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Many people who suffer from acne are wary of the harsh chemicals that are generally used in acne skin care products, such as salicylic acid and tretinoin, which can leave skin dry and irritated. For these people, herbal acne cures may be the solution.

When you have acne, the main thing to do is keep your skin cleansed and oil-free. This will destroy the bacteria responsible, firm up loose pores, and help any open sores to heal more quickly. The numerous herbal acne cures make use of natural ingredients to do these things.

One alternative in the herbal acne cures area is a cleansing solution made by boiling herbs. Boil two ounces of strawberry, blackberry, or raspberry leaves in one quart of water, and then use a cotton ball to apply the solution to the skin. The herb basil, as well as tea bags, can also be used for this method. The acids in the leaves will kill off bacteria and also tighten up the pores.

While there are acne solutions that are meant to be applied to an entire area of skin, there are other solutions meant to be applied to single pimples. One of these herbal acne cures is a mixture of one tablespoon of groundnut oil and one tablespoon of lime juice. After the skin has been carefully cleansed, apply the mixture on each pimple.

It's even a possible alternative to mix your own deep cleansing mask in your own kitchen. Start by making a paste of yogurt and oatmeal, then apply to the face. Let it dry, then rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry. Masks can also be made from honey and cinnamon powder. Using these masks can kill bacteria and calm down agitated skin, speeding up the healing process.

Healing can also be assisted by aloe vera, which is also used for burns and other painful skin conditions. Aloe is a gel harvested from the leaves of a type of yucca plant. Pure aloe vera gel will be clear to light green; read the ingredient label carefully, as many preparations contain other ingredients in addition to aloe.

There are also internal herbal remedies for acne. People sometimes recommend drinking wheat grass juice to clear up an acne outbreak, or taking zinc supplements to soothe irritated skin. You can locate wheat grass juice and zinc supplements in health or organic food markets.

Whether it's herbal acne remedies, cleansers, over the counter or prescription drugs, allergic reactions can occur with any substance. To avoid bad reactions, first check for ingredients known to trigger your allergies, then discuss the product with your pharmacist, naturopath or dermatologist. Test the product on a small, inconspicuous area, such as the inside of your elbow, and wait 24 hours. If there is no adverse reaction, use the product as directed.