One of the world’s most common skin conditions, acne affects many people at some point in their lives.

Conventional acne treatments can be expensive and they can often have undesirable side effects like dryness, redness, and irritation.

Due to this, many people look to find a natural cure for acne at home. The Internet is brimming with suggestions, but do natural treatments actually work?

Here are some natural remedies for acne that are backed by science.

Apply apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, similar to other kinds of vinegar, is known for its ability to fight several viruses and bacteria. It contains several organic acids that have shown to kill Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), which is the bacterium that grows due to the extra sebum that can cause the pores to get plugged. Particularly, succinic acid has been shown to suppress inflammation that is caused by P. acnes, which may prevent scarring. Lactic acid has also shown to improve the appearance of acne scars. Additionally, apple cider vinegar may help in drying up the excess oil that causes acne in the first place.

How to use it?
To use apple cider vinegar for acne removal:

  • Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water (use more water if you have sensitive skin).
  • Cleanse your face.
  • After cleansing, gently apply the mixture to your skin using a cotton ball.
  • Let sit for 5-20 seconds.
  • Rinse with water and pat dry.

You can repeat this process 1-2 times per day, as needed.

Take a zinc supplement
An essential nutrient, zinc is important for cell growth, hormone production, and immune function.

Research states that people having acne tend to have lower levels of zinc in their blood compared to those with clear skin. As per several studies, taking zinc orally helps in reducing acne.

Zinc is an essential nutrient that’s important for cell growth, hormone production, metabolism and immune function.

As per research, people with acne tend to have lower levels of zinc in their blood in comparison to those with clear skin.

The safe and recommended upper limit of zinc is 40 mg per day; therefore, it is probably best to not exceed that amount unless you are under the supervision of a medical doctor. Taking too much zinc may cause adverse side effects, including stomach pain and gut irritation.

You must also note that applying zinc to the skin has not shown to be effective. This can be because zinc is not effectively absorbed through the skin.

Make a honey and cinnamon mask
Excellent sources of antioxidants, both honey and cinnamon are helpful to acne-prone skin.

Several studies have found that applying antioxidants to the skin is effective at reducing acne even more than benzoyl peroxide and retinoids.

Honey and cinnamon also have the ability to fight bacteria, as well as reduce inflammation, which are the two main factors that trigger acne.

Although the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of both honey and cinnamon may benefit acne-prone skin, there are no studies that state their ability to treat acne.

How to use it?
For this remedy, you need to prepare a honey and cinnamon mask. To prepare and use this mask:

  • Mix 2 tablespoons honey and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together and form a paste.
  • After cleansing your face, apply this mask to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
  • Completely rinse the mask off and pat your face dry.