Most people have suffered from outbreaks of acne at some point, caused by hormones or stress. Contrary to popular belief, acne doesn't mean your skin is dirty or unclean - in fact, over-cleaning your skin can make your skin irritation worse. However, hormones can't be controlled, and there are some changes you can make to get rid of your acne. You can have glowing, healthy, and acne-free skin in no time.
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Method 1 of 3: Handling at Home
Step 1. Wash your face twice a day
The first step to getting clear skin is to start a regular skin cleansing routine. You have to work hard and force yourself to wash your face when you wake up in the morning and before going to bed at night. Even if you are very tired or busy, take a few extra minutes to treat your skin to reduce your acne significantly.
- Wash your face for at least a minute. This long washing time is needed so that all acne-causing bacteria can die.
- If you have acne on other parts of your body like your shoulders, back, and chest, scrub these areas twice a day as well.
- If you wear makeup, never go to bed before washing it off thoroughly. Sleeping with your face on will increase your number of pimples and make getting rid of them more difficult. Use an oil-free makeup remover before washing it off with your regular cleanser to make sure all makeup residue has been removed.
Step 2. Use a product that contains benzoyl peroxide
You can use benzoyl peroxide in either a soap or lotion form on acne-prone areas. This product works to clean dead skin and helps your skin to renew new and clean cells more quickly. Look for products that contain 3% benzoyl peroxide or less to avoid irritating your skin.
Step 3. Try products that contain salicylic acid
This acid, similar to benzoyl peroxide, works to exfoliate dead skin cells and encourage new skin growth. As a result, you may experience dry, scaly skin around your pimple, but this will fade over time as your skin begins to regenerate more quickly. Use daily in the form of a cleanser or a topical medication on the areas of your skin affected by acne.
Step 4. Use a cleaner containing sulfur
While we don't know exactly why sulfur is such a great acne fighter, we do know that sulfur is very useful for treating acne. Look for products that contain sulfur to clear your acne, perhaps by reducing oil production.
Use Ornidazole gel - A watery but highly effective gel. As an alternative to this gel, you can use products that contain Poly-Hydroxy or Myrtacine acids. This remedy is really effective for getting rid of pimples on acne-prone skin.
Step 1. Use retinoids
Retinoid cleansers contain very high levels of vitamin A, which helps clear clogged pores and break down dirt. You can buy retinoid products over the counter or get a prescription from your doctor.
Step 2. Look for products that contain azelaic acid
Azelaic acid is an antibacterial that also helps reduce redness and inflammation and is naturally found in wheat and barley. If your acne tends to leave dark marks on your skin, try a product that contains azelaic acid to clear pores and reduce dark spots caused by acne.
Step 3. Use ointment
Ointment is a special product that is only applied to acne spots and not applied to the entire face. Purchase ointments at your local drugstore or you can make your own using ingredients you probably already have in your home.
- Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it on your pimples. Do this every night before going to bed and rinse in the morning to wash off bacteria and get rid of dead skin.
- Aspirin tablets that have been crushed can be mixed with water, then applied to the pimple to reduce redness and swelling.
- In a pinch, try applying a small amount of whitening toothpaste to dry the pimple and reduce redness.
Step 4. Use a face mask
Face masks contain compounds that soothe your skin and kill bacteria. Use a face mask 2-3 times a week for 15-20 minutes to dry your skin and clean your pores. Purchase a face mask at your local beauty supply or drugstore, or you can make your own at home.
- Use a "mask" of olive oil rubbed on your face. Apply it in a thick layer on your skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water, make sure all the remaining oil has been thoroughly cleaned.
- Make a mixture of cucumber and oatmeal. Cucumber helps reduce redness and remove dark spots while oatmeal softens and soothes irritated skin. Blend the two ingredients in a food processor until they form a paste, then apply it on your skin for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
- Apply a thin layer of honey on your skin, and leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
- Try using egg whites to clean and close large pores. Separate the yolk from an egg or two, lightly beat the egg white, and apply it on your face. You will notice that your pores tighten as the egg white dries, leave it on until it dries completely. Rinse the egg whites with warm water.
Step 5. Apply essential oil on the active pimple
Some essential oils are thought to have antimicrobial properties, which can kill acne-causing bacteria. Apply one drop to each pimple, or moisten a cotton swab and rub it over the problem area. Some popular choices include lavender, rosemary, thyme, and sandalwood.
Step 6. Exfoliate the face
Exfoliants are gentle scrubbing products that work to exfoliate dead skin cells that remain on the skin and cause acne. Purchase a gentle exfoliant at your local drugstore or make your own at home using household ingredients.
- Make a paste of baking soda and water (similar to an ointment) and gently rub it in circular motions around your face. This action will kill bacteria and remove dead skin cells at the same time.
- If you have sensitive skin, consider using oatmeal as an exfoliant. Mix oatmeal with honey and rub it on your face for 2-3 minutes, and gently rinse off the residue with warm water.
- For very dry skin, use coffee grounds mixed with a regular facial cleanser. Coarse pulp will produce a coarser exfoliant, while fine pulp will be a gentler exfoliant for sensitive skin.
Step 7. Try tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an antibacterial agent that can help wash away the microbes that clog your skin. Apply the oil on a cotton bud, and gently dab it on the pimple. Avoid using too much tea tree oil - it can burn your skin, and make skin redness worse.
