When your skin is already feeling less than stellar (as in, covered in volcanoes that are waiting to erupt at any moment and completely ruin your day) it may make you feel hesitant about treating the problem with harsh chemicals. After all, the last thing you would ever want to do would be to make the situation worse! Luckily, there are countless easy, natural DIY acne spot treating solutions that you can make yourself.
With spot treatments, all you need to do is put the solution on a zit and leave it on overnight (because who wants to walk around with a spot treatment on their face during the day) and you'll wake up with clearer skin. These agents reduce swelling and dry out pimples, so even after a few hours, your blemishes will be significantly less noticeable.
The best part about these quick fixes? Instead of dropping serious dollars on designer skincare treatments at a department or drug store, these DIY-solutions require ingredients that you already have lying around in your kitchen. Easy, effective, and cheap? Sign. Me. Up.
One more thing — always remember that the absolute best way for you to treat acne naturally is by not popping it — ever. You will only make things worse for yourself — I promise!
Here are nine incredibly easy and affordable DIY acne spot treatments you can whip up at home.
1. Activate Charcoal
Combine two capsules of activated charcoal (available at any health foods store) and two tablespoons of aloe vera gel, mix them together, and apply to your zit. Leave it on for 30 minutes, rinse it off, and voila — pimple-free by morning.
2. Zinc
This treatment also requires aloe vera gel, but instead of charcoal, it utilizes zinc oxide as its active ingredient. The aloe helps to reduce swelling while the zinc dries out the pimple as it works.
3. Calamine Oil
OK, so this one isn't totally natural, but it looks and acts just like Mario Badescu's fancy pimple drying oil and won't cost you nearly as much. Combine calamine oil, tea tree oil, and water, and use a Q-tip or dropper to cover your zits and blemishes with the solution. Leave it on overnight, and make sure you wear moisturizing SPF on your face the next day to protect your fresh, clear skin.
4. Ice Cube
Covering a monstrous pimple with an ice cube will help reduce the swelling and redness, and make your zits a lot smaller in a matter of seconds.
5. Orange Peel
Grate an orange peel to create a "zest paste," apply to your pimple and let sit overnight. The acid in the orange acts as an astringent, and come morning your zit will be totally dried out.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Since our skin is naturally acidic, using different chemicals may disrupt the pH balance and cause breakouts. Using Apple Cider Vinegar as a natural toner will help to restore this balance and kill bacteria all while removing dirt and leftover makeup. It also acts as a natural exfoliant, so will help get rid of dead skin on your face. Hello, glow.
7. Oatmeal
This acne-preventing mask is amazingly easy, and only requires ingredients you almost definitely already have in your kitchen. Combine oatmeal, honey and water, apply the mixture to you face, leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then wash it off with a warm towel. Use the leftovers for a delicious (and nutritious!) breakfast. Seriously.
8. Sugar
This mask requires honey, lemon, and brown sugar (which sounds absolutely delicious, in my opinion). The brown sugar helps with exfoliation, while the lemon aids in restoring the acid balance in your skin. The honey acts as an antibacterial to help clean your pores, and will leave you with brighter, more even tones.
9. Salty Water
If you're looking to treat acne and blackheads, this is a the treatment for you... and the only thing you need is salt. Think about how amazing your skin is after you swim in the ocean — this mask will help you achieve that same gorgeous glow at home. There are tons of different ways to use salt to help clear up acne, but the easiest is to pour the salt into a pot of boiling water, rest your face over the steam and leave it there for long enough to open your pores and let all the bacteria out. Make sure you moisturize thoroughly after using salt, though, as it tends to dry out your skin.
Ready to tackle those pimples with these easy DIY solutions? Sayonara, suckers.
Images: @iamvanessae/YouTube
