10 Best Natural Herbal Acne Supplements Over the Counter

 

We can treat our pimples, blemishes, and other skin issues by using these great and effective natural herbs. These natural herbal acne supplements can be bought over the counter without a prescription which makes them a safer and less expensive alternative to harsh topical treatments which can come with serious negative side effects.

One reason why using these herbal pimple supplements is effective for our skin is because of the natural healing benefits they all have in common. Some of them include:

• Antiviral – protects against viruses
• Anti-fungal – eliminates fungus
• Anti-inflammatory – reduces inflammation
• Antibacterial – fights bacteria
• Antiseptic – prevents against microorganisms that can cause disease
• Anti-aging – slows the aging process
• Antioxidant – removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents
• Emollient – helps smooth and soften skin

 

Aloe Vera for Pimples

Usually we think of aloe vera as helping to treat cuts and sun burn but this plant is also one of the best herbal acne supplements. It is a natural astringent which helps remove dirt and bacteria from pores and also contains as many as 70 vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins, and enzymes that are key to fighting pimples like salicylic acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Sulfur. Sulfur can help detoxify our bodies by flushing out waste and toxins that have the potential to build up and clog pores that causeblackheads and whiteheads.
There are two plant hormones contained in aloe vera called auxin and gibberellins which are important for the growth and functioning of plants like stem growth, flowering, and budding. These hormones help reduce inflammation in pimples as they are anti-inflammatories and also promote cell growth which will help blemishes to heal quickly without much scarring.

How to use Aloe Vera for Skin

• Can be taken in supplement form
• Drink aloe vera juice or tea
• Aloe gel to moisturize as it can be applied topically to the skin

Benefits of applying it to the skin include moisturizing properties, circulation of blood vessels, and killing bacteria.

Neem Tree Benefits

Neem is a tree that is part of the mahogany family and each part of it including the leaves, seeds, and bark is used for medicinal purposes. It contains antioxidants, Vitamin E, carotenoids (colorful plant pigments that turn into Vitamin A in our body) and essential fats. These ingredients are important for protecting the skin against free radicals which could damage cells, protect against scarring, and reduce inflammation.

How to use Neem for Acne

• Neem oil
• Soap
• Mask
• Supplement form

 

Basil Leaves for Skin Care

Basil adds a nice taste to our food when we cook with it but it also adds to our breakout fighting arsenal as well. It has been shown in studies to reduce the amount of bacterial acne also known as Propionibacterium acnes and also inhibits the growth of bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics meaning that the bacteria is able to survive even after exposure to antibiotics. Because basil purifies the blood it is a great OTC supplement for breakouts as it detoxifies the skin by ridding of toxins and waste.

 

How to Use Basil Leaves for Skin

You can use fresh basil to make your own toner which will help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. You could also make a paste with the natural leaves of basil and neem to apply on the skin to prevent inflammation.

Benefits of Dandelion Root for Pimples

Dandelion root has been used since Roman times as a natural diuretic and detoxifier that helps support the liver which is the major organ that gets rid of toxins and excess waste. It also helps balance hormones by ridding of excess androgens which is the hormone that produces pimples. When our hormones are balanced we have less chance of getting hormonal acne in places like our chin and mouth area.

Another reason why this herbal breakout supplement balances hormones is because it contains natural fiber. When we eat fiber our digestion is slowed so we stay full for a longer period of time and have a steady stream of energy throughout our body unlike foods without fiber which make us get hungrier more quickly and cause our blood sugar levels to become unstable therefore giving us energy for a short period of time then making us crash. When our blood sugar levels are unstable that is when our hormones fluctuate and cause pimples.

Best Ways to Use Dandelion Root

• Tea
• Capsule supplement form
• Dandelion root is also edible.

This root is also high in beta-carotene which converts into vitamin A in our body. It also contains vitamins B,C, and D as well as minerals like iron and potassium.

Skin Benefits of Burdock Root

Burdock is an herbal plant that is a relative of the daisy and has brown burrs which actually stick to animal’s fur so their seeds can be dispersed. It has been used for centuries as a blood purifier which cleanses the body of bile and toxins as well as metabolizes hormones that cause skin conditions like boils, abscesses, eczema, psoriasis and pimples.