Step 8. Use toner after cleansing your face
After you wash your face, exfoliate, or apply a face mask, apply the toner all over your face. Toner works to tighten the pores so as to minimize the possibility of dirt and oil trapped in them. Purchase an acne toner at your local drugstore, or use witch hazel or apple cider vinegar applied to a cotton swab. Don't rinse off the toner after you've applied it - let it sit on your skin.
Step 9. Always use a moisturizer
Oily skin produces pimples, and if your skin is very dry your body will compensate by making extra oil. To prevent this from happening, use a gentle moisturizer after you wash your face every morning and evening. Apply moisturizer after using toner.
Method 2 of 3: Treat it at a Dermatologist or Spa
Step 1. Do facials
Most spas provide this, and involve the use of several different cleansers, masks, and extraction tools to reduce acne on your face. If you don't feel comfortable leaving your facial treatment to a beautician, visit a dermatologist for a more medically oriented facial.
Step 2. Do a facial peel
Facial peels are special gels that contain acids that dissolve dead skin cells and bacteria. Doing it regularly can reduce acne over time in addition to your regular skin care regimen.
Step 3. Try microdermabrasion
This is a process in which your skin is "sanded" to produce new skin growth. The most effective way is to do a microdermabrasion treatment once a week for a few months, because each treatment only affects the outermost layer of the skin.
Step 4. Perform laser treatment
It's true - use a laser to get rid of your pimples. Today, many dermatologists offer treatment using a laser to shoot a powerful burst of light to kill the overactive oil-producing glands under your skin. This process can be painful, but it has been shown to reduce acne by 50% on average.
Step 5. Try light therapy
Unlike laser treatment, which is painful, light therapy uses light pulses fired by a special wand to help kill bacteria. Certain light colors (including red, green, and blue) have been shown to have a positive effect on killing acne. Ask your dermatologist if light treatment is a good option for you.
Step 6. Use prescription medication
Certain medications prescribed by a dermatologist can help you manage very severe cases of acne, but they should be used with caution. As with all medicines, unwanted side effects can occur in a minority of users.
- Using a special contraceptive device or medication (for women) can help regulate hormones that can lead to bad acne. Ask a dermatologist if this procedure could be a good option for you.
- If the acne is very troublesome, you can use a special medication known as accutane. This is a very powerful retinoid treatment that has been shown to clear almost all acne in its users. However, this drug has the most serious side effects among other acne medications and should be used with caution.
Method 3 of 3: Treating Acne with Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Exercise regularly
Exercising is very useful to help reduce your acne. Exercise can release endorphins that reduce stress levels thereby reducing oil production, and also make you sweat which washes away dead skin cells. Try exercising daily for at least thirty minutes to help reduce acne not only on your face, but also on your chest, shoulders, and back.
Step 2. Don't touch your face
This is indeed very difficult, because people tend to touch their faces regularly. Be careful when scratching your face, resting your face on your hands, and picking at pimples. Don't squeeze your pimple or squeeze your annoying blackheads, as this will introduce more bacteria to your skin and will make your acne worse.
Step 3. Take frequent showers
While you may want to keep your water bill down, showering regularly helps keep oil production low, kills bacteria, and removes dead skin cells. Wash your entire body with a gentle cleanser and use a shampoo that limits oil production in your hair. Make sure that you always shower after exercising to remove the dead skin cells on your body that slough off when you sweat.
Step 4. Eat healthy
Foods that are processed too long and contain a lot of oil can increase the number of pimples on your body. Consuming the right amount of nutrients from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and protein helps your skin to regenerate faster and limits the production of unnecessary oil. Whenever possible, avoid processed or high-sugar foods (think junk food).
Step 5. Get at least eight hours of sleep
Sleeping is like killing two birds with one stone, because sleep helps relax your body and remove toxins from the body. If you don't get enough sleep, your skin doesn't have the time or ability to renew its skin cells. Regulate your sleep cycle by going to bed at the same time every night and getting at least eight hours of sleep.
Step 6. Drink lots of water
While we've all heard that we should drink eight glasses of water a day, there's no fixed amount of water that you should be drinking. Water helps flush toxins from your body and cleanses your skin, so make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Step 7. Relax your body and mind
High stress levels cause oil production to increase, so do your mind and skin a favor by giving yourself time to relax. Take a shower, read a book, meditate, or practice yoga and see how your skin changes in response to your actions.
Step 8. Wash all fabrics and clothes
Any fabrics that come into contact with your skin on a regular basis – clothes, towels, pillowcases, and bed sheets – should be washed at least once a week to remove the oils and bacteria that build up over time. Use a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin to help with your acne problem.
Step 9. Apply oil-free makeup
If you wear make-up, you can get caught in a vicious cycle of covering up pimples and causing pimples by using them to cover up pimples. Look for oil-free, acne-fighting mineral makeup to help prevent your acne from getting worse while hiding your pimple. If possible, avoid wearing makeup as it can clog your pores throughout the day.
Tips
- Don't use too many acne treatments at once, because if one of them works, you won't know which one worked. Instead, use only one product at a time and treat your acne through different methods until you find one that actually works.
- Try to be patient. It's possible that pimples appear overnight, but most medications won't get rid of them overnight. However, with persistence, you will eventually get clear skin.
Warning
- Wear sunscreen if you apply a topical acne treatment such as salicylic acid. These chemicals do fight acne, but they also make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
- If you are pregnant (and pregnant women often have acne) consult a doctor before using the product whatever which are sold freely without a doctor's prescription.
