Fighting with acne can be a harrowing experience, especially when nothing seems to work to get rid of it. Creams and chemicals can get expensive, not to mention the damage and dryness they can cause. First off, here are some general tips to help improve the look of your skin:

-A well-balanced diet is the foundation for healthy skin. It will ensure that your body receives the proper nutrients needed to support and maintain the health of your skin. Foods rich in sulphur, such as garlic or onions, may be particularly helpful in maintaining good skin.

-Cleansing twice daily with a gentle cleanser will keep your face free of dirt, oil, pollutants, and perspiration. It is important not to overwash or use harsh cleansers, as they can make things worse.

-NO POPPING! As tempting (and pleasurable) as picking at or popping zits can be, keep your hands off your face!

In addition to medications and store-bought treatments, there are many home-made remedies that can work wonders. Of course make sure you do not have allergies to any of these foods. Remember, they are going on your face, a very sensitive part of the body. Try as much of these remedies as you'd like. Some are simple, while some are more complex. Do whatever is easiest and find what works best for you.

1. Grind some nutmeg into some milk, then apply to the face

2. Mix some honey and ground cinnamon in to a paste. Apply at night, then wash off in the morning. Do this for a few weeks and you'll see your pimples disappear!

3. Apply fresh mint juice to your face each night, or try adding some turmeric powder to make a paste, then wash off after about 30 minutes.

4. Drink lots of wheatgrass.

5. Make a paste with salt and vinegar, apply to face, then wash off after 20-30 minutes.

6. To remove blackheads, make a paste of ground radish seeds and water.

7. Make a paste of sandalwood and rosewater. Wash off after 30 minutes.

8. Mix equal parts of lemon juice and ground cinnamon, leave on for about 30 minutes.

9. Rub fresh garlic on pimples. With regular application, pimples will disappear.

10. Rub a raw papaya (skin, seeds, and all) on swelling pimples.

11. Add lime juice to some boiled milk as a face wash.

12. Apply raw tomato pulp to your face, then wash off after about an hour.

13. Grind an orange peel in water to make a paste, then apply to the face.

Also, herbal remedies can be very useful in the treatment and prevention of acne. Chamomile, lavender, juniper, bergamot, dandelion root, and burdock root can all be used to reduce toxicity in the skin and improve its overall condition. Other herbs like echinacea and poke root have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce the swelling and reduce of the blocked oil gland. Red clover may be beneficial for its estrogenic action and witch hazel has excellent astringent properties and may be very effective for cleansing acne prone skin.