We all long for clear skin with that perfect amount of glow. And to achieve this, we resort to various products like cosmetics, face treatments, and homemade remedies. Combined with our lifestyle, this makes our skin vulnerable to allergies, irritation, and just an unhealthy look and feel.
Some skin conditions, no matter how hard you try, cannot be completely cured. But don’t be disheartened, because there definitely are ways to do some damage control right at home. Here are 10 skin conditions that cannot be reversed, but managed with natural home remedies.
1. Eczema
It is a common skin condition that involves inflammation of the skin. The causes include food allergies, environmental factors, and even stress! Eczema can be easily controlled with steroids (as pills or cream) or antibiotics. However, it will reappear immediately after you stop using these medications.
Listed below are few home remedies that might help fight eczema:
- Coconut oil: The oil sinks right into the skin and fills up the space between the cells that have opened up. It’s a lipid that prevents the skin from drying out and becoming more irritated.
- Soaked oats: The anti-inflammatory properties of the oatmeal help relieve inflammation. An oatmeal bath can also reduce the itchiness.
- Honey: The anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory properties of honey help in healing broken skin.
2. Psoriasis
Psoriasis causes scaling, swelling, and red patches on the skin. The severity of this condition can be decided only through proper medical diagnosis. It usually responds well to topical and systemic treatments like salicylic acid ointment, steroid creams, retinoids, and aloe vera.
Some of the other effective natural remedies are listed below:
- Tea tree oil: This is helpful in treating skin problems and infections by removing dry and dead skin cells. However, ensure your skin is not allergic to tea tree oil.
- Turmeric: This belongs to the ginger family and is known to provide relief from the symptoms of psoriasis.
- Dead sea salts: A quarter cup of dead sea salts in a bath might help alleviate the itching and burning. Soak in the water for 15 minutes before rinsing off the mixture.
3. Acne
Nobody goes without experiencing acne at least once in life, and this is probably in their teens. Acne occurs due to blocked hair follicles, oil glands, or even hormonal imbalances. They can appear anywhere on the body and, if left unchecked, can spread further. While dermatologists suggest a few effective creams, here are a few home remedies that can also help:
- Papaya: This helps remove dead cells and eliminate excess lipids from the skin. Apply papaya paste on your face and let it rest for 15–20 minutes. Gently rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Orange peel paste: Vitamin C in oranges helps promote the growth of new healthy skin cells. Apply orange peel paste on the infected areas and let it rest for 20–25 minutes before rinsing it off.
- Tea tree oil: This solvent cuts through excess sebum and dead skin cells. With its antibacterial properties, it also kills off acne-causing bacteria.
- Banana peel: This contains lutein, an antioxidant that helps in reducing swelling and inflammation. Rub a banana peel on the acne to reduce the redness and discomfort.
4. Rosacea
A flushed out feeling, redness, swelling of the skin, thick skin, pimples, and the appearance of small red lines under the skin are all symptoms of rosacea. It may arise due to a compromised immune system, environmental problems, or vein inflammations. Antibiotics like metronidazole cream, doxycycline, or beta blockers are usually suggested as remedies. And some preventative measures include avoiding hot showers, exposure to the sun without protection, alcohol, and even hot and spicy foods.
Additionally, you can try some natural remedies:
- Lavender oil: Massaging lavender oil on affected areas will ease the inflammation. It can be used along with almond oil for a soothing effect.
- Aloe vera: Applying aloe vera gel on the affected area fights the redness and inflammation. Let it naturally dry and slowly rinse it off with water.
- Flax seeds: The anti-inflammatory properties of flax seeds help in reducing the redness and inflammation. Apply flaxseed oil or include flax seeds in your diet to fight skin soreness.
5. Stretchmarks
Stretch marks appear when the thick tissue beneath the skin, called the dermis, stretches and tears as your physical appearance changes. Also known as striae, the stretch marks are mainly scars and cannot be removed completely. Most treatment options like cosmetic fractionated lasers will sweep clean your bank account. Instead, try these DIY remedies:
- Castor oil: Apply the oil on the stretch marks, gently massaging the area for 5–10 minutes. Wrap the region with a thin, cotton cloth. Use a heating pad on the infected area for a few minutes. This will help in reducing the appearance of stretch marks.
- Egg whites: Apply a thick layer of egg whites with a brush and allow it to dry. Rinse with water and apply any oil to lock in the hydration.
- Sugar: This works as an exfoliator and minimizes stretch marks. Mix sugar with almond oil and lemon juice, gently rub it on the skin for a few minutes, and rinse.
6. Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis occurs due to an allergy to plants or any kind of material such as jewelry, soaps, bleach, and latex. The only way to prevent and control this is to avoid contact with the trigger. You can consult your doctor to figure out what causes the irritation.
There is no permanent cure for this, but the symptoms can be controlled by steroids, colloidal oatmeal baths, or the following tips:
- Neem: Mix sesame oil, turmeric, and ground neem leaves to form a consistent paste. Apply this generously on the infected region to reduce the allergy.
- Chamomile: For a soothing effect, mix 3 tsp of chamomile flowers in a cup of water. Dip a cotton ball and apply on your skin.
- Honey: This has both antiseptic and antibacterial properties that will fight dermatitis. Mix an equal amount of olive oil, honey, and beeswax, and apply it on the skin.
- Oatmeal: An oatmeal bath can help in treating various issues like itching and rashes. To make this bath, mix a cup of finely powdered oatmeal in lukewarm bath water and soak in it for 15–20 minutes. Do this once a month.
7. Under-Eye Bags
Under-eye bags are a common sign of stress and make you look forever tired, no matter how well-slept you are. They are caused by the protrusion of fat in the lower lids and may increase with age. According to researchers, eye bags cannot be completely removed. While cosmetic eye masks might reduce the effect, the puffiness will not disappear.
So let’s see how to control the sagging with a few natural remedies:
- Sleep adequately.
- Keep your head elevated while sleeping.
- Reduce your intake of salt, alcohol, and caffeine.
- Apply chilled tea bags, egg whites, and slices of raw potato.
8. Keratosis Pilaris
Though the name doesn’t sound familiar, you would probably recognize it by its appearance. It looks like acne but consists of rough, dry bumps that have dead skin cells wound in the hair follicle. It is a genetic skin condition that cannot be reversed. Here’s what you can do to bring it down a notch:
- Yogurt: The lactic acid present in yogurt helps in exfoliating the skin chemically. Apply the yogurt on the infected regions and wash it off with a gentle soap after 10 minutes.
- Coconut oil: Use coconut oil along with granulated sugar to exfoliate the dry bumps on the skin.
- Olive oil: Mix olive oil with table salt for an abrasive effect as it exfoliates the skin. Rub this mixture on the bumps and gently wash it off with clean water.
- Baking soda and salt: Mix equal portions of baking soda and salt with water to make a fine paste. Apply this mixture on the affected areas. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes and then gently scrub it off. Repeat this 3–4 times a week.
9. Melasma
Melasma is the dark pigmentation of the skin and can be caused due to either genetic conditions, exposure to the sun, or hormone imbalance. It can persist for a long period of time and has no permanent cure. However, here are a few home remedies that can tone down the skin deterioration:
- Lemon juice: This works as a skin lightener and eliminates the outer layer of skin. Rub freshly squeezed lemon juice on the affected regions.
- Apple cider vinegar: This contains acetic acid, which helps in eliminating dark spots. Mix equal portions of apple cider vinegar and water and apply it on the spots. Let it dry and gently wipe it off with clean water.
- Onion juice: Though it has a pungent odor, onion juice helps in restoring the skin tone and provides nourishment to the skin cells. Mix equal amounts of onion juice and apple cider vinegar and apply it on the spots. Leave it on for 20 minutes and gently rinse with warm water.
- Turmeric: This has antioxidant and skin-lightening properties that fight melasma. Make a fine paste of turmeric, milk, and gram flour and apply it on the infected regions.
10. Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes a loss of skin pigmentation. This leads to white spots or patches, creating an uneven skin tone. It is a genetic condition that cannot be eliminated. But the condition, fortunately, is painless and non-contagious.
Here are a few natural ingredients you can depend on to control the severity of vitiligo:
- Papaya: Drinking papaya juice or rubbing papaya on the white patches can help in reviving the melanin cells damaged by vitiligo.
- Lime juice and basil leaves: The anti-aging and anti-viral properties of basil, in combination with lime juice, control vitiligo. The lime juice stimulates the production of melanin content in the skin. Mix basil and lime juice and apply it on the white patches at least 3 times a day for desired results.
- Radish and vinegar: Soak few radishes in vinegar overnight and apply the paste on the affected skin. Let it dry for 2 hours and wipe with clean water.
- Walnuts: Not only are walnuts a healthy snack but also helpful in controlling the aggravation of vitiligo. Grind the walnuts into a fine powder and make a paste with water. Apply this mixture on the skin patches 3–4 times each day. Let it dry naturally for 15–20 minutes and carefully rinse it off.
Even though these skin conditions have no proven, permanent cure, there is no reason to feel disheartened if you suffer from any of these. These remedies may just prove effective in controlling your condition and giving your skin a healthy glow.