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Acne is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by swollen red breakouts that appear on the face, neck, back, and chest. When dirt, oil, makeup, dead skin cells, and other toxins clog the pores, bacteria thrive, and cause blemishes. Acne is caused by stress, poor hygiene, poor diet, hormonal imbalances, and certain medications.
There are plenty of commercial acne remedies available, but they’re expensive and often ineffective. Fortunately, there are better ways to treat acne. Neem, or Indian Lilac, is a natural, affordable, effective home remedy for acne that won’t cause unwanted side effects. It’s a tropical evergreen plant found mostly in India and Burma, and people there have been using it to treat various health problems, including acne, for centuries.
How Neem Helps To Treat Acne?
You’re about to learn several ways to use neem to treat acne, but first, let’s take a look at why it works.
- As an anti-oxidant, neem is twice as potent as broccoli or blueberries.
- Neem is anti-fungal and antibacterial, and it strengthens the immune system, so it protects against the bacteria that cause acne.
- Neem is a natural astringent, and it contains quercetin, a bio-flavinoid that fades scars and keeps skin taught and smooth.
- Neem contains salicylic acid, an anti-bacterial agent found in many commercial acne products.
- It reduces inflammation, swelling, redness, and tenderness caused by breakouts.
- Neem helps balance oil production to prevent excess oil from clogging pores.
- Neem oil is is an excellent moisturizer.
- The carotenoids, fatty acids, ascorbic acid, and vitamin E in neem help heal acne, prevent scarring, and leave skin with a healthy glow.
- Neem is a non – abrasive exfoliate, which draws toxins from the skin and tightens pores to prevent bacterial infections that cause acne.
How to use Neem to Treat Acne:
Neem comes in many forms, all of which can be used to treat acne. It can also be used in combination with other natural ingredients that keep skin healthy. Try all the methods below until you find the one that works best for you!
1. Neem Paste
- Crush fresh neem leaves with a mortar and pestle to make a paste.
- If necessary, add water to crush leaves more easily.
- Use a cotton ball to apply the paste to breakouts as a spot treatment.
- Leave on 30 minutes, then rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat daily.
2. Neem Oil
To avoid itching or stinging, neem oil should always be diluted with olive oil, coconut oil, or another carrier oil.
- Mix few drops of neem oil with few drops of olive or coconut oil.
- Use a cotton ball to apply oils to breakouts as spot treatment.
- Massage gently for 2 minutes.
- Leave on until dry or overnight.
- Rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat regularly to get rid of acne.
3. Neem with Multani Mitti
- Mince 1 tablespoon of neem leaves.
- Mix with 1 tablespoon of Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth).
- Add enough rose water to make a paste.
- Apply to breakouts as spot treatment.
- Leave on 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Repeat daily.
4. Neem with Yogurt
- Crush dry neem leaves into a fine powder.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of neem leaf powder with 1 tablespoon of gram flour.
- Add enough yogurt to make a paste.
- Use fingertips to gently massage paste into skin for 3 minutes.
- Leave on until dry.
- Rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat regularly.
5. Neem with Turmeric
- Wash and mince fresh neem leaves.
- Mix equal parts of minced neem leaf and turmeric powder.
- Add enough water to make a paste.
- Use a cotton ball to massage paste gently into skin, focusing on breakouts.
- Leave on 20-25 minutes.
- Wash face with mild cleanser and pat dry.
- You can also boil and then crush the neem leaves.
- Repeat daily.
6. Neem with Sandalwood
- Mix equal parts of neem powder and sandalwood powder.
- Stir in enough water to make a paste.
- Use fingertips to massage paste into skin.
- Leave on 25 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Repeat daily.
7. Neem water
- Boil 2 cups of water and stir in fresh neem leaves.
- Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let steep 10 minutes.
- Strain and discard leaves.
- Pour neem-infused water into spray bottle.
- Spritz with neem water after washing skin.
