Overview

Acne is a skin condition that causes blemishes or bumps like pimples or pustules to appear on your skin. These bumps are irritated and inflamed hair follicles. Acne occurs most commonly on your face, back, neck, or shoulders. Acne occurs when dead skin cells, oil (sebum), and bacteria clog your pores. It can affect people of any age, but is most common during puberty. It can also be caused by other factors, including:

Not all acne can be prevented, but some preventative measures include:

Garlic has been used medicinally for centuries. A few research studies have shown that garlic can be useful for some medical conditions.

Garlic has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic properties from allicin. Allicin helps to kill the bacteria causing acne. It also helps to reduce swelling and inflammation, and improve blood circulation. These beneficial effects allow the skin to receive more nutrients. Garlic also has thiosulfinates, which can act as an antimicrobial. Many believe that with regular use, it clears the skin.

Garlic also contains other vitamins and minerals that are believed to combat acne, like vitamin C, vitamin B-6, selenium, copper, and zinc (used to control oily substances). Garlic has also been shown to have potential effects on several medical conditions like cancer, psoriasis, and wound healing. Some studies have shown that garlic has anti-inflammatory properties. These properties are believed to help reduce the inflammation of acne.

One study that looked at garlic to determine its effectiveness for skin conditions used garlic prepared in four ways:

Those who believe in the use of garlic for treating acne have various recipes for their treatments.

Garlic cloves for topical use

NOTE: Remove garlic from skin immediately if it begins to burn or itch

Ingesting garlic cloves

Garlic and water

If your skin is even slightly sensitive to garlic applied topically, you’ll want to dilute it with water.

Raw garlic juice

Yogurt and garlic topical treatment

This treatment will exfoliate your skin and help remove dead skin cells blocking your pores

Yogurt and garlic edible or topical treatment

Garlic and manuka honey topical treatment

Garlic and aloe vera topical treatment

Each of these procedures should be repeated regularly or daily to see results.

Pimples are one of the results of acne. Garlic may help pimples in the same way it helps acne.

Garlic with apple cider vinegar for pimples

Using garlic to help treat your acne poses minor risks. One study found potential side effects to using garlic topically. These included:

While there isn’t enough scientific proof to say for sure, many swear by the use of garlic for treating acne. Most of the treatments are topical or ingestible, so you should discuss them with your doctor before using. This is especially true if your doctor has prescribed lotions or other topical treatments. Combing your doctor’s treatment with natural remedies may lessen the effectiveness of both or increase your chance of a rash or other negative interaction.

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