CAN EATING RAW GARLIC CLEAR YOUR ACNE, OR IS IT JUST ANOTHER INSTAGRAM HACK? HERE'S WHAT EXPERTS HAVE TO SAY

Instagram has evolved into our go-to platform for tips, tricks, and do-it-yourself (DIY) videos. One such trending practice that is gaining traction among numerous influencers these days is the consumption of raw garlic to combat acne.

The viral trend

"The girl who said eating raw garlic every day can help with my acne, I owe you my life," says one viral post on Instagram.

In the post, a beauty influencer can be seen taking a clove of raw garlic and swallowing it directly as part of her 'nighttime skincare routine'.

This, according to her, has helped with her acne. The video quickly went viral, sparking curiosity among many people dealing with acne, and even among dermatologists. 

Soon, many women began adding garlic to their skincare routine (you must have seen it on Instagram too), and numerous videos started circulating online about how 'consuming raw garlic can help with even the most stubborn cystic acne'.

However, upon closer inspection of the comment sections of these trends, we realised that while some claim that eating garlic as part of their nighttime skincare routine has helped them achieve acne-free skin, others have commented on this hack's inefficiency and that it has worsened their acne.

Have a look at some of the comments: 

But does it even work? Here's what experts have to say 

Dr Shareefa Chause, a dermatologist and cosmetologist from Shareefa's Skin Care Clinic, Mumbai, explains that garlic is one of the best herbs found and has been used for treating various conditions of skin.

She explains: 

• Garlic has antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
• The allicin present in garlic helps kill acne-causing bacteria (propionibacterium acne). 
• It also helps improve blood circulation, and because of that, many clogged materials inside the sebaceous gland and hair follicles get clear. 
• Garlic also contains zinc and other vitamins and minerals, of which zinc helps reduce acne.
• Thiosulfates (a compound of sulfur) in garlic also have antibacterial properties. 

"You can take them in raw form or as heated cloves of garlic or in the dehydrated form. They also reduce swelling and inflammation," says Dr Shareefa. 

Dr Rinky Kapoor, another consultant dermatologist from The Esthetic Clinics in Mumbai, also agrees that garlic does have antimicrobial properties.

However, she says "there is very little scientific proof to back" the anecdotal claims about garlic's ability to heal acne.

"Garlic's allicin content varies, which makes it challenging to standardise its dose for medicinal reasons," says Dr Kapoor. 

This statement was also agreed to by Dr Sherin Bhan, a dermatologist and co-founder of Studio 1915 Luxury Aesthetic Clinic, who says that these studies done on garlic for its acne-healing properties had a few issues: 

1. The study was small-scale and preliminary, so even if the results indicated some improvement in acne severity, they cannot be generalised.
2. The garlic was not consumed, but applied, in the research. 

Hence, according to experts, more research is necessary to determine whether garlic is effective in treating acne.

"If it works for you, it works for you, we don't have anything scientific to prove that eating garlic is the answer to your acne," says Dr Bhan. 

What about the side-effects of consuming raw garlic?

Both Dr Kapoor and Dr Bhan mention that raw garlic has many potential health advantages, but there are drawbacks as well, particularly if used in excess. 

For instance, after eating garlic, some people may have heartburn, gastrointestinal problems, or discomfort in their stomach. 

Rarely, consuming garlic can also cause allergic responses like skin rashes, itching, or even respiratory problems.

Dr Kapoor says garlic's strong smell can also cling to the skin and breath, making some people uncomfortable in social situations. 

"Due to possible interactions and health implications, garlic should be used with caution by pregnant women, nursing mothers, and anyone using blood-thinning drugs," Dr Kapoor adds. 

Dr Bhan agrees and further says that she has seen people applying garlic directly to their faces thinking that it will help with their acne, but according to her, "it will just cause them allergic reactions or even infections".

Bottomline 

There is conflicting scientific data about the effectiveness of raw garlic as a treatment for acne, although the idea may seem good. 

Garlic does include antibacterial and anti-inflammatory chemicals, but further study and clinical validation are needed to determine how beneficial garlic is in treating acne.

Before implementing new techniques into your regimen, it's important to exercise caution and speak with a healthcare provider or dermatologist, just like you would with any skincare trend or treatment. 

People with acne should prioritise a holistic skincare programme that includes topical treatments, gentle washing, and lifestyle alterations customised to their unique requirements, instead of depending simply on garlic.

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2024-03-27T12:58:44Z dg43tfdfdgfd