Pop a garlic clove to cure acne: Is the viral Instagram ‘beauty hack’ worth it? Know possible side effects

Instagram Beauty Hacks:  Instagram has become a go-to for ‘pharmacy finds’, ‘must-haves’, ‘beauty hacks’, and more. The group of social media influencers are now sharing dermatology tips and hacks which sometimes do wonders for their followers and sometimes the conditions turn awry.    

One such popular ‘viral beauty hack’ is swallowing garlic to cure acne. The videos of people going gaga over the pimple-curing properties of garlic have been floating all over the gram with more people trying it and sharing their results. 

Garlic: A win for some a flunk for others 

With the popularity of the ‘garlic for acne’ trend many users shared their progress and the aftermath of popping garlic overnight for a few days to cure their acne. The results have been as varied as people. For some, swallowing garlic visibility reduced acnes and resulted in miraculously clear skin. But on the other side, there have been people who reported a worsening effect of garlic on their skin with increased pimples and worsening skin quality.    

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sakshi 👑 Skincare l Makeup (@sakshikomalsingh)

The herd mentality fostered and flourished at the hems of social media is highlighted in this trend again accentuating the many challenges brought by it however the subject of emphasis here is why it worked for some and not for others. 

Garlic does cure acne but… 

Garlic is known for its antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties.it is a common household herb used for multiple ‘desi nushke’ like curing cold etc. so there is some truth to the trend. Garlic also consists of allicin that helps in combating acne-causing bacteria called propionibacterium acne which further boosts blood circulation subsequently clearing the clogged materials inside the sebaceous gland and hair follicles. The presence of minerals like zinc is yet another reason that the hack was a hit for some but there are no scientific studies to back garlic’s defence against acne. 

Potential Side Effects 

The excess of anything is injurious and the same stands true for garlic. Excess intake of garlic can lead to heartburn, gastrointestinal problems, or discomfort in the stomach. This is also common knowledge in Indian households hence they limit the intake of garlic in regular food habits as well. Moreover, people prone to allergies can get skin rashes and itching due to it which in extreme instances can also lead to respiratory problems. Additionally, people on blood-thinning medicine, or pregnancy should use medical advice only.