areas, and leave it on for around 15 minutes before washing it off using cool water.