- Repeat twice daily.
8. Neem with Calamine Powder
- Mix enough neem leaf extract and calamine powder to make a paste.
- Use fingertips to massage paste into skin, focusing on breakouts.
- Leave on until dry, then rinse with water and pat dry.
- Calamine powder can be substituted with sandalwood powder.
- Repeat daily.
9. Neem, Turmeric, and Coconut Oil
- Make turmeric paste by mixing water and organic turmeric powder.
- Make neem leaf paste by boiling and crushing 10 leaves.
- Mix ¼ teaspoon turmeric paste and neem leaf paste together.
- Use fingertips to massage paste into skin.
- Leave on until dry, rinse with water, and pat dry.
- In a separate container, mix ¼ teaspoon neem oil with 2 tablespoons coconut oil.
- Use fingertips to massage oil mixture into skin.
- Leave on overnight.
- Repeat nightly.
10. Neem, Turmeric, Yogurt, Lemon, and Honey
Yogurt soothes irritated skin, honey kills bacteria that cause acne, and lemon juice bleaches away scars.
- Dry neem leaves in the sun, then crush them to make powder.
- Mix neem powder with turmeric powder.
- Mix 2 tablespoons neem-turmeric powder with 1 tablespoon yogurt, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice to make a paste.
- Gently massage paste into skin.
- Leave on 20 minutes, rinse with cool water, and pat dry.
- Repeat regularly to reduce acne.
11. Neem with Cucumber
- Peel and chop 1 cucumber.
- Put cucumber in blender and mix until smooth.
- Mix pureed cucumber with enough neem oil or paste.
- Gently massage paste into skin and let dry.
- Rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat 3 times weekly.
12. Neem Bath
This will help to treat acne on the back and chest.
- Run a hot bath.
- Stir in a handful of fresh neem leaves and a few drops of neem oil.
- Get in and soak 15 – 20 minutes.
- Afterward, rinse in the shower with plain water.
- Repeat 3 times weekly.
13. Neem, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and French Clay
- Mix neem oil, eucalyptus oil, Rosemary oil, and french clay.
- Apply to face, concentrating on acne-prone areas, and let dry.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
- Repeat 2 times weekly (any more than this will dry out skin).
14. Neem, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Grape Seed Oil
This method is especially effective for back acne.
- Mix 1 part of neem oil with 1 part of grapeseed oil.
- Stir in 2 parts of raw, organic apple cider vinegar.
- Pour mixture in small spray bottle.
- Spritz back (and any other areas) and leave on for few minutes.
- Rinse with water and repeat regularly.
15. Neem, Lemon Juice, and Rosewater
- Mix neem leaf powder with enough rosewater and lemon juice to make a paste.
- Gently massage paste into skin.
- Leave on 20 minutes, rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat 3 times weekly.
16. Neem, Honey, and Basil
- Grind or blend dried basil to make a powder.
- Mix basil powder with neem leaf powder.
- Stir in enough raw honey to make a paste.
- Use fingertips to gently massage paste into skin.
- Leave on 5 minutes or until dry.
- Rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat regularly to prevent acne.
17. Neem, Turmeric, and Milk
Milk hydrates and moisturizes the skin.
- Mix equal parts of neem leaf powder and turmeric powder.
- Stir in enough milk to create a paste.
- Use fingertips to apply to face.
- Leave on until dry, rinse with lukewarm water, and pat dry.
- Repeat regularly to clear acne.
18. Neem Tea
- Boil 2 cups of water and stir in 2 ounces of neem leaves or neem leaf powder.
- Remove from heat and let steep 10 minutes.
- Strain and discard leaves.
- Stir in lemon juice and raw honey to taste.
- Drink regularly to reduce acne and get healthy skin.
19. Neem Juice
According to BSCAH, drinking 2 – 4 teaspoons of neem juice 2 – 3 times a day is one of the most effective ways to clear up acne. Mix neem juice into fruit juice, water, tea, or smoothies.
