How to Get Rid of Acne With Home Remedies

While acne is often considered a problem for teenagers, people of any age can experience acne symptoms. This usually occurs when your skin produces excess sebum, leading to clogged pores and outbreaks of pimples. Although your dermatologist can probably offer the best treatment for your acne, there are a number of home remedies that can help as well. You can use these remedies as a supplement to the regimen suggested by your dermatologist.

Ingredients

• Toothpaste
• Cotton swab

How To Prepare

You can use the toothpaste as it is.

How To Apply

Using the cotton swab, apply a generous layer of toothpaste on the pimple.

How Does It Help

Toothpaste dries out the pimples and reduces their healing time. Its antibacterial properties play a vital role in eliminating the bacteria that cause pimples (6). This can be used for pimples on the face and also on the body, like the legs and arms.

Time Duration

Leave the toothpaste on overnight.

Precautions

Use white toothpaste, not a gel-based one.

Most Suitable For

Oily, normal, and combination skin

2. Essential Oils For Pimples

(a) Frankincense Essential Oil For Pimples

Ingredients

• 1-2 drops frankincense oil
• Cotton bud

How To Prepare

You can use undiluted frankincense oil directly on the skin.

How To Apply

Dip the cotton bud into the oil and apply it over the pimple and also around it.

How Does It Help

Frankincense oil reduces the inflammation and also kills the bacteria. It tones the skin and promotes the growth of healthy cells (7). Use this essential oil to get rid of that stubborn pimple on your forehead.

Time Duration

Leave the oil on overnight.

Precautions

Do a patch test before you use any essential oil, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Most Suitable For

All skin types

(b) Peppermint Essential Oil For Pimples

Ingredients

• A few drops of peppermint oil
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

How To Prepare

Mix the essential oil with the vitamin E oil.

How To Apply

Apply the mixture directly on the zit and let it get absorbed into the skin.

How Does It Help

It diminishes the redness and swelling and also acts as an astringent. Its antimicrobial properties clear the infection causing the pimples (8). You can use this oil to treat entire sections of your face, like the forehead or the cheeks, which are affected by pimples.

Time Duration

Leave the oil on for a few hours and then reapply.

Precautions

Do a patch test before you use any essential oil, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Most Suitable For

(c) Lemon Essential Oil For Pimples

Ingredients

• 3 drops lemon essential oil
• Cotton ball

How To Prepare

Lemon oil does not need to be diluted as it is being used on small areas topically.

How To Apply

1. Clean the affected area and pat it dry.
2. Put the oil drops on the cotton ball and apply on affected area directly.

How Does It Help

Apart from being a commonly used antimicrobial agent, lemon oil also protects the skin from free radical damage (11, 12). This essential oil can be used anywhere on the body, except the private parts.

Time Duration

You can leave the oil on the affected area to do its work. Reapply a few times during the day and also before going to bed.

Precautions

Do a patch test before you use any essential oil, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Most Suitable For

All skin types

(d) Tea Tree Essential Oil For Pimples

Ingredients

• 1-2 drops tea tree oil
• 1 teaspoon olive oil or jojoba oil

How To Prepare

Mix the essential oil in the carrier oil.

How To Apply

Apply a drop or two of the above-created oil mix on the affected area and leave it on.

How Does It Help

Tea tree oil is most commonly used essential oil for acne, especially those on the forehead, cheeks, chin, or even above the lip. It is a versatile and potent antimicrobial agent with high levels of antioxidants, making it the perfect essential oil for acne treatment (13). This remedy can also be used to treat cystic pimples. It also reduces the acne spots.

Time Duration

Reapply the oil every few hours until the acne clears up.

Precautions

Do a patch test before you use any essential oil, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Most Suitable For

All skin types

(e) Grapeseed Oil For Pimples

Ingredients

A few drops of grapeseed oil

How To Prepare

This oil can be applied directly without dilution.

How To Apply

1. On a clean and dry face, apply a few drops of grapeseed oil.
2. Massage for a few minutes.

How Does It Help

Grapeseed is rich in polyphenols, which are basically antioxidants that help you in maintaining healthy skin. This essential oil is very light on the skin and balances the natural oils. It acts as a skin toner and prevents acne breakouts on your face. It also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties (14).

Time Duration

Leave the grapeseed oil on overnight. You can also use it during the day.

Precautions

Do a patch test before you use any essential oil, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Most Suitable For

3. Argan Oil To Get Rid Of Pimples

Ingredients

2-3 drops of argan oil

How To Prepare

Argan oil can be used by itself on the skin.

How To Apply

1. Clean the face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry.
2. Apply tiny dots of the argan oil at random areas of the face and then massage the oil into the skin for a few minutes. Use upward circular motions.

How Does It Help

Argan oil is easily absorbed by the skin and regulates the excess sebum that is being produced. It not only heals the acne that is currently present on your face or body, but it also prevents future breakouts. Its antioxidants and vitamin E content are responsible for these properties (18).

