– Ice and Steam
Water is one of best first aids for an effective and fast pimple treatment. We’re not just talking about drinking 10 to 12 glasses of water a day here which, on a side note, is also vital to flush pimple-causing toxins and impurities out of the body. Using water involves ice pack and steam. Wrapping ice cubes in a piece of clean cloth and gently holding it on the affected area for a moment, and then repeating this process at least thrice a day will help enhance blood circulation, freeze clogged pores thereby removing oil and other impurities, and reduce redness and inflammation. Using steam, on the other hand, will open the pores, allowing the skin to breathe, and help remove skin impurities. Simply place your face above a bowl of hot water and perhaps drape a thick towel over your head to have the steam cleanse your face. Rinse your face with the now lukewarm water after a few minutes and apply some oil-free moisturizer.
– Apple Cider Vinegar
We’ve known apple cider vinegar so well that it shouldn’t be a surprise to know it’s a potent pimple treatment too. This fermented juice from pressed apples is just like other vinegar, which contains antibiotic and astringent properties that can fight bacteria, viruses, and other acne-causing pathogens. Simply mix in 1 part of unfiltered apple cider vinegar with 3 parts of water; add some more water if you have a sensitive skin. Dip a clean cotton ball in the mixture, apply it to the pimples, and leave it there for at least 5 minutes before washing it off. Put some moisturizer to manage the dryness and repeat the steps twice a day until improvements are noticeable.
– Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is known for its antibacterial and astringent qualities, particularly for its richness in vitamin C that is good with all types of skin, making it an effective pimple treatment. Not only does it help dry up pimples fast, it also aids in exfoliation. Expect that for just a few days. Remember to use lemon juice freshly extracted from the fruit than a bottled one that has preservatives. Simply dip a clean cotton ball in at least 2 tablespoons of the juice and apply it to the affected area. Leave it for an hour or even overnight as you go to bed before washing your face the next morning with lukewarm water. You can also mix in a teaspoon of cinnamon powder with the juice. Repeat this twice daily for a few days.
– Tea Tree Oil and Other Essential Oils
Tea tree oil, an essential oil taken out from the leaves of tea tree (scientific name: Melaleuca alternifolia) that is native to Australia, is also famous for its antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties, thus an effective pimple treatment. To make use of the essential oil, simply pour some drops of it on a clean cotton swab or even on your fingertip and gently apply it to your pimples. Even with a small amount, the essential oil can go deep to unclog and disinfect the pores, clean out the sebaceous glands, and treat whiteheads and blackheads together with the pimples. You can also make a paste out of other essential oils, such as mixing together honey, lavender essential oil, and tea tree oil to make a solution, not just to treat pimples and acne but also to help reduce acne scars.
– Toothpaste
Guess toothpaste is not just for the teeth, right? It’s being used to shine virtually all things up. Before completely digressing though, toothpaste is an effective pimple treatment. Just like baking soda (discussed shortly afterward), alcohol, menthol, and hydrogen peroxide, toothpaste helps dry out your pimples as fast as an overnight sleep. The steps are just as simple as 1-2-3. Simply dab some tiny amount of toothpaste on the affected area. Leave it for at least 2 hours or, if you want, overnight. You can also do this in the morning provided that you have an ample time to really see the result before doing any daily activities. Wash it off before applying any soothing moisturizer and repeat it once to twice daily for a week or two. Before trying it out though, bear in mind that whitening gel or colored toothpaste does not work and should be avoided. Only use the white classic variant. Also, if it causes irritation, just try some natural remedies.
– Garlic
Antioxidant. Antifungal. Antiviral. Antibacterial. Antiseptic. Of all the “anti” you can think of, is there anything garlic cannot do? Probably not. Not only is it amazing as a food, it is very effective as a pimple treatment too. Just cut some thin slices of fresh garlic cloves. Rub it on the affected area and leave it there for at least 5 minutes before washing your face. You can repeat these steps for a few times per day until you notice some differences. Side note: it’s rich in sulfur. But if perhaps you don’t know how this mineral can help you, it’s worth noting how much sulfur is being used in many pimple treatment products nowadays.
– Honey and Cinnamon Healing Mask
Antioxidants such as omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin B3, and a vitamin C-derivative SAP or sodium ascorbyl phosphate are all effective pimple treatment. Though these nutrients aren’t found in honey and cinnamon, both superfoods are still rich in other antioxidants that can fight bacteria and treat inflammation, reducing the risk for pimples and acne in the process. To make a face mask using those two ingredients, mix together 3 tablespoons, preferably of manuka honey, and a tablespoon of true cinnamon, and microwave it for half a minute. When it cools down, apply the mixture on your face and let it sit for roughly 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
– Papaya
Another effective pimple treatment is papaya, the wonder fruit that provides lycopene, the antioxidant you need to protect the skin from damage brought by free radicals. It also has vitamin A and enzymes such as the anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiviral papain and chymopapain that can reduce inflammation, making your skin feel soft and smooth. That is why it’s no wonder papaya is a common ingredient in most anti-acne products and treatments. To benefit from the wonder fruit naturally, simply crush raw papaya flesh to extract its juice or form a paste with a lotion-like consistency. Apply it directly on the affected area and leave it on for at least 15 minutes up to half an hour before washing it off. You can also make an exfoliating face mask by adding some honey then repeating the same process.
– Cornstarch and/or Baking Soda
Cornstarch is a great option for red and blotchy skin imperfections. For one, it’s gentle. It also helps lessen the oil that clogs up pores by removing and absorbing the excess amount on the face. And aside from helping clearing up acne, it soothes the prone skin as well. Simply mix it in with water to make a paste and apply it to the affected area. You can let it dry for as long as you want before rinsing it off. Baking soda has the same effect too. To make the most out of it, simply follow the same steps of adding water to make a paste (you can also use lemon juice) and applying it on your face, allowing it to dry before rinsing it off. A quick reminder: leaving them for a longer duration can cause dryness and even irritation. You can repeat this process two times a day. They are all cheap and natural, not containing any chemicals or any other ingredients that could harm your skin, making them a potent pimple treatment.
– Various Healthy Habits
Cleanse gently and regularly. You can use a trusted gentle face cleanser or better yet, do your own homemade face wash and face mask. There are lots of available recipes online that involves using and mixing in all-natural ingredients like the ones discussed above. Also, try exfoliating regularly. Remove the top layer of dead skin cells on your face by scrubbing it with some gentle toners. In doing so, acne and pimples can be prevented by unclogging the pores and allowing the pimple treatment to penetrate deeper. Moisturize too using oil-free products, if not natural ones. Even an acne or pimple-prone skin needs to be moisturized. Now, if you’re on treatment for your acne and pimples, avoid sun exposure for a long time as ultraviolet rays can truly damage your skin even more. If you’re more prone to acne, consider taking a zinc supplement and a low-glycemic diet. This includes eating lots of leafy greens, berries, protein, healthy fats, and high-fiber foods and avoiding lots of sugar, gluten and wheat, fried and processed foods, and hydrogenated oils among others. Find ways to reduce stress as well and make regular exercise a habit.
