15 Frugal and Natural Ways to Fight Acne

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Your body is amazing. It's in a constant state of adaptation and will change and react to its surroundings and environment. That's the good news. The bad news is that the constant state of change and the battle with the environment around you means that the body is always trying to flush unwanted dirt and toxins from itself. Which usually ends up as acne. The promise of beautiful skin after puberty with minimal work seems to be a pipe dream for many. Here are some tips on how to achieve a better looking complexion and get rid of acne without harsh chemicals. (See also: Skin Care Tips for People on a Budget)

Ingredients to Look For

Whether you're choosing to buy natural skin care products, or are deciding to make them yourself at home, look for these ingredients, which are natural, cleansing, and proven over many years of use.

Activated Charcoal

Soaps and cleansers that use charcoal work very well on acne-prone skin, as the charcoal helps to remove toxins and impurities from the skin.

Witch Hazel

Found in any drug store, this liquid distillate has cleansing and antibacterial properties. If your skin is on the sensitive side, cut witch hazel with water to help lessen the effects. (See also: 15 Uses for Witch Hazel)

Lime

Good for all skin types, lime essential oil and lime extract have the same properties as witch hazel, but they are less harsh and have a better smell.

Lemon

Lemon has the same constituents as lime but is better for those who are lighter-skinned. (See also: 25 Alternative Ways to Use Lemon)

Tea Tree

Tea tree is one of the most powerful natural ingredients for combating acne. Its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties help fight acne and prevent new breakouts. It's an incredibly potent oil and should never be used "neat" (aka undiluted). A good rule of thumb is to dilute oil at a rate of five parts carrier, like olive oil, to one part essential oil) as it can cause sun sensitivity.

Lavender

Besides the soothing effects on the mind that lavender is famous for, it's also a powerful anti-inflammatory oil and is one of the very few oils that can be applied "neat."

Oil

Yes, it sounds counterintuitive, but if your acne is due to oily skin, nothing can remove oil as well as oil does. Stick to lighter oils, like grapeseed, extra virgin olive oil, and sunflower oil. Dab on to a cotton swab and rub over your face, then wipe away.

Ingredients to Avoid

Acne breakouts can be caused by many reasons, including sensitivity to ingredients. If your face becomes inflamed after using certain products, check the ingredients list. One of these culprits may be behind your breakout.

Sulfates

Ingredients in cleansers with "sulfates" can be harsh on sensitive skin, causing more breakouts. Sulfates are detergent-based ingredients that cause a bubbling or foaming reaction in water (which is why they're often in shampoos). If your skin is sensitive, avoiding sulfates can help skin from becoming inflamed.

Parabens

Parabens are preservative-based ingredients that have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and are used in water-based products. There is conflicting evidence on whether or not parabens are linked to cancer, but again, if your skin is on the sensitive side it's better to avoid these and to look for gentler preservative systems.

Lifestyle

The best way to prevent breakouts on the skin is to keep a healthy routine. Becoming a creature of habit and incorporating these tips can help you avoid stress-related acne breakouts. (See also: 20 Really Cheap Ways to Relieve Stress)

Good Hygiene

It goes without saying that keeping the skin clean means a better complexion. Make sure to regularly wash the face after a day wearing makeup, or out in the city where dirt and toxins come into contact with the face on a regular basis.

Destress

Stress sends your body into a state of agitation, and it will begin to work in overdrive mode. Stress can send the skin into this, as well, and it may begin to overproduce oil to lubricate the skin, which can then lead to acne. Removing stress from your life has hundreds of benefits on your life, and one of them is better skin!

Drink Water

Water helps the body flush toxins and can help the skin stay nourished. Dehydrated skin has fewer nutrients and isn't as effective at cleansing itself as well-hydrated skin

Get More Sleep

By giving the body time to recharge, you also allow your hormones to adjust and balance, which can be a major benefit to an unstable complexion. (See also: Foods That Can Help You Sleep)

Go Outside

Getting some sun can be beneficial for your skin, just don't overdo it. The vitamin D from sunlight is amazing and has many benefits on the body, like immune system strength and even helps with sleep! All of these together help the skin balance its own oil and sebum production.

Clean Eating

The fewer toxins in the body, the less showing on the skin. Keeping a clean-eating lifestyle helps the body in many ways, which shows on the epidermis, too.

How do you fight acne naturally?

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