Acne
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by swollen red breakouts that appear on the face, neck, back, and chest. When dirt, oil, makeup, dead skin cells, and other toxins clog the pores, bacteria thrive, and cause blemishes. Acne is caused by stress, poor hygiene, poor diet, hormonal imbalances, and certain medications.
Acne Treatment
There are plenty of commercial acne remedies available, but they’re expensive and often ineffective. Fortunately, there are better ways to treat acne. Neem, or Indian Lilac, is a natural, affordable, effective home remedy that won’t cause unwanted side effects. It’s a tropical evergreen plant found mostly in India and Burma, and people there have been using it to treat various health problems, including acne, for centuries.
Neem For Acne
Is Neem Good For Acne?
You’re about to learn several ways to use neem to treat acne, but first, let’s take a look at why it works.
Benefits Of Neem leaves For Acne Treatment:
- As an anti-oxidant, neem is twice as potent as broccoli or blueberries.
- Neem is anti-fungal and antibacterial, and it strengthens the immune system, so it protects against the bacteria that cause acne.
- Neem is a natural astringent, and it contains quercetin, a bio-flavinoid that fades scars and keeps skin taught and smooth.
- Neem contains salicylic acid, an anti-bacterial agent found in many commercial acne products.
- It reduces inflammation, swelling, redness, and tenderness caused by breakouts.
- Neem helps balance oil production to prevent excess oil from clogging pores.
- Neem oil is is an excellent moisturizer.
- The carotenoids, fatty acids, ascorbic acid, and vitamin E in neem help heal acne, prevent scarring, and leave skin with a healthy glow.
- Neem is a non – abrasive exfoliate, which draws toxins from the skin and tightens pores to prevent bacterial infections that cause acne.
How To Use Neem To Treat Acne?
Neem comes in many forms, all of which can be used to treat acne. It can also be used in combination with other natural ingredients that keep skin healthy. Try all the methods below until you find the one that works best for you.
Home Remedies For Acne
1. Neem Paste
- Crush fresh neem leaves with a mortar and pestle to make a paste.
- If necessary, add water to crush leaves more easily.
- Use a cotton ball to apply the paste to breakouts as a spot treatment.
- Leave on 30 minutes, then rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat daily.
2. Neem Oil
To avoid itching or stinging, neem oil should always be diluted with olive oil, coconut oil, or another carrier oil.
- Mix few drops of neem oil with few drops of olive or coconut oil.
- Use a cotton ball to apply oils to breakouts as spot treatment.
- Massage gently for 2 minutes.
- Leave on until dry or overnight.
- Rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat regularly to get rid of acne.
3. Neem and Fuller's Earth (Multani Mitti)
- Mince 1 tablespoon of neem leaves.
- Mix with 1 tablespoon of Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth).
- Add enough rose water to make a paste.
- Apply to breakouts as spot treatment.
- Leave on 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Repeat daily.
4. Neem and Yogurt
- Crush dry neem leaves into a fine powder.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of neem leaf powder with 1 tablespoon of gram flour.
- Add enough yogurt to make a paste.
- Use fingertips to gently massage paste into skin for 3 minutes.
- Leave on until dry.
- Rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat regularly.
5. Neem and Turmeric
- Wash and mince fresh neem leaves.
- Mix equal parts of minced neem leaf and turmeric powder.
- Add enough water to make a paste.
- Use a cotton ball to massage paste gently into skin, focusing on breakouts.
- Leave on 20-25 minutes.
- Wash face with mild cleanser and pat dry.
- You can also boil and then crush the neem leaves.
- Repeat daily.
6. Neem and Sandalwood
- Mix equal parts of neem powder and sandalwood powder.
- Stir in enough water to make a paste.
- Use fingertips to massage paste into skin.
- Leave on 25 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Repeat daily.
7. Neem water
- Boil 2 cups of water and stir in fresh neem leaves.
- Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let steep 10 minutes.
- Strain and discard leaves.
- Pour neem-infused water into spray bottle.
- Spritz with neem water after washing skin.
- Repeat twice daily.
8. Neem and Calamine Powder
- Mix enough neem leaf extract and calamine powder to make a paste.
- Use fingertips to massage paste into skin, focusing on breakouts.
- Leave on until dry, and then rinse with water and pat dry.
- Calamine powder can be substituted with sandalwood powder.
- Repeat daily.
9. Neem, Turmeric, and Coconut Oil
- Make turmeric paste by mixing water and organic turmeric powder.
- Make neem leaf paste by boiling and crushing 10 leaves.
- Mix ¼ teaspoon turmeric paste and neem leaf paste together.
- Use fingertips to massage paste into skin.
- Leave on until dry, rinse with water, and pat dry.
- In a separate container, mix ¼ teaspoon neem oil with 2 tablespoons coconut oil.
- Use fingertips to massage oil mixture into skin.
- Leave on overnight.
