While it is common to get a pimple breakout, any persistence can leave you feeling stressed. After all, no one will be proud of the blemishes that frequent acne breakouts can leave them with.
For most individuals, acne comes as a result of hormonal fluctuations while others may have it on a temporary basis.
So what is the best way to get rid of acne?
Finding the right remedy for acne is not easy and may depend on your biological disposition as an individual.
Belonging to either the standard or sensitive skin types will dictate how effective specific acne remedies are. While one solution will work for some individuals, it may not be the best for others.
The following are some of the solutions you may want to try to get rid of that persistent acne:
1. Toothpaste as an Acne Remedy
Since it is a cleaning agent, toothpaste can be used to serve the same purpose as a facial mask. To dry up the pimples, apply it directly to the area where the acne breakout is evident.
It helps to absorb excess subcutaneous oil thus literally draining the pustules. This is the best way to get rid of acne for individuals with mild forms such as blackheads and whiteheads.
Toothpaste also has antibacterial properties, thus helping get rid of the pimples right from the cause.
This treatment is suitable for normal, oily, and combination skin types. Steer clear of gel-based toothpaste or that with tooth-whitening properties.
The hydrogen peroxide in these products can prove harmful to sensitive skin.
Soothe the skin pores by applying a pack of ice just before the toothpaste. Take small amounts of toothpaste and use it to the pimples. Leave to stay for 30 minutes or more. You will get the best results by leaving the toothpaste in place overnight.
2. Essential Oil Treatment for Acne
Essential oils can be put to good use as treatments for acne. Some of the oils you may want to use include frankincense oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, lemon oil, tea tree oil, primrose oil, lemongrass oil, and grape seed oil.
Most of these essential oils have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Frankincense oil is mild and can be applied directly to the skin. Use a cotton bud to dip into the oil and smear on the pimple-riddled area. It will kill the bacteria and reduce inflammation.
That’s in addition to toning the skin and promoting healthy cell growth. It is the best way to get rid of persistent forehead acne. It can be used on all types of skin.
Peppermint oil should be mixed with vitamin E oil before application. After applying on the pimples, allow for absorption into the skin. It reduces swelling and redness. Peppermint oil is also an effective acerbic.
It has antimicrobial properties which ensure it fights the infection behind the acne. Use it to get rid of acne on the cheeks or foreheads. Apply peppermint oil and leave it on your skin for a couple of hours before reapplying.
The lavender essential oil can be used directly to the skin. It has both antifungal and antibacterial properties for the healing of pimples from inside out. Lavender oil also contains some antioxidants, which reduce the harmful effects of free radicals.
This is a great way to remove acne from the face, leg, back, and other body parts. Apply the essential oil and leave it to air-dry for a couple of hours. Then, reapply.
Lemon oil can be applied directly to the infected area of the skin using a cotton ball. Do not apply more than three drops of this essential oil.
After cleaning the infected area, pat it dry. Put some lemon oil on a cotton ball and directly apply to the infected area. It is both an antioxidant and antimicrobial. You can use it all over your body but for the private parts.
Leave the oil sitting for a couple of hours and reapply several times during the day.
Tea tree essential oil should be mixed in a carrier oil before use. It has been established to be able to kill most of the acne-causing bacteria.
You need to apply only up to 2 drops of tea tree oil to the affected area. This is the best way to cure acne on the chin, cheeks, forehead, and above the lips. Apart from containing antioxidants, it also has antimicrobial properties.
It is a remedy you cystic pimples and also helps reduce acne spots.
Grapeseed oil can be applied directly on the skin in its concentrated form. Clean and dry your face before applying some grapeseed oil.
Take a few minutes to massage it into the skin. It has a high antioxidant content to help you keep your skin healthy. Apart from being light on the surface, it helps balance the natural skin oils.
It tones the skin and prevents the breakout of acne. Like other essential oils, grapeseed oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. While it is good to use grapeseed oil overnight, you can apply it in the daytime. Use it if you have oily skin.
Primrose oil can be applied and left on the skin overnight. It is also available in the form of capsules. Ingest one of these on a daily basis. Use it to optimize skin smoothness, elasticity, and hydration.
It contains omega-3 fatty acids and antibacterial properties. It is a good way to get rid of pimple due to hormonal imbalance, cysts, and that in adults. The oil is best left on the skin overnight.
Lemongrass oil should be added to a spray bottle full of water. After shaking it very well, spray some of it on your face and allow it to naturally dry.
Due to its antimicrobial properties, this essential oil helps get rid of the bacteria that cause acne. It tones up your skin part from regulating the production of natural skin oil.
After spraying the oil-water mixture, leave it on the skin for a couple of hours. Use it at most twice a day.
3. Green Tea for Acne Treatment
When served as a beverage, green tea has a lot of health benefits. But that doesn’t mean you cannot use it topically.
When applied directly to the skin, green tea releases tannins and flavonoids which fight bacteria and inflammation that could lead to the development of acne.
Green tea also contains antioxidants which help fight inflammation caused by free radicals. It inhibits the production of sebum, thus reducing pimple size.
If you are one of the people who get an acne breakout after another, green tea will kill all the bacteria responsible. It has been established that applying green tea extract to the acne-prone skin can reduce sebum production to a large extent.
It is due to its useful properties that green tea is used as an ingredient for making certain skincare products.
Instead of buying the commercially available products, you can mix your concoction at home. Take some green tea and steep it in hot water for 3 to 4 minutes. Leave the drink to cool down and use a cotton ball to apply it to the infected areas.
You may also want to use a spray bottle. Leave it on your skin for 10 minutes and rinse it with water. You may also want to let it stand overnight. The frequency of application can be up to a couple of times per day.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a plant extract that’s best applied topically. It is proven to kill bacteria when topically applied to the skin. It also reduces inflammation and accelerates the skin healing process.
This is the reason aloe vera is included as an ingredient in some skin treatment creams and lotions. People use it to treat burns, cuts, rashes, and psoriasis. Although yet to be studied extensively, aloe vera can heal pimples and acne.
It contains sulfur, cinnamonic acid, urea nitrogen, salicylic acid, and lupeol which fight acne-causing bacteria.
According to one study, higher concentrations of acne in a lotion was found to be a very effective remedy for pimples.
That’s not to say that aloe vera cannot act on its own to clear blackheads. Instead, it is more effective when combined with other medications and remedies.
You can apply aloe vera gel straight from the leaves. Use a spoon to scrape out the gel and apply it together with other acne treatments.
If you want, mix the gel with other therapies before applying to the skin. Alternatively, start with the other treatment followed by aloe vera gel. You will find aloe vera gel on sale in cosmetic shops.
5. Remove pimple with Honey
Honey is a natural sweetener which can also be used as an acne treatment. It has wound-healing and antimicrobial properties.
In New Zealand, Manuka honey is used as an acne treatment. After dipping a cotton ball in honey, apply it to the acne-infected area. Leave it for 30 minutes and rinse.
Honey contains antioxidants and is also an effective antimicrobial. It can be used on all skin types without the fear of irritation or allergic reactions.
Conclusion
Although a common problem, pimples can be hard to treat. It is always good to go for alternative treatments given that conventional remedies cause irritation, dryness, and redness. The best way to go about it could be to use natural homemade remedies. Applying green tea, essential oils, and aloe vera is the best option. Try one or more of these remedies today, and you will never regret it. Only remember that proper diet and hydration can go a long way in maintaining your skin health.
