I’ve spoken a lot about my struggles with acne, particularly the harsh treatments that I tried for years without success. Many of these treatments left serious scarring on my face and made me feel helpless, desperate, and frustrated with my skin. I began to think that maybe I just had “bad skin” that would never heal or look the way I wanted it to. I stopped believing that when I altered my approach to skincare in favor of simpler, more natural, and more holistic treatments.
Face masks are my go-to skincare treatment, but not the kind you’d find in most drug stores or beauty salons. Most of the over-the-counter products you know contain ingredients that you don’t - abrasive beads, corrosive chemicals, and other lab-constructed compounds that do more harm than good.Think of your face like a house - if you have a pest problem, is the solution to burn the house down? A gentle, natural approach has been the most effective treatment for me because it reduces acne while protecting the affected area. Hormonal acne is best treated when the pores are open and clean so that bacteria doesn’t have a chance to get trapped in them. However, if you have cystic acne - a more serious form - you’re still likely to develop scars from the deep tissue damage it causes.
To manage both the acne and scarring, I use a turmeric-based face mask. Turmeric is a natural antioxidant, so that means that it helps fight acne-causing bacteria on your face. Research says that it can help curb melanin production and fight hyperpigmentation, two major causes of acne-scarring. The base of this mask is Greek yogurt, which contains exfoliating lactic acid. This clears away dead skin, promotes moisturization, and diminishes scars, lines, or wrinkles that may appear due to acne. Plus, this mixture has the added benefit of being edible and delicious!
Ingredients
2 large spoonfuls plain organic Greek or plant yogurt made with an active culture
1 teaspoon manuka honey (optional)
1/4 tsp organic turmeric.
Directions
Mix ingredients in a small bowl. Stir, apply, and towel off when it hardens after about 20 minutes. Be sure to use a dark towel as turmeric stains!
Looking for other skin care inspiration? Check out these posts:
How I’m Healing Cystic Acne Holistically