Neem for Cystic Acne
Neem is naturally antiseptic and anti-microbial, so it kills the bacteria that cause the infections that result in cystic acne. It also reduces swelling and redness. Try these methods for treating cystic acne with neem.
- Twice a day, apply neem leaf paste to cystic acne, leave on until dry, and rinse with warm water.
- Twice a day, apply neem oil to cystic acne, leave on 10-15 minutes, rinse with warm water and pat dry.
- Three times a day, drink neem tea, juice, or water to detoxify the body internally and prevent bacteria from causing cystic acne.
Neem Capsules for Acne
Neem is also available in capsule form. Taking them regularly detoxifies the body internally, preventing bacteria from causing acne. Research shows that neem supplements also help the liver break down and eliminate toxins that may cause acne. The proper dosage for neem capsules is usually 2, taken with meals, but read the bottle or consult a doctor to be sure. Some have seen results in 1 week.
Tips and Precautions:
For best results, follow the advice below when using neem to treat acne.
- If you can’t find fresh neem leaves, use neem powder.
- If you have access to actual neem trees, make a paste out of the soft bark and use that as an acne mask.
- Use mild cleaners and other products while using neem treatments.
- Make neem soap with olive, avocado, or jojoba oil.
- Avoid contact with nostrils or eyes.
- Pregnant women should not use neem treatments.
- Keep neem away from children and babies as it can cause Reye’s syndrome.
- Before starting neem treatments, do a patch test to find out of you are allergic to it. If you notice redness, itching, or swelling, stop using neem.
- Make or buy neem-based soaps and lotions.
- If these treatments don’t start working within 7-10 days, consult your doctor.
As with other natural remedies, neem will be most effective when combined with good hygiene, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. Drink plenty of water, eat a lot of protein, and avoid carbohydrates and sugar.
Have you tried any of these methods for treating acne with neem? Tell us which ones worked best for you!
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.
I want to reduce pimple by simple ways with neem,honey and multani mitti.please
You can mix 1 tablespoon each of neem leaves paste, honey and multani mitti. Apply it on pimples and leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse off with water.
Is Neem process Is also useful for acne inversa 🙁
Yes, neem helps to inverse acne as it contains antibacterial, antioxidant and astringent properties which prevent formation of pimples.
So can you tell me main Neem ka kese istemal kron armpits k dano pr. Net m read kia tha k turmeric ka paste bna ke lgao. Kya Woh bhi thek Hai.?
Can it be helpful to eat directly in the morning or evening for acne?
Instead of eating neem leaves, apply the paste directly on pimples and leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse off with water. Applying before going to bed can provide better results as our skin undergoes recovery cycle every night.
which treatment will work best for new pimples occurring daily morning?
Try neem with turmeric or cucumber or honey and let know your experience.
It had taken so long.my pimple are still on ma face.i have applied sandalwood and honey also and taken steam also,,still m having pimples.what should i do to remove pimples in a week.
Try method 1 or 5 (mentioned in the article) to reduce pimples. Apart from that exfoliate and wash your face regularly. Avoid oily foods and eat a nutritional diet to boost your immune system.
I think you should consult a doctor,because it may be of harmonal imbalance.
I hve tropical acne as wel as pimples arises agn and agn i want to get rid of from all ths thngs how get rid off with the help of neem i hve used almost evrythng but not a single result gt pls suggest me some of the neem remedies to get rid off
The remedies are mentioned above in the article. Apart from that you have to consume nutritional diet to boost immune system, drink plenty of water which helps to detox and exfoliate regularly.
I hv got redness over my cheeks. I had severe acne before but now it is controlled but the redness is persistent since a very long time. Pls tell if neem wd help me and in wat way i should use it.
Drink plenty of water and apart from that apply cucumber juice or oatmeal mask to get relief from the redness.
hello
i drink 1/2 cup of neem juice in morning and evening
Is it ok to have 1/2 cup or not…..
