Struggling to find gentle and natural home remedies for acne that really work?

It can be frustrating, especially for those who are making the effort to live a healthy lifestyle yet still battle regular or cyclical breakouts.

We know, because we (Allison, Kelly, and Marilee) all struggled with acne as teens and young adults, but were able to overcome it by identifying the root causes (triggers) and removing them from our homes and lives.

Here, we’ll discuss some of the less-talked-about causes of acne and offer simple home remedies to help with breakouts and uplevel your skincare routine.

Whether you struggle with persistent acne or occasional or cyclical breakouts, know you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault! So let’s get to the bottom of it.

Key Takeaways 

• Acne is caused by a lot more than just bacteria and hormones
• Less talked-about root causes, including endocrine- and microbiome-disrupting chemicals and ingredients
• There are many gentle, natural home remedies for acne, such as Epsom salts, honey, and red light therapy, that can be used to help heal your skin while you address the root cause
  

Let’s Talk About The Less Talked About Causes of Acne

We know that much of teenage acne is caused by acne-causing bacteria.

That was great for the tetracycline, benzoyl peroxide, and Accutane companies, but didn’t really explain why some teens got acne, and others didn’t. Nor why some people struggled with acne into adulthood.

We were told it’s also hormonal, and hormones may cause excess sebum production, which clogs pores, which is why teens and menstruating women break out. 

First, the truth: bacteria, specifically Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), are definitely a causal factor in acne. 

However, we need to look deeper and ask: what’s causing this harmful (and annoying) bacteria to thrive in some people’s skin and not others’?

We also must look deeper into the hormonal issue. Every teen experiences hormonal surges, but not every teen gets acne. Same with menstruating women, some get cyclical acne, and others don’t. And plenty of adult men get acne without a period. 

Why? 

Although individual factors vary, any health issue comes back to the health of the terrain. 

Specifically, the skin terrain known as the dermal microbiome, which we now know is influenced by our inner terrain, including the gut microbiome, hormonal (endocrine) system, and immune system.

To strengthen our skin’s microbiome and create an unfavorable environment for acne-causing bacteria to thrive, we need to focus on nourishing and protecting our inner terrain. 

Here are some foundational things anyone can do to help nourish and balance their inner terrain, which will simultaneously benefit the skin and help clear up acne.

How To Start Healing Acne By Rebuilding Your Terrain

We will be sharing some specific home remedies for acne, including topical products to help clear up breakouts, next.

But even natural home remedies can turn into a game of whack-a-mole if we do not address the terrain and eliminate acne triggers.

Some of the best ways to begin healing your inner terrain include:
(Click the links for more info)

• Eating only organic. This is one of the most important steps you can take to help rebalance your microbiome
• Removing harmful chemicals from your food. Read all labels. "Organic" on a label is not enough
• Removing ultra-processed and high-sugar foods
• Focusing on a rainbow plate with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Taking our free online Toss the Toxins online course to help you choose cleaning products, laundry products, and personal care products free from endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
• Balancing your hormones naturally
• Staying hydrated
• Reducing stress and tension
• Spend time in nature
• Switching to non-toxic skincare products that help balance out the dermal microbiome
• Avoiding harsh skincare products that strip precious oils and beneficial bacteria from the skin
• Getting regular sunlight on your skin to increase Vitamin D production naturally helps clear up acne, support immunity, and balance the dermal microbiome
• Never allow your skin to burn, but do allow yourself some safe unprotected sun exposure, even 5-10 minutes a day between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., for optimal benefits
• Getting enough sleep, which is foundational to skin repair, detoxification, and hormonal health
• Incorporating regular detox practices, such as saunas, detox baths, fresh juices, lymphatic drainage, and dry skin brushing, all help support detoxification pathways and clean out the skin

Using specific antibacterial and hormone-balancing herbal remedies and supplements can also be helpful, but talk to your integrative healthcare practitioner for individual recommendations.

Our Favorite Natural Home Remedies for Acne

Addressing the terrain is essential and can start clearing up acne very quickly in some people.

However, for others, it may take more than a day, a week, or a month, which is where these home remedies come in handy.

We also like using them for occasional breakouts. This can happen (even to healthy people!) due to stress, hormonal changes, or being unable to eat as intentionally as usual due to travel or other circumstances.

Whatever the reason, turn to these gentle, natural home remedies for acne whenever you need them.

1: Neem Oil

Revered in Ayurveda (the traditional Medicine of India) as “the village pharmacy,” Neem oil, which comes from the Neem tree, has powerful antibacterial properties that can help clear up acne.[1][2]

Just apply a drop to the affected area before bed, and watch that pimple clear up fast.

You can also find Neem-based skincare products, but make sure they’re free from harmful chemicals, including fragrance.

Neem supplements may also be recommended internally for acne, but check with an Ayurvedic practitioner or integrative practitioner trained in herbalism for individual recommendations (Neem supplements are not for everyone).

