Acne is a common, not medically serious but often emotionally disturbing skin condition, where pimples appear on the face or other parts of the body. While acne is most common in adolescence, many adults of all ages also suffer from it. It is often more upsetting for older people to have this “teenage” symptom.

There are various remedies for acne, both prescribed, over-the-counter and natural. Since this site is geared towards herbal and holistic remedies, we will explore a few of these here.

Tea Tree Oil

This is a remedy for many conditions, including acne. It comes from an Australian plant called Melaleuca, which is why it’s also called melaleuca oil. The active ingredients in tea tree oil are called terpenoids, which have anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. In addition to treating acne, it is used for athlete’s foot, dandruff and toenail fungus. Apply tea tree oil externally to the areas where you have acne. Some people find undiluted tea tree oil irritates their skin, so you may want to find a holistic or herbal gel that contains tea tree oil in a diluted mix. Do not take internally, as it toxic.

Zinc

Taking a zinc supplement may help your acne symptoms. Use with caution, however, as too much zinc can have side effects, such as digestive problems. Try taking 50 mg. per day of chelated zinc and see if it helps.

Olive Leaf

While the health benefits of olive oil are now widely discussed, the related olive leaf is not as well known. Olive leaf can be taken either internally or externally and has cured acne for some people. Olive leaf has been recommended by some herbalists and holistic doctors for a wide range of problems, including colds, flu, eye infections and parasites. It is even helpful in lowering blood pressure. It is a product that is good for the immune system in general, as well as antibacterial and anti-fungal, which is why it can be effective in treating acne. Olive leaf is a completely natural food-based product (if you get it from a reliable distributor), so you really can’t go wrong in trying it. While olive leaf is safe, some people experience “detox” type symptoms when first taking it, so do not exceed recommended dosage.

If you are looking for an innovative, all natural acne treatment, you may want to look into Acne No More.