11 DIY Home Remedies for Acne Using Garlic

Acne is the most common skin problem faced by teenagers and young adults. It occurs when bacteria grow in the clogged pores. The excess oil produced by the sebaceous glands clog the pores.

Hormonal changes, improper hygiene, stress, and poor diet are the main triggers for acne. Proper hygiene, diet and skincare routine prevent the breakouts but to deal with the present acne, simple ingredients like garlic is effective. You can check out the results by searching garlic for acne before and after pictures over the net and you will be surprised.

So, garlic is very helpful in treating present acne. But wondering how to prevent new acne breakouts? HERE we have mentioned a clear route map to achieve this.

Is Garlic Good for Acne?

• The allicin present in garlic possesses anti – bacterial, anti-fungal, anti – viral and anti – septic properties which kills the bacteria causing acne.
• The anti – inflammatory properties of garlic help reduce the swelling, pain and irritation.
• The better blood circulation allows the skin tissues to properly receive all the vitamins and minerals which are essential for healthy skin.
• Garlic has sulfur compounds called thiacremonon, which acts as a drying agent. With its regular use, you can achieve clearer skin with no acne scars.
• Not only that, it is also an excellent source of various acne combating nutrients like vitamins (C and B6), minerals, selenium, copper, allicin, zinc (used to control sebum) and other phyto-nutrients.
• Garlic also fights with insulin resistance which is linked to acne. The use of garlic oil helps to improve the insulin sensitivity.
• The anti – oxidant property helps to fight against free radicals causing damage to the skin cells.
• Regular intake of garlic will help to strengthen the immune system.

Dealing new acne breakouts regularly even after trying many topical solutions? Then it’s time to heal from inside rather than just outside
Check Our Guide How To Cure Acne From Inside to know why and how…

How to Use Garlic for Acne

There are different ways of using garlic for treating acne. We have listed them below with a detailed description. Before trying our garlic treatments, cleanse your face with a face wash which contains acne-fighting ingredients.

1. Garlic Cloves

In this process, as garlic is directly applied to the skin it may cause some irritation or burning sensation So, people with sensitive skin should avoid using this process.

• Peel, mince, and puree 3 garlic cloves.
• Apply to the affected areas of the skin.
• Leave it on for a few minutes. Remove the application immediately if causing unbearable burning sensation.
• Wash it off with cold water and pat dry.
• Apply non comedogenic moisturizer and repeat regularly.
• Eating garlic for acne can also help but avoid eating too much raw garlic as it can overheat the body.

2. Garlic with Water

Some people cannot tolerate the strong nature of garlic if applied directly. So diluting it with water will reduce the discomfort.

• Crush 3 raw garlic cloves which will trigger the allicin production.
• Mix it with 1 tablespoon of water (more water for those with sensitive skin).
• Rub the mixture over the acne.
• Allow it to sit for about 10 – 15 minutes (if using garlic for the first time) or leave it overnight.
• Wash it off with water and pat the skin dry.
• Repeat this process regularly.

Alternatively: Dilute garlic juice in rosewater or water and apply it on the acne. Rinse off the application after 15 minutes.

3. Garlic with Yogurt

The lactic acid present in yogurt dissolves the dead skin cells, gently exfoliates and rejuvenates the skin.

Process 1: Topical Application

• Wash the face and pat dry.
• Blend 4 garlic cloves to make a fine paste and add 1 tablespoon of yogurt.
• Stir well and apply all over the affected area
• Gently massage for a minutes and leave it on for another few minutes to dry.
• Rinse the area with clean water and pat dry.
• Repeat this process regularly.

Process 2: Internal Consumption

For added benefits, you can consume the garlic infused yogurt to treat the pimples from inside.

• Combine ½ teaspoon of honey, few crushed garlic pods and 2 tablespoons of yogurt.
• Stir it well and apply the mixture as a garlic mask for acne on the affected area.
• Wash it off with water after 20 – 30 minutes.
• Repeat the process regularly for best results.
• Note: You can add garlic oil (2 – 4 drops) or garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon) instead of garlic.

4. Garlic with Vinegar

The acidic nature of vinegar balances the pH level of the skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties will reduce the swelling and pain.

