Many acne treatments that claim to heal acne can actually damage your skin and lead to additional problems. Natural treatments can also help clear up acne while creating other problems in your skin, or may even lead to more breakouts. One tried and true natural treatment for acne is a simple salt water solution. Salt helps destroy the bacteria that lead to acne while also calming overactive oil production in your skin. A salt water solution is also an extremely economical way to treat your breakouts.
Instructions
Make the Salt Water Solution
1. Purchase sea salt to use for treating acne because regular table salt can irritate your skin. Sea salt also contains beneficial minerals--including zinc, iodine and calcium, among others--that will nourish your skin, reduce inflammation, and heal skin tissue.
2. Warm a cup of distilled water, either in a microwave or on the stove top. You don't need to bring it to a boil; just make it very warm to the touch.
3. Add about one tablespoon of sea salt, stirring until it dissolves. You now have a mild salt water solution to use on your acne.
Treat Acne With the Salt Water Solution
4. Clean your face thoroughly with a mild cleanser, such as Cetaphil Gentle Daily Cleanser. If you prefer, you can use a cleanser designed to target acne, such as Dermaclear.
5. Soak a washcloth in the salt water solution and squeeze out the excess moisture. Lay the washcloth across the acne you want to treat and relax. You don't need to apply pressure for the treatment to work.
6. Keep the washcloth applied to the acne for at least five minutes, which is the least amount of time necessary for the salt to be effective. You can leave it on longer if you prefer, which is helpful if you have severe acne.
7. Since the salt water solution will dry out your skin, follow the salt water application with a moisturizing lotion designed for acne-prone skin, such as Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer.
8. Mix up a fresh solution each time you need it to ensure that the solution is fresh and clean.
9. Repeat at least once a day until your acne is cleared up.
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