Natural ways of treating pimples

Although a pimple is a common and harmless skin condition, getting too much of them on the face can be quite embarrassing. There are plenty of ways to get rid of pimples and before you search for these ways, it would be a good idea to get a better understanding of what pimples are and how they are caused. Pimples are usually caused when the oil glands in the skin produce too much oil. The dead skin cells and the dirt on the skin combine with the oil and block the pores of the skin. This traps the bacteria that live on the skin resulting in infection and the formation of pus. The face, chest, back, and shoulders are the parts of the body that are most vulnerable to pimples.

Most people have the notion that pimples can be successfully treated using medications containing chemicals, skin peels, mechanical scrubbing and laser treatments. While these treatments may help some people, they just make matters worse in majority of the cases.  So if you are just dealing with occasional breakouts of pimples, the following natural remedies may of great help to you to get rid of pimples effectively and quickly:

Honey

Honey has natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which makes it effective in the treatment of pimples. The antiseptic effects of honey help in preventing the growth of bacteria in the pores of the skin. Additionally, the acidic properties and high concentration of sugar in honey form an environment that is unfavorable for the bacteria to replicate. Honey also has anti-inflammatory properties that help in preventing the inflammation and redness associated with pimples. Using a cotton ball, apply honey on the affected area and leave it on for half an hour. Then wash off with warm water. Read more about health benefits of honey.

Lemon juice

A great but simple way to reduce pimples is to use fresh lemon juice.  It contains mild citric acid, which acts antiseptic that eliminates the infection causing bacteria. The acid also helps in reducing the excess oil formed on the skin. One way to carry out this treatment method is to dip a cotton ball in lemon juice and apply it on the affected area. Another method is to make a paste of cinnamon and lemon juice and apply this paste on the pimples. Leave it on overnight. However, this method is not recommended for people with sensitive skin.

Read more about amazing benefits of lemon

Applying ice

One of the ways to get rid of pimples is to apply ice on the affected area. This can help in reducing the inflammation and cause the oil glands to become smaller, leading to the elimination of excess oil and the bacteria that has been trapped inside the pores. Use a piece of cloth to wrap the ice and apply the cloth on the affected area for a few seconds. Repeat this procedure several times throughout the day.

Facial steam treatment

Although steam doesn’t open up the clogged pores, it does have the ability to loosen up all the dirt, dead skin cells, make up, excess oil and bacteria on the skin, which makes it easier for you to clean. Steaming your face is not only effective in getting rid of pimples but is also beneficial for keeping your skin moisturized and clean.

Toothpaste

Applying toothpaste on the pimples is a quick and easy way of drying out the pimples. Toothpaste contains certain ingredients such as essential oils, baking soda, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, menthol, triclosan that causes the pimples to dry out. However, people with sensitive skin are advised not to try this method as it may cause irritation and redness.

Apple cider vinegar

When it comes to eliminating pimples, apple cider vinegar is one of the best remedies. It has antiseptic properties that kill off the bacteria that may be responsible for causing the problem. It also helps in balancing the pH of your skin, thus making it difficult for the bacteria to thrive. Additionally the astringent properties of vinegar help dry up the excess oil on the skin. Make a solution by combining 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. After washing your face, apply the solution using a cotton ball on the pimples. Leave on overnight. Apply a moisturizer if your skin becomes dry.

Milk or yogurt

Although the intake of dairy products is considered to aggravate pimples and acne, applying it on the face seems to have a different effect. Milk helps in reducing the redness associated with the pimples and also in soothing the irritated skin. The acids in yogurt have antibacterial properties that kill of the bacteria while the fats in yogurt provide moisture to the skin.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has the ability to kill bacteria. The disinfecting and soothing properties of this oil makes it an effective remedy for pimples and acne. When applied on the skin, tea tree oil penetrates the pores of your skin, disinfecting the pores, and drying out the blackheads and whiteheads. Tea tree oil is meant for topical use only and should never be ingested.

