Instead of cowering under your covers or rocking a baseball cap and enormous Olsen twins-style sunnies every day, check out these breakout-banishing all natural remedies for acne. Your skin will give you a glowing ovation for sure!

It’s a major bummer when you’ve reached your 20s and 30s and all of a sudden your skin decides to take a walk down preteen memory lane. The age-old myth is that every seven years your hormones change which is usually code for “get ready because your skin is about to freak the f&^% out!” These all natural remedies for acne can help.

1. Honey

Honey in its purest form is hands down the champion constituent in natural methods of zapping acne and blasting those unsightly blemishes. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties are endless and you will save many pretty pennies by switching to this sweet stuff than opting for drug store solutions that usually fail.

When picking out honey for cleansing or masking, you must be label-alert. Look for raw, unheated, and unfiltered honey. This type consists of all of the essential nutrients needed. If there is propolis (“bee glue” that holds the honeycombs together) present in the jar, even better. Propolis reduces breakouts due to its antibacterial quality. Raw honey contains glycolic acid, which aids in balancing skin’s natural pH making it amazing at helping to heal skin and brighten the complexion. It will gently remove impurities and daily grime from yucky, clogged pores, but won’t strip the skin’s natural oils. Throw in a dash of cinnamon for its killer antimicrobial properties or squeeze some lemon in it for a little exfoliation. Whether cleansing or masking, you can leave your honey-mix on for 10-15 minutes twice a day for maximized results. Get a ton of sweet honey facts right here.

2. Papaya

The worst and hardest type of acne to battle is cystic. For lack of a better description, they are deeply rooted, hard pustules that are full of trapped bacteria and oil, sore to the touch, and a major bitch to fight off. Don’t give up just yet because there’s a very simple and easily attainable remedy. Papayas aren’t just for fruity cocktails and health-conscious smoothies. After rinsing your face with some H2O, try mashing some papaya up and spread it all over your face, letting it sit for about 15-20 minutes before washing clean. Papaya possesses the ability to remove dead skin cells and excess lipids and even has an enzyme called papain, which in my opinion, is the best feature because that will vanquish pus before it can begin to form. Say goodbye to that cystic crap! Another tip: as per the norm when purchasing produce, choosing organic if possible is always most beneficial.

3. Banana Peel

They’re delicious and nutritious… for your skin! Eat a banana then rub the inside of the peel all over the surface of your face until you’ve reached the desired coverage and leave it on for 30 minutes or so. It sounds silly, but this fruit packs serious acne ass-kicking skills. Lutein, an antioxidant found in bananas, has the capability to decrease redness, inflammation, and swelling of the skin. It can also help generate new cell growth. This is likely the most effortless of all natural remedies for acne out there… You can literally eat a banana in your car on the way home from work and smear it on your face to reduce and regenerate, paying no mind to those who may look at you like you’ve totally lost it.

4. Willow Bark Extract

This is an all natural alternative to the harsh drug store version of salicylic acid. Willow bark is anti-inflammatory and an awesome exfoliant. It clears out clogged pores and aids in shedding dead skin cells that would otherwise end up being the cause of the cursed clogging. Willow bark is the perfect spot treatment so you can stop going to bed with Colgate toothpaste spots sprinkled all over your face at night. You’re welcome.

5. Potato

Oh yeah, you’re totally reading that correctly. Potato. Believe it or not (I almost didn’t), potatoes are a great source for all natural remedies for acne. They’re teaming with brilliant elements such as potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, and chloride. All of those mentioned assist in decreasing those pesky pimples while the antioxidants also found in ‘taters speed up the birth of new cells. The task of application is another simple one, it’s actually almost stupid-easy. Grate a potato and take its shreds and juices and rub generously on your face using circular motions. Allow it to dry for 15-30 minutes and then rinse it all the way off with tepid water.

Now get in your kitchen and start concocting!

Related on EcoSalon

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5 Easy Homemade Face Mask Recipes with Pumpkin

10 Unusual Ways To Use Bananas

Image via bionicgrrrl and Rita. Yang

The post 5 Breakout-Banishing All Natural Remedies For Acne: Beat the Endless Zit Battle appeared first on EcoSalon.

With plenty of benefits for your skin, pumpkin is the perfect ingredient for a homemade face mask.

So you’re sick of baking with pumpkin? Not to worry. You know what else you can do with a bit of pumpkin puree? Make a homemade face mask.

Pumpkin is (surprise?) great for your skin. With lots of vitamins A and D, pumpkin can help to soften and soothe (read: it fights signs of aging) and its natural fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids help to brighten and smooth your dermis. Pumpkin seeds are also more than a healthy snack: high in zinc, they’re effective acne-fighters. 

Sure, you could go out and buy skin products made with pumpkin; but it’s cheaper—and definitely more fun—to make your own. Here are five simple recipes for homemade face masks that are full of pumpkin, to keep your skin feeling great for the rest of harvest season.

1. Basic Pumpkin Mask

Start with a base of pumpkin (you can use canned pumpkin—organic for sure—or fresh pumpkin that has been baked and smashed and strained) and egg and add in other ingredients depending on what your skin needs. This recipe is super simple and takes only a few minutes to whip up.

2. Pumpkin Oatmeal Face Mask

Using oatmeal, which is a common ingredient in skin products known for its numerous benefits, in this recipe provides a great exfoliant. You can make this mask and store it up to five days in the refrigerator. Use two to three times a week to keep your skin feeling fresh and hydrated. It’s particularly good for colder, dryer months.

3. Pumpkin Almond Facial Mask

Ground almonds and pumpkin: this almost sounds like the beginning of a baked good, but it’s not! Mixed with honey, yogurt and olive oil this is a refreshing mask that will nourish your skin.

4. Restorative Pumpkin Mask

With only three ingredients, you can’t find a simpler recipe for a homemade face mask than this. Just leave on for 10 minutes and rinse and your skin will feel better immediately.

5. Vegan Pumpkin Face Mask

This face mask is 100% vegan-friendly, using brown sugar for an exfoliant and oatmeal to help with dry skin.

Related on EcoSalon:

DIY Facial Masks for All Skin Types

Recipes for DIY Moisturizers

Images: Main Photo: ucumari, Second: Cascadian Farm Third: Veganbaking.net

The post 5 Easy Homemade Face Mask Recipes with Pumpkin appeared first on EcoSalon.