• Crush few garlic cloves and squeeze to extract its juice.
• Add an equal amount of vinegar (preferably apple cider vinegar) and stir well.
• Dip a cotton ball in the solution.
• Apply on the acne affected areas of the skin.
• Let it dry for about 5 – 10 minutes.
• Rinse with lukewarm water.
• Repeat the process daily.

5. Garlic with Olive Oil

Olive oil reduces the redness and inflammation without clogging the pores. It restores the natural oil balance of the skin.

• Peel and blend 4 garlic cloves and 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
• Transfer the mixture into an air tight container, you can store it in the fridge for 48 hours.
• Apply the mixture on the affected area and leave it on for 15 minutes.
• Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Repeat the process 2 times in a day.
• For added benefits: Eat a tablespoon of this mixture with water, twice a day. Apart from it, drink 8 oz glasses of water every day for effective results.

6. Garlic, Honey and Comfrey

Honey moisturizes, soothes the skin and reduces the irritation. Comfrey helps in speeding up the healing process and lightens the scars.

• Peel and crush 3 garlic cloves
• Pound handful of fresh comfrey leaves and add sufficient amount of warm honey and crushed garlic.
• Using a washcloth or cotton ball, apply the garlic paste on the face.
• Leave the application overnight.
• In the morning, rinse off the application with warm water.
• Repeat the process regularly to treat the pimples.

Note: If you don’t want to apply the mixture on the entire face then you can apply it only on the pimples.

7. Garlic and Aloe Vera

The glycoproteins present in aloe vera reduce the inflammation, irritation and redness. It stimulates healthy growth of skin cells.

Process 1:

• Peel, crush, and squeeze 3 to 5 garlic cloves to extract its juice.
• Mix juice with 2 teaspoons fresh aloe vera gel or juice.
• Using fingertips, gently massage the mixture on the skin.
• Leave it on for 15 minutes, rinse with water, and pat dry.
• Repeat the process daily.

Process 2:

• Crush 2 – 3 garlic cloves and add it to 1/2 cup of water.
• After 5 minutes, add a teaspoon of aloe vera gel.
• Apply it on the pimples affected areas and leave it on until it dries.
• Rinse with water and pat dry.
• Repeat the process daily.

8. Garlic, Manuka Honey and Turmeric

Turmeric has an anti – inflammatory properties which helps to reduce the swelling and other discomfort caused by acne. Manuka honey helps to heal the blemished skin and thus prevents the acne breakouts.

• Crush 6 garlic cloves.
• Add 3 teaspoons of manuka honey and ¼ teasponn of turmeric powder and stir well.
• Apply this paste on the acne affected areas of the skin.
• Let it sit for few minutes to dry.
• Rinse it off with water and pat the skin dry.
• Repeat the process regularly.

9. Garlic Oil

Garlic oil contains all the benefits of garlic in a potent form. People with sensitive skin should avoid applying garlic oil as it can cause irritation, redness and other discomforts. It is better to patch test before trying out the treatment.

Process 1:

• Using a cotton ball, apply a small amount of garlic oil on the acne affected areas of the skin.
• Massage it gently for few minutes.
• Leave it on for few minutes to overnight.
• Wash with warm water and a mild cleanser.
• Repeat the process regularly.

Process 2: with Salicylic Acid

These ingredients are high in antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties which help to get rid of the bacteria causing acne.

• Mix 2 drops each of garlic oil and salicylic oil.
• Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture on affected skin.
• Leave it on for few minutes, rinse with water, and pat dry.
• Repeat the process daily.

10. Garlic and Egg White

Egg white is rich in proteins and nutrients which skin needs to stay healthy, and when applied as a mask, it shrinks pores and dries out excess oil to prevent infection.

• Peel and slice few garlic cloves and rub the slices on your skin, focusing on breakouts.
• Wait for 5 minutes for garlic juice to dry then apply whipped egg white over it.
• Leave it on until it dries completely then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
• Repeat the process daily to prevent acne.

11. Garlic and Carrier Oil

• Peel and mince 3 garlic cloves.
• Heat olive or coconut oil over low flame and add minced garlic.
• Let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• When minced garlic turns dark brown, remove from heat and strain.
• Allow garlic-infused oil to cool then use fingertips to gently massage into clean skin.
• Leave it on for 30 minutes or overnight.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
• Repeat the application daily.
• You can store the mixture in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days for daily use.