It is good to drink neem juice daily as it removes toxins from the system and improves hair quality, skin complexion and digestion. But women who are planning for kids or pregnant should avoid neem juice because it can cause abortions.
R helpfully neem juice or not …..it’s work
i am twenty years old .my cheeks are full of pores
how can i cure this with neem leaves
pls help me
Blend handful of neem leaves with some water. Apply it over the skin and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse off with water. Repeat the process 4 times a week.
Can I apply neem paste on my skin whole night…??
Yes, you can.
Hi .. I m 15 and i alwaus get pimples that are yellowish from inside … I want a idea to finish my pimples within 20 to 25 daus completely. …
Neem is an effective method in reducing pimples. Try any methods mentioned in the article as per your convenience. Apart from following it regularly, include fresh fruits in your daily diet and exfoliate regularly.
Hii iam 20 years old iam always getting pimpiles on face and oily skin.i like it neem process its very good can u tell me plz whats the time when i aplied it morning or night and its daily process or weekly once?
I have white puss filled pimples occured only around my lips on upper and lower part they are restricted to only that part…..but when I take antibiotics they got off…..is there is any cure for that .?
Pimples can be caused around lip area because of hormonal imbalance, constipation or food allergy. So try to find out the exact reason then you can perfect cure to deal with pimples.
Hi… i have acne on my skin i am drinking neem water from last 2 days in the morning….
But plz tell me something for acne scars.. i an really worried about it.
You can find remedies for acne scars in this article – http://homeremediesforlife.com/acne-scars-1/
Hi.. I have acne, acne scares and warts on my face. pls give any suggestions to remove warts, acne scares.
Hereafter how can i prevent my face from acne.
For treating acne and acne scars, you can try any method mentioned above in the article. For treating warts, you can follow any method mentioned in the article – http://homeremediesforlife.com/wart/
I have got so many small n red pimples on my face .n dis is ol aftr i had used bleach 1st tym..what should i do??
As per your description, your skin might have developed allergic reaction to the bleach. Neem is effective in dealing with allergic reactions. Try any method mentioned above in the article. Apart from that don’t scratch the pimples and wash your face regularly.
Hi.. How to get rid of pimples.. I got fed up with this.. Evn I tried each and every home remedies bt no results.. Wht to do plz me out..
As per your description you have tried everything and failed to achieve the results. Pimples can also be caused due to hormonal imbalance, weak immune system and other internal issues like PCOD. Consult a doctor to know the exact reason behind the problem. Once you deal with the internal issue, pimples will automatically reduce. Meanwhile wash and exfoliate your face regularly and avoid junk and oily foods.
I m 22 year old…recently I got red pores at my back and it pains too…can neem treatment help me out to get rid from pores within 15 days… plzz help me out …
You can use neem treatment to get rid red pimples. But it is difficult to mention the exact time as everyone is different. So, be patient and keep trying the treatment regularly.
Hii , i am 19 year old. I have black marks (due to pimples) on my face .how can i get rid of it, any effective neem remedies? .. and plz do suggest any method to lighten my skin ..thank you
You can find remedies related to acne marks/scars here – http://homeremediesforlife.com/acne-scars-1/
I have red pimple marks of acne .. and some acne scars.. what I do to get rid of them.. please suggest a better ready for clearing my skin..(acne scars)
For acne scars remedies, you can find them in this article – http://homeremediesforlife.com/acne-scars-1/. Choose any of them and try it regularly to achieve the results.
I used neem last year. I drank glasses of neem water. I’m going to marry now. Is it bad for my coming life,for conceiving??
Drinking neem water can lower blood sugar levels and abortions. In older times, neem was used for birth control. It is better to stop drinking neem water now as you are going to marry now. Also check your blood sugar levels if there is a drop in it.
