If you have severe acne you should always consult a dermatologist who will prescribe the best treatment but for those with mild or moderate acne you might want to try some natural acne remedies. There is a lot you can do at home to improve the condition of your skin and to help you to become acne free. The following are some helpful tips for looking after your skin and although your acne will not magically disappear overnight, with time they can have a big effect on the condition of your skin.

Looking After Your Skin Properly

1. Do not over wash or scrub your face as this can make the acne worse by spreading around the acne causing bacteria and stimulating sebum production. Once or twice a day with a mild soap is sufficient. It would be best to use clean hands for this but if you do use a washcloth boil it every day to kill any bacteria.
2. Take care to eat a healthy diet with adequate vitamins and nutrients. A multi vitamin taken daily is a good idea to ensure you are getting enough.
3. Use a honey mask weekly. Honey is gentle on the skin and is a powerful bactericide.
4. Preferably go without makeup but if you can't use a water based foundation that will not clog up the pores.
5. Foods rich in vitamin A should be included in your diet as this vitamin is essential to ensure the health of your skin. It is an antioxidant and helps to control overproduction of sebum.
6. Chromium in the form of a supplement can be helpful in preventing breakouts and will help pimples to heal.
7. Drink plenty of plain water daily. The recommended amount is eight glasses.
8. Refrain from picking or squeezing pimples as this will only break the delicate membrane holding in the bacteria which will then spread out, under the skin, to cause problems elsewhere.
9. Try to keep your hair off your face and keep it clean so that it does not transfer grease and dirt to your skin. 

Tea Tree Oil for the Treatment of Acne

Many people have had success using tea tree oil to treat mild to moderate acne. This oil is a product derived from the plant Melaleuca alternifolia and has been used for many years as an anti-microbial agent. It is found in a wide range of products including shampoos, cosmetics and skin lotions. It can be used to treat acne as it is effective in killing the bacteria that cause the problem. Unlike benzoyl peroxide it does not have side effects if used properly and is particularly helpful for anyone with more sensitive skin who finds they react badly to other, harsher treatments. It has been found to be affective in a number of studies where it was proved to reduce inflamed lesions significantly over the course of a few weeks.

To use tea tree oil it should be diluted with pure water in the ratio of 5 parts tea tree oil to 95 parts water. You can also buy tea tree oil preparations for acne that are the correct concentration. Although tea tree oil is safe to use no studies have been done to test its affect on pregnant or nursing mothers so it's best not to use it in these circumstances.

Deep Steam Cleaning

A very effective treatment that can supplement the use of tea tree oil or other preparations is to deep clean your face weekly. You can use one of the herbs listed below to make a pleasant steam bath. Boil some water, place in a bowl and add a small amount of your favorite herb. Allow the steam to clean the pores on your face by putting a towel over your head and bending over the bowl.

Some herbs that are particularly good for this are Aloe (anti-inflammatory and healing), Rosemary (stimulates the circulation and tones the skin), Witch Hazel (an antiseptic) and Sage (also anti inflammatory and healing).

Conclusion

Although none of these natural remedies for acne will clear up your acne overnight they should have a significant effect if you persevere with them for a few weeks. If your acne is severe or you do not see any improvement consult a dermatologist for further treatment.