Many people associate acne with puberty and adolescence. In fact, it can affect people of all ages, and some adults deal with breakouts frequently. Acne is caused by oils in your skin clogging your pores. It is typically associated with adolescence because skin oils increase and hormone levels change during that time. There are several topical medications that you can use to treat acne, but there are actually several medication-free treatments available in your own kitchen. Here are some great options for treating breakouts at home.

Yogurt Facial Cream

When you use yogurt products as a topical cream, they have a soothing property that can help ease the discomfort of acne breakouts. Yogurts also have acids that can serve as an antibacterial. To make a yogurt facial cream that is as good for fighting breakouts as it is for relieving the inflammation, mix equal parts honey and plain yogurt. Apply this to your face and you'll get the cooling, soothing effect and even help to calm some of the redness of the breakout.

For the best results from this type of facial cream, use yogurt that's at room temperature. That way, you don't shock your skin with cold temperatures, since the cold can shrink your pores. This will make it harder for the product to reach the inside of the pores, where it needs to go to work. Apply the cream in spot treatments over your blemishes using a cotton ball, or you can treat your whole face. Let it sit for about twenty minutes before washing your face with a gentle cleanser.

Cider Vinegar Astringent

Apple cider vinegar is an antibacterial product that will help kill bacteria in your pores. By treating your skin with this type of product, it will help to balance the pH in your skin and dry out the excess oils. Dilute the vinegar by making a solution of one part cider vinegar with three parts water. Use a cotton ball to directly apply it to blemishes. Wait a few minutes, then wash your face with a mild facial cleanser. You can reapply this a few times each day, but you'll want to moisturize if your skin starts to dry out from the vinegar. Otherwise, your skin will respond with oil production to resolve the dry condition.

Lemon Juice Spot Treatments

Lemon juice is a great product for acne outbreaks because the citric acid is an astringent. It dries out blemishes naturally, getting rid of outbreaks naturally. Fresh lemon juice can also ease redness around your blemishes, making them less apparent. Just remember that lemon juice can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun, so stay out of direct sunlight until you've washed your face.

Apply the lemon juice using a cotton ball. Use fresh-squeezed lemon juice, because the bottled stuff will have preservatives. Dab the juice directly on your blemishes. Sometimes, it can sting a bit. If so, you can chill things out by mixing the juice with a bit of yogurt. The dairy will keep your skin cooler and ease the sting of the juice. Then, wash your face with a gentle facial scrub and dry it with a soft towel so you don't irritate your skin. Consider a gentle moisturizer afterward to keep things balanced.

Acne can be a persistent, frustrating problem that can persist throughout nearly every life phase. If these treatments don't help ease your breakouts, you'll need to talk with a dermatologist. There are many alternatives that you can explore to help keep blemishes at bay. Not only are there medicated products available in most retail stores, but you can also get a prescription from the dermatologist for something stronger if your breakouts are more severe and persistent.