Scientific evidence to support the usefulness of garlic in the treatment of acne is lacking, but there are many personal testimonials that approve of its effectiveness. Garlic is known to possess antiviral, antifungal, antiseptic and antioxidant properties. The powerful antibiotic and blood cleansing properties of garlic can help your system internally to clean itself out and hence reduce acne breakouts. It contains active sulphur and is thus considered to be one of the finest natural antibiotics. Garlic’s most powerful medicinal compounds are released when it’s eaten raw and crushed.
Garlic also possesses anti-inflammatory properties and therefore it has the ability to reduce swellings and redness caused by acne breakouts.
Ways to use garlic for acne treatment
- Garlic juice can be applied on the face. It is advised to concentrate it on the acne spots, but should also attend to clear areas. Garlic juice on the clear areas may help prevent future acne breakouts by unclogging the infected pores. It should be applied for about 5 minutes, and then should be washed off. Garlic juice should not be left on overnight because the elements contained in the garlic juice are so strong that they may burn your skin. This cure can be used till acne breakout stops. Please remember that although garlic is effective for treating acne but you will notice severe itching, rash, stinging sensation for 10 to 15 minutes after its topical application.
- A mixture of garlic juice and vinegar may be applied on the acne affected area. The white vinegar helps to balance the skin. The antioxidant element in the garlic juice draws out infections in the skin and repairs it while the other elements work to reduce the acne breakouts.
- Eating three seeds of raw garlic everyday for three months purifies the blood stream and helps in ridding acne. If you are bothered about the foul smell of garlic, you may soak the garlic cloves in milk for around half an hour before consuming. This would remove the smell while retaining the medicinal effects of garlic.
- Fresh garlic, minced or crushed, may be mixed with cottage cheese, applesauce or yogurt, (these items improve taste) and then the mixture could be consumed. If eaten regularly, this mixture may help prevent acne breakouts.
- Also, taking 3-4 pods of raw, skinned garlic, finely cut, combined with puffed rice and swallowed with water helps to clear acne quickly.
- Garlic supplements can be taken in capsule form as well. It is ideal to use garlic capsules if you want to avoid the garlic odour.
It is important to remember that raw garlic is very powerful and some people are actively allergic to garlic. So, garlic should thus be used with caution.
