Skin Care Tips: 5 Natural Remedies to Prevent Pimples – Latinos Health

Jan 13, 2016 08:01 AM EST

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – MARCH 27: Lemons priced at $ .99 each are displayed at Cal-Mart Grocery on March 27, 2014 in San Francisco, California. Food prices are on the rise and expected to keep edging up throughout the year as the drought and other factors have impacted the availability and cost of groceries like coffee, milk, limes and pork. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Pimples or acne is defined by Mayo Clinic as a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles are filled with oil and dead skin cells. While it occurs to people of different ages, it is 70% to 87% prevalent among teenagers. Acne is often found on the face, neck, chest, and back, and is caused by oil production, dead skin cells, clogged pores, and bacteria. Other factors that worsen acne include hormones, diet, stress, and some medications.

1. Tea tree oil. One may notice how over the counter acne solutions commonly contain tea tree oil. According to Prevention, the oil comes from the leaves of a tree native to Australia and contains antiseptic properties that fight bacteria that causes acne and relieve inflammation in skin cells. A minimum concentration of 5% of the oil is recommended, or up to 15% for severe acne.

2. Apple cider vinegar. Like tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar contains antibacterial and antiseptic properties to fight acne-causing bacteria. Women’s Health reports that it also contains malic acid and lactic acid that exfoliates and softens skin. Another plus factor is that it balances the pH levels of the skin.

3. Lemon juice. Look no further than the kitchen for the ultimate acne cure, as lemon juice has L-ascorbic acid that acts as a natural astringent which reduces excess oil and a mild exfoliant that can remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. Women’s Health recommends using freshly squeezed lemon juice on a piece of cotton and dabbing it over acne filled areas for about 30 minutes before rinsing off with water.

4. Aloe vera. This might be the simplest acne-reliever as one literally just has to scrape off the aloe and apply it to the acne-filled area. Reader’s Digest reports that aloe is known for its burn-relieving properties and its ability to promote healing, fight infection, and reduce pimple scarring.

5. Chamomile. Tea drinkers would be happy to know that chamomile also helps decrease inflammation from acne. Reader’s Digest recommends combining the contents of a chamomile tea bag with water to create a paste using a blender. Apply the paste to the affected area. Cooled tea can also be used to dab on the face after cleansing.

It also goes without saying that managing stress is one of the best ways to keep one’s overall health in tip top shape.

“Stress doesn’t create skin disease on its own, but it can make any existing issues worse,” Beth McLellan, MD, a dermatologist at NYU Langone’s Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health in New York City, told Prevention.

Getting enough sleep and consuming fruits and vegetables can not only provide the body with vitamins and minerals, it can also the essential nutrients to maintain good skin. WebMD recommends replacing junk food with fruits and vegetables, and whole grains to properly feed your skin.