How to Use Raw Onions to Smoothen Your Skin & Remove Acne

10 minutes read.     

In this article:

• What ingredient does onion have?
• Properties of onions
• Benefits of Onions
• the best way to use onion on your skin
• how to use onion to smoothen and fight face acne
• Other interesting ideas to use on your skin
• Possible side effects
• Conclusion

If I tell you that onions can smoothen your skin and remove acne, it sounds incredible, right? Yes, it sounded the same to my ear the first time I read the information in a research article.

However, as a scientist, I like experimenting, plus my face is prone to acne I decide to experiment with my face first. The amazing result is what am going to share with you today. Stay on.

When you’re thinking about skincare ingredients, onions, and onion juice might not even come to your mind.

The best natural skin care ingredients are likely found in your kitchen unfortunately many people aren’t aware.

You may be thinking now “If I apply raw onions on my skin probably my body will be smelling onions” Never bother about the onions scent, in this article am going to tell you the exact way to do this without having to smell onions.

Onions are a surprisingly rich source of skin-friendly acids and compounds. It may be unpopular but it’s such a tearjerker that may help soften your skin if you apply it just right.

If you’re looking to refresh your skincare routine and remove that stubborn acne with more natural ingredients, onion might offer what you don’t expect. Let’s get to the detail. 

What ingredient does onion have?

Onions are a member of the Allium plant family. This plant family also includes garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives.

The onion bulb, which grows at the base of the plant, is the part that’s typically harvested and used for cooking. Purple/Red, yellow, and white onions have similar botanical properties.

One research in 2018 showed that Onions have been used by many cultures as an essential cooking ingredient. This might partially be because onions appear to fight off microbes and parasites in your digestive system.

A 2015 review has reported Onions to be rich in antioxidants, especially in their outer layers, a 2019 study also suggested the same.

Many people eat onions for their prebiotic properties, which can ease digestion and promote a healthy microbiome in your colon. Onions have a sulfur component as well as nutrients such as selenium and vitamin C.

All of these properties make a strong case for including onions in your diet. These same properties are what make onions appealing to some people who use it as a skincare ingredient.

Properties of Onions

The powerful effect of onion on the skin is based on its properties such as:

Antioxidants: these can reduce surgical scars and soften skin

Phytochemicals:  can soften and brighten skin

Antibacterial:   can fight off bacteria that cause inflammation which normally results in acne.

Antiseptic:  helps fight off viruses and fungi

Though several studies have looked at how onions affect your digestion, there really isn’t a lot of research showing that onion is a heroic ingredient for your skin.

however, the research that has been carried out on both onions flesh and onions peel came out with interesting results which prompted me to spread the information plus the fact that I have tried the recipe myself and confirmed that the finding is true.

Benefits of Onions on your skin

Here are some of the amazing thing onion can do for your skin:

1. Onions may reduce inflammation and scarring

Onions contain high amounts of antioxidants. These are compounds that help fight inflammation by defending against free radicals.

Free radicals are compounds that circulate in the body and can cause cell damage, leading to wrinkling and other early signs of aging. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals so they can’t inflict damage.

One of the most well-known antioxidants in onion extract is quercetin. This compound helps fight inflammation and induce healing.

This property makes onion extract popular in topical preparations used to treat scars.

A 2017 study in mice supported the theory that quercetin may help your body create healthy skin as it heals an injury as opposed to a keloid scar. However, more research needs to be done in humans to confirm this effect.

A different study from 2018 compared the topical application of onion extract gel to silicone gel, another popular scar treatment.

After applying each gel for 12 weeks, the researchers found both were equally effective in treating postsurgical scars.

2. Onions may kill bacteria on your skin’s surface

In 2016 research Onion extracts have been shown to inactivate most forms of bacteria. This property can help your skin because bacteria can increase inflammation on your skin’s surface.

Antibacterial properties also come in handy when you’re dealing with active acne breakouts.

3. Onions may help you treat acne

In addition to the properties mentioned above, onions also contain a naturally occurring sulfuric acid. Diluted sulfur can be used to treat some types of acne.

No specific studies explore whether the acid from onions can be used to treat an active acne breakout.

However, enough people swear by it that certain companies use onion juice in some over-the-counter acne products.

4. Oni on also contains vitamin C

Vitamin C is known to increase the speed of your cell turnover, which can help decrease acne breakouts, lessen redness, and brighten up your skin.

Once again, though, no current studies evaluate how vitamin C in onions may specifically contribute to fighting acne.

However, one research studied the effect of onion peel extract on facial acne. They mixed the onions peel extract with a conventional face masking formula and tried it on twenty students.

The result showed that those who applied onions peel extract mixed with a conventional face mask had a greater smooth acne-free face than those that applied only a conventional face mask. This indicates that onion extract can be used to improve the face mask formula.

Related: How to Use Onions Skin to prepare varieties of Food

Related: What are the medicinal uses of White Onions?

What’s the best way to use onion on your skin?

When it comes to using onions on your skin, purple/red, yellow, and white varieties seem to be effective in treating skin care concerns.