2: Raw Honey

Raw honey, with its natural antibacterial and exfoliating properties, is a sensational skincare product for acne, skin brightening, minor cuts and scrapes, and anti-aging.[3]

For breakouts, just dab a small amount directly onto the spot and let it sit for several hours or overnight.

Honey also makes a perfect base for an all-natural face mask, and can be mixed with other blemish-fighting ingredients such as Neem, tea tree oil, or natural clay.

Learn more in: Beyond Allergies & DIY Skincare: 10 Ways We Use Raw Honey for Health

3: Epsom Salts

Epsom salts are a favorite in the natural health world for detox baths, increasing magnesium levels, and relieving sore muscles. But few people know about their skin-clearing benefits.

The easiest way to use Epsom salts for acne is to dissolve a few tablespoons in some warm water and make a compress. 

Apply this directly to the affected area (you can even do your whole face with a large face cloth) and let it sit at least ten minutes while you lie back and relax. You can re-dip the cloth to help keep it warm.

Repeat this daily, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly your skin clears up.

Bonus: Epsom salt baths are also wonderful for clearing up back acne.

4: Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy has become all the rage for promoting healthy, youthful, and clear skin for good reason; it works really well.

Even emerging research supports its use, suggesting red light, blue light, and red-blue light can help reduce breakouts in the short- and long-term.[4-6]

If you have a red light facial mask, that’s great! Follow the instructions to help clear up acne and revitalize your skin.

If you want something smaller, look for a high-rated red light facial wand to treat localized breakouts.

Learn more in: Harnessing the Power of Light: Exploring the Benefits of Light Therapy

5: Natural Clays And Charcoal

Natural clays, like French green clay, bentonite clay, and activated charcoal, can all be used topically to dry up breakouts.

You can either mix them with water, honey, yogurt, or your favorite natural face oil, like jojoba, to form a paste and apply it directly to the affected area.

The clay will draw out the impurities and help dry up the spots, without damaging your skin.

You can also use this as an all-over face mask; just take care to add in a moisturizing element, like jojoba oil, so you don’t over-dry the skin, which can cause more sebum production.

6: Chamomile Tea Bags

We’re big fans of chamomile around here, which is a star ingredient in Branch Basics Concentrate.

Best known for its relaxation-promoting properties, chamomile also boasts impressive antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects, making it effective for healing breakouts.[7]

The easiest way to use chamomile as a home remedy is to steep one or two tea bags for just a minute, then apply them directly to the affected area and relax.

You can also use Branch Basics Foaming Wash as your daily chamomile-fueled facial cleanser! 

It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin and will provide all the benefits of organic chamomile flower extract. We also love it as a makeup remover and use it extensively on our babies, kiddos, and grandkids.

Discover more about the wonders of Chamomile in: Branch Basics Ingredient: Organic Chamomile.

7. Turmeric

“The golden spice” isn’t just for making delicious curries and quelling inflammation.

Turmeric’s natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties make it a favorite in Ayurveda for natural skin care, including for acne, anti-aging, and inflammatory skin conditions.[8]

For breakouts, you can either do an all-over Turmeric facial mask by combining a teaspoon with yogurt, honey, or aloe vera, or a spot treatment by making a paste with water or any of the above.

Apply to your skin and let dry.

*Note: Turmeric stains any fabric or surface like crazy (it can even stain stainless steel!), so be prepared with old face cloths and towels and avoid furniture or your favorite shirt or blouse.

Need Some Help Tossing The Toxins? We’ve Got You!

Feeling inspired to uncover the root cause of your acne but unsure where to start?

In our experience, the biggest impact at the lowest cost comes from removing products with harmful ingredients, and chemicals that cause hormonal and terrain disruption from your home (and it’s easier than you think).

We teach you exactly how to do this in our free online course: Toss The Toxins.

In this step-by-step, self-paced course, Branch Basics founders, Marilee, Allison, and Kelly, take you through the same process I developed and have used for decades to help clients remove harmful chemicals, foods, and other substances from their homes and reclaim their health.

And yes, clearer, healthier skin is a noticeable (and beautiful) side effect!

This course is at the core of our mission to help people create healthier homes and families—so please take advantage of it to help clear up your skin and improve your overall health.

Looking For Endocrine-Disruptor-Free Cleaning Products? 

Then check out Branch Basics Starter Kits. Made with our refillable, human-safe, EWG-Verified, MADE SAFE Certified, Leaping Bunny Certified, biodegradable Concentrate plus water, this all-in-one cleaning system is designed to replace every harmful cleaner and laundry product in your home with just one Concentrate.

References:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5424551/
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3042689/
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324966
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32817011/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32817011/
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/cough/expert-answers/honey/faq-20058031
7. https://journals.lww.com/abmj/fulltext/2025/01000/the_effect_of_natural_honey_in_treating_different.2.aspx
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38013499/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38013499/
10. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5424551/
11. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7870997/
12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9367972/
13. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/fructose-tumor-growth-liver-lipids