Acne breakouts are incredibly frustrating, but unfortunately, the scars it leaves behind can be equally troublesome. Luckily, it is possible to help speed up the healing process with a DIY overnight face mask for acne scars!
If you have ever suffered with acne, you will already know the key to dealing with troublesome skin is patience and care – and the same goes for acne scars too!
Of course, if your acne has cleared up, the scars left behind can still leave you feeling self-conscious. Fortunately, there are plenty of home remedies that you can use to clear up acne scars at home!
So, what are they?
Well, we’re going to tell you the 3 best recipes for DIY overnight face mask for acne scars!
What is acne?
Acne is an extremely common skin condition that causes spots, oily skin, and redness.
When you think of acne, you tend to assume it largely affects the skin on a person’s face. In actual fact, acne is also commonly found on people’s backs, shoulders, and chests.
Most of us will suffer from acne at some point in our lives, however, for some people it is a condition that can last months or even years.
So, what causes acne?
Well, acne is most likely to be caused by a hormonal imbalance, and so is common in teenagers, young adults but has been known to affect adults too. It is also known to run in families, so children whose parents had acne, may also be likely to have it too.
Photo credit: Andrea Piacquadio via Unsplash
The actual cause of acne is a blocked pore. This blockage is caused by excess oil produced by hormones, which is produced in glands next to hair follicles in the skin.
The excess oil triggers a change in the normal bacteria found in our skin, causing it to become inflamed and creating redness and puss under the skin.
Whilst all of us will suffer from annoying pimples from time to time, acne can actually cause several different types of spots. These all carry more or less risk of acne scarring.
Let’s take a look at the different spots caused by acne:
Cysts – these types of spots carry the most risk of acne scarring and are large puss-filled lumps that tend to be under thick skin.
Nodules – hard lumps that sit underneath the skin and are often painful.
Pustules – are generally small bumps with a build-up of puss.
Papules – small bumps that are red and generally tender to touch.
Whiteheads – firm spots that can not be squeezed; it is often trying to squeeze these spots that leads to scarring and damage to the skin.
Blackheads – the least troublesome and probably most common type of spot; blackheads are small yellow or black bumps in the skin.
Ok, so we know what acne is, but what actually causes acne scars?
Let’s learn a little more about acne scars and how to treat them!
What are acne scars?
Acne scars are what is left behind once the skin condition acne, clears up.
The scars are often left by cysts, papules, or pustules, and unfortunately, even if you leave your spots alone, scarring can still occur.
Why is this?
Well, as we know, spots are caused by blockages in the pore and hair follicle, caused by excess oil. When the blockage occurs, the pore swells up, which can cause the follicle wall to break down. Usually, this is not a problem, as when the break occurs at the skins surface, the rupture can heal quickly.
Unfortunately, if the breakdown occurs deeper in the skins tissue, the abnormal bacteria caused by the excess oil can spread under the skin, causing damage to the tissue, and leaving scarring.
As you can see – acne scarring can be very frustrating, particularly if you have done your best to not pick and squeeze to avoid scarring!
But fear not! Whilst acne scarring can be exasperating, there are measures you can take to clear up your skin. And you don’t even need to worry about using harsh chemicals on sensitive skin!
Photo credit:
Dhyamis Kleber via Unsplash
Sounds too good to be true, right?
Well, we’re going to give you the best recipes for DIY overnight face mask for acne scars!
How to make DIY overnight face mask for acne scars
Natural and alternative skincare has become a popular choice in recent years, due to the transparency of ingredients we are using on our skin.
Of course, for acne scars and sensitive skin, natural products are considered a safer option, as harsh chemicals or ingredients can trigger flareups.
So, let’s take a look at the 3 best DIY overnight face masks for acne scars!
Lemon and Vitamin E overnight face mask
Lemon is a great remedy for acne scars as it works as a natural bleach. Acne scars often leave a pigmentation under the skin, making them more noticeable.
Lemon can help lighten these dark patches naturally, particularly when combined with Vitamin E – an antioxidant that helps repair the skin!
You will need:
- Fresh lemon juice.
- Vitamin E oil (found in any health food store or online).
- Cotton pads for application.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice with 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil.
- Apply to your skin using a cotton pad, make sure all the scars are covered.
- Leave overnight
- In the morning, rinse your skin as part of your normal skincare routine.
You can use this DIY face mask daily or until you start to see improvement!
Cinnamon and Honey overnight facemask
Photo credit: Heather Gill via Unsplash
Cinnamon has natural antibacterial properties, perfect for treating acne scars. Of course, when combined with miracle substance honey, which repairs skin and moisturises – the benefits are endless! In fact, did you know you can also the moisturising benefits of honey in a DIY hair mask? Well, you can!
For the cinnamon and honey face mask you will need:
- Natural ground cinnamon
- 100% natural honey
- Mix the 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon with 1 teaspoon of honey.
- Apply a thin layer of the mask to your skin, covering all the scars – yes, it might feel sticky!
- Leave overnight.
- Rinse your skin well in the morning, dry gently.
For best results, use this face mask twice a week.
One of our favourite natural skincare ingredients is Manuka honey, and you can even use Manuka honey as a DIY overnight face mask for brighter skin!
Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera gel has antibacterial properties, anti-inflammatory properties, and is also a natural moisturiser. When it comes to treating acne scars – you cannot do without this plant-based miracle!
This is a very simple face mask but is gentle on the skin and you can use it as often as you need.
You will need:
- 100% natural aloe vera gel
- Apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel to clean, dry skin.
- Leave on skin overnight.
- In the morning, rinse well, cleansing face as normal.
Did you know you can also use aloe vera gel to treat pimples? Yes, aloe vera gel and tea tree oil can work wonders for pesky spots!
Tea tree oil and aloe gel to help clear up spots
So, there you have it. 3 of the best natural DIY overnight face mask for acne scars!
Of course, there are endless benefits to using natural products for all skin types. But when it comes to sensitive acne-prone skin, it is particularly beneficial to stay natural and use kind sensitive ingredients.
