Acne is no longer just a problem affecting teenage boys or girls. Many younger or older women (and men) are developing acne problems due to sensitive skin, untreated rashes or pimples, bad skin care products, or external factors such as pollution. Most of the time, acne appears due to excessive sebum, which turns into pimples or black spots when meeting impurities. Makeup is also a common cause, which is why the most important thing you need to do in order to get rid of acne is always take good care of your skin. Clean and well-nourished skin is not as likely to develop acne problems, which means you can avoid the Proactiv altogether.
What is Proactiv and Why Should You Look for Alternatives?
Proactiv is an acne treatment and skin-care product, part of a three-part ‘kit’ that is sold in many countries. The kit includes a cleanser, toner and treatment cream and it has quickly become one of the most popular solutions for acne problems.
And while Proactiv does work in most cases, its side-effects have made people look for other alternatives. Proactiv side-effects include dryness, itchiness, peeling, stinging or even allergic reactions. Because Proactiv contains Benzoyl Peroxide, which is a chemical, it can even make your skin addicted to it, so the acne will soon reappear after you stop using the product. It’s also relatively expensive. You can do better.
Why is Benzoyl Peroxide Bad?
This chemical has a lot of negative aspects linked to it, such as: dries out all skin types, stains towels and cloths, causes redness, bleaches your hair and eyebrows, causes irritation, removes the top layer of your skin, slows the healing process and it is tested on animals.
What Alternatives Should I Look for?
There are a lot of great alternatives to Proactiv, from natural health remedies for treating acne to products which have a more basic chemical profile and work well for your skin… without the unpleasant side effects.
I’ve put together a list of 4 Proactiv alternatives that actually work, based on personal experiences and online comments and reviews. Keep reading to find out more about them.
Number 4
Aspirin Mask
Aspirin and clay masks can be a wonderful natural alternative to Proactiv acne treatment.
Aspirin is not only a drug that can cure headaches, it also is a great ally if you are fighting against pimples and acne. It’s an anti-inflammatory and brings inflammation associated with acne down. Also, aspirin is a cheap alternative to treatments such as Proactiv and it does not have all the side effects of Benzoyl Peroxide treatments.
The acid in aspirin basically takes in excess sebum, dries out pimples, reduces inflammation, reduces redness and is a very powerful exfoliating agent with a micro-abrasive effect. In fact, aspirin exfoliation is used in a lot of professional salons and skin care clinics due to its wonderful properties. Aspirin also reduces fine lines and coloring spots on your skin.
How to prepare the mask
Dissolve an aspirin into some lemon juice and mix it with two tablespoons of clay until they form a paste. Once this is done, add two tablespoons of honey and keep mixing until they fully blend with the paste. You will need to apply the mask on clean and dry skin and leave it for about 20 to 30 minutes before cleaning it with hot water.
If you want to really offer your skin the proper care, don’t use tap water for cleaning the mask, choose a Chamomile tea instead.
Number 3
Clay Masks
Clay is the one think you should always have around the house if you are suffering from acne.
Clay masks are a must-have for women (or men) with acne-prone skin. It is a wonderful ingredient in lots of natural skin care products and it will do wonders for curing your acne, as long as you accompany it with excellent skin care and healthy dieting. It’s not an all-in-one solution, but can be a powerful system to help clear your skin when used in combination with other healthy habits.
How to prepare the mask
Mix two tablespoons of clay with a little bit of lemon juice and water until they blend. Apply it on clean and dry skin and leave it for about 30 minutes.
Use warm Chamomile tea to remove the clay mask and don’t forget to apply a hydrating cream afterward, since clay tends to dry the skin. That’s it! A simple remedy but one that has years of practical application behind it.
Number 2
Cinnamon and Honey Scrub
This is one of the best natural spots treatment.
Apply it on the face and usually let it sit for as long as you can if you do not feel any problems going on there. If you feel your face or spots are sensitive, leave it just for 10 minutes.
To be able to leave it more you have to make sure you do not apply it on irritated or broken skin. If you make too much of it you can store it in the fridge and use it again. Keeping it in the fridge before applying it will smoothen your skin.
How to prepare the mask
In order to make it you have to mix equal parts and make sure you get an even paste. It should be thin enough to be able to put it on the face, but not too thin so that it will not be too runny.
Number 1
Rose Water
This natural rose water toner can be used all throughout the day, but in case you are too busy, it is ok to use it just in the mornings and evenings. It is used in balancing the PH of the skin, which will keep it clear and away from acne.
The high antioxidant properties it contains will neutralize and rebalance the skin’s PH.
How to prepare the mask
You can find rose water toner at any drugstore. However, if they are not high quality, you can substitute it with rose infused witch hazel. Witch hazel is great for oil control without drying the skin.
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