You don't need to look far for home remedies for clear skin. Yup, it’s all around you! Many ingredients typically found in your kitchen can help promote healthy and glowing skin. What's even more promising is that these natural skincare remedies are backed by science.

Home remedies for clear skin

Here are some easy ingredients you can use as part of your skin care routine at home:

Aloe vera

Use fresh aloe vera gel as a moisturiser. Research shows aloe vera improves the skin’s ability to hydrate itself (1).

Turmeric

Turmeric, a common spice that can be added to daily dishes, contains anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities that play a crucial role in the wound healing process (2).

Green tea

Skincare at home can include drinking green tea as it can help improve skin health due to its antioxidant content as well as its ability to protect the skin from ageing (3).

Oatmeal

Colloidal oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can improve skin dryness, itching, roughness, and scaling (4). Following this, oatmeal can be applied topically. It may also be used as an ingredient in lotions.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) mixed with water may help reduce scarring. Reports indicated that ACV contains lactic acid, an ingredient that can help improve scar appearance (5).

Honey

Honey is seen in most hacks for skin care at home as it is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial components. In fact, you can mix cinnamon and honey to make face masks to exfoliate the skin.

Don’t forget to check if you have any allergic reaction to the ingredients of these home remedies as it might bring your skin more harm than good.

Supplements as a skin care hack

In addition to using these common ingredients to help maintain your skin health, you may also consider getting the skin-enriching nutrients you need through supplements.

Here are a few nutrients that might help you maintain and support skin health when paired with a healthy lifestyle and diet:

Zinc

Zinc skin benefits include wound healing and skin repair (6). It is also used as an ingredient for a number of topical treatments to help fight certain skin concerns (7, 8).

Iron

Iron is involved in collagen metabolism, a process related to skin healing and collagen formation9. The more collagen the body has, the more elastic and supple the skin is.

*Iron should only be taken if prescribed by your doctor.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C benefits skin by supporting collagen health and formation in the body (13). It supports skin health as an antioxidant to reduce damage caused by overexposure to the sun’s rays (14, 15). Fruits such as cranberries are a good source of vitamin C.

Collagen

Collagen for skin improves its elasticity (16) and hydration (17) which may result in a decrease in wrinkles and fine lines (18). It can make your skin look youthful and healthy.

Biotin

Biotin maintains and supports skin health through fatty acid synthesis (19).

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin helps maintain skin elasticity (21) and improves skin hydration for better appearance (22). It also helps protect skin elastin from breaking down and supports skin integrity and structure. Additionally, astaxanthin helps reduce and relieve skin sensitivity.

Vitamins can also be a part of your skincare routine as it focuses more on your skincare health on the inside. Vitable vitamins have you covered. We provide vitamin subscriptions to focus on your health needs. Select your custom vitamins and create your own vitamin packs to help achieve clear skin when paired with a healthy lifestyle. We also offer vitamin delivery around Australia to make it within arms' reach.

Find out more about other areas that the above supplements can help you with:

Zinc | Iron | Astaxanthin | B complex | Vitamin C | Cranberry | Collagen | Biotin

*Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Vitamin and/or mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet.

References:

1. Kar, S. K., & Bera, T. K. (2021, September 29). Phytochemical constituents of aloe Vera and their multifunctional properties: A comprehensive review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH | IJPSR. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://ijpsr.com/bft-article/phytochemical-constituents-of-aloe-vera-and-their-multifunctional-properties-a-comprehensive-review/?view=fulltext
2. Tejada, S., Manayi, A., Daglia, M., F. Nabavi, S., Sureda, A., Hajheydari, Z., Gortzi, O., Pazoki-Toroudi, H., & M. Nabavi, S. (2016). Wound healing effects of curcumin: A short review. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 17(11), 1002-1007. https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201017666160721123109
3. Pazyar, N., Feily, A., & Kazerouni, A. (n.d.). Green tea in dermatology. PubMed. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23346663/
4. Reynertson, K. A., Garay, M., Nebus, J., Chon, S., Kaur, S., Mahmood, K., Kizoulis, M., & Southall, M. D. (2019, November 21). Article. JDDonline - Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from https://jddonline.com/articles/dermatology/S1545961615P0043X
5. Sachdeva, S. (2010). Research letter: Lactic acid peeling in superficial acne scarring in Indian skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 9(3), 246-248. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2010.00513.x
6. Lin, P., Sermersheim, M., Li, H., Lee, P., Steinberg, S., and Ma, J. “Zinc in Wound Healing Modulation”. Nutrients. Published Jan. 2018 on https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/1/16. Accessed Oct. 8, 2021
7. Gupta, M., Mahajan, V., Mehta, K., and Chauhan, P. “Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review”. Dermatology research and practice. Published 2014 on https://www.hindawi.com/journals/drp/2014/709152/. Accessed Oct. 8, 2021
8. Dreno, B., Moyse, D., Alirezai, M., Amblard, P., Auffret, N., Beylot, C., Bodokh, I., Chivot, M., Daniel, F., Humbert, P., Meynadier, J., Poli, F., and Acne Research and Study Group. “Multicenter randomized comparative double-blind controlled clinical trial of the safety and efficacy of zinc gluconate versus minocycline hydrochloride in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris”. Dermatology. Published 2001 on https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/51728. Accessed Oct. 8, 2021
9. Wright, J. A., Richards, T., and Srai, S. K. “The role of iron in the skin and cutaneous wound healing”. Frontiers in pharmacology. Published Jul. 10, 2014 on https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2014.00156/full. Accessed Oct. 8, 2021
10. Fischer, F., Achterberg, V., März, A., Puschmann, S., Rahn, C. D., Lutz, V., Krüger, A., Schwengler, H., Jaspers, S., Koop, U., Blatt, T., Wenck, H., and Gallinat, S. “Folic acid and creatine improve the firmness of human skin in vivo”. Journal of cosmetic dermatology. Published Mar. 2011 on https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2010.00543.x. Accessed Oct. 8, 2021
11. Navarrete-Solís, J., Castanedo-Cázares, J., Torres-Álvarez, B., Oros-Ovalle, C., Fuentes-Ahumada, C., González, F., Martínez-Ramírez, J., and Moncada, B. “A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial of Niacinamide 4% versus Hydroquinone 4% in the Treatment of Melasma”. Dermatology research and practice, Published 2011 on https://www.hindawi.com/journals/drp/2011/379173/. Accessed Oct. 8, 2021
12. Jerajani, H., Mizoguchi, H., Li, J., Whittenbarger, D., and Marmor, M. “The effects of a daily facial lotion containing vitamins B3 and E and provitamin B5 on the facial skin of Indian women: a randomized, double-blind trial”. Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology. Published Feb. 2010 on https://ijdvl.com/the-effects-of-a-daily-facial-lotion-containing-vitamins-b3-and-e-and-provitamin-b5-on-the-facial-skin-of-indian-women-a-randomized-double-blind-trial/. Accessed Oct. 8, 2021
13. Boyera, N., Galey, I., and Bernard, BA. 1“Effect of vitamin c and its derivatives on collagen synthesis and cross-linking by normal human fibroblasts.” International Journal of Cosmetic Science. Published Dec. 25, 2001 on https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1467-2494.1998.171747.x. Accessed Oct. 8, 2021
14. Pullar, J., Carr, A., and Vissers, M. “The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health”. Nutrients, Published Aug. 12, 2017 on https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/9/8/866. Accessed Oct 8, 2021
15. Michels, A., and Draelos, Z. “Vitamin C and Skin Health”. Oregon State University: Linus Pauling Institute. Published Sep. 2011 on https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-C. Accessed Oct. 8, 2021
16. Proksch, E., Segger, D., Degwert, J., Schunck, M., Zague, V., and Oesser, S. “Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study”. Skin pharmacology and physiology. Published 2014 on https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/351376. Accessed on Oct. 8, 2021
17. Asserin, J., Lati, E., Shioya, T., and Prawitt, J. “The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials”. Journal of cosmetic dermatology. Published Dec. 2015 on https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.12174. Accessed on Oct. 8, 2021
18. Kim, D., Chung, H., Choi, J., Sakai, Y., and Lee, B. “Oral Intake of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Improves Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkling in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study”. Nutrients. Published Jun. 26, 2018  on https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/7/826. Accessed on Oct. 8, 2021
19. Zempleni, J., Wijeratne, SSK., and Hassan, YI. “Biotin”. BioFactors. Published Feb. 18, 2009 on https://iubmb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/biof.8. Accessed Oct. 8, 2021
20. Mock, D., Baswell, D., Baker, H., Holman, R., and Sweetman, L. “Biotin deficiency complicating parenteral alimentation: diagnosis, metabolic repercussions, and treatment”. The Journal of pediatrics. Published May 1985 on https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022347685803504. Accessed Oct. 8, 2021
21. Tominaga, K., Hongo, N., Fujishita, M., Takahashi, Y., and Adachi, Y. 2017. “Protective effects of astaxanthin on skin deterioration”. Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition, Published Jul. 2017 on https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jcbn/61/1/61_17-35/_article. Accessed Oct. 8, 2021
22. Yamahita, E. “The Effect of a dietary supplement containing astaxanthin on skin condition”. Carotenoid Science. Published 2006 on http://www.nuvocare.us/assets/pdf/AGEOFF%20Astaxanthin_Wrinkle%20Reduction%20Study.pdf. Accessed Oct. 8, 2021