Papaya

Raw papaya is yet another natural remedy for pimples. The enzymes, vitamins and other nutrients in this fruit are very helpful in eliminating breakouts. Papaya cleanses the skin by removing excess oils and dead skin from the surface of the skin, leaving it soft, smooth and blemish free. Papaya is rich in enzymes known as papain and chymopapain that have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. These enzymes help to reduce inflammation and also prevent the formation of pus. Vitamins A, B and C found in papaya helps to remove blemishes, reduce swelling and redness, reduce excess oil production and maintain the clarity of the skin. Additionally, Lycopene in papaya has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which protects the skin from pimple breakouts by preventing the clogging of pores.

Read more about health benefits of papaya leaves

Egg whites

Egg white or albumin is rich in protein, vitamins and trace minerals that not only help to eliminate pimples but also in rebuilding your skin cells. It also helps in reducing the excess oil on the skin. Egg white also contains an enzyme known as Lysozyme is an enzyme that is capable of killing bacteria by destroying their tough cell walls, thus reducing the risks of infections. Mix the egg whites of two eggs with a teaspoon of lemon juice and applying this all over your face. Leave it on for about half an hour and rinse it off with warm water. Since egg whites have a drying effect on the skin, make sure to use a moisturizer after its application.

Oranges

The high amounts of citric acid and vitamin C in oranges makes them one of best remedies for treating pimples. The vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which promotes the growth of new healthy cells, improves elasticity and helps to maintain the overall health of the skin. Make a paste of orange peel with water and apply it on your face. Leave it on 30 minutes, after which wash off with warm water.

Banana peel

We all know that bananas are exceptionally healthy with a wide variety of health benefits. Banana peels contain an extremely powerful antioxidant known as lutein that reduces swelling, redness and inflammation and it also promotes the growth of new and healthy cells. Esterified fatty acids extracted from bananas have been used in lotions to treat psoriasis and eczema. Therefore, rubbing a banana peel on your face can help in reducing the inflammation and redness associated with pimples.

Read more about benefits of banana peel

Strawberries

Strawberries are high in salicylic acid, one of the active ingredients used in several commercial acne treatments as it helps in getting rid of dead cells, opening up clogged pores, and in killing off the infection causing bacteria. It prevents clogging up of pores by shrinking them in size and also encourages the growth of new cells. Strawberries are also rich in vitamins, minerals, potent antioxidants and various other nutrients that help maintain proper health of the skin by repairing the damages to the skin. Applying a paste of strawberry and honey on the face provides excellent results because honey offers the added benefits of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera plant is widely used in the treating several skin conditions, including pimples and acne. Aloe vera gel contains active components that have analgesic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore applying the gel over the pimple affected area is effective in soothing the pain and inflammation as well as to get rid of bacterial infection.

Read more about benefits of aloe vera for skin

Baking soda

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is yet another compound that finds multitude of uses in beauty and health fields. It has exfoliating properties, which is beneficial in preventing and treating pimples. It helps in balancing the pH of the skin and in preventing the formation of pimples. Moreover, its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties help in reducing swelling and bacterial infection.

Did you know? Baking soda is natural alternative for microdermabrasion? click to read more

Fuller’s Earth / Multani Mitti

This clay has amazing cleansing properties. It can be applied by making paste with water to the skin and left for 20 minutes. When you wash with cold water, you shall find a clean fresh face. It helps to declog your pores on skin and thus prevents bursts of pimples due to their clogging and bacterial infection.  Read more about amazing benefits of fuller’s earth for your skin. 

Chironji

Chironji seeds or Charoli seeds are known for their benefits to skin. These seeds finds used in various cosmetic products. Charoli seeds can be soaked in milk and paste made from it can be applied to skin. As a scrub it has exfoliating effect, removing dirt and dead cells, thus help get rid of pimples and acnes.

Ajwain Seeds

Paste made from Ajwain seed powder and yogurt or honey can be applied to pimples. It is one of the simplest home remedy over pimples.

Amla / Indian Gooseberry

Amla offers wonderful astringent properties. This helps in cleansing of skin pores and thus reducing recurring pimples. Mix amla powder along with yogurt and turmeric to make homemade facial scrub for pimples. It also offers very good antibacterial properties.

