If you rub a freshly cut tomato on your face for 3 seconds, here's the effect

Acne can be frustrating, and even embarrassing, at nearly any age. The red, inflamed skin can even be painful. This common disease (and it is classified as a skin disease by the National Institute of Health) is the result of clogged follicles and glands. 

Though frustrating and uncomfortable, it isn't dangerous according to the NIH. While getting rid of acne takes a bit of devotion to your skin care regimen, it doesn't have to be expensive or take a lot of time. In fact, the solution to your breakouts may be growing in your vegetable garden.  

Using tomato as part of your skin care routine can help clear up acne and reduce the appearance of acne scars. This fruit is high in several vitamins like Vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6. These vitamins in this tasty food help shrink pores and provide your skin with much-needed nourishment.  

In addition, the acidity of tomatoes can help balance the pH levels in your skin, making breakouts less likely. As an added bonus, tomatoes actually contain salicylic acid, an ingredient you'll find listed on many commercial treatments. 

If you want to incorporate this fruit into your routine, check out a few of these ideas:

The simple solution is sometimes the best. Simply slice the tomato in half and rub it on the affected areas of your face. Massage the juice into your skin and rinse.  While it's not the most effective treatment, it works great for minor breakouts and when you only have a few minutes to get it done. 

If you have a little bit of extra time, this method should work well on even heavy acne. Take a tomato and slice and X into the top of it. Then, place the tomato under warm water for about a minute and remove the skin (starting at the slices and pulling downwards). Remove the tomato seeds and mash up the rest of your tomato into a paste. Apply this paste to your entire face and let it set for about an hour before rinsing. 

You can also add mashed cucumber or yogurt  to the mask mixture to reduce painful acne. 

If you don't want to sit around for an hour with tomato on your face (at least it beats egg...), try this variation. Mix one tablespoon of tomato juice with with a few drops of lemon juice in a small dish. Apply this mixture to affected areas of the skin and let it set for about five minutes, then rinse with warm water. 

Have you tried tomato as an acne treatment? Tell us about your experience in the comments below. If you like this natural treatment for acne, share it with your friends on Facebook.