One of the severest forms of acne is cystic acne. This type of acne feels like fluid – filled lumps under the surface of your skin. They are red and large breakouts which can be very painful and they can cause big skin damage which is making the likelihood of developing scars extremely high. Cystic acne can develop on your shoulders, upper arms, chest and face. Our skin pores are composed of hair follicles and sebaceous glands. These glands secrete sebum. When they produce too much sebum, then our pores are clogged along with the epidermal cells shed by our skin. When are clogged our pores become infected and this infection is getting deep into our skin, then this condition leads to cystic acne.
Hormonal changes that stimulate the sebum production are the biggest factor which contributes to cystic acne. Also there are other factors which can lead to cystic acne such as chemicals, certain drugs, excessive humidity or sweating and use of greasy cosmetics. Teenagers are having the biggest risk of getting cystic acne because there are hormonal changes which are going on their bodies. But this condition also can get other people. Maintaining healthy lifestyle and healthy skin care routine are very important for treating cystic acne. If you suffer from cystic acne, then you should talk with your doctor about this condition. [1,2]
Home remedies for cystic acne
Lavender oil: Lavender essential oil is a very effective home remedy for cystic acne. It promotes healing and reduces pain and inflammation. It can prevent scarring. If you have noticed that you have acne, then you should dab some lavender oil on the affected areas. You should do this natural treatment two to three times per day. This home remedy will help the fluid to come to a head within a day or two which will promote the healing process. Also you can mix a mild cleanser with a few drops of lavender oil. You should use this mixture to wash your face two times per day. Also there is another option which you can make. You should wash your face thoroughly. Then, you should prepare a hot water with four to five drops of lavender essential oil. You should cover your head with a towel. You should let the steam to flow over your face for five to ten minutes. You should repeat this natural treatment two to three times per week. [3]
Natural remedies for cystic acne
Fuller’s Earth: This is a type of clay. It is also a very effective natural treatment for cystic acne. It will help you to rid of excess oil and dead skin cells. This will give you a smooth and clean skin. Also it will reduce the chances of scars forming. You should mix one to two tablespoons of Fuller’s Earth with an enough amount of water to make a paste. You should mix it with ½ teaspoon of honey. You should apply this natural treatment on your face. You should allow this natural treatment to dry on its own. Then, you should wash it off with water. You should do this natural treatment once or twice per week.
Baking soda: Baking soda is also a very effective home remedy for cystic acne because it has anti – inflammatory and antiseptic properties [4]. This home remedy can pull out the excess oil from the clogged pores. Also it can exfoliate dead skin cells. Also it can balance the pH levels of your skin which is making it healthy and glowing. You should mix one teaspoon of baking soda with an enough amount of cucumber juice to make a thin paste. If you do not have cucumber juice, then you should use plain water. You should apply this natural treatment on the affected areas. You should let this home remedy to stay on the affected areas for a couple of minutes. Then, you should rinse it off with lukewarm water. You should do this natural treatment once or twice per week. After you have used baking soda, it is a very important to moisturize your skin.
Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is one of the most used natural remedies for treating cystic acne. This home remedy penetrates easily into your skin which is helping to unblock the sebaceous glands, disinfect pores and dry out the acne. You should put one or two drops of tea tree oil on a cotton ball. Dab this cotton ball gently on the affected areas. You should let this remedy to stay on your skin for a few hours or you can let it stay there throughout the night. People who have sensitive skin should dilute one part tea tree oil with three parts water. Also there is another mixture which you can make from tea tree oil. You should mix one teaspoon of raw and organic honey with four to five drops of tea tree oil. You should apply this mixture directly on the affected areas. You should let it stay there for fifteen minutes. Then, you should rinse it off with water. You should use some of the mentioned natural cures with the tea tree oil once per day in a period of one week. Before you should start using tea tree oil as your natural treatment for cystic acne, you should make a patch test because in this way you will know if you are allergic to it. [3]
Apple cider vinegar: One of the most used natural treatments for cystic acne is apple cider vinegar. It has astringent properties which will remove the excess oil to cure the acne. Also it will reduce inflammation and pain. It will help you to cleanse your skin. This home remedy will balance the pH levels of your skin. You should mix equal amounts of unfiltered apple cider vinegar and water. You should dip a cotton ball in this natural cure. You should apply it on the affected areas. You should let this remedy to stay on the affected areas for fifteen minutes. Then, you should rinse it off with water. You should repeat this natural treatment two times per day in a period of few days. In one glass of warm water you should add a small amount of raw honey and one teaspoon of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar. You should drink this natural cure once or twice per day. This tonic can help you in the prevention of acne and other skin problems. You should leave a dab of diluted apple cider vinegar on the affected areas to stay over the night if you want to reduce the appearance of acne scars, pimples or age spots. [5]
Turmeric: If you want to rid of cystic acne, then you should use turmeric as your natural treatment. It has curcumin which has anti – inflammatory properties that will help you to get a relief from the pain and inflammation. Also it acts as natural antiseptic which can fight against the infection. You should add one to two teaspoons of turmeric powder in a small amount of water or unrefined sesame oil. Make a paste of these ingredients. You should apply this natural cure on the affected areas. You should it on your skin for one hour before you rinse it off. You should use this natural treatment once or twice per day in a period of few days. Also you can make another natural treatment which you should consume. In one glass of warm milk you should add ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder and drink it. [6]
Indian lilac: Indian lilac is also margosa or neem. This is a very popular Ayurvedic natural cure for cystic acne. It has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties which will fight against the cause of cystic acne and also they will reduce the symptoms of cystic acne such as inflammation and pain. Also you can take this natural treatment internally because in this way it can purify your blood and detoxify your body. You should apply the paste of neem leaves on the affected areas. You should allow this remedy to dry on its own before you rinse it off with warm water. You should dab a few drops of neem oil on the affected areas. You should use a cotton ball for it. You should let this oil to stay on your skin for ten minutes. Then, you should rinse it off with warm water. You should follow some of the mentioned natural remedies with Indian lilac two times per day in a period of few days.
Green tea: It has antioxidant components that can help you to have healthy and glowing skin. Also it has anti – inflammatory properties which can soothe irritated and swollen skin. You should mix ¼ cup of water and ¼ cup of freshly brewed green tea. You should use a cotton ball to apply this natural cure to the affected areas. You should let it stay there for fifteen minutes. Then, you should rinse it off using cool water. You should follow this remedy two times per day until you have the desired results. Also you can drink three to four cups of green tea every day. [7,8]
References:
[1] Pappas A. The relationship of diet and acne: A review. Dermato Endocrinology. 2009;1(5):262-7.
[2] Zahra Ghodsi S, Orawa H, Zouboulis CC. Prevalence, severity, and severity risk factors of acne in high school pupils: A community-based study. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2009;129(9):2136-41.
[3] Shin S. Antimicrobial and improvement effects of tea tree and lavender oils on acne lesions. Journal of Convergence Information Technology. 2013;8(13):339.
[4] Drake D. Antibacterial activity of baking soda. Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry. 1997;18(21):S17-21.
[5] Ahmad A, Alghanemi L, Alrefaie S, et al. The use of complementary medicine among acne valguris patients: Cross sectional study. Journal of Dermatology & Dermatologic Survey. 2017;21(2):66-71.
[6] Vaughn AR, Branum A, Sivamani RK. Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on skin health: A systematic review of the clinical evidence. Phytotherapy Research. 2016;30(8):1243-64.
[7] Saric S, Notay M, Sivamani RK. Green tea and other tea polyphenols: Effects on sebum production and acne vulgaris. Antioxidants. 2017;6(1):2.
[8] Forest JM, Rafikhah N. Oral aqueous green tea extract and acne vulgaris: A placebo-controlled study. Asian Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2014;6(2):41-46.
