Neem oil is a type of vegetable oil extracted from the fruits born by the evergreen neem plants, called Azadirachta Indica in botanical terminology. Found predominantly in the Indian subcontinent, neem trees have had a stronghold in medicine and wellness products since ancient times. Neem oil is widely known for this antihistamine, antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties. Based on the method of extraction, neem oil has a few variants colour-wise – stark red, yellow-brown, green-brown and dark brown and the shades of these.
Nutritional Value of Neem Oil
Sometimes, acne outbursts occur due to hormonal imbalance and poor dietary lifestyle. You can easily reverse this by using neem oil on a regular basis. Here is a list of nutritional properties found in this oil and how they benefit your skin.
| Nutritional Property | Benefit |
| Vitamin C | Rejuvenates skin by promoting collagen, elastin production and essential proteins for faster skin cell generation. |
| Vitamin E | Helps repair skin cell damage caused by acne on the surface of the skin |
| Fatty acids like Omega-6,3 and 9 | Anti-inflammatory, works towards calming skin and balancing hormones. |
| Minerals like calcium and phosphorous | Helps decrease oil production and protects skin from inflammation and bacterial attacks. |
| Natural moisturizer | Helps maintain the right amount of moisture content on your skin |
| Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal | Very effective in fighting acne-causing microorganisms |
| Anti-oxidant | Prevents acne from erupting |
Benefits of Using Neem Oil for Acne
Neem oil is highly beneficial with regard to fighting acne-causing bacteria and reducing pimple outbreaks. It is also very effective in reducing redness, itchiness and inflammation on the skin. Here are a few more benefits of using neem oil for acne.
Neem Oil as a Healing Mask
Along with adding on other natural ingredients, you can brew up a very effective face mask that helps heal skin and prevents acne in the process.
Heal Acne Prone Skin
Neem oil is an effective agent to fight acne and pimple-causing bacteria, thus eradicating the tendency of the skin to develop acne repeatedly.
Reduces Excess Oil Production
The main root cause of acne is excess oil production on the surface of your skin. Neem oil helps to control the sebum secretion, thus keeping acne outbreak at bay.
Reduces Pigmentation due to Acne
The vitamin E present in Neem oil helps reduce scarring and pigmentation caused due to a recurring pimple and blemishes on your skin. It also helps reduce itching and inflammation.
Moisturiser
Neem oil nourishes and helps retain the right amount of moisture required for the skin to be healthy. It works well with all skin types.
Removes Sun Tan
When exposed to the constant UV rays of the sun, the skin gets damaged and inflamed. Using neem oil helps to reverse this effect rejuvenating the exposed areas on your skin.
Acts as an Anti-Aging Agent
Neem oil is extremely useful in reversing wrinkles and age lines in the mature skin. It helps to tighten the pores and rejuvenates the skin.
How To Apply Neem Oil On Your Acne?
It is best to always test out neem oil on a smaller portion of your skin before you apply it onto your face. It is to be sure that you have no side effects due to any allergies or reactions between the oil and your skin.
- Make sure you purchase organic, 100 per cent pure, cold-pressed neem oil. It is has a yellowish tinge to it and will have an odour resembling garlic.
- Store it in a cool and dry place at all times.
- Wait for at least 24 hours after you try a patch test. If you don’t experience any side effects like rashes or irritation on your skin, you can go ahead and use it on the acne affected areas.
- Lightly dab neem oil onto the affected regions with a cotton ball and allow it to soak up for about 15-20 minutes.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry gently.
- Follow the routine and use it regularly until you experience the desired results.
- It is advisable to mix neem oil with another carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil while applying it to a larger area or sensitive skin, due to the oil’s potency.
- Neem oil can also be added to a warm bath to treat larger affected areas.
Acne Treatment Recipes with Neem Oil
If you are tired of the angry red blemishes all over your skin, neem oil is the ultimate answer to your problem. This oil can be applied tropically on these swollen lesions in various methods alongside other natural ingredients. Here are a few treatment options using neem oil to deal with acne.
1. Neem and coconut oil
Ingredients
- 3 teaspoons of Neem Oil
- 1 teaspoon of Coconut Oil
Procedure
1. Mix three teaspoons of neem oil with one teaspoon of warm coconut oil (carrier oil).
2. Blend the mixture and then apply it tropically onto the acne affected areas on your skin.
3. Leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off. You can also let it on overnight and rinse it off in the morning.
How often
You can follow this routine on a daily basis before you go to bed at night.
Check here to know more about the benefits of applying coconut oil on the skin.
2. Applying Neem Oil on The Belly Button
Ingredients
- Neem Oil, a few drops
Procedure
While the scientific reasoning of the practice of applying oil on the belly button is being debated, rubbing a few drops of neem oil on your belly button is said to help clean the acne on your skin.
How Often
Daily application will bear amazing results.
3. Neem Oil Bath
Ingredients
- Neem Oil (Few drops)
- Warm water bath
Procedure
1. Add a few drops of neem oil into a tub of warm water and have a bath in it every day.
2. This is useful especially if the acne hit region is not localised and is spread across a larger region of skin.
How Often
Follow this simple procedure up to twice a day while having a bath, once in the morning and then in the evening, until you see the desired results.
What to know before using Neem Oil
Neem oil is safe but extremely potent. Here are some things you need to keep in mind before using Neem Oil.
• While it has a great and positive effect on acne eradication, it can also work negatively on certain types of skin. Hence it is advisable to test it out on your skin in small quantities before jumping into full-scaled treatments and remedies. This is even more necessary for people with sensitive skin or a skin condition like eczema. If you’re undergoing medical treatment or medical distress, always consult your doctor before introducing neem oil remedies.
• Neem oil is very strong, and hence it is advisable to keep it away from children. Pregnant & nursing mothers should use it only under advice from a doctor.
• Meem oil should never be consumed internally.
Also read: Neem for Eczema – Benefits, and Uses
