Effective Natural Acne Treatments Products

Dealing with acne can be frustrating, especially when conventional treatments cause irritation or don’t deliver the results you’re looking for. Thankfully, natural products offer a gentle yet effective alternative. With powerful ingredients derived from nature, these products can help clear your skin without the harsh side effects often associated with chemical treatments.

If you have tried benzoyl peroxide and other topicals mentioned in my previous post and it irritates your skin, then natural products sourced from plants or herbs are an alternative option to get rid of acne. You can easily get these herbs in your garden, from pharmacists, at the local market and even in cosmetic stores.

In this post, we’ll explore some of the most effective natural acne treatments and the best products to try.

Important Note: Please don’t ingest herbs without consulting your local healthcare practitioner, most of them are not safe. Although herbs have wonderful chemicals that contribute positively to skincare conditions, they are not sufficient by themselves. Therefore, ensure using herbal remedies with great care. Please read my medical disclaimer.

Effective Natural Acne Treatments: Top Products to Try

1. Mangosteen Rind

Why It Works:
Mangosteen, often called the “queen of fruits,” is not only delicious but also packed with skin benefits. The rind of the mangosteen is rich in antioxidants, particularly xanthones, which have powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. These compounds help to reduce the bacteria that cause acne, soothe inflamed skin, and prevent future breakouts.

Mangosteen is found in Southern Asian countries. Although it may sound like a Mango its physical nature is not close to a mango. This fruit is called the “Queen Of Fruits” due to its sweet taste and pleasant aroma. In addition, It is a really nutritious fruit that is beneficial to the body.

Mangosteen contains polyphenols known as Xanthone. Xanthone is a known active compound that helps treat several skin inflammatory diseases such as acne. For this reason, scientists concluded that Mangosteen can solve the problem of antibiotic resistance and therefore be useful in the treatment of acne.

How to Use:
Mangosteen rind can be found in powdered form or as an extract in skincare products. You can incorporate it into your skincare routine by using a mangosteen-infused cleanser, toner, or mask.

Products Containing Mangosteen

2. Tea Tree Oil

Why It Works:
Tea tree oil is a well-known natural remedy for acne due to its strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to reduce the bacteria that cause acne and calms the skin, making it an excellent spot treatment for breakouts.

If you have mild to moderate acne, tea tree oil is your go-to to self-treat your acne. Tea tree oil is an essential oil derived from the distillation of an Australian plant (Myrtaceae). This oil is one of the most extensively studied oils to treat acne. You can find tea tree oil in soaps, shampoos, creams, lotions, cleansers, gel and much more. Tea tree oil is known to contain a very powerful component called Terpinin-4-ol, which has strong antibacterial properties that kill acne-causing bacteria.

The application of 5% tea tree oil is better tolerated than 5% benzoyl peroxide according to the study carried out by the Australasian Journal Of Dermatology. However, tea tree oil can be irritating when applied to the skin alone. So before using it, ensure you mix it with your favourite carrier oil or use it as a face wash.

How to Use:
Dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil like jojoba or almond oil before applying it directly to the affected area. You can also find it in many over-the-counter acne treatments.

Products Containing Tea Tree Oil

3. Magnolia Oil

Why It Works:
Magnolia oil is extracted from the bark and flowers of the magnolia tree. It is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which make it effective in treating acne. Magnolia oil helps to reduce redness and swelling associated with acne while also fighting the bacteria that lead to breakouts.

It was first used in the treatment of cough, diarrhoea and allergies. It contains two major constituents; honokiol and magnolol which possess potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that kill bacteria causing acne within minutes.

Due to its non-irritating effects, scientists have suggested the use of magnolol and honokiol in the treatment of acne. You can mix it with your favourite carrier oil or use it alone.

How to Use:
Magnolia oil can be used as a spot treatment or added to your regular moisturizer. Due to its potency, it’s best to dilute it with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or argan oil, before applying it to your skin.

Magnolia Containing Products

4. Green Tea

Why It Works:
Green tea is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce acne and calm irritated skin. The polyphenols in green tea can help to reduce sebum production, one of the primary causes of acne.

