Acne is a common skin disease that affects an estimated 85% of people at some point in their lives.

Symptoms include pesky pimples, which can be frustrating and difficult to get rid of.

While conventional treatments can be effective at getting rid of pimples, they are often associated with adverse effects, such as skin irritation and dryness.

Because of this, a lot of people have turned to natural alternatives. There are a lot of natural acne remedies out there, but only a handful are scientifically proven to help.

Here are 4 natural remedies that have been proven to get rid of pimples fast.

1. Spot treat with tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the tree Melaleuca alternifolia, which is native to Australia.

It’s well-known for its ability to fight bacteria and reduce skin inflammation. Specifically, tea tree oil helps fight P. acnes and S. epidermidis, two types of bacteria that can cause pimples

One study found that 5% tea tree oil gel was almost four times more effective at reducing acne lesions and almost six times more effective at reducing acne severity than a placebo.

In another study, a gel containing 5% tea tree oil was proven equally effective at reducing pimples as a lotion containing 5% benzoyl peroxide, a common acne medication.

The tea tree oil treatment also resulted in fewer adverse effects than benzoyl peroxide. These include dryness, irritation and burning.

It’s important to note that tea tree oil is very potent and can cause redness and irritation when applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it should be diluted with water or a carrier oil.

You can purchase both tea tree oil and a carrier oil online.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Acne

• Combine one part tea tree oil with nine parts water.
• Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it directly to pimples.
• Apply moisturizer, if desired.
• Repeat this process one to two times per day, as needed.

2. Spot Treat With Other Essential Oils

In addition to tea tree oil, there are many other essential oils with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help clear up pimples quickly.

A large scientific review found that essential oils of cinnamon, rose, lavender and clove fight acne-causing bacteria, S. epidermidis and P. acnes.

Rosemary and lemongrass were also shown to effectively inhibit P. acnes.

One study compared the acne-fighting abilities of clove-basil oil, 10% benzoyl peroxide and a placebo. Both the 2% and 5% clove-basil oils were found to be more effective and faster at reducing pimples than benzoyl peroxide.

Another study found that a gel containing acetic acid, orange and sweet basil essential oils resulted in a 75% increase in the healing rate of pimples.

Like tea tree oil, these essential oils are very concentrated and can cause irritation if applied directly to the skin.

A wide variety of essential oils are available online, including clove oil.

How to Use Essential Oils for Acne

• Combine one part essential oil with nine parts water.
• Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it directly to pimples.
• Apply moisturizer, if desired.
• Repeat this process one to two times per day, as needed.

3. Apply green tea to the skin

A lot of people drink green tea for its health benefits, but it can also be helpful when applied directly to the skin.

Green tea contains flavonoids and tannins, which are known to help fight inflammation and bacteria that may cause pimples.

It is also high in the antioxidant epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to fight inflammation, reduce sebum production and inhibit the growth of P. acnes in people with acne-prone skin.

Multiple studies have shown that people with acne experience significantly less sebum production and pimples when they apply a 2–3% green tea extract to their skin.

There are a handful of skincare products on the market that contain green tea, but it is very simple and cost-effective to make your own mixture at home.

You can get a quality green tea online.

How to Use Green Tea for Acne

• Steep green tea in boiling water for 3–4 minutes.
• Allow the tea to cool.
• Apply it to your face with a cotton ball or spritz it on using a spray bottle.
• Leave it on for 10 minutes or overnight, and then rinse your face with water.
• Apply 1–2 times per day, as needed. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

4. Moisturize with aloe vera

Aloe vera is a tropical plant with leaves that produce a clear gel.

When applied to the skin, aloe vera gel has been shown to help fight bacteria, reduce inflammation and promote wound healing.

Because of this, it’s a popular treatment for a variety of skin conditions including psoriasis, rashes, cuts and burns.

There are limited studies on the ability of aloe vera to fight pimples specifically, but existing research is promising.

Aloe vera contains lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols and sulfur, all of which inhibit bacteria that might cause pimples.

In one study, varying concentrations of aloe vera gel were added to clove-basil oil lotion and evaluated for anti-acne properties.

The higher the concentration of aloe vera in the lotion, the more effective it was at reducing pimples.

Another study found that using 50% aloe vera gel with tretinoin cream was significantly more effective at clearing up pimples than tretinoin cream alone.

Tretinoin cream is an acne medication derived from vitamin A.

Although aloe vera gel on its own was not effective at treating pimples, it enhanced the anti-acne effects of clove-basil oil and tretinoin cream.

While there’s a possibility that aloe vera gel could help clear up pimples on its own, it may be more effective when combined with other remedies or medications.

How to Use Aloe Vera Gel for Acne

• Scrape the gel out of the aloe leaves with a spoon.
• Apply gel to the skin at the same time as other acne treatments. You may want to try mixing it with your other treatment, and then apply this to your skin.
• Or, you can apply the other acne treatment first, with the aloe gel over top.
• Repeat 1–2 times per day, or as desired.

You can also purchase bottled aloe vera gel online, but make sure it is pure aloe and does not contain added ingredients.