More than 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of children in the United States use some form of alternative medicine, according to a 2007 survey conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the National Center for Health Statistics. With the high cost of prescription and over-the-counter acne medications, many want to use free, alternative home remedies in the battle against blemishes.
Toothpaste and Ice
Look no further than your bathroom cabinet for a handy and effective acne eliminator. White toothpaste controls inflammation, according to Acnetalks.com. Simply apply generous dabs of white toothpaste to your pimples at night and wash clean in the morning. Ice also yields beneficial results in reducing redness and inflammation. For noticeable improvement, simply rub ice onto your blemishes before going to bed.
Eggs
Reach into your refrigerator for a handy anti-acne astringent that contains anti-inflammatory agents, recommends Dr. James Fulton, California-based dermatologist, as cited in the book “Home Remedies: What Works.” Thoroughly cleanse your face with soap and water. Crack an egg and separate the white from the yolk. Saturate a cotton swab with the egg white and apply it to your blemishes, paying special attention to new outbreaks. You can also stir corn flour into the egg white and apply it to your face as a mask. Allow it to dry for 30 minutes. Wet your hands with warm water, massage the mixture into your skin and rinse it off with several splashes of cold water. If used regularly, this mask will hasten a smooth, clear complexion, according to Beauty-Cosmetic-Guide.com.
Dandelion
Weeding your lawn can improve your complexion. Dandelion roots stimulate digestion and detoxify your liver, helping to eliminate toxins and “excess hormones, including the androgens that trigger breakouts,” according to Dr. Linda B. White, author of “The Herbal Drugstore.” Dandelion leaves also offer vitamins and other nutrients that are essential for healthy skin. Eat freshly picked dandelion leaves in salads or steam them. The root, an anti-inflammatory, can be dried, chopped, roasted and brewed into a tea. Add two teaspoons of the prepared dandelion root into one cup of hot water. Let steep for 15 minutes and then strain. Drink three to four cups of this tea for six to eight weeks, according to PeacefulMind.com.
Poultices
Poultices yield significant results for blackheads and cystic acne, more commonly referred to as boils, according to PeacefulMind.com. Dampen a small towel in warm water. Warm it in the microwave for 20 seconds or until tolerably hot. Relax and place the steaming towel on your face for 20 minutes. Perform this procedure four times daily to help soften the area surrounding the boil, allowing the pus to drain.