Green tea is a very popular beverage that has loads of benefits. It is gotten from the fresh leaves of Camellia sinensis either by steaming or drying. The active component of green tea is called Polyphenols or catechins to be precise. There are four major types of types in the catechin family but the most active and abundant is the EGCG.

According to studies, topical application of 2% green tea is more effective against acne lesions for both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne compared to oral intake. The application of green tea helps to reduce sebum production which leads to an improvement in acne.

In order to know a good quality green tea, check that the colour is brownish and has a characteristic odour. A quality green tea should contain about 50-90% catechins.

How to Use:
You can apply cooled green tea directly to your skin with a cotton pad, or look for skincare products that include green tea extract.

Green Tea Containing Products

5. Aloe Vera Gel

Why It Works:
Aloe vera is renowned for its soothing and healing properties. It’s particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin as it reduces redness, calms irritation, and accelerates the healing process of acne scars.

Aloe Vera gel is obtained from the inner part of the leaf and has been reported to be anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, helps to heal wounds and burns and it is also hypoglycemic.

A study has shown that for aloe vera gel to be well effective against acne, you should combine 50% of the aloe vera gel with 2% Ocimum oil (Basil Oil). This increases the activity of Ocimum oil to work effectively against acne. You might experience mild irritation so always test first.

Another study conducted the addition of 50% aloe vera gel with tretinoin cream during an 8-week trial for 60 different patients suffering from mild to moderate acne. It was found that this combination was well tolerated and more effective than when tretinoin was used alone.

How to Use:
Use pure aloe vera gel directly on your skin as a moisturizer or spot treatment. It can also be combined with other natural ingredients like tea tree oil for added benefits.

Aloe Vera Containing Products

6. Ocimum Oil (Basil Oil)

Why It Works:
Basil oil, particularly holy basil (Tulsi), is celebrated in Ayurvedic medicine for its healing properties. It has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, making it an excellent natural remedy for acne. Basil oil helps to cleanse the skin, reduce acne-causing bacteria, and calm irritated skin.

There was a particular study that carried out different formulations of Basil oil but the best formulation was the addition of 2% basil oil in Certomacrogol cream as the base. This combination proved to be more effective and well-tolerated than 10% benzoyl peroxide lotion.

Another study combined Aloe Vera Gel with Ocimum oil, Aloe Vera gel increased the anti-acne properties of Ocimum oil, and this combination is more effective than 1% Clindamycin in the treatment of acne.

How to Use:
You can apply basil oil directly to acne spots or mix it into your daily moisturizer. As with other essential oils, it’s important to dilute basil oil with a carrier oil to prevent irritation.

Basil Oil Containing Products

7. Bakuchiol

Why It Works:
Bakuchiol is a plant-based alternative to retinol, derived from the seeds and leaves of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. It offers many of the same benefits as retinol, such as promoting cell turnover and reducing the appearance of fine lines, without the irritation. For acne-prone skin, bakuchiol is particularly beneficial as it helps to unclog pores, reduce inflammation, and even out skin tone.

If you are a big fan of retinol products and retinol irritates your skin, then this plant-based ingredient is very promising and gentler on the skin. Bakuchiol is obtained from an edible seed known as Psoralea corylifolia. It has a very strong antibacterial and anti-oxidant effect against bacteria causing acne.

A pilot study showed that 1% bakuchiol reduced acne by 57% compared to 2% salicylic acid which reduced acne by 48%. However the combination of bakuchiol and salicylic acid reduced inflammatory acne lesions by 70%.

How to Use:
Bakuchiol can be used both morning and night, making it a versatile addition to your skincare routine. It is gentle enough to be used on its own or layered with other skincare products.

Products containing Bakuchiol

Conclusion

Natural products offer a gentle yet effective way to treat and manage acne. By incorporating ingredients like tea tree oil, mangosteen rind, aloe vera, and basil oil into your skincare routine, you can address breakouts without the harsh side effects of chemical treatments. Remember, consistency is key—stick with a routine that works for your skin type, and you’ll be on your way to clearer, healthier skin.

If you found this post helpful, share it with others who might benefit from natural acne treatments. Don’t forget to leave a comment below with your experiences or questions about using natural products for acne!