Acne might sound simple but anyone who has suffered from it is sure to understand the graveness of this condition. Acne is a very common skin problem that can be triggered due to many reasons. Starting from hygienic reasons to use of wrong makeup products or hormonal imbalances anything can be the underlying cause of acne. Recently, studies are even relating acne with genetics. Acne is generally characterized by breakouts of several painful pimples or zits covering a comparatively wider part of the body. Pimples are usually the less severe form of acne, which is characterized by one or two zits at isolated or nearing spots.
Being less severe, pimples can be treated within days, but in order to treat acne completely, it is important to take the right care for a prolonged period of time. However, if you apply the right treatments, it is obvious that you will start seeing the changes within a week. Always keep in mind, if your acne breakout is caused due to hormonal imbalances in the body or due to certain medications, unless you treat the underlying cause, there will be always the chance of new acne breakouts.
Epsom salt is considered as an effective home remedy for treating acne and it can also be helpful to cure pimples within comparatively short span of time. Unlike the common salt and the sea salt, the chemical composition of Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate and it is believed that the combination of magnesium and sulfur helps in curing acne and related skin conditions. Before we move on to how to cure acne with Epsom salt, we will take a minute to explain how this salt is expected to work on acne.
How epsom salt works on acne
It is claimed, that the magnesium present in this salt has skin soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that helps in reducing the redness and inflammation caused due to acne. The magnesium of this salt is also related to its antibacterial properties which help in killing the infection causing bacteria present in acne. The sulfur present in this salt can also be effective to kill any bacterial infections. It helps in removing the excess oil from the skin and gives an exfoliating effect which can be helpful to unclog the clogged pores, which is a basic reason of acne and pimple formation.
Epsom salt can be used for treating acne on the face, as well as back acne, chest acne or acne at any other part of the body. However, the concentration of the salt that you can use on your body and on your face usually varies. In this article first we will start with a few concentrated Epsom salt formulations that can be most ideal for spot treatment and hence should be used for curing pimples only.
Using epsom salt for pimple cure
Concentrated epsom salt formulation
For spot treatment of pimples on face you can use a concentrated Epsom salt formulation. Just make sure that the solution does not spread to a wider area of the face. Follow the next process to use it in the right way,
- Mix 2 spoons of Epsom salt in 3 spoons of water to come up with a concentrated Epsom salt solution
- Apply this solution onto the pimples directly with the help of a cotton swab
- Once the solution dries out, repeat the application for 2 more times
- Finally wash off with plenty of water and pat dry
Epsom salt with lemon for quick pimple cure
When you are using Epsom salt for pimple cure, you can increase its potency by adding few drops of fresh lemon juice to the Epsom salt solution. Here is the right way to prepare the solution and to use it,
- Mix 2 spoons of Epsom salt in 3 tablespoons of water
- Now add 4-5 drops of fresh lemon juice and mix well
- Apply the resulting mixture onto the pimples directly, with the help of a cotton swab
- Repeat the application for 1 more time within a gap of 5 minutes and then let it dry out completely
- Wash off with plenty of water
Epsom salt and garlic treatment for pimple cure
Another effective pimple cure treatment can be prepared by adding Epsom salt with garlic extract. Garlic has high allicin content and can be most effective to kill the infection causing bacteria in the pimples, drying it out quickly. Here is how to prepare and use this formula,
- Take 3-4 cloves of garlic, grate and smash them well
- Now let the smashed garlic stand for 10 minutes and then strain the pieces to GET the garlic extract
- Mix 2 spoons of Epsom salt in 2 tablespoons of water and then add the freshly prepared garlic juice to it
- Mix well and apply the mixture onto the pimples directly
- Let it stand for 15 minutes and then wash off with plenty of water
Using epsom salt for acne cure
If you are treating acne breakouts on the face, it is important that you opt for a milder solution of Epsom salt. Usually acne spreads to a wider area of the skin and as the facial skin is more sensitive hence, it is best to not to opt for very concentrated Epsom salt solution when treating acne on the face. Read on to know how to use Epsom salt for treating face acne,
Epsom salt compress
Compressing the acne affected skin with Epsom salt solution can be effective to kill the bacteria causing the acne and can also help in reducing the inflammation and redness. Here is how to use it,
- Heat 2 cups of water and add 4 spoons of Epsom salt to this water
- Continue heating till the salt completely dissolves
- Now remove the pan from the heat and let the temperature of the solution come down to a more comfortable level
- Soak a thick and clean cotton towel in this solution and squeeze the towel lightly to remove the excess water
- Now compress the acne affected area of the skin with the warm and damp towel for 30 seconds, then soak it again in the prepared mixture and repeat the compress at least for 15 minutes
- Once you are done, wash the skin of the area with normal water and pat dry
- Follow with a light moisturizer only if your skin feels too stretchy
Epsom salt with egg white for acne treatment
Egg white is often considered as an effective treatment for acne cure, particularly because it helps in closing the pores on the skin and also nourishes the skin from within which helps in boosting the natural reparative mechanism of the skin. Here is how you can use egg white with Epsom salt to get the best results,
- Take the white of an egg and beat it well
- Add 1/2 spoon of Epsom salt to the beaten egg white
- Apply the resulting pack onto the acne affected area of the skin in layers
- Once the pack dries out and your skin feels stretchy, remove the pack with a damp cotton cloth
- Wash off with plenty of water
Epsom salt with oatmeal for treating acne
The acne curing ability of oats is well known. Oatmeal helps in absorbing the excess oil from the skin, soothes the skin and also helps in reducing the inflammation and redness caused due to acne. Here is how to use it,
- Take 1/2 cup of powdered oats and add 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt to it
- Now add warm water to come up with a smooth paste
- Apply this paste onto the acne affected area and let it set for 15 minutes before washing off with water
- Make sure to rub the skin with the pack while washing off
Epsom salt with onion extract for acne cure
Just like garlic, Onion is also known for its high allicin content. Adding onion juice with Epsom salt can result into a potent mixture for treating acne quickly. Read on to know how to prepare and use it in the right way,
- Take 1/2 of an onion, grate it and squeeze out the juice
- Mix it with 1/2 spoon of Epsom salt and 1/2 spoon of water
- Apply the resulting mixture onto the acne affected skin and let it stand for 10 minutes
- Now wash off with plenty of water
Epsom salt treatment for curing acne on the body
While the above treatments can be highly effective to cure acne on the face, for curing acne on the body you can try out any of the below mentioned treatments with Epsom salt,
Epsom salt bath for curing acne
Adding Epsom salt to your bathing water can be an effective and easy way to cure back or chest acne. Just add 3-4 spoons of Epsom salt in 1 bucket of bathing water. Adding 1 cup of Epsom salt in the bathtub and then soaking in it for 20 minutes can also be helpful.
Epsom salt compress for quick acne cure
For treating acne on any part of the body, except the face, you can also try out the concentrated Epsom salt compress. For this treatment, prepare an oversaturated solution of Epsom salt by adding the salt to 1 cup of boiling water to the extent till the salt stops to dissolve in the water. Soak a thick cotton towel in this solution and compress the acne affected area of the body with the towel for as long as it stays hot and then repeat the compress.
