ginger for acne

ginger for acneAcne is caused by everything from stress and hormone imbalances to poor diet, bad hygiene, and over-production of sebum, the natural oil that keeps skin hydrated. For some, acne is hereditary, and for others, it is a side effect of puberty. The red, swollen, painful breakouts that appear on the face, neck, back, and chest are more damaging to a person’s self-confidence than they are to one’s health, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. And it doesn’t mean you have to waste time and money on over-priced commercial acne medications that don’t work.

Ginger is an affordable, effective, natural acne treatment that causes no side effects and comes with many health benefits. You’re about to learn several ways to use it to treat and prevent breakouts, but first let’s take a look at the properties that make it such an effective remedy.

Is Ginger good for Acne?

  • Ginger contains gingerols, shogaols, zingibain, and 27 other chemicals that reduce pain, and irritation caused by cystic acne.
  • It promotes proper circulation, which contributes to healthy skin.
  • The anti-oxidants in ginger protect against the free radicals that cause acne.
  • With regular use, ginger helps to regulate insulin and blood glucose levels, both of which contribute to acne breakouts.
  • Ginger contains the vitamins and minerals skin needs to renew itself and stay healthy and clear.
  • Ginger kills the bacteria that cause acne.
  • Ginger tea reduces stress, a major contributor to acne breakouts.
  • Ginger promotes proper digestion, which is essential to healthy skin.
  • The vitamin C in ginger treats skin blemishes.
  • Ginger is a natural astringent that prevents wrinkles and removes toxins that cause acne.

How to use Ginger for treating Acne:

Ginger can be used as a topical acne treatment, and it can be consumed. It can be used alone and in combination with other natural ingredients that keep skin healthy. Try out all the methods below until you find the one that works for you.

1. Ginger

  • Twice a day, chew a small piece of peeled fresh ginger root.
  • Or you can also take ginger in the form of tea, lozenges, bread, candies, tincture, ale, snaps, cookies, ginger cakes, etc.
  • Or Add ginger in curries, juices, soups and salads.

2. Ginger Juice

  • Peel and mince 1 tablespoon fresh ginger root.
  • In a blender, mix minced ginger with little water until smooth.
  • Strain through sieve or cheesecloth and collect juice in container.
  • Apply ginger juice to affected skin and leave on few minutes.
  • Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
  • Repeat daily.
  • Note: You can add raw honey to juice

3. Ginger-Honey Tea

  • Boil 2 cups water and stir in 1 teaspoon peeled and minced ginger root.
  • Reduce heat and let simmer 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let steep 10 minutes.
  • Stir in 1 teaspoon raw honey and drink.
  • Repeat 2 times a day.

4. Ginger-Papaya-Vinegar

  • In a pan, mix 9 grams peeled, minced ginger, 60 grams papaya chunks, and 100ml vinegar.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer until vinegar has evaporated.
  • Let it cool and store ginger-papaya mixture in refrigerator and consume 1 tablespoon a day for at least a week.

5. Ginger Mask

  • Peel and mince 3 tablespoons ginger root.
  • Crush, grind or blend into a paste.
  • Apply on the acne affected are and leave on few minutes.
  • Rinse with water and pat dry.
  • Note: this may sting initially, but that’s an indication that it’s working.

6. Ginger and Parsley

  • Chop 2 tablespoons fresh parsley.
  • Boil 2 cups water and stir in chopped parsley.
  • Remove from heat and let steep 1 hour.
  • Strain and discard parsley leaves.
  • Stir in 2 tablespoons peeled, minced ginger and re-heat to boiling.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, strain, and pour into spray bottle.
  • Spray ginger-parsley mixture on skin before applying and removing makeup.
  • Repeat regularly to cure acne.

7. Ginger Scrub

  • In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons peeled, minced ginger, ½ cup organic sugar, ¼ cup olive oil, and the juice of ½ a lemon.
  • Use fingertips to gently massage the resulting scrub into skin in circular motions.
  • Leave on 3 minutes, then rinse with water and pat dry.
  • Repeat daily.

8. Topical Ginger Application

  • Peel and slice fresh ginger root and rub the slices on affected skin.
  • You can also leave slices of ginger on breakouts for a few minutes.
  • Rinse with cool water and pat dry.

9. Ginger-Egg White Mask

Egg whites provide proteins that help generate new, healthy skin and prevent acne scarring.

  • Peel and mince 3 tablespoons ginger.
  • In a blender, mix ginger, 1 egg white, and enough water to make a smooth paste.
  • Apply to face and leave on few minutes or until dry.
  • Rinse with water and pat dry.
  • Repeat 3 times weekly.

10. Ginger-Clay Mask

Clay reduces inflammation and removes excess oils, dead skin cells and other impurities that cause acne.

