20 Amazing Home Remedies to Get Rid of Acne and Dark Spots

There are many things I hate in this world and will have to live with, crime and violence, liars, and acne. Even though, I wish, I could fix them all, I cannot but, I know that I don’t have to live with acne and so do you. Let us start fixing the problems we can fix in this world beginning with acne.

What is ACNE?

Acne, medically known as Acne Vulgaris, is a skin condition characterized by pimples on the skin, especially on the face during adolescence.

Acne is due to infection or inflammation of the oil glands known as the sebaceous glands located at the base of the hair follicle.

When acne is popped, a layer of damaged skin remains this leaves the skin with unpleasant marks, which usually create emotional scars whether we are aware of it or not making us feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. These unfortunate and unpleasant marks are known as acne blemishes or acne scars.

Many of us may desire that one day a remedy will be presented that can take away all our acne problems instantly. But, until that day comes hopefully in the near future, we just have to work with what we got.

Several natural techniques will work wonders in removing acne and acne scars, here are a few. They will not take away those scars instantly, but over some time, they will do the job just fine.

1 . Apply Baking Soda to the skin

Baking soda is an all-purpose powder which is bicarbonate of soda. It is an effective and versatile band that can be used for almost everything. Baking soda not only softens your skin; it also unclogs pores clearing dirt, bacteria and exfoliates dead skin from off your face leaving you with new skin. Please use baking soda once every two weeks.

• Using your judgment, make a thick paste of baking soda and water. It should have the consistency of toothpaste.
• Apply this paste to your face as a mask and leave it on for 5 minutes.
• Wash face with warm water to remove the mask.
• Pat dry face with a clean towel.

You can purchase baking soda online

2 . Apply a DIY Sugar Scrub to you face

Sugar (brown or white sugar) can be used as a scrub to exfoliate dead skin from your face. Many people spend a large sum of money buying expensive brand name face scrub that does the same work as a sugar scrub. You have to gently exfoliate every other day to get rid of the old skin and reveal the new skin.

• Make a thick paste of sugar and water, remember that sugar dissolves in water and as a result, it is wise to use as little water as possible. You could substitute water for honey, which would be even better.

• Apply this scrub to your face in a circular motion concentrating on areas with blemishes.
• Leave on face for about 3 minutes, then rinse face with warm water.
• Pat dry face with a clean towel.
• You can apply this method once/ twice per week.

You can purchase sugar online.

3. OATMEAL FACE MASK for acne prone skin

Oats have hundred of health benefits some of which are: it reduces high cholesterol levels; it reduces asthma risk in children; it may help to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes; it is a natural weight-loss food, and it may improve insulin sensitivity. They are great in improving skin complexion and excellent in softening the skin. Oats, mix with other components, create a rich face mask giving us healthier skin with a natural glow.

 Oatmeal mixes with little water perform good exfoliation

• Make a paste with a thick consistency of Oatmeal and little water.
• Apply the mask to face and leave it for 5- 10 minutes.
• Rinse face with warm water.

You can get oats here.

 Oatmeal with Honey face mask

• Mix oatmeal and little water to create a paste
• Apply the honey to this mixture. Remember that honey is sticky and so the paste will look gooey.
• Apply the scrub to your face. The honey is very good for blemishes and will be explained later. Leave for 20 minutes.
• Rinse face thoroughly with water.

 Oatmeal and Whole Milk face mask

Oatmeal is nourishing for the body and will always work wonders in and out of our bodies. Milk is nourishing and it’s rich in B- vitamins, calcium, antioxidants, and alpha-hydroxy acids. Milk has many benefits to the skin and is good at moisturizing the skin throughout the day keeping the skin healthy and soft.

• Create a thick mask by mixing Oats and a little amount of whole milk. You can also add honey to this mask.

• Apply this mask to face, rubbing it into the skin in a circular motion.
• Leave on face for 20- 30 minutes.
• Rinse face with warm water.

You can get purchase oats online.

4. TOMATOES! TOMATOES! TOMATOES!

Tomatoes are one of the most widely eaten foods. It may be eaten in a variety of ways: raw, in salads, dishes, sauces, and drinks.

Tomatoes contain lycopene, a very powerful antioxidant, which helps to prevent prostate cancer. Tomatoes are also good for the skin as it is rich in vitamin A (Retinoic acid) and vitamin C.

You will see that retinoic acid is found in many skincare products; this is because retinoic acid maintains normal skin health mostly by reducing inflammation and bacteria on the skin surface.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is also important in maintaining the health of the skin. This is because vitamin C, apart from its many roles and functions, aids in the production of collagen which gives skin its firmness and strength.