- Repeat nightly.
10. Neem, Turmeric, Yogurt, Lemon, and Honey
Yogurt soothes irritated skin, honey kills bacteria that cause acne, and lemon juice bleaches away scars.
- Dry neem leaves in the sun, then crush them to make powder.
- Mix neem powder with turmeric powder.
- Mix 2 tablespoons neem-turmeric powder with 1 tablespoon yogurt, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice to make a paste.
- Gently massage paste into skin.
- Leave on 20 minutes, rinse with cool water, and pat dry.
- Repeat regularly to reduce acne.
11. Neem and Cucumber
- Peel and chop 1 cucumber.
- Put cucumber in blender and mix until smooth.
- Mix pureed cucumber with enough neem oil or paste.
- Gently massage paste into skin and let dry.
- Rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat 3 times weekly.
12. Neem Bath
This will help to treat acne on the back and chest.
- Run a hot bath.
- Stir in a handful of fresh neem leaves and a few drops of neem oil.
- Get in and soak 15 – 20 minutes.
- Afterward, rinse in the shower with plain water.
- Repeat 3 times weekly.
13. Neem, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and French Clay
- Mix neem oil, eucalyptus oil, Rosemary oil, and french clay.
- Apply to face, concentrating on acne-prone areas, and let dry.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
- Repeat 2 times weekly (any more than this will dry out skin).
14. Neem, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Grape Seed Oil
This method is especially effective for back acne.
- Mix 1 part of neem oil with 1 part of grapeseed oil.
- Stir in 2 parts of raw, organic apple cider vinegar.
- Pour mixture in small spray bottle.
- Spritz back (and any other areas) and leave on for few minutes.
- Rinse with water and repeat regularly.
15. Neem, Lemon Juice, and Rosewater
- Mix neem leaf powder with enough rosewater and lemon juice to make a paste.
- Gently massage paste into skin.
- Leave on 20 minutes, rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat 3 times weekly.
16. Neem, Honey, and Basil
- Grind or blend dried basil to make a powder.
- Mix basil powder with neem leaf powder.
- Stir in enough raw honey to make a paste.
- Use fingertips to gently massage paste into skin.
- Leave on 5 minutes or until dry.
- Rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat regularly to prevent acne.
17. Neem, Turmeric, and Milk
Milk hydrates and moisturizes the skin.
- Mix equal parts of neem leaf powder and turmeric powder.
- Stir in enough milk to create a paste.
- Use fingertips to apply to face.
- Leave on until dry, rinse with lukewarm water, and pat dry.
- Repeat regularly to clear acne.
18. Neem Tea
- Boil 2 cups of water and stir in 2 ounces of neem leaves or neem leaf powder.
- Remove from heat and let steep 10 minutes.
- Strain and discard leaves.
- Stir in lemon juice and raw honey to taste.
- Drink regularly to reduce acne and get healthy skin.
19. Neem Juice
According to BSCAH, drinking 2 – 4 teaspoons of neem juice 2 – 3 times a day is one of the most effective ways to clear up acne. Mix neem juice into fruit juice, water, tea, or smoothies.
Neem for Cystic Acne
Neem is naturally antiseptic and anti-microbial, so it kills the bacteria that cause the infections that result in cystic acne. It also reduces swelling and redness. Try these methods for treating cystic acne with neem.
- Twice a day, apply neem leaf paste to cystic acne, leave on until dry, and rinse with warm water.
- Twice a day, apply neem oil to cystic acne, leave on 10-15 minutes, rinse with warm water and pat dry.
- Three times a day, drink neem tea, juice, or water to detoxify the body internally and prevent bacteria from causing cystic acne.
Neem Capsules for Acne
Neem is also available in capsule form. Taking them regularly detoxifies the body internally, preventing bacteria from causing acne. Research shows that neem supplements also help the liver break down and eliminate toxins that may cause acne. The proper dosage for neem capsules is usually 2, taken with meals, but read the bottle or consult a doctor to be sure. Some have seen results in 1 week.
Tips and Precautions:
For best results, follow the advice below when using neem to treat acne.
- If you can’t find fresh neem leaves, use neem powder.
- If you have access to actual neem trees, make a paste out of the soft bark and use that as an acne mask.
- Use mild cleaners and other products while using neem treatments.
- Make neem soap with olive, avocado, or jojoba oil.
- Avoid contact with nostrils or eyes.
- Pregnant women should not use neem treatments.
- Keep neem away from children and babies as it can cause Reye’s syndrome.
- Before starting neem treatments, do a patch test to find out of you are allergic to it. If you notice redness, itching, or swelling, stop using neem.
- Make or buy neem-based soaps and lotions.
- If these treatments don’t start working within 7-10 days, consult your doctor.
As with other natural remedies, neem will be most effective when combined with good hygiene, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. Drink plenty of water, eat a lot of protein, and avoid carbohydrates and sugar.
