6 Natural Remedies for Acne That Actually Work, According to Experts

For many, acne isn’t an adolescent right of passage; it’s a problem that carries into adulthood. Those of us who still have acne-ridden skin know that it’s an ongoing battle to not only treat the blemishes already on our faces but to prevent them from ever coming back, be it with oral medication or topical treatments that are either prescribed or over-the-counter.

But sometimes the best thing to do when fighting acne is go back to the basics—or go natural. We spoke to UMA Oils founder Shrankhla Holecek, S.W. Basics founder Adina Grigore, celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas of Joanna Vargas Salon, and board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, about the natural remedies for acne.

We asked them which ingredients we should be looking for, what we can make of the natural ingredients we’ve found, and why these ingredients are ideal for treating acne.

Tea tree oil is a great antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent, according to experts. “It’s renowned for its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties, making it an easy and effective spot treatment,” Grigore explains.

Per its anti-inflammatory nature, “it reduces redness and swelling of the skin while also minimizing acne breakouts and reducing dandruff-causing fungus,” Engelman says.

Grigore suggests diluting tea tree oil in a dab of extra virgin olive oil or organic jojoba oil and applying it directly on a zit. 

15 Ways You Can Use Tea Tree Oil