Brown sugar is considered to be an excellent example of a kitchen ingredient that can be used to treat acne. However, cornmeal, another kitchen staple, can be just as effective and has been found to have an exfoliating effect that helps to remove excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells, leaving the skin clean, clear and glowing. As a result, cornmeal is considered to be an excellent natural treatment of acne and acne blemishes. Since approximately 80 percent of the American population suffers from acne at some point in their lifetime, having an arsenal of ways to attack the problem may be wise. This is especially true since antibiotics do not always work and other treatment can have adverse side effects.
So if you suffer from severe acne or just the occasional outbreak, here are two cornmeal masks that may help, regardless of your skin type.
The cornmeal and the animal products
There are a number of animal products such as eggs, milk, honey or gelatin that can be used with cornmeal to make a facial mask to treat acne. Egg contains an estimated 69 different proteins that are thought to tighten the skin, shrink the pores and pull out sebum from the pores. Egg whites especially, have a healing effect on scars due to the high content of collagen and Vitamin A found in it. Gelatin also contains collagen and milk comes with the benefit of lactic acid, to exfoliate, and Vitamin B6 for new skin growth. Honey has anti-bacterial as well as antiseptic properties that help to promote healing especially when combined with a cleanser such as cornmeal.
Any of these ingredients that you choose to use should be used with equal measurements to the amount of cornmeal. That means if you choose to use the white of a medium egg you can mix it with about 1 teaspoon of cornmeal while 1/2 teaspoon of cornmeal would only need about a 1/2 teaspoon of gelatin. Whichever ingredient you choose to use, the mixture should resemble a paste and be applied using your fingertips. Leave it on for a maximum of 10 minutes and then wash off the area with lukewarm water.
Cornmeal and citrus healing
Cornmeal and citrus can make a wonderful combination for your skin. Citrus fruits such as grapefruit, lime, lemon or oranges contain Vitamin C, which promotes healing. Citrus fruits are also strong in antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which help to kill the bacteria that cause acne. When combined with cornmeal, it is best to use the pulp of the fruit and not just the juice as the pulp helps to maintain the density of the paste that is made and also allows for the full application of the benefits of the fruit to the affected skin. However, these may not be best for dry skin as the application of citrus tends to make the skin feel dry and tight.
Depending on the type of citrus fruit used, such as oranges and grapefruits, you may be able to use it on a ratio of 1:4, which is 1 orange or grapefruit to about 4 tablespoons of cornmeal. However, you might want to use lemons and limes with water as the concentration of ascorbic acid is more concentrated in these. If you choose to skip the DIY portions of this mask, you might be able to find private label skin care products that can also be effective.