  • Peel and mince 1 tablespoon ginger.
  • Grind or blend minced ginger to make a paste.
  • Mix with clay and rosewater to make a paste.
  • Apply to face and leave on until dry.
  • Rinse with water and pat dry.
  • Apply oil-free moisturizer.
  • Note: You can add vegetable oil (instead of clay without any water) in this ginger paste and apply as a mask to reduce the acne

11. Ginger with Powdered Milk

Milk soothes the skin, reducing irritation that causes acne.

  • Peel and mince 1 teaspoon ginger, then grind with mortar and pestle to make a paste.
  • Mix ginger paste with 1 tablespoon powdered milk.
  • Use fingertips to apply to face.
  • Leave on 15-20 minutes or until dry.
  • Rinse with cool water, pat dry, and apply oil-free facial moisturizer.
  • Repeat once a week.
  • Note: if necessary, mix ginger-milk paste with water or milk to make it more spreadable.

12. Ginger Bath

Herbal baths that include ginger have been proven to relieve stress, improve mood, and remedy many health issues, including acne.

  • Add 2 tablespoons peeled, minced ginger or 8-10 drops ginger oil to warm bath water.
  • Get in and soak for 30 minutes.
  • This process helps to ease the pain and relieves you from stress and thereby cures acne.
  • Repeat 2 times weekly before bed as it makes you feeling of tiredness after bath.
  • Make sure to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
  • If you suffer from hypertension or cardiovascular problems, consult a doctor before using this method.

13. Ginger, Orange, and Carrot Smoothie

Carrots provide vitamin A, which reduces inflammation, and oranges contain anti-oxidants that destroy the free radicals that cause acne.

  • Peel and mince a 1-inch chunk of ginger.
  • Peel and chop one orange and 3 carrots.
  • Put all ingredients into blender or juicer and mix until smooth.
  • Drink once a day.

14. Ginger-Milk-Orange Juice Mask

This mask is especially effective for cystic acne.

  • Peel, mince, and mash a 1-inch chunk of ginger root to make a paste.
  • Mix ginger paste with 1 teaspoon milk and 1 teaspoon organic orange juice.
  • Apply mixture to skin and leave on 15-20 minutes.
  • Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
  • Repeat 3 times a week.

15. Ginger, Cloves, Cinnamon, and Cardamom

All of the above ingredients remove toxins and impurities that clog pores and cause acne.

  • Mix equal quantities of all 4 ingredients in dried, powdered form.
  • Mix powdered herbs with carrier oils, aloe vera, brewed chamomile tea, rose water, hydrosols, or water to make a paste.
  • Use fingertips to gently massage paste into skin.
  • Leave on few minutes, then rinse with cool water and pat dry.
  • Repeat 1-2 times a week.

16. Ginger Ale

Ingredients:

  • Peeled and chopped fresh ginger – 1 ½ cups
  • Sugar – 3/4 cups
  • Water – 2 cups
  • Seltzer or club soda (chilled) – 1 quart
  • Fresh lime juice – 1 ½ teaspoons
  • Salt

Process:

  • Boil water and stir in chopped ginger.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, cover, and let steep 20 minutes.
  • Strain and discard chopped ginger.
  • Return ginger-infused water to pot and stir in sugar and a pinch of salt.
  • Heat over medium flame, stirring until liquid turns to syrup.
  • Chill syrup.
  • Mix ¼ cup syrup with 1 ½ teaspoons of lime juice and 3/4 cup seltzer water or club soda.
  • Drink this to get rid of acne.
  • Note: adding dry yeast increases effectiveness.

17. Ginger-Turmeric Tea

  • Boil a cup of water and stir in 1 teaspoon peeled, minced ginger root and 1 teaspoon turmeric powder.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 5-10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, strain, stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon honey.
  • Drink 3 times a day.
  • Note: adding about 10 freshly ground black peppercorns to this tea increases effectiveness.

18. Ginger and Garlic

Garlic kills bacteria and reduces inflammation.

  • In a blender, mix 5 garlic cloves and 2 tablespoons peeled, minced ginger root until smooth (add water if necessary).
  • Apply to acne affected skin and leave on until dry.
  • Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, and apply oil-free moisturizer.
  • Repeat regularly.

19. Ginger Beer

Ingredients:

  • Fresh ginger – 140 gms
  • Muscovado sugar – 4 tablespoons
  • Lemons – 2 to 3
  • Soda water (OR) sparkling mineral water – 1 liter
  • Fresh mint – a few sprigs

Process:

  • Peel and grate ginger.
  • Grate lemon rinds.
  • Mix ginger, lemon rinds, and Muscovado sugar and mash to make a paste.
  • Mix paste with juice of 3 lemons.
  • Mix with 1 liter fizzy water or soda water.
  • Let steep 10 minutes, taste, and add sugar as desired.
  • Strain liquid through fine sieve, pour over ice, and garnish with mint sprigs.
  • Drink daily.