• Wash tomatoes and cut into thin juicy slices or beat into a pulp.
• Apply tomato contents to the affected area of your face or body and leave for 20 minutes.
• Rinse affected area with warm water.
• Apply this once or twice per day. You will see results by week three.

5. RAW HONEY- Sweet, Sweet Raw Honey

Honey is a natural antibiotic and it is good for anything to do with the skin. Honey is an antiseptic, which means that it prevents the growth of bacteria in your pores.

It works by releasing hydrogen peroxide which cleans the skin, removing dirt and anything that may clog the skin.

Most of us who have been to the dermatologist will realize that often time, we are given antibiotics to control our acne and it is the same premise on which honey works.

• Wash face thoroughly. Use steam to open the pores. Apply honey to your face.
• Leave on face for 20 minutes. Remember honey is sticky, but it is worth it.
• Rinse face with warm water.
• Do this every day and within 2 to 3 weeks you will see results. Be patient! Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

You can get purchase raw honey online.

6. CUCUMBER

You might have seen people wearing cucumber mask or people with slices of cucumber over their eyes. Cucumber helps to keep the skin clean. This is because cucumber works as an anti-inflammatory, reducing swelling and redness of pimples.

It works as an astringent which is very effective when tightening the pores. When your pores are opened, your skin becomes vulnerable as it becomes easily clogged and it is an open invitation to bacteria. Proper use of cucumber makes the skin looks healthier and glowing.

• Grate half of fresh cucumber.
• Add a small amount of lime juice to it (optional). Mix content.
• Apply the gooey/slimy paste to face.
• Leave for 20 minutes, then rinse face with warm water.

7. ALOE VERA- The Healing Wonder of the World

Aloe Vera is a succulent plant that is known for its rejuvenating, healing, and soothing properties. It is one of the most commonly used methods for acne treatment.

Aloe Vera has a lot of properties which include and are not limited to anti-bacterial, anti-septic, and anti-fungal properties.

The juice is used to heal acne blemishes and it also fights breakouts and reduces inflammation and redness of pimples.

• Wash hands and wash the surface of the Aloe Vera plant ( you may also use gel)
• Cut the plant and extract the gel inside.
• Using your fingers, apply the gel to the affected areas of your face daily.
• Leave for 10 minutes, then rinse face with water

You can get purchase Aloe Vera plant online or Aloe Vera gel here.

8. Use PAPAYA to get rid of Acne Scars

Papaya is full of antioxidants and vitamin A which are used to soften and smooth the skin. It contains an enzyme called papain, which is used to reduce inflammation.

• Wash and blend papaya. Create a thick, pulpy juice out of it. You can also add honey (optional)
• Apply papaya directly to acne scars. Leave for 20 minutes.
• Wash face thoroughly.

9. Apply CITRUS FRUITS to Skin for Dark Spots & Skin Brightening

Citrus fruits have a high content of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen, which is important for the synthesis of new skin. The best-known examples of fruits rich in vitamin C are oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, tangerines, kiwi, guavas, and papayas.

Oranges, Lemons, or Lemon juice, Limes and Grapefruits (choose any ONE)

• Squeeze the juice of the citrus fruits into a clean container.
• Place some on a cotton swab and apply citrus juice to the affected area of the face or the entire face. This will dry up acne and reduce dark marks. You may feel a tingling sensation.
• Leave on the affected area for 3 minutes
• Wash area with clean water.

10. Apply AVOCADO

Avocado contains vitamin A and vitamin E, two powerful antioxidants, which can slow down aging and help the skin to preserve its elasticity.

• Wash face with water and pat dry
• Place the inside of the avocado in a clean container and mash it into a pulp.
• Add raw honey to the mashed avocado and stir to combine the components.
• Apply this mass to the affected parts of your body/face and leave for 20 minutes.
• Rinse face thoroughly with warm water.

11. Apply an Egg Mask to Face

Egg masks can be made with the egg white section or the egg yolk whichever you prefer, the preparation of the mask is the same. It acts as an astringent removing blackheads and acne scars.

• Break the egg into a clean container. Leave the egg white (or egg yolk) in the container.
• Using an egg beater or utensil to beat the egg white until it turns out like foam. This will take a while. Apply lemon juice (optional).
• Rub foam egg white onto the face. Leave for 15 minutes.
• You may choose to peel or rinse it off with warm water.

12. GARLIC Spot Treatment

Garlic is very effective as an acne treatment for many reasons: it is a natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent and it also has antioxidant properties.

Garlic contains sulfur, which works very well for hair in sulfur shampoos and hair oils; hence we are expecting it to work on acne on the skin. Garlic is an excellent antibiotic.

