The Home Remedy Series: Acne Breakouts and Acne Scars

Nov 8, 2024

An occurrence that can be the bane of some, if not all of our existences! This phenomenon has to have affected you to some degree in your lifespan, and if not, then you must be God’s favourite. Whether it is from adolescence, changes in hormone levels and balance, sensitivity from facial products and make-up use, or from the food that we consume, facial acne affects us and flares up in some or other way.

What is Acne?

Acne is a natural ‘skin condition’ that is caused by ‘clogged pores’. Some can be small and harmless, whilst others can be extremely painful, inflamed, and take days to weeks to clear up and subside. Natural maintenance of acne involves continual, and consistent facial care. This is unfortunately linked to spending thousands of Rands on skincare products every few months, and it can be impactful on our mental health and financial well-being.

Here’s a guide to different types of acne and how to care for breakouts and stubborn scars using simple, at-home remedies. This way, you can kill two birds with one stone: use up items in your pantry, and maintain your acne expense-free.

What are the Different Kinds of Acne?

Everyone is different, and everyone possesses different types of skin. It can be oily, dry, a combination, or if you’re lucky, balanced and ‘normal’. Because of this, acne types and how they appear can also vary widely from person to person.

The acne that person A is experiencing, and the manner in which they are treating it can be completely different to the procedures employed by person B. It goes without saying that there is no one-size-fits-all solution here, so it is best to try out different methods, and see what works best for you and your skin type.

Due to the diversity that encapsulates our existence, there are different kinds of acne people can endure and experience:

Fungal acne: caused by a build-up of yeast in one’s hair follicles.
Cystic acne: ‘deep, pus-filled pimples’ which can cause heavy scarring.
Hormonal acne: common in adults due to an ‘overproduction of sebum that clogs their pores’.
Nodular acne: leads up to the occurrence of severe acne both on the surface, and under the surface of one’s skin.

Because we all have different skin types, the causes of acne and the best ways to prevent breakouts can vary. Understanding these nuances is key to addressing your skin's unique needs.

Common Causes and Preventative Measures for Acne

Some of the common causes for all types of acne can be narrowed down to specific occurrences in the body. As the Mayo Clinic highlights, acne can be caused by the following, which parallels with the different kinds of acne one can experience:

Excess oil (sebum) production.
Hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells.
Bacteria
Inflammation

The Mayo Clinic continues to break down some common causes, which are seemingly related to age, physical development, lifestyle practices and routines:

Hormonal changes.
Specific medication.
Diet
Stress
Family history.
Greasy or oily substances, such as face creams and lotions.
Age
Friction and pressure on skin from cell phones and other materials that your face may come into contact with regularly.

Based on common causes, preventative measures usually connect to finding an ideal skincare regimen that fits your skin type, or changing your diet.

There are other changes one can implement to minimise the chances of a breakout. WebMD breaks this down effectively:

Keep your face clean regularly.
Moisturise.
Be wary of products used on hair.
Keep your hands off your face, and resist picking at active pimples.
Limit exposure to the sun as it can cause hyper-pigmentation with acne scars.
Exercise regularly.
Ensure you are taking time to rest and calm down, as this ensures stress is managed and is not contributing extensively to acne breakouts.

At-Home Treatments for Acne

Aside from purchasing expensive products and paying for consultations at the dermatologist, who will do practically nothing, there are some at-home remedies which can prove useful if executed and tested correctly.

These are not only beneficial for your bank account, but can decrease your skin’s dependency on chemical solutions and treatments for health and longevity.

Tea-tree oil: This ingredient possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can provide assistance with mild to medium breakouts. It assists in minimising the breakout, but does not wholly control the condition. This should be indirectly applied to the skin through a diluted solution of ‘coconut or sweet almond oil’ in order to minimise the chances of irritation.

Aloe vera: Aloe possesses natural properties in soothing and cooling down the skin. It is quite gentle, and can also assist with mild to medium breakouts. It can be combined with other ingredients into a home-made face mask, or can be creatively transformed into a scrub or spray.

It goes without saying that moderation in all aspects is advised in order to prevent the onset of side effects, or long-term harm that is a possibility when your body becomes over-exposed to a specific substance.
Honey: Prided as a natural antibiotic, honey can be beneficial for inflamed and irritated acne breakouts. It assists in bringing those impurities in open pores to the surface, whilst also gently soothing persistent irritated skin. It is noteworthy that ‘processed’ honey will not have the same effects nor ‘antibacterial’ properties, and so the use of raw honey is strongly advised and recommended.

The ways you can use raw honey are endless. It can be applied directly to the face, or combined into a face mask with lemon, yoghurt, brown sugar, or aloe vera.

Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular at home remedies for many physical ailments such as weight gain, bloating, and assisting with blood sugar. Apple cider vinegar is extremely acidic, and research has shown, can assist in breaking down and killing specific bacteria. It therefore possesses some potential in assisting with acne control and management.

It is therefore crucial that it is diluted with gentle oils, creams or serums as it can be harmful, and actually exacerbate irritation if it is applied directly to the skin. It is also cautionary that there are more cons than there are pros with apple cider vinegar. It is very easy to get wrong, as it can result in chemical burns to the face. It is therefore advised that this method be used minimally, or not at all.

At-Home Treatments for Acne Scars

Acne scars can be irritating, and can bring down your self-esteem, depending on the extent and effect it has had on the skin.

By definition, acne scars are ‘the result of inflammation of acne blemishes’. Some are small, and heal and fade quickly, whilst other inflamed sores affect the surrounding facial tissues, causing a deeper, and much more impactful scar.

Of course, serums, creams and special medications can be prescribed to minimise the extent and severity of acne scars, but this can be expensive, and the commitment can foster an unhealthy dependency on artificial solutions, overall. Some natural solutions that don’t require much effort, money, or long-term investment include the following:

Aloe vera: As mentioned earlier, it helps clear the skin while giving it a brighter, more refreshed look. It's definitely worth incorporating into your routine—you're basically getting two benefits in one

Turmeric: Turmeric is a spice used for culinary purposes, but it is also known to be extremely beneficial for brightening the skin and scarring. Turmeric possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which assists in pore reduction, and soothing the skin from irritation.

The use of a turmeric mask, in combination with any of the other ingredients mentioned on this list can therefore be beneficial in reducing the chances of breakouts and fading acene scarring.

Honey and cinnamon: By simply mixing raw honey with cinnamon, you can create a quick and easy face mask in under five minutes. This combo works wonders in tackling scarring, thanks to honey's natural antibacterial properties and cinnamon’s soothing anti-inflammatory effects.

Cinnamon is also astringent in nature, which can assist in shrinking pores, minimising the growth and development of bacteria in the surface layer of your skin..

Lemon Juice: Like cinnamon, lemon juice is also astringent in nature. It is too acidic to use in its concentrated form, so it is recommended that it is diluted with water, poured into a spray bottle, and used as a moisturiser throughout the day. The extent to which it assists with minimising acne scars is quite minimal, however.

Baking Soda: Baking soda is, ‘an alkaline substance helpful in managing pH levels, [and] helps neutralise acidic substances in and outside of the body’. Baking soda can assist in soothing inflammation and pain that accompanies acne breakouts. However, it can be detrimental if overused, and so it is recommended to be used as a solution, sparingly, and to not become too dependent on it.

Whilst some of these solutions are beneficial and promote gradual, yet effective improvements over time, it is equally crucial to remember that everyone possesses different skin textures and types, meaning that some of the methods presented will not work, nor will it be effective for everyone.

Equally important is the idea that it is important to know when to seek the help of a medical professional so that you may treat your own specific skin type accordingly.