neem for acne treatment

How to Use Neem Leaves to Treat Acne

When you see the first acne on your face, you certainly don't like it. You don't want any more of them on the face. If you get more acne, you really want to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Acne is a long term disease originating from oil glands on the hair follicles of your skin. The lesions of acne appear as a result of your hair follicles getting clogged with dead skin cells, other impurities such as makeup leftovers, dirt, bacteria and oil in the skin.

Acne may appear in the form of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and scars. You can treat acne at home in most cases. Neem is one of the best natural remedies for treating acne. It has no side effects as compared to the other commercially available harsh chemical treatments.

You may not like the smell of neem or neem oil, but that is the trade-off you will have to do to get rid of your acne.

Table of Contents

What is Neem and Where to find it?

Neem also known as Indian lilac is an evergreen tree which can live up to 200 years. It is found generally in India and Burma but it can be grown in any tropical climate.

Almost every part of neem ranging from the bark, leaves and seeds have medicinal value. Neem oil can be obtained online or from grocery shops. Neem leaves can be taken from a tree if you have access to a neem tree in your area.

When you buy Neem Oil, make sure that it is organic Neem oil. It is generally yellow to brown colour cloudy oil.

The refined Neem oil is generally contaminated with solvents and petrochemicals that are used for purification purposes and is not as effective.

How does Neem Treat Acne?

Neem leaves and neem oil are loaded with nutrients. The carotenoid compounds (antioxidants) in neem helps to fight free radical damage in the skin. Neem oil and Neem extracts are widely used in cosmetics such as soaps, creams and other skin and hair care products.

Antibacterial capabilities of neem oil and neem extracts kills bacteria in the acne. This reduces the number of outbreaks and your skin remains smooth and blemish free.

Neem is also high in important fatty acids and Vitamin E. More than 50% of the fatty acids are oleic acid and the balance are linoleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid.

These fatty acids easily penetrate the outer layer of the skin to rejuvenate the skin.

How to Use Neem for Acne Treatment

neem for acne infographic

You can use Neem leaves, Neem oil, Neem extract alone or with other natural products to heal your acne fast and reduce future outbreaks.

1. Neem Leaves

If you have access to fresh Neem leaves then this is the best way to quickly remove your acne.

  • Crush a handful of neem leaves to make paste. Add a little water if required.
  • Apply on each acne bump with the help of Qtip
  • Let it dry for 30 minutes
  • Rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry
  • Do it twice daily

2. Neem Leaves with Turmeric

Adding turmeric to neem will increase fighting capacity with the bacteria to heal acne faster.

  • Wash and Crush fresh Neem leaves to make a paste
  • Add equal part of turmeric powder and mix well
  • Store the mixture for further use
  • Take a quarter teaspoon of the prepared neem turmeric mix in a bowl.
  • Add little water to make thick paste
  • Apply on acne with the help of qtip
  • Leave it for 20-30 minutes
  • Wash your face with warm water
  • Do it 2-3 times daily

3. Neem Leaves with Yogurt

Good bacteria in yoghurt as well as lactic acid helps to fight acne.

  • Crush some neem leaves to make a teaspoon of paste
  • Add equal amount of yogurt to make thick paste
  • Apply on the affected area and the rest of your skin
  • Leave it for 15 minutes
  • Rinse it with warm water
  • Do it daily

4. Neem Oil

Neem oil is generally too harsh on the skin if you apply it directly on the skin, so use a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil.

  • Mix 5-10 drops of neem oil with same quantity of olive oil or coconut oil
  • Apply on the outbreaks with the help of a Q Tip or cotton ball
  • Leave it overnight
  • Rinse with warm water in the morning
  • Do it daily

5. Neem and Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is also good for acne.

  • Add 5 drops each of neem oil, Eucalyptus oil and coconut oil in a plate or in a bowl
  • Mix well
  • Apply with qtip (it may give sting)
  • Leave it overnight
  • Wash your face with warm water in the morning
  • Repeat it daily

6. Neem Spray

You can prepare Neem spray and keep it in a bottle for a week or more. This is the most convenient method of using Neem for acne. It requires extra precautions to ensure that the sprayed neem does not get inside the eyes.

  • Add handful of neem leaves in half a litre boiling water
  • Bring the water to boil and then reduce the flame
  • Simmer it for 5 minutes
  • Strain the leaves and keep the water
  • Crush strained leaves and put in a cheesecloth to squeeze the juice
  • Mix the juice with the strained water
  • Fill it in a spray bottle.
  • Wash your face and spray it on the outbreak area of skin. Keep your eyes closed to prevent it getting into eyes
  • Leave it for 5 minutes
  • Rinse your face with warm water
  • Do it 2-3 times daily.

7. Neem and Apple Cider Vinegar Spray

This spray is particularly very useful on back acne.

  • Crush handful of fresh Neem leaves to make a thick paste
  • Add 2 cups of water and bring it to boil
  • Strain with fine sieve and let it cool
  • Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and fill it in a spray bottle
  • Shake the bottle to mix well and spray it on your back acne
  • Let it dry for 15 minutes
  • Rinse it off with warm water
  • Repeat twice daily

Note: Neem leaves may not be accessible everywhere. Therefore, if you do not have access to fresh Neem leaves, then take a large amount of neem leaves whenever you have access. Dry out these leaves in Sun. Crush dried Neem leaves to make fine powder which you can use later with water to make paste.

Can you Use Neem for Other Skin Conditions?

Yes, you can use neem for many other skin conditions because it

  • Hydrates dry skin by penetrating in the outer layer of skin
  • Stimulates collagen production which reduces wrinkles and fine lines on an aging skin
  • Soothes the itch of Eczema and reduces the redness, though it doesn't treat it
  • Reduces swelling and redness under skin due to inflammations of any kind.

In addition to its uses on the skin, Neem oil is also an excellent natural pesticides and mosquito repellent.