Of course you understand the chaotic feeling when you wake up and look at yourself in the mirror and find a tiny red, inflamed bump that wasn't there the night before. You can choose to let it go and enjoy life regardless, or you can take action to deal with it and try to prevent another pimple from appearing. When you are in an emergency and need to minimize acne as quickly as possible, try the steps below.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Treating Acne
Step 1. Try using sea salt
Mix one teaspoon of sea salt with two tablespoons of warm water. Use a cotton bud to apply salt water directly to the pimple. Don't rinse it off. Sea salt will kill bacteria and dry out the pimple.
Step 2. Try benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria that cause acne. Benzoyl peroxide is packaged in different concentrations, but a 2.5% concentration has the same benefits as a 5 to 10% concentration, and lower concentrations cause less irritation to the skin. Benzoyl peroxide also exfoliates dead skin layers, so the skin will be renewed to look bright and young again.
Step 3. Use salicylic acid
Like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid kills acne-causing bacteria. Salicylic acid is also useful for shedding dead skin cells faster, so the growth of new skin cells will run faster. Apply a small amount of salicylic acid to the acne spots. Do it after you wash your face.
Step 4. Try tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an antibacterial essential oil that can eradicate the microbes that have begun to lodge in the pores of your skin. With a dropper, moisten a cotton swab with a small amount of tea tree oil, then apply it to the pimple as needed, making sure you don't apply too much.
Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the redness and size of the pimple, making it less visible and less visible
Step 5. Crush the aspirin tablets
Crush the aspirin tablet, then add enough water to make the aspirin powder form a paste. With a cotton swab, apply the aspirin paste on the pimple until it forms a thin layer. Make sure that the pimple is completely covered by the aspirin paste, then allow it to dry. Aspirin also contains substances that function to prevent inflammation of the skin, so that acne subsides and does not stand out anymore. Let the aspirin paste work against the pimple for one night.
Step 6. Apply astringent to the affected area
Astringent is a substance that causes contraction of the skin, or in other words, shrinking. Some types of astringents from pharmacies contain antimicrobial ingredients, which in addition to reducing the size of pimples are also useful for eradicating them. Here are some types of astringents you can use:
- Over-the-counter astringents. There are many types and sizes of astringents for sale. Look for astringents that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Tell the store clerk that you need an astringent that is not too harsh on the skin.
-
Natural astringents can also be used in an emergency. Some examples are:
- Lemon juice. The citric acid in lemon juice will kill acne-causing bacteria and tighten the skin. Many people believe in its properties. Slice a lemon, then rub it on the acne-prone area. After that, use a toner to balance the PH of the skin. Lemons are very acidic and can mess with the skin's PH balance, so you need a toner after using it.
- Banana peel. Banana peels are beneficial in treating insect and mosquito bites, and can be beneficial in reducing the size of pimples. Just rub a banana peel on the acne-prone area.
- witch hazel. This is another type of astringent that is also good and widely used. Look for witch hazel that doesn't contain alcohol. Apply a small amount of witch hazel to the acne-prone area, then let it dry.
- Green tea. Green tea is an astringent that contains many antioxidants, which are substances that are useful in reducing signs of aging by fighting free radicals. Dip a green tea bag in hot water, then remove the bag, then place it on the acne-prone area for a few moments.
Step 7. Use egg oil
Egg oil is effective for removing acne and preventing the formation of scars.
- Wash your hands with soap or use a sanitizing agent before using egg oil.
- Use your fingers that have been coated with egg oil to gently massage the pimple area, and do this twice a day until the wound is gone.
- Rinse your face using a mild dishwashing liquid after an hour.
Part 2 of 3: Reducing Redness
Step 1. Apply ice to the affected area
The swelling of the pimple should be reduced in this way because the blood flow to the area of the skin where the ice cube is applied will slow down. You can apply an ice cube to the pimple directly, or you can cover it with gauze or a light towel.
Step 2. Apply eye drops on the affected area
Eye drops, one of which is to reduce redness in the eyes, can be used to reduce redness and irritation of acne as well. Dab drops on a cotton ball, then apply an appropriate amount on the pimple.
Since cold temperatures can also relieve inflammation of the pimple, store a cotton swab moistened with eye drops in the freezer before you apply it. A cool cotton swab can reduce inflammation, so that the redness of the pimple will subside
Step 3. Try to use natural antihistamines
Antihistamines suppress the swelling effect in human skin tissue. Most antihistamines can be taken in pill form, but some can be taken in tea form or applied directly. Antihistamines can reduce the redness of the pimple. Here are some types of herbs that include natural antihistamines:
- Nettle. This may sound strange because touching nettle in the wild can cause a rash not much different from acne. However, some doctors recommend that nettle is used after it has been dried and frozen, and this processed nettle has been shown to reduce the levels of histamine produced by the body.
