increase irritation and inflammation but will not promote healing of your acne blemishes. You may
replace the second cleanser with an exfoliating product containing alpha/beta hydroxy acid. Use
scrubs only if you have no blemishes but want to fade postacne hyperpigmentation.
Choose a toner that contains witch hazel, tea tree oil, chamomile, aloe, cucumber, calendula, and
fruit acids to gently exfoliate the skin. Plant-derived alcohols and clay can help quickly zap
blemishes. To quickly soothe inflamed acne lesions and prepare your skin for a healthy night’s sleep,
apply milk of magnesia for a few minutes before going to bed. Use an unsweetened and unscented
magnesium hydroxide solution— the common laxative and upset stomach treatment. Apply it with
fingertips or a cotton ball, leave it to dry, and wash off with tepid water.
Wear a daily moisturizer with antioxidants and botanical anti-inflammatory agents such as
chamomile, green tea, panthenol, provitamin B5, tocopherol (vitamin E), licorice, calendula,
raspberry, rice and oats, seaweed (algae), evening primrose oil, arnica, and echinacea. Choose
lightweight fluids and serums instead of oil-free moisturizers. One product to try is Suki Moisture
Serum, which is formulated with organic chamomile, echinacea, and calendula in a lightweight oil
base. It quickly soothes inflamed, fragile skin thanks to a high content of antioxidants, and it is
suitable for sensitive, oily complexions that have trouble tolerating conventional oil-free lotions with
benzoyl peroxide.
Zap zits with topical treatments. Tea tree oil is a traditional acne remedy that can be used
directly or diluted with a toner or a mask. Apply a vitamin C powder directly onto blemishes. To
treat larger areas affected with acne, mix 1 scoop of Philosophy Hope and a Prayer vitamin C with
two or three drops of your favorite facial or body oil. The vitamin C will not dissolve completely, so
this treatment is best left on overnight. Please note: this concoction may sting.
Make sure you wear sunscreen, especially in the summer and anytime you have active breakouts.
Mineral sunscreen is perfect for acne-prone skin: you can wear it on top of your acne treatment of
choice. Skipping sunscreen can result in dark postacne marks that are hard to get rid of.
Making Your Own Acne Zappers
For problem skin, nothing beats tea tree oil. Wou can apply it directly on blemishes, dilute it in your
favorite toner, and add a few drops to your masks and scrubs. Here are some quick and easy acne
zappers that use the power of this green zit fighter.
Sweet Tea Balm
1 tablespoon runny honey
1 tablespoon aloe vera juice (bottled or freshly squeezed from the plant)
10 drops tea tree oil
500 mg vitamin C (to act as a preservative)
Yield:
5 ounces