Does the Consumption of Garlic Work in Treating Acne?

Consuming garlic will work as an effective remedy for curing acne from the inside. It strengthens the immune system, deals with the root cause of acne to prevent it completely. It is advisable to take three cloves of garlic once daily for a month to clear this problem or you can add it to your dishes, dips or juices.

Can Garlic Treat Acne Scars?

In most of the cases, acne leaves a scar behind. These scars will appear as blotches or hollow areas of the skin. Garlic is helpful in reducing the appearance of acne scars. Let’s have a look at its properties…

• Garlic contains anti-oxidants which help to prevent free radicals that leave scars on the skin.
• Sulphur, zinc, calcium, vitamin E present in garlic help proper skin tissue formation by clearing the old and dead skin cells.
• The blood circulation improves by using garlic which in turn helps regenerating new skin cells for proper pH balance of the skin.

Are you wondering how you can use garlic for the scars? Here is how…

1. Garlic with Olive Oil and Honey

Garlic exfoliates the dead skin cells and removes the top layer of the scarred tissues. It also removes any bacteria or excess oil on the skin.

• Wash the face with mild cleanser and warm water. Pat dry.
• Grate 2 garlic cloves and mix it with water.
• Apply the mixture on the acne affected areas of the skin.
• Massage it gently for few minutes.
• Wash with warm water after 5 minutes.
• Crush 2 more garlic cloves and add 2 teaspoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of honey.
• Mix well and apply on the acne affected skin areas.
• Leave it on for 20 – 25 minutes before washing off with warm water.
• Rinse it immediately if you get a stinging sensation.
• Finally, apply aloe vera to avoid the aggravation of acne while moisturizing and hydrating the skin.
• Repeat the process regularly.

2. Boiled Garlic

This process works well for people with sensitive skin. As the boiled garlic is not as strong as raw, it doesn’t caused any irritation.

• Crush 4 – 5 cloves of peeled raw garlic with a mallet.
• Pour 250 ml of water into a pan and place on the heat.
• Bring it to boil and add the crushed garlic.
• Simmer the mixture for about 30 – 35 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
• Apply the solution on the entire face.
• Let it sit for few minutes to dry.
• Wash it off with water and pat dry. Apply any moisturizer that doesn’t clog the pores.
• Repeat the process regularly.

Tips and Precautions:

• Make sure to dilute the garlic or its juice with other substance like rose water or water to prevent the burning or stinging sensation on the applied skin.
• Never leave the garlic application for a long time as it can cause blisters.
• It’s always better to use fresh garlic rather than stored garlic as it contains more anti – oxidants.
• Possible side effects of garlic consumption are nausea, bad breath, skin irritation, vomiting, burning sensation in mouth, etc. so do a trial run first.
• Add garlic cloves into your favorite dinner recipes to get a delicious taste and to prevent acne breakouts.
• Those suffering from acne rosacea might experience few rosacea symptoms after eating garlic. Because garlic is a trigger.
• It has blood thinning properties which may cause bleeding problems. Pregnant women and people who have had surgery should avoid or limit this garlic usage. Also people who are on certain medications are strictly advised not to eat garlic in large amounts.
• To reduce the garlic smell, use it with honey or lemon, or soak the cloves in milk for at least an hour before consumption.
• To avoid bad breath, brush your teeth after eating garlic cloves.
• Even after trying garlic methods, if your skin doesn’t show signs of clearing up after 10 days, consult a dermatologist.

As with any other acne treatment, garlic will be most effective when combined with a healthy diet and proper hygiene. Avoid excess sugar and carbohydrates, and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Share your experience, suggestions or queries in the comment section below…

Rajee Datti

Hi everyone, this is Rajee!

I live the beautiful city of Baltimore, where my husband works.

I’m from India. I have been visiting India on and off for past few years and my mom was an inspiration for me to start this site. She has a wealth of knowledge on home remedies for a large number of health problems, and we grew up in an environment where frequent visits to the doctor just wasn’t logistically or financially feasible.

Despite this, she managed to raise a family of healthy kids, and my goal here at Home Remedies for Life is to pass on some of her knowledge of natural remedies.