Can herbs help acne-prone skin?

If you haven’t used herbs topically and you suffer from acne-prone skin, you may want to start to using them as soon as possible.

Ayurvedic medicine has made huge improvements in skin conditions, all with the help of certain herbs. According to Healthline.com, some of these include:

Manjistha
Manjistha (rubia cordifolia) is a perennial herb popular in Ayurvedic medicine. It’s thought to support your lymphatic system, which is critical to healthy skin. Research shows that manjistha has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiandrogenic abilities that may help prevent and treat acne.

Neem
Neem (azadirachta indica) is another popular Ayurvedic herb. According to a 2010 study, neem oil contains compounds that are:

antibacterial

antifungal

antiseptic

antioxidant

anti-inflammatory

Traditional therapeutic uses of neem include treating skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. According to a 2001 study, neem has antibacterial activity against several micro-organisms. This includes Staphylococcus, a bacterium that’s linked to acne.

Tea tree
Tea tree (melaleuca alternifolia) is a herb used to treat skin problems and wounds. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory abilities that may reduce the number of acne lesions. In a 1990 study, a topical gel containing 5 percent tea tree oil was compared to a topical cream containing 5 percent benzoyl peroxide. Both preparations reduced the number of inflamed and noninflamed acne lesions. Though the tea tree oil took longer to work, it resulted in fewer side effects. These included dryness, itching, irritation, and redness.

Witch hazel and other herbs
Witch hazel contains astringent tannins, which may treat acne by removing excess skin oil. It also has anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce redness and bruising. Witch hazel is often used alone or as a base for homemade acne remedies.

Other antiseptic, anti-inflammatory herbs that may help heal acne are:

calendula
chamomile
lavender
rosemary

Dr. Spiller Biomimetic Skin Care Herbal Mask with Aloe is a potent mixture of herbal extracts to effectively purify, balance and heal acneic skin.

This oil-in-water formula is ideal for oily, combination or acne-prone skin.

Apply mask 1/8 in thick with fan brush to affected areas and allow to dry for 10-15 minutes. Remove with warm compresses.