It’s Thyme To Battle That Acne
With summer on its way out * tear* and the colder months getting closer, our skin may start to get a little dry. What comes with dry skin? Cracking skin. And what happens when our skin cracks? Oil and bacteria can get caught in our pores, through the cracks in our skin, and cause unwanted acne flare ups.
I mean, as if the cold, dry weather isn’t enough we now have to worry about breakouts? Not fair I say, not fair at all.
Now of course you could hit your nearest pharmacy and pick up an anti-acne treatment, but they can strip your skin of any remaining oils it may have left, ultimately causing more harm than good.
Besides, you don’t need those products. All you need is a little thyme. Yes, green queens, thyme really is on our side, and if you keep reading I’ll show you how to make the most of it.
Thyme To Tone
For those of you with a more oily or combination complexion, it’s usually best to use a good toner before cleansing your face.
As I mentioned above, you could skip to your nearest pharmacy, dish out some serious dough for a natural toner, or you could just make your own. I prefer the latter.
To make this simple pimple remedy just mix one tablespoon of dried thyme with 4 tablespoons of witch hazel in a small, sterilized glass jar. Then just throw a lid on that bad boy and shake well.
Wait for about 20 minutes until your mixture turns a light brown colour. Not the most appealing look but powerful enough to cut through any stubborn dirt, bacteria, and oil caught in your pores.
After your 20 minutes is up, grab a cotton ball, tip some of the toner onto it, and wipe it all over your face.
Just be sure to leave the thyme in the witch hazel for a few days before straining it out and storing in a cool, dry place.
Thyme To Cleanse
Now that you have kickstarted your acne-blasting with a potent little thyme tincture, it’s time to cleanse.
Of course, you can always use your own trusty cleanser, or you can keep the DIY’in spirit alive and make your own!
All you need is:
- 1/2 cup of finely ground oats
- 1/2 cup of finely ground almond meal
- 3-4 tablespoons of dried thyme
Combine all your ingredients in a clean glass jar, put a lid on it, and give it a good shake.
Use about 2 tablespoons of your mixture each time you go to cleanse and combine it with either pure, filtered water or rosewater, which is great for all skin types.
It’s important to note that you should only mix your liquid of choice in each time you go to cleanse, and not in the master recipe.
Once you have your cleanser ready to go, start with a clean, dry face and gently rub that scrub into your skin for up to 2 minutes before rinsing off with cool water and patting dry.
Not only will your skin receive a gentle exfoliation but again, the thyme will help to cleanse away any hidden bacteria that may still be caught in your pores, ultimately keeping your pimples alive.
Alright, you have toned, you have cleansed, so what’s left?
Thyme To Moisturize
Now that you have done all that anti-acne work, finish it off with a moisturizer that will continue to battle those blemishes.
Just grab another small glass jar, toss in 1 tablespoon of dried thyme, and cover with your favourite natural oil such as argan, sesame, or jojoba.
Allow your thyme to steep in your oil for 2 weeks in a cool, dry, dark place before straining the thyme out and applying to your skin.
It may seem a little wacky to be coating your face in oil, especially if you are trying to zap those zits, but these oils are super-duper-effective in treating acneic skin.
I bet you never knew the solution to all your acne woes was sitting in your spice rack the whole time! So embrace your inner DIY diva and take control of your acne! It’s about thyme, don’t you think?
AUTHOR BIO:
Vanessa is the chief bloggin’ babe for BesSkincare.com where she blogs and vlogs about all things skincare, including the best at-home microdermabrasion machine, as well as handy DIY tips and tricks. The best part about her job? She gets to help her readers look and feel their very best!