Two Homemade Acne Treatment Face Masks To Try

Posted on: 13 July 2015

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Acne can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, and difficult to treat. Every case is different, and what works well for a friend may not work at all for you. Before you resort to intense acne treatments like laser therapy and prescription medications, it's worthwhile to try some milder solutions. These two face masks may help calm your acne symptoms, and they're made with simple, natural ingredients that you can easily find in a grocery store.

Honey and Cinnamon

Cinnamon is known for its powerful antimicrobial effects, and honey has antibacterial properties, too. Since many cases of acne are caused, in part, by an overabundance of bacteria on the skin, these two ingredients are a goldmine for acne treatment.

To make a honey and cinnamon mask, combine the following:

  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 pinch of cinnamon

Don't use more than a pinch of cinnamon, or it may make your face feel too hot and red. Warm the honey for just 5 seconds in the microwave to make it a little runnier, but not hot. Stir in the cinnamon, and apply the mixture to your face. Let it sit for 10 - 15 minutes, and rinse it away. Use this mask daily for a week or two before deciding whether or not it is effectively treating your acne.

Yogurt and Ginger

Ginger contains powerful components called gingerols, which help fight inflammation in the body. If your acne is very red and inflamed, this treatment may be perfect for you. Yogurt helps re-balance the pH of the skin, making it less appealing to certain bacteria. For this recipe, you need:

  • 2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger root

You can use regular yogurt in place of the Greek yogurt if you have it on hand, but the resulting mask will be runnier, so you may need to stand over a sink to avoid making a mess while wearing it. Mix the two ingredients together, and smear it over your face. Let it work its magic for 10 minutes, or until the ginger begins to make your face feel warm and tingly. Rinse the mixture away with cold water to fight the inflammation even further.

If you find that you like either of these face masks, you can make a large batch and use a little every day, so you don't have to mix and measure so often. Keep the yogurt mask in the fridge; the honey mixture can be left out at room temperature. If these masks do not work for you, consider visiting Appearance Dermatology or your local dermatologist.