Where can I buy neem leaf extract? I tried in several shops and online. All I am getting is neem oil and neem juice. I have loads of calamine powder which is insoluble in water. Please tell me where can I buy the neem leaf extract? Or can I use neem oil? I am afraid I will break out again.
You can use neem juice. Don’t worry it doesn’t cause any breakouts.
Many dark spot of pmples stays on my face long time…how can rid on it pls suggest me ..which type of natural treatment should be better…please
For remedies related to acne scars, you can read this article – http://homeremediesforlife.com/acne-scars-1/. Choose any method and follow it regularly to reduce the appearance of the acne scars. Apart from that you have to exfoliate regularly to remove the accumulated skin cells.
Hello. I have acne on face i have started taking himalaya neem tablets is it good for inflammatory acne….
Neem supplements can be taken for treating the inflammation of acne but it is not a magical quick fix for acne. Consult a doctor to know the proper dosage of neem supplements as per your medical history. Women during pregnancy, breast feeding and planning for kids should avoid neem supplements.
Pls I have dis pimples DAT are so annoying,where can I get dis leave or capsule ?pls can d capsule b use by ladies expecting pregnancy
If you are expecting pregnancy, then please avoid internal consumption of neem in any form. As per some studies, neem may cause abortions. To reduce pimples, you can follow remedies mentioned in this article.
Hai,, I am daily night used neem fast applying my face but not clear in pimples black mark , what can doing. Next idea please
You can try remedies mentioned in this article – http://homeremediesforlife.com/pimples/.
Can i apply fresh neem paste extract all over the face? If yes, then what should be the procedure? I have pimples on my cheek area..
Yes, you can. Blend fresh neem leaves with some water to make a paste. Apply it on the pimples or face. Leave it to dry for 15 – 20 minutes. Rinse off with water and pat dry. Repeat the process 3 times in a week for best results.
Myself Dhasarath my age was 22 . now neem oil is possible or not . I have lot of pimples and black marks in face . if possible how use this neem oil . and also it is possible to use body
Yes, you can try neem oil to treat pimples. Dilute neem oil into any other carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil. Massage the mixture on the affected areas. Leave it to dry completely. Repeat regularly until you notice the results.
cn i use neem leaves tulsi leaves honey multani mitti lemonn juice sandalwood powder tomato pulp all together???
Yes, you can.
I have dry irritated red skin that just does not go away with pharmaceutical moisturisers or steroid creams. Can Neem Oil help?
Yes, neem oil is helpful in treating dry, irritated and red skin. Mix a small amount of neem oil with any carrier oil. Massage on the face and let it dry completely. You can also try any remedy mentioned in this article – http://homeremediesforlife.com/dry-skin/ to treat dry skin.
How can I reduce or completely remove cystic pimples on my nose which causes redness on my nose . Any solution to this problem
Here are the methods for treating cystic acne – http://homeremediesforlife.com/cystic-acne/. Apart from trying out the remedies, eat a nutrition rich food, avoid junk and oily foods and drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins.
Hi,
I have noticed that my pimoles became big after i applied neem oil mixed with aloe vera gel. Is it a side effect or are these symptoms of healing acne?
Thanks
It may be a healing symptom. Try the method again for 2 days and check if you are able to see any positive improvement. If you are not able to see any improvement then try a different method. You can find other remedies in this article – http://homeremediesforlife.com/acne/.
You have given so many usefull tips . So , i also wants to share my tips which works like magic .
Ingdtns: neem leaves
Kari leaves which is also known as mitha neem, and
Tulsi leaves
Process: make paste of this three , add rose water if needed and apply on face or effected area . Wash after 15-20 min with normal water .
Thanks for sharing your tip.
Pls tell me best neem powder company and sandalwood powder company…
And how to use it.
You can try the brand khadi.
Can I keep neem turmeric and honey lime paste pack whole night .will it give me better results my face is having dry skin and acne alot