• Beat or crush a peg of raw garlic until it is juicy. ADD WATER TO DILUTE IT.
• Garlic will give the skin a mild burn if applied directly so add a little water to the crushed garlic juice.
• Apply to acne blemish and leave for 5 minutes.
• Rinse face with clean warm water

13. Apply a NUTMEG Scrub

Nutmeg is great, but gentle at exfoliating dead skin cells from off the face. Nutmeg has astringent, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This treatment is combined with whole milk.

• Wash face.
• Grater nutmeg in a clean container and add a small amount of whole milk to the powder of nutmeg. Mix together to make a scrub.
• Add nutmeg scrub to face.
• Wash off with lukewarm water.
• Pat dry face.
• Apply twice per week until you see results.

You can get the best nutmegs here.

14. Apply a WHITE VINEGAR Toner

Vinegar is a natural antiseptic. There are many types of vinegar, but the ones I would recommend for acne are the apple cider vinegar and the distilled white vinegar.

Add some water to the vinegar before using it, as it is strong for the skin and might cause irritation.

• Add a little water to the white vinegar before applying it to the skin.
• Use a cotton swab to apply vinegar to the skin.
• Leave for 5 minutes.
• Wash face and pat dry or leave it on the face.

15. Apply APPLE CIDER VINGER Toner

Apple cider vinegar is good for stomach ache, acid indigestion, for sore throat, for weight loss, for the hair, and can be used as a toner to combat acne and lighten acne blemishes.

It can be aggressive to the skin; hence it can remove dead skin. It contains malic and lactic acids, which can remove bacteria and oil. It also has antiseptic properties.

• Using a volume of your choice, measure out equal volume of apple cider vinegar and water and mix well. This is because the raw vinegar will irritate the skin.
• Using a cotton swab, apply to the affected area of skin.
• Leave on face for 5 minutes.
• Wash vinegar off your face or leave on the face.

You can get purchase Apple Cider vinegar online.

16. POTATOES

Potato is one of those foods that can remove acne & dark spots from the face. The acids in the potatoes are good for working on acne. It is able to remove acne from the skin and lighten any blemish and will also tighten your pores.

• Wash face.
• Wash potato to get rid of bacteria.
• Cut potato into slices that are not too thick or not too thin.
• Rub the slice of potato on the pimples and hold it on your face for 5 minutes.
• Wash face with a gentle face soap.

17. PEPPERMINT LEAVES

Peppermint cures many stomach problems such as gas, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is also good for a number of other reasons: it cools the skin, cleanses the skin, and inhibits bacterial growth.

• Acquire some fresh peppermint mint leaves. Wash them thoroughly.
• Place them in a mortar and pound the leaves together.
• Paste the peppermint on your face.
• Leave on for 15 minutes.
• Wash face with clean water and pat dry.

18. TOOTHPASTE

White toothpaste contains many ingredients including hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. These two ingredients work best on drying out acne.

• Wash face and apply white toothpaste or mint toothpaste on the pimples for 25 minutes.
• This will give you a mild burn. After a couple of days the burn will go away, leaving you with new skin underneath. Caution, try this first on one pimple, and see how it goes before doing the entire face.
• Rinse your face.

You can get purchase toothpaste online.

19. STEAM, WATER AND ICE

Drinking water will help you to stay hydrated, detoxify your body, and dissolve waste products build up in your system. Therefore, drinking water often and daily will help to reduce toxin build-up which often finds its way out through the skin in the form of pimples.

Ice is good at reducing swelling and reducing the size of pimples. Place ice on a towel and place it on pimples for 10 minutes every day until the pimples are reduced.

Steaming your face is also good as this method opens the pores and helps to unclog your pores of dirt, bacteria, and anything else that might be living in those pores. Get some hot water and a clean towel. Hold your face over the steaming container ( with a towel over head to trap heat) and allow the steam to do its job. After the water cools down a little, you can use the clean towel and pat your face with the warm water. Do this for at least 10 minutes, ensuring you rotate your face over the container.

20. GET YOUR SLEEP

Sleep is very important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I can assure you that for every illness, sickness, and condition, having a good sleep is a part of the doctor’s recommendation to combat the problem. As a result, getting your sleep is also important to treat and control acne.

Not getting enough sleep can intensify acne by increasing the production of acne-causing bacteria. Sleeping on your back is the best method to get rid of acne through sleeping, as this prevents your hair from coming to your face and your hands from resting on it.

This is because when you sleep on your belly, your hair falls on your face as a result of gravity; and your hands naturally try to offer support to your head and face, which allows dirt residue to reach your face.

View some of the best facial oils for acne-prone skin