Showing posts with label acne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acne. Show all posts

Monday, January 17, 2011

Pregnancy Acne Remedies

The primary reason of acne outbreak during pregnancy are hormonal changes that occur during this time. These changes trigger the sebaceous glands of the body to produce more oil, which eventually results in acne. Most expecting mothers have to deal with this condition, and it may be inevitable for those who are naturally prone to acne breakouts. There are, although, many types of acne skin care products available in the market, they are generally not recommended for expecting mothers. So the best pregnancy acne remedies are the ones that are prepared at home with natural substances. So instead of simply depending on an acne medication during pregnancy, let us see some other remedies that will be good and useful.

Acne Remedies During Pregnancy
  • The first tip for the home remedies for acne during pregnancy consists of a mixture of baking soda (1 tbsp.) and water (a cup). Mix the two to form a thick paste. Now get a clean washcloth and dampen it with water. Pour the paste over it, and scrub the acne-affected areas gently, in a circular motion. Give a wait of 5 minutes, before rinsing off with lukewarm water. This method is a natural skin exfoliation technique, that can be used as a helpful acne treatment during pregnancy.
  • Another one of the effective pregnancy acne remedies is a mixture of sandalwood powder and rose water. Get a teaspoon of sandalwood powder, and mix it with rose water (2 - 3 drops). After the paste is formed, massage it on the acne-hit areas, and leave it to dry for 15 - 20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
  • A combination of lemon juice and rose water is also one of the popular homemade acne remedies during pregnancy. Lemon is a natural antibacterial agent, while rose water is a skin toner. Also, the presence of rose water helps in reducing the acidic quality of the lemon juice. Mix these two stuffs in equal parts, and apply directly to the skin. Wait for 15 - 3 minutes before rinsing.
  • When speaking about pregnancy acne remedies, we cannot afford to miss aloe vera. This plant is a anti-inflammatory and antibacterial in nature thus, does well for treating the breakouts. Get the aloe barbadensis species of the aloe vera plant, and cut open the leaf to expose the gel. Apply it directly to the skin, but avoid the eyes.
  • Continuing this segment on the natural acne remedies during pregnancy, it is about tea tree oil. It is a natural disinfectant, and help killing the bacteria that causes acne. Prepare a solution of the the two (oil - 2 parts, water - 1part). Dip a cotton ball in the solution, and gently clean the pimples, and let the skin absorb the oil and do its work. The use of tea tree oil for acne has benefited many expecting mothers.
  • The use of honey is also included in the list of the remedies for pregnancy acne. Directly apply it on the affected area and let it get absorbed by the skin. The antibacterial property of the stuff is what which serves to reduce the acne breakouts. Repeat this twice a day.
  • Before going to bed, apply cucumber juice or paste to the skin. After waiting for 10 - 15 minutes, rinse off and pat dry the skin.
  • Another natural exfoliater and a popular one among the pregnancy acne remedies, is the humble oatmeal. This stuff absorbs excess oil and help the skin get rid of dead skin cells. So cook a small serving of oatmeal, and add honey once it is done. Let it come down to the room temperature, and apply in on the acne-affected skin. Leave the mixture to dry for not more than 15 minutes, and rinse off with lukewarm water.
If you are bothered with back acne during pregnancy, then refer to this link. And to conclude this piece on pregnancy acne remedies with one last advice, controlling stress also provides a great deal of help in managing acne during pregnancy. And not to forget, a healthy diet and regular exercise not only helps in reducing acne outbreak, but also improve overall health.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Borage Oil for Acne

Borage oil is the oil extracted from the seeds of the borage flower, which is also known by the name of star flower. The scientific name of the borage plant is Borago officinalis. It is a small plant or herb, native to Syria, but has been naturalized in many other parts of the world including, Asia, Europe, South America, North Africa and Mediterranean regions. Borage flowers are usually blue in color, but pink and white varieties can also be found. The oil derived from the seeds of the borage plant are mainly known for its anti-inflammatory properties, for which it is widely used for the treatment of arthritis. The oil has several skin benefits, and is quite excellent for soothing inflamed and irritated skin. This oil can be used for a variety of skin conditions, right from treating acne lesions to skin disorders like, eczema, dermatitis, dry skin and even psoriasis. In this article, we are going to highlight the benefits of borage oil for acne, along with a few other health benefits of this oil.

Borage Oil for Acne Problem

Borage oil has soothing and emollient properties, which is why it can alleviate so many skin conditions including, acne and pimples. It contains the essential fatty acid, known as gamma-linoleic acid, which is so crucial for the health of the skin. This essential fatty acid is vital for maintaining the structure, as well as the flexibility of the cell membrane. The essential fatty acids found in borage oil can help regenerate the skin by promoting the growth of healthy skin cells.

Other important compounds found in borage seed oil are vitamin C, tannin, saponins and certain minerals, all of which can play an important role in making the skin healthy and keeping skin problems like, acne at bay. The tannins present in the oil can tighten the skin. Borage oil can make the skin soft and supple by restoring the level of moisture. For this reason, this oil is quite beneficial to eliminate skin dryness. The gamma-linoleic acid found in borage oil can help to dilute sebum or oil, secreted by the sebaceous glands. Over secretion of sebum is the main factor that causes acne and pimples by clogging the skin pores. One can clear up such clogged skin pores by using borage oil for acne, and thus reduce the appearance of acne lesions.

