12 Home Remedies for Acne Scars

Getting rid of acne scars is not that easy and it can be really frustrating because it affects the beauty of the face. Although acne is common among teenagers, it can appear at any stage of life. While acne can be treated with various ingredients that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, acne scars are quite stubborn and don’t go away that easily. Having said that, it is not impossible to eliminate acne scars either. Fortunately there are several home remedies that can help get rid of these scars and improve the appearance of the skin.

What is Acne?

Acne is a common skin disease that involves the oil glands of the skin at the base of the hair follicles. It basically refers to blackheads, whiteheads and papules that appear on the skin due to prolonged exposure of the skin to dust, polluted air and sweat and other dirty elements. It mostly occurs on the face, but can also appear on areas like the shoulders, chest, legs, buttocks and the back.

Acne occurs when the pores of the skin get clogged with sebum, dead skin cells, dirt and hair, leading to bacterial infection and inflammation of the skin. Too much of acne can be an unsightly and embarrassing condition. Moreover, the scars left by acne can affect the appearance of the skin and reduce the confidence and self-esteem of the individual. So it is important to take care of not just the acne but also the scars.

Home Remedies for Acne Scars

While there are various cosmetic treatment methods that claim to help remove acne, most of them do not guarantee any permanent results. However, there are many home remedies that have been found to provide amazing results. Although these home remedies may take some time to show their effects, they are very effective and proven to work. They help not just in removing the scars but also in preventing further acne outbreaks. The following are some of the best home remedies for acne scars:

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is a natural bleach and an excellent skin lightening agent. The acid in the juice helps brighten your skin and make the scars less visible. The Vitamin C in lemon juice helps in rebuilding collagen, thus increasing the elasticity of the skin and making it smooth and supple.

Apply fresh lemon juice directly on your scars with a cotton ball or your finger tips. Leave it on for ten minutes and then wash it off with water. Do this regularly and you can see your scars diminish considerably.

[Read more about 12 home remedies for dry skin ]

Honey

Honey is a wonderful natural antiseptic that helps in treating acne. A combination of honey and a few drops of lemon juice is effective in cleansing and nourishing the skin. While the acidic nature of lemon juice helps kill the bacteria, the soothing effects of honey nourishes the skin and revitalizes it.

Mix honey with a few drops of lemon juice and apply this mixture on your face. Allow it to dry and then wash it off with cold water.

Sandalwood Paste

Sandalwood paste is a highly effective cooling and soothing agent that helps eliminate acne scars and provide relief from other skin problems too. The use of sandalwood in skin care is very common in India. In fact, it has been one of the traditional and most important ingredient used by the women in India for many years to take care of their skin. Nowadays, you can find numerous skin care products on the market that uses sandalwood as one of its key ingredients.

Make a paste of sandalwood with rosewater and apply it on the face. Leave it on overnight, then wash it off the next morning. Repeat this everyday until you see marked improvement of the skin.

[Read more about Any Benefits of Sandalwood? ]

Fenugreek

Fenugreek seeds are very effective in removing the acne scars naturally. It contains powerful antioxidants that are highly beneficial for maintaining the health and appearance of the skin. It has been used for hundreds of years as a remedy for pimples. The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of these seeds on the skin helps reduce acne scars and heal other skin conditions.

Add some fenugreek seeds in a cup of boiling water. Allow it to boil for a few minutes and remove it from the flame. After the mixture has cooled, apply it over the affected area. Another method is to apply the paste of fenugreek seeds on your face and leave it on overnight. Wash it off with warm water next morning.

Olive Oil

Olive oil has amazing healing properties. It also has antibacterial properties that help in killing the bacteria that cause acne. Olive oil provides deep nourishment to the skin and makes it soft and supple. It is packed with natural antioxidants, making it one of the best home remedies for beautiful skin.

First wash your face with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel. Gently massage some olive oil on your face. Leave it on for two hours, and then wash it off with a glycerine-based face wash. Repeat this regularly until you see signs of improvement.

[Read more about Health Benefits of Olive Oil ]

Aloe Vera

When it comes to skin problems, aloe vera is the best natural remedy. The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiseptic properties of the plant helps prevent inflammation and infection. It also has amazing healing properties that works to soothe the skin. Aloe vera is also a great natural moisturizer that will leave your skin looking healthier and softer.

Scoop out the pulp from aloe vera and apply it all over your face. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash off with cold water. Do this regularly to get rid of acne scars as well as to get amazing skin.

Mint

Mint leaves have anti-acne properties and help in cleaning the pores and removing acne. It contains vitamin A that helps in controlling the excess production of sebum that causes acne. It also helps to keep the skin soft and supple.

Extract the juice from mint leaves and apply it on the affected area. Allow it to dry for some time, and then wash it off with cold water.

[Read more about Amla Benefits for your Skin]

Potato

Potatoes are rich in vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the skin. They have bleaching properties and help in lightening the skin and in removing acne scars.

Rub a slice of raw potato on the skin or apply potato juice on the scarred area. You can also grate a raw potato and apply the pulp on the skin. Allow it to dry and then wash it off with warm water.

Rosehip Seed Oil

Rosehip seed oil has powerful anti-aging properties that helps replenish the skin and reduce aging signs like wrinkles and fine lines. It is also found to be effective in reducing acne scars. Rosehip seed oil is used as an important ingredient in many cosmetic products used to treat acne scarring, sun tan damage and premature aging.

Massage the skin with rosehip seed oil once or twice a day for best results.

Strawberries

Ripe strawberries are very effective in lightening the skin and in getting rid of acne scars. Strawberries are a natural source of salicylic acid, which helps in clearing the pores of the skin and in eliminating dead skin cells and debris. So they help in preventing the occurrence of new acne. Strawberries also brightens the skin and makes acne scars appear less visible.

Take a few fresh ripe strawberries and mash them with a fork or your fingers. Add the white of an egg and two teaspoons of honey, and mix well. Apply this mixture all over your face and keep it on for about 20 minutes. Rinse it off with water and pat dry your skin.

Tomato

The juice of ripe tomatoes is another effective remedy for controlling and healing acne. Tomato is rich in vitamin A and carotenoids, both of which have strong antioxidant properties that help heal scarred tissues and promote the healthy regrowth of cells. It also lightens the skin and makes the scars less visible.

Take two or three tomatoes and peel off their skin. Blend them along with a tablespoon of curd and a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a blender. Apply the paste all over your face and keep it on for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then, rinse it off with cold water. Do this regularly and you will soon start to notice positive results.

Cucumber

Cucumbers offer a soothing and cooling sensation on the skin. They can act as a skin toner and also have the ability to improve the texture of your skin. Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory and bleaching properties, as a result of which they reduce inflammation, and lightens the skin. With continuous use, cucumbers can help remove acne scars effectively.

Peel off the skin of one large cucumber and remove its seeds. Cut it into pieces and then blend the pieces in a blender along with a tablespoon of lemon juice and few fresh mint leaves. Apply the paste all over your face and allow it to dry. Then rinse it off with water. Repeat this procedure twice a week.

[Read more about Natural ways of treating pimples]

These home remedies, although every effective may take some time to deliver the expected results. But using them regularly will help lighten your acne scars and remove them permanently. There are certain things you can do to prevent the acne from leaving scars on your face. Avoid touching and squeezing the acne and also take care not to expose the acne affected skin to sunlight. Otherwise it will only aggravate the condition, leading to deeper infection and hard-to-remove scars.