20. Ginger Soap

Ingredients:

  • Frozen ginger beer (see previous recipe)– 5 ounces
  • Distilled water – 5 ounces
  • Sodium hydroxide – 4.5 ounces
  • Coconut oil – 12 ounces
  • Sunflower oil – 6 ounces
  • Shea butter – 2 ounces
  • Aloe vera butter – 2 ounces
  • Palm oil – 8 ounces
  • Chamomile flowers – 1 tablespoon
  • Carrot puree – 1 tablespoon
  • Essential oil – 1 to 1.5 ounces

Process:

  • Pour ginger beer into open container and refrigerate uncovered until flat.
  • Once flat, pour ginger beer into ice trays and freeze.
  • Mix 5 ounces water with 4.5 ounces lye and heat to 90 degrees.
  • Mix butters, oils, carrot puree, and chamomile flowers and melt.
  • Strain lye mixture and mix with oils and butters.
  • Pour into mold and let sit for 24 hours or until firm.
  • Use soap regularly to prevent acne.

21. Ginger-Chamomile Tea

Ingredients:

  • Ginger root (peeled and thinly sliced) – 1 inch piece
  • Chamomile tea bags – 4
  • Lemon rind – 1 large strip
  • Lemon juice – from 1 lemon
  • Water – 6 cups
  • Honey – 1/3 cup

Process:

  • Boil water and stir in lemon rind, sliced ginger, and honey.
  • Reduce heat and let simmer 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice, add tea bags, and let steep 5 minutes.
  • Strain and drink.

22. Spicy Ginger Tea

Ingredients:

  • Fresh ginger – 4 to 5 slices
  • Water – 4 cups
  • Cardamom – 4 pods
  • Cloves – 4
  • Milk – 2 cups
  • Assam tea leaves – 4 teaspoons
  • Orange peel – a few strips
  • Honey or sugar

Process:

  • Boil water and stir in ginger slices, cardamom, cloves, and orange peels.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
  • Cover and simmer 10 more minutes.
  • Add Assam tea leaves and milk.
  • Simmer another 2 – 3 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let steep 6 minutes.
  • Strain and stir in honey or sugar.
  • Drink this tea regularly to prevent acne.

23. Ginger-Lemongrass Tea

This tea is also good for cold, nausea, flu, and stomach disorders.

Ingredients:

  • Fresh ginger root (grated) – 2 teaspoons
  • Lemongrass (Sliced) – 1 stalk
  • Lemon – 1
  • Herbal tea – 2 teaspoons
  • Honey
  • Water – 4 cups

Process:

  • Boil water and stir in ginger and lemongrass.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 10 – 15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, add herbal tea, and let steep 10 minutes.
  • Strain, stir in honey and fresh lemon juice.
  • Drink daily.

24. Ginger Green Tea

Green tea detoxifies the skin and reduces inflammation.

  • Boil 2 cups water and stir in 1 teaspoon peeled and minced ginger root.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, add green tea bags, and let steep 10 minutes.
  • Remove tea bags, strain out ginger, and stir in honey to taste.
  • Drink daily.

Tips and Precautions

For best results, follow the advice below when using ginger as an acne treatment.

  • According to University of Maryland Medical Center, using more than 4 gms of ginger per day may cause oral irritation, diarrhea, and mild heartburn.
  • Raw ginger is the most effective form, followed by ginger juice and powdered ginger.
  • Mix ginger juice with organic spinach juice and drink.
  • The tea recipes above can be made with powdered ginger or a drop of ginger oil.
  • If you suffer from diabetes, gall stones, or high blood pressure, consult a doctor before using ginger to treat acne.
  • Ginger is a blood thinner, so if you have bleeding disorders or are taking other blood thinners, or if you have had or will soon have surgery, consult a doctor before using ginger.
  • Other side effects caused by overuse include internal bleeding and interaction with anti-inflammatory drugs, beta blockers, and immune suppressants.
  • Pregnant women should consult a doctor before use.
  • Do not take aspirin within 2 hours of drinking ginger tea.
  • Use ginger balm as an acne spot treatment.
  • Apply ginger oil as an acne spot treatment or add a few drops to your baths.
  • Ginger is also available in supplement form. Read the package or ask a doctor about proper dosage.

Hormones play a major role in the severity of acne, but eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, staying hydrated, and using the ginger remedies above will go a long way toward healing breakouts and preventing future blemishes.

Have you tried any of these methods for treating acne with ginger? Let us know which ones worked best for you!

4 comments
  1. My 13 year old granddaughter has a bad case of acne on her face and neck.
    I read that ginger and garlic help, does it mean taking tablets ? And what else can natural remedy can she use.
    Thank you , Maria

  2. I had don the tea form, the scrubbing, the honey and even a ginger-lemonade…. Yet I still get numerous breakout…don used much expensive products… Still not working….and I’m just 18 xps old…I just happened to have my face…don’t like looking at a mirror anymore….PLEASE HELP!

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