Borage oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties, for which it can be beneficial in reducing the inflammation and redness caused by acne. At the same time, the cooling and soothing properties of this oil can help alleviate skin irritation caused by acne. Another skin condition, in which borage oil can prove immensely beneficial is rosacea, which gives the face a flushed appearance due to the dilation of blood vessels of the face. Borage oil can help to reduce the inflammation associated with rosacea, and also contract the blood vessels by producing a substance, known as prostaglandins. Apart from acne and rosacea, one can use borage oil for eczema and other skin conditions like, psoriasis and dermatitis. In general, this oil is great for natural skin care.

Other Benefits of Borage Oil

Apart from the benefits of borage oil mentioned above, borage oil is known for several other health benefits. One of the most well-known borage oil benefits is that it can help to relieve the pain, inflammation and stiffness associated with arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This health benefit can be attributed to the presence of gamma-linoleic acid in borage oil. Along with helping to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis, borage oil can prove beneficial in conditions like, premenstrual syndrome, hot flashes, mood swings, breast tenderness, dry and damaged hair and hair loss. It can help to regulate the circulation of blood and facilitate the transmission of nerve impulses as well.

So, this was a brief overview of benefits of borage oil for acne, as well as its benefits for other skin conditions and health problems. For treating acne, borage oil can be used topically. It is also available in the form of gel and capsules. However, before using borage oil capsules, it is imperative to consult a physician regarding the appropriate dosage, and the precautions to be maintained while taking this supplement. This in turn, can help to avoid the possible borage oil side effects. Borage oil can be toxic, if taken in excessive amounts. So, be sure to take it only in the recommended dosage and under the supervision of a health care provider. People with liver problems should better avoid borage oil supplements or talk to their physician before using the same.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Olive Oil for Acne Scars

A face full of acne scars is the last thing anybody would wish for. I am sure you don't even remember how many things you have tried to get rid of those stubborn acne scars. It happens with many people, the solution is simple and easy but they tend to go the other way, making the problem even more challenging. Olive oil - a thing that exists in every household, is one of the best natural skin care solutions to acne scar problems. According to skin experts, the results of olive oil for acne scars can vary for each individual. In case of severe acne scars it takes a longer time for the scars to fade while in some cases, it may show results within few weeks. But definitely, olive oil for acne scars do not have any side effects. Why so? Read further.

Benefits Of Olive Oil

Olive oil for skin care has been used for many years. There are four important advantages of using olive oil for acne prone skin. The first is that olive oil is a skin friendly oil. It is rich in natural anti-oxidants that helps preventing aging of the skin by fighting all the signs of aging such as wrinkles, dark spots, pimples, and acne. It is also provides your skin with essential vitamins that make your skin look younger by removing the toxins from the skin. Secondly, olive oil has medicinal properties. It is known as a good anti-inflammatory agent and also prevents many types of skin infections. The third advantage is that it is an effective skin soothing remedy. Olive oil as a moisturizer works very well unlike other oils that are gluey. Many women have substituted olive oil for commercial moisturizers. Now the fourth and most important advantage of using olive oil is that it does not block the pores on the skin unlike other oils. Most of the oils are known to block the pores that results in chronic acne and pimple outbreaks. Such blockage does not allow the toxins to expel and external vitamins and oxygen to enter the skin. But olive oil gets absorbed in the skin and promotes healthy and glowing skin. So if you are wondering how to get rid of acne scars naturally then olive is an affordable, simple, and easy answer. To know how to use olive oil for acne scars, read further.

How to Use Olive Oil for Acne

There are many ways to use olive oil for acne scars. You can use it alone or combine it with some other herbal oils that help in removing the acne scars. If you want to reap the maximum olive oil benefits for skin then using it regularly is very important. One of the best ways to use olive oil for acne scars is massaging the skin with olive oil every day. If you have severe skin problems then massage the skin twice a day. First, wash your face with water and pat dry it. Take a few drops of olive oil on your finger tips and gently massage the face in a circular manner for five minutes. Concentrate more on the acne area. After the massage, leave it on the face for twenty minutes for the olive oil to work on it. Then wash your face with lukewarm water without using soap or face wash and pat dry it. Follow this procedure every day before going to bed. You will notice the scars getting lightened. There is another recipe for olive oil for face. Mix olive oil with tea tree oil which is also beneficial for skin and use it in a similar manner. You can also mix it with honey and various essential oils and follow a similar process.

If you wish to use olive oil for acne scars for other than the facial area, then you can mix it with baking soda and then massage it on the dried acne scar for five minutes and then wash with lukewarm water. It is one of the effective acne scar removal treatment methods that will remove the dead skin and lighten the scars slowly. Apart from using olive oil for acne scars, you can use it for other purposes as it is associated with many health benefits. To know more about this you may read health benefits of olive oil and general olive oil benefits. After reading this piece of information on olive oil for acne scars, it is evident that good things come in small packages and and are also more inexpensive than we can ever imagine.