Numerous individuals who struggle with acne worry about the irritating chemicals (like salicylic acid and tretinoin) which are usually contained in acne skin care items and which dry out and irritate the outer layer of one's skin. The answer for such individuals might lie in employing herbal acne cures.

When treating a case of acne, the main idea is to have clean skin that's not dry, to eliminate infectious bacteria, tighten pores which are oversized, and to quickly heal any open sores caused by outbreaks. Herbal acne cures do this using natural ingredients.

One method of creating herbal acne cures is to make a cleaning solution by steeping plants in boiling water. Simmer two ounces of leaves from a berry-bearing herb in a quart of water and dab the resulting mixture onto your skin using a cotton ball. Tea bags or basil will also suffice. The leaves contain natural acids that have antiseptic properties and cause the pores to constrict.

There are also herbal acne cures that you can apply directly to individual pimples, instead of all over. For this, try mixing one tablespoon of groundnut oil with one tablespoon of lime juice, and dabbing a small amount of the paste on each pimple after washing the skin gently and thoroughly.

It is also possible to create a skin-penetrating-and-cleaning natural facial treatment from everyday household components. Combine yogurt and oatmeal until well blended and put it on as you would any store-bought mask. As with any mask, allow it to dry and then remove it with warm water and pat it dry with a towel. A mixture of honey and cinnamon will also suffice. These home-made remedies promote healing of skin tissue by acting as antiseptics and reducing inflammation.

Healing can also be assisted by aloe vera, which is also used for burns and other painful skin conditions. Aloe is a gel harvested from the leaves of a type of yucca plant. Pure aloe vera gel will be clear to light green; read the ingredient label carefully, as many preparations contain other ingredients in addition to aloe.

There are also internal herbal remedies for acne. People sometimes recommend drinking wheat grass juice to clear up an acne outbreak, or taking zinc supplements to soothe irritated skin. You can locate wheat grass juice and zinc supplements in health or organic food markets.

Before trying any product, whether herbal acne remedies, prescription drugs, or standard over the counter offerings, be aware that anyone can be allergic to anything. You may have a bad reaction to any product; talk to your pharmacist, naturopath or dermatologist, check the ingredients for anything you already know yourself to be allergic to. Also, apply the product on a small, inconspicuous area of skin and wait 24 hours to see if there is any reaction before using it over a large area.

People affected by acne seek herbal acne cures to avoid the side effects associated with harsh chemicals found in acne skin care products. The natural acids in some herbs have antiseptic properties that are released by steeping plants or tea bags in boiling water. A paste comprised of groundnut oil and lime juice can be applied to individual pimples. Masks of yogurt and oatmeal or honey and cinnamon can help heal and soothe irritated skin. Aloe vera also speeds healing. Consider skin sensitivities when selecting the best herbal acne remedies for your condition. Consult specialists and test treatments on small areas of skin before expanding to larger areas.