How To Get Rid Of Pimples Naturally?
Pimple breakouts can be frustrating, especially when you have somewhere to go. But, thankfully, there are some home remedies for pimples that may help you to reduce them and you can easily include them in your skincare routine.
Note: Perform a patch test before using any natural remedies to check for allergies or adverse reactions. If you notice any swelling, redness, or irritation, stop using the ingredient immediately.
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is considered one of the best overnight home remedies for acne. It is known to possess antimicrobial properties (2). This may help in reducing the occurrence of pimples, inflamed lesions, and zits on your skin. Do not apply tea tree oil topically if you are allergic to it as it may cause a burning sensation on your skin.
What You Can Do: Mix 2-3 drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil (sweet almond oil or jojoba oil). Apply this mixture on the pimples. Leave it on for an hour before washing it off. Repeat once daily until the redness and inflammation reduction.
2. Argan Oil
Argan oil contains bioactive groups of compounds like carotenes, xanthophylls, and tocopherols that possess antimicrobial properties (3). A cream containing argan oil was found to reduce sebum production (4). These properties may help in reducing the infection around the pimple and preventing the clogging of pores with sebum.
What You Can Do: You will need a few drops of argan oil and carrier oil. Mix them and apply it on the pimple using a sterile cotton ball. You can do this 3-4 times a day.
3. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties (5), (6). These properties can help in healing the inflamed lesions that occur due to pimples and can also prevent mild cases of acne.
What You Can Do: Mix a few drops of jojoba oil with a carrier oil like sweet almond oil. Dab some of this mixture on a cotton ball and apply it on the pimple. You can do this about 3-4 times a day.
4. Castor Oil
The main component of castor oil is ricinoleic acid, which exhibits anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties (7). These properties may help mitigate the inflammation and infection around the pimple. Castor oil may cause irritation in certain skin types. Hence, do a patch test before you use it on the affected area.
What You Can Do: Boil some water to steam your face. Apply a mixture of castor oil and olive oil to your face and pat it dry. You can leave it on overnight and rinse thoroughly. You can do this twice a week.
5. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is commonly known as magnesium sulfate. It is generally known to reduce inflammation and soothe the skin (8). It may help reduce swelling around the pimple and reduce its appearance. Epsom salt can cause an allergic reaction in some people. You must seek immediate medical attention if you experience skin irritation, shortness of breath, or swelling of lips.
What You Can Do: Take 2 cups of warm water and add 2-3 teaspoons of Epsom salt to it. Soak a clean washcloth in this solution and place it on your face until it cools. Rinse thoroughly. You can do this twice a week.
6. Fish Oil
Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties (9). These properties may help reduce the swelling caused by pimples and the secretion of oil by the oil glands. Fish oil supplements also showed promise in improving overall acne severity (10). However, more research is needed to establish the efficacy of this treatment. Remember to consult your doctor before taking these supplements.
7. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesici properties that can help reduce pain and inflammation (11). Lauric acid, the major component of coconut oil, exhibits antimicrobial properties (12). This may help reduce the infection around a pimple. Avoid coconut oil if you have oily skin as it is highly comedogenic and can clog the pores.
What You Can Do: Take a teaspoon of virgin coconut oil and apply it to the affected area. You can leave it on for a few hours and repeat it twice a day.
8. Garlic
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Garlic contains allicin that exhibits antimicrobial properties (13). This can help reduce the infection around the pimple and prevent frequent breakouts. However, garlic may cause irritation and skin damage if left on for too long.
What You Can Do: Crush a few garlic cloves and add it to a heated saucepan with 100 mL of olive oil. Heat for about 3-5 minutes on medium flame and cool it. Strain the oil and apply it to the affected area with a cotton ball. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and then wash it off. You may do this twice a day.
9. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has long been used for its therapeutic effect on skin disorders. Aloe vera possesses antimicrobial and wound-healing properties and is also known for being effective in exfoliating the skin (14). Both these properties can promote faster healing and prevent further breakouts.
What You Can Do: Apply aloe vera gel on the pimple. You can leave it on overnight and wash it off the next morning.
10. Honey
Using honey for acne may be an effective treatment, as it possesses antibacterial properties (15). This may help reduce the infection that causes pimples.
What You Can Do: Dab some honey on a cotton ball and apply it to the pimple. You can do this 3-4 times a day until the pimple goes away.
11. Lemon
Lemon essential oil is rich in vitamin C or ascorbic acid that exhibits antibacterial property (16). This may help fight the infection that causes pimples and prevent further breakouts. Lemon juice can cause a stinging sensation on your skin. Do a patch test on your skin before trying this remedy. Also, lemon juice can make your skin photosensitive. Hence, make sure you apply sunscreen before you step out.
