Acne sufferers may often have to try a number of products and ingredients to help find the right skincare solution.

But rather than experimenting with lotions and potions, you may be better off picking purer all-natural ingredients to help your skin.

Benefits

Thyme contains a wide range of benefits and is equally well known as a herb as it is for its antibacterial properties.

Frequently found in mouthwashes and medicated bandages, it is adept at fighting infections and is often infused in water as a treatment for coughs or bronchitis.

This could be fungal infections or even common acne.

A study from Leeds Metropolitan University last year found that thyme tincture was more effective in killing acne than traditional chemical-based creams.

Using a tincture of the plant, it was tested alongside myrrh and marigold and found to be the most effective and a better solution than many commonly-used products.

Leading the study Dr Margarita Gomez Escalada said: "The preparation that was found the most effective was thyme tincture, even better than benzoyl peroxide. This shows the potential of thyme tincture for treating acne."

She went on to say that through further testing it could become a commonly used skincare ingredient.

"If thyme tincture is proven to be effective for the treatment of acne, it will provide a natural alternative to current treatments," she added.

How to use thyme tincture

There are plenty of ways to use thyme tincture within your skincare regime.

It’s not recommended that you rub thyme on your face, therefore it is better to mix the tincture with other ingredients.

You could create your own blemish controlling gentle thyme tincture by blending dried thyme with a little witch hazel. Make sure to shake well and leave for a few minutes so the thyme infuses into the liquid.

Once it’s finished you can then use cotton wool pads and dab it on the skin lightly before rinsing off with lukewarm water.

Another way to use thyme tincture to treat acne could be to mix it with your existing face cream and use it as an antibacterial moisturiser.

This will help to hydrate your skin, while also fighting off infection and reducing inflammation, even on sensitive skin.

To penetrate deep into the skin a facial scrub/mask is a brilliant solution.

These can be used a couple of times a week to tackle problem areas and banish blemishes.

You could mix the thyme tincture with ground up argan, sesame seeds and jojoba leaves and apply to your face.

After blending well, massage it gently in a circular motion onto the skin, allowing it to clear dead skin cells while also getting to the root of inflamed areas.

Be careful not to scrub your skin too hard, however, as this could cause redness and irritation.

Once you’ve massaged the mix into your skin, leave it for 15 minutes to fully absorb, allowing the ingredients to work their magic.

Now you can wash it off with lukewarm water and pat dry with a flannel for clear, clean and radiant skin.