Acne is a universal problem, and although it is one that young people have to deal with in their adolescent years, it may return at any stage in life, quite unexpectedly. Pimples and acne tend to pester people who have had the misfortune of being born with oily skin, but things such as hormonal imbalances, bad diets, lack of exercise, irregular sleep schedules, overworking, anxiety, stress and stress-induced habits, also contribute, more often than not, to these ugly outbreaks. Whether you need a temporary or a long-term solution to this problem, look no further.
Causes
These are the most common causes for acne and pimples
- Dead skin cells that get left behind sticking to the sebum and resulting in zits
- Over-secretion of sebum during puberty leading to blockage of pores
- High levels of the hormone testosterone lead to over-secretion of sebum
- Existence of two unique strains of P. acnes bacteria
- Over-consumption of dairy products and foods with high glycemic indexes
- Acne and pimples may be hereditary
Symptoms
Pimples manifest in different forms and each of these have their unique symptoms
- Whiteheads appear in the form of flesh-colored papules
- Blackheads, as their name suggests, are black in color and easily visible
- Papules usually carry a pinkish shade and are slightly raised bumps on the skin
- Nodules are similar to papules but are usually more embedded in the skin and tend to be more painful
- Pustules are reddish in color and carry pus
- Cysts are similar to pustules and quite painful
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Acne
There are almost innumerable solutions to quickly and instantly prevent pimples and clear up acne
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apply a concoction of 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water after washing and drying the face. Leave it overnight, and watch it get rid of acne in no time.
2. Milk and Honey
Mix a tablespoon each of milk and honey, making sure that the milk is of the low-fat or full-fat variety (not skimmed), and apply this like a face mask, leaving it on for 10-15 minutes. Wash this off and gently scrub your face with a soft cloth.
3. Egg Whites
Whisk the whites from 2 or 3 eggs until they become frothy. Apply three or four layers of this on the acne or pimples, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next one. Allow this to sit for 20 minutes, and wash off with warm water. Follow with your regular moisturiser.
4. Honey and Cinnamon
Make a paste with two tablespoons of honey a teaspoon of cinnamon. Apply this to the problem areas, letting it sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse and pat dry, and get rid of acne in no time.
5. Yoghurt
Like with the milk, take a tablespoon of low-fat or full-fat yoghurt, mixing it with an equal quantity of unadulterated, natural honey. Apply this to your face using a cotton ball, leave it on for 10-15 minutes, and rinse with regular or cold water.
6. Green Tea
Steep a bag of green tea in half a cup of boiling water for 4-5 minutes. Let the liquid cool to room temperature, and apply to the face using a spray bottle or cotton balls. Leave this on for a few minutes, and rinse with cool water. You can also leave it on if you want to remove pimples overnight.
7. Potato
Grate a raw potato and rub the pulp onto your face for a few minutes. Leave this on for 15-30 minutes, and wash it off with warm water. Make sure you wash your face before as well, but don’t dry it completely; the slight dampness helps. Follow this for a few days, and watch those pesky outbreaks disappear as quickly as they came.
8. Papaya
Mash up the flesh from one papaya and apply this thick paste on your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes, and wash off with warm water. Follow it up with your regular moisturiser.
9. Orange Peel
Orange peel is rich in citric acid and vitamin C. Take two orange peels and grind them, mixing enough water to get the perfect consistency. Apply this to your face like a mask, leaving it on for 20-25 minutes. Wash off, pat dry, and apply your regular moisturiser. Say goodbye to acne and pimples!
10. Baking Soda
Baking soda is perfect for exfoliating the skin. Apply a mixture of two tablespoons of baking soda and a little water to the problem areas, and rinse it off after a few minutes. Watch your pimples disappear in no time.
11. Baking soda and Cinnamon
Make a mixture using one tablespoon of baking soda, five tablespoons of honey, a teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and the juice of half a lemon. Apply this to the affected areas, leave on for five minutes, and wash off. Make sure that you do not use baking soda on your face more than once or twice a week.