- Coltsfoot may be effective as a natural antihistamine. Europeans have long used this plant to treat skin problems. Coltsfoot leaves can be ground into a paste, or coltsfoot can also be processed into an extract, so it can be taken in pill form.
- Basil can also be used as a natural antihistamine. Heat a few sprigs of basil with steam, then gently apply it to the pimple. Basil can help to "teach" our bodies that the substances that cause acne are not a danger to be fought against.
Part 3 of 3: General Tips
Step 1. Clean your face twice a day
Try to clean your face twice a day. Remember that you should touch your face gently, and make sure that you don't use towels or other dirty objects when cleaning your face, because acne is caused by bacteria, and bacteria can be found on dirty towels.
- Use a facial scrub once a week to exfoliate skin cells. Exfoliating the skin means cleaning the outermost layer of skin which consists of dead cells, namely the epidermis. Doing it once a week is a healthy habit.
- Moisturize your skin every time you clean your face. Skin is one of the organs of the body. Like the kidneys, the skin needs to be moisturized to be healthy. Use moisturizer as needed every time you clean your face.
Step 2. Don't touch your face
Try not to touch your face - either intentionally or not. Your hands are dirty, and can "transfer" bacteria to your face. The less your hands touch your face, the more comfortable your face will feel and the better it will look.
Step 3. Exercise
Exercise is a good way to get rid of acne. When you exercise, stress will be released. Stress is a cause of acne, although doctors still don't understand its effects.
- Find a healthy way to release stress and anxiety by exercising. Join a sports team, start working out at the gym, or push yourself to break the boundaries of your workout routine. All these steps can make the skin look brighter.
- Make sure that you shower after you finish exercising, because you sweat when you exercise. (At least if you really take your workout seriously, you'll definitely sweat it out). Dirt, salt, and dead skin cells build up after a strenuous workout.
Step 4. Reduce your intake of sugary foods
To keep your skin looking healthy, try reducing your sugar intake. Sugar can cause inflammation and trigger new pimples or make existing ones worse. Sweets, chocolate, and high-calorie soda you should avoid entirely.
Step 5. Don't drink alcohol
Alcohol can make acne worse. Alcoholic beverages can make acne worse. Alcohol dehydrates the body, leaving the body in a state of deprivation of the core water content it needs. Alcohol also contains a lot of sugar, so it may be associated with acne growth. These two facts show that if you want to stay safe from acne, cut down on alcohol consumption and watch your body react. Just drink lots of water.
Step 6. Don't pop the pimple
Do not crack, squeeze, poke, rub, scratch, or touch the pimple in any way, except when you are applying the medicine. Touching the pimple directly will make the redness and inflammation worse. This is easy to say, but hard to do. If you don't pop the pimple, you can reduce the size of the scar and can get rid of the pimple much faster.
Tips
- Make sure that you dry your face by patting your skin as rubbing will only make it redder.
- Don't touch the pimple. Hands are very oily, and also contain a lot of germs. Touching a pimple can cause an infection.
- Be careful when using toothpaste. Toothpaste can dry out your skin, so make sure that you rehydrate your skin afterwards. Don't apply it near your eyes - don't let the toothpaste get into your eyes.
- You can also mix baking soda with toothpaste. The mixture can reduce irritation to the skin and free it from acne. Apply the mixture on the face, then leave it overnight.
- Ignore people who say that sugar and chocolate cause acne. That's not true. In general, a bad diet can cause acne, including foods that are sensitive to your body. Some people do not experience any effects after eating chocolate, but instead breakouts after eating cheese! The important thing is to make sure that you eat a healthy and balanced diet, and remember which foods cause acne.
- Applying an ice cube to the acne-prone area can temporarily reduce redness.
- NEVER take a shower right after a workout because it's not good for your skin and will also clog your pores, so wait 30 minutes before showering. Taking a shower right after exercising is not good for the body because of the sudden change in body temperature, which can cause many problems in the body.
- Apply apple cider vinegar overnight. It smells bad, but it might be useful.
- Products such as aloe vera gel and charcoal soap can clean the area of acne and reduce oil content. Applying these products repeatedly can also prevent freckles and acne. Aloe vera gel can also be mixed with baking soda for increased effectiveness.
