Most people who suffer from acne have tried everything under the sun to get rid of it. They have tried every topical cream, lotion, ointment or gel in the drugstore. They have tried all of the high-priced products that are advertised on late night infomercials, and they have tried scrubbing until their skin bled. We all do the same thing, looking for a cure for a malady that takes away our self-esteem and our self-confidence, and leaves us with a face full of scars to remind us of all those good times.

Homemade acne treatments are something that many people just don’t take advantage of and in many cases they are free or very low-cost, and they are the easiest way to relieve acne symptoms and prevent scarring. Many of these treatments are just common sense and seem too good to be true, so you probably just never bothered even trying them. Now is the time you can ask yourself why.

You may have heard of salicylic acid, which is present in many over-the-counter medications that are used to dry out acne. Well, glycolic acid is the natural equivalent of this drying agent and can be found in fruits. A mask of honey and grated apples provides enough glycolic acid to dry out your skin, but not enough to make it peel and become red. Make this mask once a week and leave it on for fifteen minutes. It will help to draw the excess oils out of your pores and leave your skin looking great and smelling sweet.

Oatmeal masks also work pretty well. Mix dry oatmeal with avocadoes, bananas, or honey and leave it on until it dries. Rinse it off with warm water and then rinse with cool water. It will also help clean your skin naturally and remove any excess oils.

Some homemade acne treatments aren’t treatments at all, but rather lifestyle changes. One of the primary causes of acne is lack of sleep. If you aren’t getting a good nights sleep, your entire body is suffering and one of the first places that it shows up is on your face. Get a proper nights sleep and make sure that you are sleeping through the night. If you aren’t, then talk to your doctor to find out what is keeping you up and what you can do about it. A good night’s sleep will do wonders for your complexion.

Although drinking too many sodas does not cause acne, dehydration does not help and that is what happens to a lot of people who drink diet sodas (usually loaded with caffeine). Also, if you drink too much alcohol, you are in a constant state of dehydration which only serves to make your skin dryer (in a bad way) and more prone to acne. Take care of your body, drink lots of water, and try to stay away from drinking too much booze if you can.

Finally, sometimes acne is your bodys way of telling you that you aren’t taking good care of it. Take your vitamins, stay out of the sun, drink your water, and your skin will eventually reward you for your good behavior!