Time Duration

Let the oil sit on the skin for a couple of hours before reapplying. Ideally, apply the oil once in the morning and once again before going to bed.

Precautions

None

Most Suitable For

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Water

How To Prepare

Mix enough water with the baking soda powder to make a smooth paste.

How To Apply

Apply this with your fingers on the pimple.

How Does It Help

Baking soda dries out the pimple and brings the skin’s pH to an optimum level. It soothes the skin and reduces inflammation (23).

Time Duration

Leave the paste on for about five minutes and then rinse with warm water.

Precautions

Do not leave the paste on for more than a few minutes as it could cause skin dryness. Also, follow up with a moisturizer.

Most Suitable For

Ingredients

Aloe vera leaf

How To Prepare

Cut open the aloe vera leaf and extract the gel present inside. This can be used directly on the affected area to treat pimples.

How To Apply

Apply a generous layer of aloe vera gel on the affected area and also around it.

How Does It Help

Aloe vera gel can be used for acne vulgaris treatment and also on larger areas like the entire face or the back. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and helps to reduce redness and skin irritation (33).

Time Duration

Leave the aloe gel on for about 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off.

Precautions

Aloe vera is a soothing gel and is safe to be used by everyone.

Most Suitable For

All skin types

Treatments For Acne

Acne is a common skin ailment these days. People of all ages are affected by it and resort to different methods to deal with this issue. Many treatments have been developed by skin specialists to get rid of acne. Keep reading to know more about them.

1. Laser Treatment

This treatment method uses pulsed laser light to kill the bacteria present in acne. This brings the current acne under control and also prevents future breakouts. It is usually used in combination with laser skin resurfacing treatment to fade scars and smoothen the skin.

2. Homeopathic Treatment

Homeopathy treatments aim at getting rid of the root cause of acne. It is a holistic treatment that can help you to get relief from acne breakouts. Commonly used ingredients in homeopathy treatment for acne include sulphur, kali bromatum, arctiumlappa, belladonna, and nux vomica. Do not take homeopathy medication without a certified doctor’s prescription.

3. Herbal Treatment

Herbs that are usually found around the house are commonly used for treating acne. Many of the home remedies listed above use herbs to clear the infection and reduce acne scars. Some examples of the herbs are turmeric, garlic, aloe, and neem.

4. Blue Light Acne Treatment

This latest development in the acne treatment field is recommended for people who suffer from red, inflamed acne. The bacteria that cause acne, Propionibacterium acnes, is sensitive to blue light. This means that when this bacteria that is residing in the oil glands of your skin is exposed to blue light, it dies. Also, the heat that accompanies the blue light causes the oil glands to shrink and reduces the sebum production. A wholesome treatment for acne!

5. Ayurvedic Treatment

Most of the herbs used in the herbal treatment of acne fall under Ayurvedic treatment. Apart from the ones mentioned above, Ayurvedic medicine also relies on using the right combinations of dried and fresh herbs that treat acne. Triphala guggulu, chandanasava, and sarivadyasava are some of the Ayurveda medicines used.

Acne Prevention Tips

Apart from these home remedies for pimples, this is the to-do list that you should follow religiously:

• Wash your face twice a day with cold water as it helps to close the pores of your skin.

• If you’re suffering from this problem for a long time, use a medicated cream that contains benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. The home remedies mentioned above also work well in managing and preventing acne.

• Use a face mask at least once a week to clean the pores.

• Steam your face regularly. It helps to open the pores and makes the removal of pimples andblackheads very easy and effective.

• Wash your makeup tools like brushes and sponges to remove all the dirt, oil, and bacteria from them.

• Drink 10-12 glasses of water daily to flush out all the impurities from the body.

• Avoid touching your face with your hands regularly. Also, while talking over the phone, keep it away from your face. While doing so, you will transfer all the dirt and bacteria from your hands or phone to your face, thus increasing the risk of pimple formation.

• Have a diet rich in vitamin A, vitamin E, niacin, and zinc. The food recommendations have been mentioned in the nutrition and diet section.

• Drink a glass of warm water with a teaspoon of honey and lime juice daily in the morning on an empty stomach. This will purify the system by flushing out the toxins from the body and maintain the pH balance of the skin, thus curing pimples and acne.

• Do not squeeze or prick the pimples or blackheads. This will increase sebum production and also let the bacteria spread on the surface of the skin, leading to more pimples. It can also lead to permanent pigmentation.

• Consumption of too much iodine (iodized salt) can lead to pimple and blackhead outbreaks. Excess of sodium also leads to weight gain. So reduce the amount of salt in your daily diet.

Do try these homemade face packs and follow these essential tips for healthy, glowing, and pimple-free skin. Treat acne promptly to get a flawless skin. Eat healthy and keep yourself hydrated to bid adieu to pimples and say hello to beautiful skin.

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