How to get rid of acne scars with these home remedies

If you’re struggling with acne, don’t worry, it’s a common from for people of all ages, though more so for teens and women going through the menopause.

Acne happens when you’ve got a hormonal imbalance in the body. Any changes in your hormones cause glands to produce more oil than usual, which then causes your skin pores to get clogged up, allowing bacteria to grow.

So you know why it happens, but we all know it doesn’t end there. If you’ve tried to take things into your own hands and got impatient you’ll know that acne leaves scars occur after a breakout. They won’t go away easily, and cause damage to your skin. They’re usually red or brown with uneven, trenched texture to them.

There’s no set time as to how long they last, though it’s often weeks to months, but it’s best to steer clear or harsh chemical treatments. There’s plenty of home remedies you can try and prevention measures you can take to speed things up. Ultimately you need to be patient.

Here are some natural remedies you can try.

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is anti-inflammatory and has antibacterial properties so is a great tool in your acne scar treatment arsenal.

What to do:

• You’ll need the actual aloe vera leaf – scoop out the gel after you cut it open.
• Apply the gel to the scars and massage it in.
• Leave it for 30 minutes. Rinse it off.
• Repeat 2 or 3 times daily.

OR

• Mix 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel and 2 or 3 drops of tea tree essential oil.
• Apply it to the scar.
• Rinse it off with cold water after 10 to 15 minutes.
• Use once daily.

2. Lemon

Lemon works as a natural bleach and helps lighten any kind of scars on your skin.

It removes dead skin cells, promotes new skin cell growth and improves skin elasticity.

What to do:

• Apply fresh lemon juice directly on to the scars using your fingertips or a cotton bud.
• Leave it for 10 minutes, then rinse it off with water.
• Repeat 1 or 2 times a day.
• Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and honey.
• Use a cotton ball to apply to the scars.
• Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Wash it off with water and pat dry.
• Repeat once a day.

OR

• Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice with 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil.
• Apply to your acne scars before going to bed.
• Wash it off the next morning.
• Repeat daily.

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3. Coconut Oil

This is a rich source of vitamin E and fatty acids.

• Rub coconut oil into the skin
• Apply warm coconut oil to the scars
• Massage onto scars for 5 to 10 minutes
• Leave for an hour
• Rinse with warm water

OR

• Mix lavender oil with 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• Apple to area and massage in for a few minutes
• Leave for 20-30 minutes
• Rinse it off with warm water
• Repeat once or twice daily for several weeks

4. Vitamin E Oil

The oil is an antioxidant so helps repair the skin.

• Puncture the end of a vitamin E gel capsule.
• Take out the gel and apply directly on the scarred skin.
• Do this 2 or 3 times a day.

OR

• Mix 1 vitamin E capsule contents with 1 teaspoon of castor oil.
• Apply it on the affected skin before bed.
• Leave it on overnight.
• Rinse it off the next morning – use warm water.
• Repeat daily.

5. Baking Soda

Baking Soda works as a mild exfoliant to help fade the scar tissue by layers.

• 2 teaspoons of baking soda into a bowl.
• Add water to make a thin paste.
• Apply the mixture on your acne scars.
• Leave it on for a couple of minutes, then rinse it off.
• Repeat once daily for several weeks to help fade your acne scars.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

The acidic property of apple cider vinegar helps lighten pigmentation in the skin.

It also stimulates collagen production, repairs cells and removes dead skin cells.

What to do:

• Mix equal amounts of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and water.
• Dip your cotton ball in it and apply it to scars.
• Leave for 5 minutes.
• Rinse it off with water. Repeat daily.

OR

• Mix 2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with half a cup of water and 2 tablespoons of honey.
• Use a cotton ball to apply it.
• Leave it or 10 to 15 minutes.
• Rinse it off.
• Repeat once daily.

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7. Potato

The high starch content helps fade scars and blemishes.

What to do:

• Grate 1 potato and strain through a cloth to get the juice.
• Apply this to the acne scars.
• Leave it for 20 minutes before rinsing.

OR

• Cut a potato into thick slices.
• Rub a slice onto your skin for a minute.
• Leave the juice on your face for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Rinse it off.

8. Cocoa Butter

It gets easily absorbed into the skin locking in moisture. It helps regrowth of the tissue, reducing scars.

• Apply a small amount of cocoa butter directly on the scars.
• Massage in to help it get absorbed into the skin.
• Repeat daily before bed and wash it off the next morning.

9. Turmeric

Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is loaded with skin-healing properties. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

• Mix 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder with a little lemon juice to make a paste.
• Apply it to the scars.
• Wash it off after 15 minutes with warm water.
• Pat your face dry and apply a moisturizer.
• Repeat twice daily.

OR

• Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt and 1 teaspoon of extra-virgin coconut oil.
• Apply it to scars. Allow it to dry.
• Using wet fingers, gently scrub it on your skin. Take a minute.
• Wash it off. Do it 2 or 3 times a week.

10. Honey

The honey has antibiotic and healing properties. It can help treat acne as well help clear scars.

What to do:

• Apply honey on the scars, cover it with a bandage or gauze and leave it on overnight.
• In the morning, wash it off with warm water.
• Repeat daily before going to bed.

OR

• Crush 2 or 3 aspirin tablets into a powder.
• Mix it into 2 teaspoons of honey.
• Apply it on your scars and leave it for 15 minutes.
• Wash it off with lukewarm water.
• Repeat once daily.