What You Can Do: Take a teaspoon each of lemon juice and honey. Dab this mixture on a cotton ball and apply to the affected area. Rinse off after 5-6 minutes. You can do this once or twice daily.
12. Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, which showed significant improvement in acne in a study (17). Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties (18). These properties may help reduce the occurrence of pimples.
What You Can Do: Make a thick paste with water and a teaspoon of turmeric powder. Apply this paste on the pimple and rinse it off once it dries. You can do this twice a day. Do not apply turmeric paste topically if you are allergic to it.
13. Green Tea
Green tea is rich in polyphenols that can help regulate the secretion of sebum by the oil glands in your skin (19). This may help reduce the occurrence of pimples. Green tea also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce the swelling around the affected area.
What You Can Do: Take out the green tea leaves from two tea bags. Moisten them in warm water and mix with some aloe vera gel. Use this as a mask and leave it on for 15 minutes. Wash off with water. Apply this pack twice a week.
14. Brewer’s Yeast
Research shows that brewer’s yeast can help reduce acne (20), (21). It is commonly used in Eastern Europe to treat acne. Brewer’s yeast is a common name referring to all types of yeast used in brewing. It contains protein, B vitamins, and minerals. In a study conducted on 139 people who dealt with acne, 80% of the participants showed improvement upon taking a type of Brewer’s yeast over a period of 5 months (22).
What You Can Do: You can consume 2 g of dried Brewer’s yeast per day. You can find Brewer’s yeast at a grocery or organic store or buy it online.
15. Ice
Ice is a quick way to soothe pimples as well as the redness, swelling, or pain associated with it.
What You Can Do: Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean cloth. Wash your face and pat it dry. Gently run the wrapped ice cubes over your skin. Don’t keep this ice pack in one spot for too long. You can also crush the ice cubes once they are wrapped in the cloth, but make sure the tool you use for crushing them is clean.
Quick Tip
As an alternative, you can apply a warm compress or a steam facial to manage blind pimples.
16. Rose Water
Research suggests that rose water is extremely moisturizing and can be used to minimize acne (23). It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may soothe and reduce pimples. Rose also has astringent properties that can shrink pores (24).
What You Can Do: Pour some rose water into a spray bottle. Spritz the rose water on the pimples throughout the day. You can also dab a cotton pad soaked in rose water and apply it to the affected area.
17. Frankincense Essential Oil
You can use frankincense essential oil to reduce acne and balance hormones through aromatherapy (25). It can also soothe inflammation, reduce oiliness on the skin, and fight bacterial and fungal infections, among other benefits (26).
What You Can Do: Mix 2-3 drops of frankincense oil with a carrier oil like jojoba oil or coconut oil. Dab it on the affected area and let it get absorbed into the skin. You can also pour a few drops of this oil into a diffuser and place it in the room you are sitting in.
18. A Sulfur Mask
Sulfur unclogs blocked pores and can inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes. It has shown to be an effective clinical topical agent in managing acne (21).
What You Can Do: Sulfur may cause irritation, so use it in 1-10% concentration. You can find this amount in certain soaps, face washes, creams, and ointments.
19. Vicks Vaporub
Many people claim that Vicks Vaporub reduces acne symptoms, although there is no scientific evidence backing this claim. Some believe that this product can soothe acne because it contains eucalyptus oil, which is known to aid in acne management. Others claim that the cooling effect of the product sucks up the excess oil, and help in cleansing, leaving your skin clean, dry, and fresh.
Note: Do not apply Vicks Vaporub near your eyes as it can cause an intense burning sensation. If you feel a burning sensation or inflammation after applying it to your skin, wash it off with cool water immediately.
What You Can Do: Dab a little Vicks Vaporub onto a cotton swab and gently apply it over the affected area. You can leave it on for an hour or overnight. Be careful not to rub your face too much if you leave it on your skin overnight to avoid getting it into your eyes. Wash it off in the morning.
Quick Tip
You can also use crushed mint leaves directly on pimples as the menthol in mint may give your skin cooling and relaxing sensation.
20. Stress Relief
Stress can also cause acne symptoms like pimples. A study showed that participants with higher stress levels had more severe acne (27). Another study conducted in 17 Korean hospitals showed that psychological stress was a triggering factor for acne in 82% of the patients (27),(28).
What You Can Do: Try out stress-relieving therapies like exercise, yoga, meditation, or laughing therapy. You can also talk to a psychologist. Breathing exercises are another good stress management method.
21. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has gained popularity as a natural remedy for pimples due to its antibacterial and acidic properties. The acetic acid in ACV may help kill bacteria, including the acne-causing P. acnes. Additionally, its natural acids exfoliate the skin, unclogging pores (29). Start with a highly diluted solution and gradually adjust the ratio according to your skin’s tolerance. If you notice any irritation or redness, stop using it and consult a dermatologist. Perform a patch test to avoid adverse reactions. Those with dry skin should not use ACV as it may dry out the skin even more.
What You Can Do: Mix one part of ACV with three parts of water to create a diluted solution. Use a clean cotton ball to apply this mixture directly onto the affected areas after cleansing your face. Leave it on for a few minutes, then wash your face.
Besides these natural remedies, you can also go for some medical treatments to get rid of pimples. Learn more about them in the next section.
Medical Treatment For Pimples
Over-The-Counter Treatments: Using an over-the-counter 0.1% adapalene gel on the pimples can help in treating them (30). Other topical retinoidsi can be used too, like tretinoin (21).
Spot Treatments: Medicated ointments or cleansers that contain salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can be applied on the pimple or the clogged pore on your skin (31). These are known as spot treatments and can help dry out the pimple.
Antibiotic Treatments: Topical antibiotics like clindamycin and erythromycin can help manage acne (21).
Combination Therapies: In most cases, dermatologists may recommend a combination of therapies to treat acne (21). They may pair retinol with benzoyl peroxide and suggest some antibiotics as well.
Non-Comedogenic Sunscreen: Make sure that you use non-comedogenic sunscreen lotions as these can help prevent the clogging of pores on your skin. This, in turn, can reduce the occurrence of pimples from these pores.
Ruri Ohama, a vlogger, shared her eight-year struggle with acne and her journey to clear skin. She explained that her acne was hormonal and stress-induced. She was prescribed Accutane, a medication for severe acne, which finally cured her acne. She said, “I’m feeling good, and the only thing that I regret is not starting Accutane earlier (i).” She warned viewers against taking this strong drug without a medical prescription.
Now, let’s talk about when you need to see a doctor to get treatment for your pimples.
When To See A Doctor
If you have a mild or moderate case of pimples, it will take about 4-6 weeks to subside completely. But if it persists, you will need to consult your dermatologist. They will be able to determine why over-the-counter options have not worked in your favor. This could have happened due to medication side effects, underlying issues, such as hormonal changes, or due to nodules or cystic acne, which is difficult to manage with home remedies.
Diet That Can Control Breakouts
Certain processed foods, such as dairy products, pasta, sweetened cereal, bread, and instant foods, have a high glycemic index. These foods may cause insulin resistance and may lead to changes in sebum production, resulting in acne (32).
You must take care to decrease the intake of high GI foods and include foods rich in dietary fiber and fatty acids (from salmon and mackerel). Studies suggest that the intake of foods with a low glycemic index and low fat can reduce the occurrence of acne (these are associated with an increased incidence of (33). Consuming antioxidants in the form of fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and other vegetables rich in vitamin A and zinc also have a therapeutic effect on acne.
But if you want to learn how to prevent acne, then you may want to keep certain skin care tips in mind. Scroll down to read about them!
How Can I Prevent Pimples?
1. Wash your face diligently: Your face can gather dirt and grime over the day, and this can lead to the clogging of the pores and, eventually, pimples. Washing your face well can ensure that the pores are not clogged. Make sure you use non-comedogenic products.2. Don’t pop your pimples:
You must never touch or pop your pimples as this can cause the infection to spread and lead to further breakouts. Always avoid excessive touching of the face.
3. Stay hydrated: Water is your best friend! Staying hydrated ensures that your skin is replenished and your pores don’t remain clogged by the excessive production of sebum.
4. Limit the use of makeup: If you have skin that is prone to pimples, you should not use makeup too frequently. This can aggravate the issue as it can lead to further clogging of your pores and trigger pimples.
5. Lifestyle Changes: Avoid foods like processed foods, dairy products, etc. as these are associated with an increased incidence of acne (34). Make sure that you work out regularly as this can help replenish your skin. Also, make sure that you can get adequate rest.
Pimples are a common occurrence. These natural methods may not work for everyone but are worth trying out. If they have no effect on your pimples, you might have other underlying issues that are causing these outbreaks. Consult your dermatologist in such cases.
Infographic: Dos And Don’ts While Treating Pimples
Pimples are annoying. No one likes getting one, especially around important days or events where you want to look flawless. While you can get rid of them with some easy remedies, certain precautions may help accelerate the process of eliminating them.