Cloves

Clove oil has excellent anti bacterial properties which have been leveraged by skin specialists in enhancing skin health. It is found to be effective in curtailing growth of pimple and acne causing bacteria. Apply Clove oil to cotton ball and cleanse your skin. It will not only remove dirt from your pores, but also help reduce inflammation caused by pimples.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea is considered alternative to white tea and offers combination of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Rooibas tea either cold or lukewarm may be used to wash your face. This freshens up skin and helps prevent pimples. Alternately one can take steam of rooibos tea to cleanse skin pores and prevent frequent eruption of pimples. For another deep cleansing mask, rooibos tea can be mixed with kaolin clay and green tea powder.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It repairs damaged skin cells. It is effective in treating pimples, acnes and blackheads. Fenugreek leaves can be ground and paste can be applied to face. Leave it for 20 minutes, before you wash with lukewarm water. This is good remedy over pimples and acne.

Read more about benefits of fenugreek

Seabuckthorn berry

Tibetan and Mongolian medicine considers Seabuckthorn as “God Sent Medicine” or “holy fruit of Himalayas” and use them for treatment of various skin disorders including acne and pimples. Sea buckthorn oil can be applied directly to skin affected by pimples.

Camel Milk

Camel milk has strong antimicrobial and cleansing properties. It helps ward off pimple causing bacteria and get pimple free skin. Today camel milk forms part of wide range of skin products.

Capers

Capers have high amount of bioflavonoid – rutin that strengthens capillaries. It also helps relive inflammatory conditions like rosacea which leads to pimples and redness on skin. It also contains Quercetin which has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory property which can treat pimples.

Black gram

Black gram powder can be used as effective body scrub to cleanse skin of dirt and dead skin cells. It removes excessive oil from skin which leads to pimples. There are various ways in which one can use black gram powder. Mix equal quantities of black gram and red lentil powder and mix with cucumber juice. It can be used as face scrub. Alternately, equal quantities of blackgram powder, fuller’s earth, lemon juice and honey can be mixed and applied to skin to remove excessive oil.

Lemon peel

The acid in lemon peel helps remove excessive oil from skin which leads to pimples. Scrubbing your face with lemon peel is good way to treat pimples on your face.

Licorice

With excellent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, Licorice root is helpful for skin. It forms as ingredient in various skin anti-inflammatory creams. Paste made from licorice powder with rose water or milk can be applied to skin to reduce inflammation caused by pimples.

Neem

Neem has wonderful antibacterial properties. Neem water made from boiling neem leaves in water should be used to bath and clean your face in case you are suffering from frequent breakouts of acnes and pimples. Applying neem seed oil can also help prevent pimples. Home made face pack made from paste of neem leaves mixed with turmeric powder can be used as cure for pimples and acne. Applying paste of neem powder with yogurt and lemon juice can help reduce excessive production of sebum or oil in skin which often leads to clogging of pores and pimples.

Mint

Fresh mint juice can be used to wash face affected by pimples. External application of mint juice or mint leaves paste is considered home remedy for pimples.

Rose petals

Rose water has astringent effect and effective in cleansing skin and get rid of clogged pores. Face pack made from rose water and fuller’s earth may be used to prevent acen and pimples.

Basil leaves

Use of tulsi of basil leaves in skin treatment is not new. Tulsi is effective in treating various skin disorders including pimples. Tulsi leaves powder along with turmeric and gram flour can be mixed with water to make skin scrub. Tulsi leaves can be chewed and mixed with saliva; apply this to pimples.

Cilantro seeds

Coriander seeds are effective in treating pimples and blackhead. As home remedy for pimples, scrub made by mixing coriander seed powder with lemon and honey can be applied to face.

Guava

Guava fruit with antioxidant nutrients is helpful in enhancing skin health. With strong astringent properties, it is useful to get rid of acne and pimples. One can make paste by grinding fresh guava fruit along with fresh green guava leaves and milk. This paste can be applied to skin for 10-15 minutes for pimple and acne free skin.

People have different types of skin and there are tons of pimple treatment solutions on the market these days. What works for one individual might be completely useless for another. Natural remedies are inexpensive, easy and safe treatment methods that are easily available and effective at the same time. Plus they are devoid of any kind of harsh chemicals and toxic side effects.

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