12. Oatmeal
Cook one cupful of oatmeal, and mix a teaspoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon into this. Apply this paste on your face, and leave it on for half an hour. Rinse with lukewarm water. Follow this twice a week to see great results in no time.
13. Tea Tree oil
Applying oil to acne and pimples might sound strange, but it isn’t. It will get rid of the excess sebum and unclog your pores. Mix one part tea tree oil, which is rich in anti-bacterial properties, and nine parts water. Apply this liquid onto the affected areas using a cotton swab, leaving it on. Aloe vera is a great alternative to water, and you may consider using some unadulterated aloe vera gel for this mixture instead.
14. Strawberries
Mash three strawberries, making sure, of course, that they are clean, and mix them with two teaspoons of raw honey. Apply this paste to your face and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and moisturise as usual. Follow this twice a week for a month to get flawless, clear, acne-free skin.
15. Banana Peel
Banana peel contains antioxidants, and reduces swelling and inflammation. Rub the inside of the peel to your face, concentrating especially on the pimples, and leave this on for 30 minutes. Rinse off, and see a marked change.
16. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel has soothing properties and reduces discomfort and swelling. Apply the gel, preferably unadulterated and unflavored. Leave it on for as long as you want.
17. Lemon Juice
Take a tablespoon or so of lemon juice and apply to the problem areas using a cotton swab. Leave this on for as long as is convenient, and wash off with your regular face wash. If the juice stings your skin, mix it with a bit of yogurt.
18. Rose Water and Lemon Juice
Mix equal parts rose water and lemon juice, and use this to wash the affected areas well. You will notice a sea change in the quality of your skin very soon. Lemon juice tends to dry out the skin, so use it every two or three days.
19. Fuller’s Earth
Fuller’s earth effectively absorbs excess oil from the skin and unclogs the pores. The best way to use it is by preparing a mud pack. Mix equal parts fuller’s earth, sandalwood powder, and rose water. Apply this to your face, and let it dry completely. Wash off thoroughly and repeat once a week.
20. Toothpaste
This is the most basic home remedy everyone tends to recommend, especially if you are looking to get rid of your acne overnight. Apply a small amount of regular toothpaste (no flavors or gels, please) on the acne, and leave it on overnight. It will have dried up the next morning. Use a face wash to clean up, and follow your regular skin care regime.
21. Steam
Steam is great for the skin as it opens up the pores, unclogging them effectively and with ease. Boil a pot of water, pour it into a large bowl, and after letting it cool just slightly, place your face over the bowl. Wrap a towel around your head to trap the steam, and let it remain for 10-15 minutes. Pat your face dry, and repeat once daily until the problem disappears. You can follow this up with an acne- or pimple-clearing remedy, if you so wish.
22. Garlic
Garlic is great when ingested as well as applied topically. It has anti-bacterial properties which will cure your outbreak in no time. Mash up two or three cloves of garlic, and mix enough water to make the mixture a little runny. Apply this to the affected areas using a cotton ball, and wash off after a while. Alternatively, if you do not want a runny mixture, replace water with aloe vera gel.
23. Sugar
Sugar is great for exfoliating the skin. Make a sugar scrub using 1.5 cups of white sugar, 1.5 cups of brown sugar, 2-3 tablespoons of sea salt, half a cup of extra virgin olive oil, and 10 tablespoons of pure vanilla extract. Store this in air-tight containers and use as and when necessary. Leave the scrub on long enough for it to dry, and wash off with your regular face wash. Follow it up with toner and moisturiser.
24. Avocado and Honey
Avocado is rich in vitamins and nutrients that are great for getting rid of acne and pimples. Mash up an avocado and mix a tablespoon of honey into this. Make it into a smooth paste and apply it to your face, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry. Apply moisturiser if your face tends to dry out quickly.
25. Mint
Mint contains menthol, which has a soothing effect on acne. It will reduce swelling, pain, and any other discomfort caused by a breakout. Crush or blend a handful of fresh mint leaves, and apply this paste on the affected areas (or your entire face, if you wish). Leave on for 5-10 minutes, and wash off with cold water. Follow this once daily.
