Acne is one of the most common skin problems afflicting the human race and it affects people irrespective of age, caste, colour or gender. Acne is a tremendously embarrassing and burdensome problem, because it is so obvious and off-putting. Acne can be defined as red eruptions on the skin, sometimes containing a white substance, causing itchiness and pain. The most common form of acne is called acne vulgaris or puberty spots.

Acne vulgaris can be defined as: an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland) . Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots or zits – [source: Wikipedia]. It is a problem over which we do not have complete control. There are different ways to treat acne; one can go for medication from a skin specialist or one can also try home or natural remedies.

Home treatments are less time consuming, less costly and have no side effects. However, they do require a little more patience, since a few routines have to be followed diligently in order to get rid of the problem for good. A natural remedy for acne is just as efficacious as any medication. Here are a few natural cures to cure your acne. To start with, your daily consumption of water should be a minimum of eight to ten glasses. This helps you to cleanse your body and kill the harmful bacteria that cause acne.

A surfeit of oily food also leads to acne, therefore fried and spicy food should be strictly avoided. A near complete abstinence of fried and fatty food will have a marked, beneficial effect on an outbreak of acne. Furthermore, including chromium and zinc in your diet also helps to cure acne. There should be the correct combination of nutrition and hygiene.

A solution of ground nutmeg with fresh milk regularly daubed on the affected area also helps to cure acne. Cinnamon powder and honey is just as effective in treating. Boiled Neem tree leaves applied to acne works as a disinfectant. [Neem is a tall, usually evergreen East Indian tree (Azadirachta indica) widely cultivated in tropical Asia for its timber, resin, bitter bark, and aromatic seed oil, which is used medicinally and as an insecticide (source = 'Free Online Dictionary')].

The infected area should be washed with anti-acne soap at least three or four times a day. Make-up should be strictly avoided when one is suffering from acne. Make-up makes an acne condition worse. Acne should never be squeezed as it may cause infection or / and become worse. Squeezing your acne may also lead to permanent scars on your skin, which results in your skin looking unsightly. Avoid letting your hair fall onto the acne-affected area too.

Hair should be kept tied back to avoid touching the acne. Pillow covers should be washed on a daily basis to avoid the germ spreading. The regular cleansing of your skin should be done to keep it free from bacteria. Apart from this, a healthy lifestyle ought to followed with a proper balance of food, exercise and sleep. Remember if you take good care of yourself, ailments will have trouble afflicting you, especially such a small thing as acne!