What can you use as a natural acne remedy? It appears that tincture of thyme may be the answer.
I remember when one of my girlfriends went through medical school and did a rotation in dermatology. Her goal for that session, she confessed to me, was to learn how to have a clear complexion. At the end, I asked her what the secrets were. She told me: benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and topical antibacterial application.
I remember feeling disappointed. These medicines all have serious side effects when used occasionally or regularly ranging from dry, peeling skin, a burning sensation, redness and irritation, and photosensitivity to overabuse of antibiotics and disruption of the normal bacterial load on your skin. Besides: this was not new information. I wanted to know more.
We know that acne is caused when bacteria and/or dirt gets trapped inside pores by dead skin cells and dirt or makeup. My inclination is always to first to maintain a regular regimen of cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and moisturizing, and see if that helps to keep the skin clear. Personally, I know that I get wicked pimples whenever and wherever my cell phone touches my face (for this I blame the dirty little fingers that beg to play the apps on my phone). The solution: wash the cell phone more often and wear a headset whenever possible.
But I digress from the exciting news out of Leeds Metropolitan University in the U.K: the antibacterial power of thyme works well on acne!
In fact, the thyme tincture was more powerful than standard concentrations of benzoyl peroxide, which is the active ingredient in many acne products. And it was more soothing to the skin at the same time.
You can make your own thyme tincture, or any other herbal tincture, with these herbal tincture instructions.
I planted thyme when we moved into this house almost seven years ago, and it has come back faithfully every summer. I think I’ll make a thyme tincture this summer. You know, just to have around for those times when I am forced to hold my cell phone between my shoulder and my cheek. I know this is something I should never, ever do. But sometimes, despite my best efforts, it happens anyway and I pay for it in so many ways afterward. I’ll let you know how it goes when I make it!
