Puberty equals acne. Your hormone levels spike and sebum production increases. Acne tends to follow because the excess sebum, dirt and dead skin cells mix together to clog pores.

Since acne is so common, there are a great deal of products available. But, have you thought about taking the natural approach? Natural acne treatment is a great alternative to traditional treatments because they not only help you deal with acne problems but they also reduce your chances of suffering from unwanted side effects.

Here is a quick look at some natural skin care products and recipes that you might want to try out. Nevertheless, keep in mind that because natural products are more gentle traditional products, they take longer to so be patient.

Homemade Acne Cream

In a mixing bowl add one half a cup of baking soda and one half of water and mix well. If the mixture is too runny add more baking soda. If the mixture is too thick, then add more water. Once you've completed this step, grate half of a cucumber and add it to the mixture.

In a separate bowl, mash up two apple slices until they become a paste. Add this apple paste to the baking soda mixture and mix well before adding 1 tablespoon of honey.

Let cool in the refrigerator for an hour. After this time, take the bowl out and begin rubbing the mixture on your face. Let the mixture sit on your skin for five minutes before washing it off with warm water and a wet washcloth.

Tea Tree Oil & Acne Treatment

Tea tree oil comes from the Melaleuca alternifoliais tree from Australia. It has proven itself very effective against acne mainly because it contains bacteria-fighting substances called "terpenes". Acne is often caused by bacteria and the terpenes can destroy or weaken them.

Tea tree oil is a natural oil and, should therefore not cause any side-effects, however, it has been known to irritate sensitive skin, so proceed with caution.

Treat Acne with Aloe Vera

The watery gel taken from this succulent has proven effective against acne. It is rich in enzymes and has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Aloe vera can also be ingested so that it cleanses your skin from the inside out.

Honey Kills off Acne Bacteria

Honey has been used as an anti-bacterial product and acne treatment for centuries. Due to its low water content and acidic pH level, it is a poor environment for the growth of bacteria.

This is great news for acne sufferers. As previously mentioned, acne is usually caused by bacteria. This means that by applying honey masks, you can help eliminate these bacteria.

Always keep in mind that the right acne treatment is essential to good skin health. Not only is acne an aesthetic problem, it can also lead to acne scarring if it is untreated or under-treated.