Do you struggle with acne – more specifically cystic acne? Don’t you worry because this article talks about natural remedies for cystic acne that sure work!
What is Cystic Acne?
Cystic acne is characterized by pimples that like to sit just under the surface of the skin.
You know those huge swollen bumps.
One another specialty of cystic acne is they hurt, like a lot. It’s a throbbing pain that many feel most when you’re lying down on your side with your cheek on the pillow.
Also, they can take weeks to heal, not to mention can leave scars which also take weeks to fade.
Causes of Cystic Acne
All skin types can suffer from cystic acne.
That’s because cystic acne may be connected to hormonal issues including puberty, PMS, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, pre-menopause and even breastfeeding.
Hormonal shifts in the body can affect the skin.
The skin responds by going into an overproduction of its natural oils, sebum.
The flux of sebum out of the skin’s pores collects dirt, pollution, dead skin cells and bacteria which all contribute to pore-clogging.
That eventually gathers up into a pus-filled mound which is seen as a cystic pimple.
Cystic acne is also linked to digestive issues, when food isn’t being digested properly in the gut or intestines.
Below are simple but effective natural remedies for cystic acne:
8 Natural Remedies for Cystic Acne
1. Cystic Acne Diet
I know it’s not easy changing your diet but if you’re serious about busting cystic acne’s butt, then you’ll try all means.
The cystic acne diet basically involves trying to eat as much nutrient-filled food as you can.
The key is to heal from the inside so that you can balance your hormones and improve digestion.
Foods to eat include: leafy greens such as spinach & kale, veggies such as carrots, beets, cucumber & so on, fresh fruits like apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries and more.
Foods to avoid include: alcohol, factory-processed dairy, white sugar, refined flour, milk chocolate and more.
I love making and drinking fresh smoothies and juices for cystic acne. That way, I can combine many nutritious veggies and fruits I would otherwise avoid into one delicious drink.
Check out:
- 7 Foods to Avoid with Cystic Acne
- 3 Green Smoothies for Cystic Acne You Can’t Miss Out On
- Top 3 Juicing Recipes for Cystic Acne
2. Facial Steaming
Another one of my favorite natural remedies for cystic acne is facial steaming.
This helps ‘open up’ the skin pores by softening the skin, which helps the rock hard cystic mounds become tender and release their contents easier so they can start healing already.
How to do facial steaming for cystic acne:
- Fill a medium sized wide mouthed sauce pan with ¾ way with water.
- Boil it on the stove till it’s all steamy.
- Turn off the stove and carefully transfer the saucepan on a table (place a tablemat first).
- Now sit down close to the saucepan with your face directly in front of it so steam is hitting your face.
- Cover your head with the saucepan to make a tent to trap the steam.
- Stay inside the steam tent for 10 minutes.
- When the time is up, your face will be dripping with water.
- Cleanse your skin and apply the aspirin face mask below!
3. Aspirin Face Mask
Crushing aspirin tablets to make a face mask is effective for taking down the pain and swelling associated with cystic acne.
How to make an aspirin face mask for cystic acne:
- Place about 5 uncoated aspirin tablets in a small bowl.
- Now add a little bit of water and crush the tablets to form a paste.
- Using clean finger tips or a face mask brush, gently apply the aspirin face mask on your face.
- Let it sit and work for 5 minutes then rinse off with warm water.
- Pat your face dry with a soft towel, then tone using the apple cider vinegar toner below:
4. Apple Cider Vinegar Toner
Apple cider vinegar makes a great toner when diluted with water. It has oil control properties, fights bacteria on your face and keeps your skin healthy.
How to make an apple cider vinegar toner for cystic acne:
- In a small spray bottle, add 1 tsp of pure apple cider vinegar.
- Now add 4 drops of lavender essential oil.
- Fill up the bottle with distilled water.
- Cap the bottle and shake till all contents are well mixed.
- Spray on your clean and dry face before moisturizing with the hemp seed oil moisturizer below:
5. Hemp Seed Oil Moisturizer
The best moisturizer for cystic acne may be hemp seed oil.
For one, it has a comedogenic rating of zero, meaning it will not clog up your pores at all.
The comedogenic scale runs from 0 to 5 with 0 being non pore-clogging and 5 being very pore-clogging.
Secondly, it’s good for combating hormonal acne issues.
And lastly, it has a silky nice texture that leaves skin supple and glowy.
How to use hemp seed oil as a moisturizer:
- Get a 1 oz amber glass dropper bottle.
- Add 5 drops tea tree essential oil and 5 drops lavender essential oil.
- Now top off with pure hemp seed oil.
- Replace the cap on the bottle and gently shake it to mix everything up.
- To use, place 3 drops on your palms, rub together then apply on your clean dry and toned face.
- You can also use hemp seed ‘neat’ on your face without adding the essential oils.
6. Acne-Busting Essential Oils
Essential oils can be really effective in making cystic acne heal faster and leave no craters or scars behind.
Some of the best essential oils for cystic acne include:
- Tea tree essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
- Geranium essential oil
- Clary sage essential oil
- Frankincense essential oil
Frankincense & lavender are great for scars in particular. While geranium and clary sage combat hormonal acne.
Remember essential oils must be diluted in another ingredient like a carrier oil (hemp seed oil) before use. For every 1 tsp of hemp seed oil, only 2 drops of essential oil are needed.
7. Ice Cube Action
To calm inflammation and redness, ice cubes can be used.
You can simply dab an ice cube on your face over the sink after washing your face, right before using your apple cider vinegar toner.
Ice cubes also leave skin hydrated, taut and feeling much better in terms of pain and swelling.
8. Probiotic Supplement
Probiotic supplements are a must-have to heal cystic acne.
This is because they help improve your gut health and digestion.
That’s not all – they also help keep your hormones balanced by keeping your gut in tip-top shape.
Get yourself a good quality probiotic supplement and take it consistently!
There you go – 8 effective natural remedies for cystic acne. I hope you follow these tips and get clear skin once and forever!
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