Chances are you have probably suffered from an acne blemish at some point in your life. Blemishes occur when a pore becomes plugged with dirt or bacteria. The plugged portion can protrude above the skin’s surface and cause a blackhead or a whitehead. These can become infected or inflamed, causing a painful bump. These bumps can leave nasty marks, or blemishes. Anyone who has had an acne blemish knows they are not fun, and can be downright annoying. Blemishes can be hard to get rid of, and many people suffer from chronic breakouts. Many products that promise to rid your skin of blemishes exist. The problem is many of these products aren’t very effective, and the cost can be less than budget-friendly. People end up wasting a lot of money on many different products in their quest to fight blemishes. The truth is you can make your own blemish treatments at home, using products that may already be in your own cupboard. It is much easier than you may think, and much easier on your wallet as well.
Masks
An anti-blemish mask is a good way to help draw impurities out of the skin and reduce the appearance of blemishes. You can create your own blemish fighting mask at home using some simple household ingredients. One recipe uses 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon glycerin, and 3 tablespoons flour. Glycerin can be purchased at a drugstore or a natural health and beauty store. Just mix all the ingredients in a medium bowl until a smooth paste forms. Apply this paste to clean skin and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Rinse well with lukewarm water and pat dry. Honey has very strong antimicrobial properties, which work to fight blemishes. The egg white and flour work by absorbing excess oil without over-drying. Make this mask fresh each time you wish to use, ideally 1 to 2 times a week.
Another anti-blemish mask can easily be made with oatmeal, milk, and lemon juice. You will need to grind up about 3 tablespoons of oatmeal until a fine powder is formed. A blender or food processor works well for this. Just mix this oatmeal powder with 1 tablespoon milk and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a bowl until a paste forms. Apply to your blemished areas using a circular motion. Leave the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes until it begins to dry. Rinse well and pat dry. The oatmeal is excellent for drawing out impurities, while promoting healing of blemishes. Milk contains acids which refine and shrink pores, and lemon juice really helps lighten and fade ugly blemishes.
Spot Treatments
Spot treatments are applied directly to the blemish, not larger areas like a mask. Many different natural products can be used to fight blemishes. Tea tree oil is an excellent blemish fighter because of its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. Just mix one teaspoon of pure tea tree oil with one or two teaspoons of water. Dampen a cotton ball or cotton pad in the mixture and dab on your blemishes. Allow it to dry and do not rinse. Tea tree oil can be very strong. If it causes any irritation just increase the amount of water in the mixture. Repeat as needed.
Another excellent, natural spot treatment for blemishes uses cinnamon and honey. Just mix 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon with a teaspoon of honey and apply a thin layer to blemishes. Leave this treatment on overnight and rinse with warm water in the morning. Cinnamon and honey both contain antimicrobial properties that will fight blemishes.
Apple cider vinegar is also a very powerful blemish fighter. It has natural antiseptic properties that work to purify and detoxify the skin. Apple cider vinegar also contains alpha-hydroxy acids which help to fade and smooth blemished skin. Use it as a spot treatment by mixing 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar with one cup of water. Apply the mixture to blemishes using a cotton ball or pad and allow it to dry. No rinsing is needed. Repeat 2 to 3 times a day, as long as your skin shows no signs of irritation. Store the mixture in a tightly-capped bottle and use within a month. If irritation develops, dilute the vinegar with more water.
Once you give these natural blemish fighting masks or spot treatments a try, you may never waste another cent on store-bought blemish products. You will see for yourself how easy it can be to fight blemishes with items that you may already have on hand. Plus, you will know exactly what is being put on your skin. All in all, using these homemade blemish treatments is definitely worth your while.