If you’re interested in the highest antioxidant benefit, use the whole onion including the peel. Here I will give you the best tips to follow.

How to use onion to smoothen and fight face acne

You may try my detailed step-by-step guide below:

Step 1

First of all, get a whole onion, don’t peel off the rough outer skin. Use a sharp knife to cut off both tough ends (mouth and tail), wash thoroughly with water, and rinse on running water.

Step 2

Before you jump into cutting the onion be sure to have your bath. After having your bath probably in the night don’t apply anything on your face.

Step 3

Move to the kitchen, Cut the onions into six parts, and blend to paste on a tabletop blender (manual or electric).

Step 4

Use a clean white cloth as your sieve to drain the juice out and remove the fiber (make sure you drain the juice properly but don’t add extra water).

Step 5

Now you have the onion extract in a cup. Sit down in your sitting room and gently use your two clean fingers to apply it on the whole face while your eyes are closed.

Step 6

Stay with it for a maximum of 30 minutes, then use clean water to wash your face (please don’t use any soap while washing your face).

Step 7

Cover the remaining extract properly and store it in the fridge to use the next night. Remember one onion bulb may be used for two nights because the more it stays the less the effect.

Repeat consistently for 7 days and watch the result.

For these 7 days stop applying any form of cream on your face however if you’re a fan of face foundation or other face powder you can go on and do it.

Onions work by cleaning off the excess oil on your face, healing the scars caused by acne, and adding moisture to the skin.

Some creams and makeup may increase oil production from your skin and promote dryness. So if your face is prone to acne like my own the best thing to do is to stop applying any cream on your face and do not allow makeup to stay too long on your face.     

Tips

The peppery scent of the onion will enter your eyes and make you shade tears but if you close your eyes while applying it will reduce the tears.

However, the interesting thing here is that the onion components which will enter your eyes through the gas it emits will keep your eyes clean and clear for the next 48 hours afterward.

Other interesting ideas to use on your skin

1. Onion extract gel for treating scars

You might also want to try onion extract to treat scarring.

Combining onion extract with aloe vera gel could boost your results since aloe vera has a proven track record for treating skin injuries and scars.

To make an onion extract gel:

• Combine approximately 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed onion juice with 1 tablespoon of pure aloe vera.
• Apply gel topically to the scar.
• Leave on for about 10 minutes, then rinse off and moisturize the area.

2. Onion mask for moisturizing and skin brightening

The inflammation fighters in onions may help moisturize your skin. You’re more likely to see results when you combine proven anti-inflammatory skincare ingredients, like honey and oatmeal.

To make a warming, a soothing face mask that uses onions and other natural ingredients:

• Cook slow-cooked oatmeal for 20 minutes, then allow it to cool.
• Meanwhile, in a blender, blend a peeled medium onion until it has a paste-like consistency.
• Mix onion paste with oatmeal and 1 tablespoon (or less) honey.
• Apply onion-oatmeal mask to your face and rinse off after 10 minutes

OTC skin products that use onions as an ingredient

The following are some over-the-counter (OTC) products you can purchase that add onion to their formulas if it available in your city:

1.Mederma Advanced Gel

You can apply this topical treatment to scarred skin areas. The formula contains Allium cepa (onion) bulb extract and can help soften and reduce the appearance of old and new scars.

Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber Masks

This two-step mask contains an ampoule (a small, sealed vial) that incorporates hydrating ingredients, including onion bulb extract. The rubber-type mask helps seal in moisture and soothe skin.

3. Tarte Knockout Tingling Treatment.

This 10-percent acid toner contains salicylic and lactic acids as well as onion extract. The treatment is intended to make skin tone appear more even, reduce oil, and soothe skin.

4. Sederma Acnises Spot Colour Cream

This product from Sederma is a combination concealer and acne scar treatment. The cream uses onion extract to reduce the appearance of scars and conceal them.

If you’re looking for more products that use onions, you’ll usually see them called “allium cepa extract” on an ingredients list.

Possible side effects of using onion on your skin

There aren’t a lot of reported side effects of using onion on your skin. The Environmental Working Group reports no evidence of allergies or immunotoxicity from using onion bulb extracts.

However, it’s possible that if you have an allergy to onions when you eat them, you may be sensitive to the effects of topical onion.

Consider doing a patch test before using onion extract on your skin

Because onion extract is rarely the only ingredient in a skin care product, it might be a good idea to find out if onion extract irritates your skin before you use it.

You can do a patch test by applying a small amount of onion to the inside of your wrist and waiting up to 24 hours to see if any redness or irritation appears.

Conclusion

There are plenty of reasons to believe that onions could provide some skincare benefits. They have an acidic component, antioxidant, antibacterial, and contain vitamin C.

trying onion on your skin probably has no risk for most people. If you’re curious about this ingredient, try to “DO IT YOURSELF (DIY)” an onion-based home skin care remedy in your kitchen, or check out an OTC product that lists “allium cepa extract” on the ingredient list.

I hope you get the value worth your time, I appreciate the time you spend with me. Leave a comment below if you find this article helpful and don’t forget to drop your question, opinion, or criticism if any. Cheers!

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