26. Fenugreek
Fenugreek contains anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and antiseptic properties, which are perfect for treating acne and pimples. Mix fenugreek leaves with water to make a smooth paste of slightly thick consistency. Apply this to your face and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with warm water, and repeat once every day until the acne disappears completely.
27. Neem (Indian Lilac)
Neem (Indian Lilac) contains anti-microbial and antiseptic properties, and there is almost nothing better to get rid of pimples or acne. Make a paste using water and fresh neem leaves, and apply a bit of unadulterated turmeric powder to this. Apply to affected areas, leaving it on for 20 minutes, and then wash off. Follow this regime at least twice a week, and you will notice a sea change in no time. Alternatively, apply neem oil to the affected areas a few times a day until you notice an improvement.
28. Ice
Ice is perfect for reducing swelling and redness caused by pimples. Wrap some ice in a piece of cloth, and apply to the affected areas. Hold it in place for a few seconds, remove, and repeat the process. The ice will remove the accumulated dirt and oil, and tighten your pores. Such a simple yet effective method for clear up acne.
29. Cucumber
Cut one or two cucumbers, and soak the pieces in fresh water for about an hour. Strain this water, and drink it, or use it to wash your face. Alternatively, you can make a face mask by making a paste out of one cucumber. Apply and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
30. Cinnamon
Make a paste using a teaspoon each of cinnamon powder and oat flour. Apply on your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with water.
31. Gram Flour
Mix two tablespoons of gram flour and a little yoghurt to make a thick paste. Apply, and allow it to dry. Rinse with regular water, and follow two or three times a week.
32. Epsom Salt
Mix a teaspoon of Epsom salt in half a cup of warm water, and allow it to cool to room temperature. Apply on the pimples, allow it to dry, and rinse off. Repeat this twice or thrice a day until the pimples subside.
33. Rubbing Alcohol
Dab rubbing alcohol on pimples using a cotton swab, and leave on for 30 minutes. Wash it off with warm water, and repeat a few times a day.
34. Turmeric
Make a face mask using a teaspoon each of turmeric powder and honey, and add one or two teaspoons of milk. Apply this on your face, and wash off. Use two to three times a week.
35. Bentonite Clay
Make a face mask using a teaspoon each of bentonite clay and ground oatmeal, a few teaspoons of water, and 3 or 4 drops of tea tree oil. Apply this paste to the skin, leave it on for 20-25 minutes, and wash off. Alternatively, make a mask using bentonite clay and green tea.
36. Tomatoes
Massage the juice of half a tomato on your acne for a few seconds, and rinse with warm water. Do this twice a day.
37. Sea Salt
Make a mixture using a teaspoon of sea salt and three teaspoons of hot water. Once the salt dissolves, add a teaspoon of honey. Apply this on your pimples, leave for 10 minutes, and rinse with cool water.
38. Aspirin
Crush two low dosage pills of aspirin, add a few drops of water, and apply the paste on your pimples. Leave for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
39. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is one of egg shape tree seed, which can be use for clear up acne. Prepare a paste of raw milk and grinded nutmeg. Apply it on acne affected area. Nutmeg is also helps in removing scars.
40. Mustard and Honey
Mustard seeds have a rich mixture of Zinc, B-complex Vitamins, natural salicylic acid and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Make a paste of 1 teaspoon of honey and 1/8 Tsp mustard power. Apply this on acne. You should keep this mask on acne affected area for 20 minutes for better result. After, rinse with cool water.
Precautions
Here are a few precautionary measures to follow to keep acne and pimples at bay:-
- Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins and keep your skin clear
- Include proteins in your diet to keep your skin healthy
- Eat good fats such as Omega-3 fatty acids to keep skin flexible and drain excess sebum
- Take adequate Vitamin A to reduce the amount of oil produced by your skin
- Limit intake of junk food and soft drinks to get rid of excess sugar from your system
- Get enough sleep and try to reduce stress
- Exercise regularly