How to Use Burdock Root to Treat Acne

• 1-2g capsules three times a day
• Burdock root oil
• Can also make burdock tea

 

Cleavers Herb for Skin

Cleavers has been used since ancient times as a natural diuretic that detoxifies the kidneys, liver bladder and skin for treating pimples, psoriasis, eczema, boils and autoimmune diseases. Because this herbal acne supplement is a natural astringent it makes a good facial wash for those with oily skin and may also help those with wrinkles or sagging skin as it helps make the skin feel tight.

Herbal Uses for Cleavers

• You can make cleavers into tea which can be drank or applied to the skin
• Fresh juice
• Can be eaten raw or cooked and is a good ingredient to add to soups
• It is a relative of coffee and is used as a substitute for coffee when the seeds are roasted

 

How to Use Calendula flower for Skin

Calendula is a species of the marigold plant and has been used in herbal medicine as tea to calm an upset stomach but now is more commonly used to kill P. acnes (bacterial pimples) and in skin creams to help skin elasticity. Scientists at the Islamic University at Bahawalpur in Pakistan found that skin creams that contain calendula have an effect on making skin tight while decreasing the amount of fine lines and blemishes.

 

Creams containing this herb can also help prevent sun damage to the skin as there are two compounds called rutin and narcissin which help regenerate a certain antioxidant called glutathione which stops inflammatory effects that damage the skin when exposed to UV light.
It is best to use all natural herbal calendula skin care products as others may contain chemicals which could effect cause dry skin, irritation, peeling as well as effect the function of hormones.

Can Dong Quai Help with Acne?

Dong Quai is an effective natural acne pill and herbal acne supplement as it is known as the “female ginseng” because it helps increase blood flow and regulate hormones. When hormones are fluctuated either by diet, PMS, or increased testosterone levels we experience hormonal acne which is characterized by cystic acne or whiteheads that do not break the surface of the skin and take a while to heal. Hormonal acne usually occurs on the chin and around the mouth and causes increased sebum (oil production) which can make our face oily and possibly clog pores.

This herb also regulates prostaglandins naturally which cause inflammation in acne and also pain that occurs from a women’s period.

How to take Dong Quai for Acne

• Powder
• Capsules
• Tea

 

Licorice Root for Acne Treatment

Licorice root is not only candy but it is also an ingredient in over the counter skin care products like creams and toners because it is an anti-inflammatory. It is also effective for helping to treat psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and reducing dark spots.

Some Ways that you Can use Licorice Root for Skin Care

• Sheet masks which are an OTC spot treatment and redness reducer that contains this herb and other vitamins
• Mixing the actual powder with aloe vera gel and applying it to the skin
• Skin care creams that have licorice root in it

 

Green Tea Extract

Green tea extract is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinesis plant that has many medicinal and beneficial effects on our body and skin. It helps reduce oil production, regulates hormones and blood sugar, as well as protecting against sun damage. Because of the antioxidant in green tea called EGCG this natural herbal supplement for pimples also helps reduce and prevent inflammation in blemishes.

Green Tea for Skin

• Drink green tea
• Splash cooled green tea onto the face and skin
• Green tea cream
• Green tea ointment

 

Acnetame Review

Acnetame is a natural acne pill because all of it’s ingredients are found in nature as it contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids like Vitamin A and Sulfur which are all found in the natural herbal acne supplements mentioned above and all have effects on preventing and treating blemishes. Just like many of these herbs, Acnetame is also a detoxifier as it contains NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine) which can help flush out water and buildup from our skin.

It is not realistic to take all of these different herbs for acne as it is better to take a natural acne pill like Acnetame that is an amino acid, vitamin and mineral stack, but if you wanted to use herbal acne treatments in conjunction with Acnetame you can do that. It is very rare that there are negative side effects when taking natural herbal acne supplements however everyone reacts differently to OTC herbs and treatments so what works for one person may not work for the other.