Have you ever woken up and looked in the mirror and saw a red pimple that stood out? Pimples are a part of life for some people, but the swelling and redness it brings is not appropriate. Like preventing or fighting acne, reducing the swelling and redness of a pimple can be an uphill battle if you don't know what you're doing. Fortunately, there are several tried and true methods of doing so. We'll show you how.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Temporary Repair
Step 1. Apply witch hazel to reduce redness and swelling
Witch hazel is a plant that is often used as an astringent, meaning it temporarily refreshes the skin. But witch hazel is also a common acne remedy to reduce itching and redness. While using witch hazel will likely not "treat" your acne, it will certainly soothe irritated skin and help reduce acne breakouts.
Witch hazel is usually available as an astringent. You can buy witch hazel in an alcoholic or non-alcoholic formula (it usually comes in a liquid containing approximately 14% alcohol), but we recommend not buying alcoholic witch hazel. Alcohol can dry out and irritate the skin
Step 2. Use ice cubes
This temporary method is especially helpful if your pimple is red or sore. Use an ice cube that has been removed from the freezer for a few minutes, then hold it on the pimple to reduce swelling. The cold helps constrict the blood vessels under the skin, minimizing the appearance and redness of pimples.
Step 3. Use a soaked tea bag to cover the area
Let the tea bag sit in the warm water for one minute; black tea is especially helpful. (You can drink the tea afterwards if you want a healthy snack.) Remove the tea bag and squeeze out most of the liquid from the bag. Then wait for the tea bag to cool down a bit and gently place it over the pimple.
Tea bags contain a lot of tannins. These tannins help reduce swelling, and are commonly used on the skin to treat problems such as puffy eyes
Step 4. Try taking ibuprofen substitute serrapeptase to reduce inflammation
Serrapeptase is a naturally occurring chemical extracted from silkworms and has been legally classified as a dietary supplement. Serrapeptase reduces inflammation by breaking down proteins more quickly and more effectively.
Step 5. Make a dough out of aspirin to reduce redness and swelling
Aspirin is a popular home remedy used to fight redness and swelling. That's because aspirin contains salicylic acid, which is a chemical used to reduce minor pain and inflammation. Aspirin is supposed to reduce swelling while drying out the pimple, giving you additional benefits.
- Crush the aspirin tablets into a fine powder, then mix them with water, a few drops at a time. Add enough water to make a gritty dough.
- With a cotton swab or cotton bud, apply the dough on the pimple, completely covering it.
- Allow the dough to harden on the pimple and let it settle for a few hours. Many people choose to mix and apply the mixture on their pimples before going to bed, washing off the aspirin mixture in the morning while washing their face.
Step 6. Consider using toothpaste to reduce the size of the pimple
Toothpaste is a popular home remedy for reducing the size of pimples. While it's possible for toothpaste to dry out pimples because it contains certain ingredients – baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, triclosan, and more – toothpaste is not much better at treating acne than the other options. There is some evidence that toothpaste can even irritate your skin, so be careful with this home remedy.
Use cream toothpaste instead of gel toothpaste. Cream toothpaste contains ingredients that are supposed to dry out and reduce the swelling of your pimple, which the gel variety doesn't always contain
Step 7. Try neen tree and tea tree oil to reduce swelling
Both of these essential oils come from trees; It works to reduce swelling by fighting acne-producing bacteria. While neem is a cure all for many ailments, tea tree oil is very helpful for treating infections and skin ailments.
Since both essential oils can be irritating in their natural form (it's not a good thing to use too much of a good thing), dissolve the oil in water before applying it. Then use a cotton bud to rub the oil on the pimple, leave it for 10-20 minutes. Delete afterwards
Step 8. Try a clay mask
Clay masks are very useful for removing moisture from the skin, helping to treat inflammation and removing pus from acne. Pores can appear smaller and tighter for most patients after wearing a clay mask. For best results, apply the mask on the entire face once a week and then treat as needed in between for problematic acne.
Step 9. Try lime, cucumber, or tomato
This trifecta of natural ingredients has helped reduce inflammation for many patients who seek help at home. Although they work in different ways, they are believed to fight acne with the same tenacity. However, there is no scientific evidence that this natural ingredient can cure acne or reduce inflammation, so use it at your own discretion.
- Slice a lime and place it on the skin, closing the pimple. The citric acid in lime juice is supposed to fight acne bacteria and even help heal acne scars. Note that the application of lemon juice will sting.
- Cucumber is known to be anti-inflammatory. Cut a slice of cucumber and place it over the pimple. Cucumbers are supposed to refresh the skin while reducing inflammation.
- The mild acidity of tomatoes helps fight acne. In fact, most acne medications use vitamin A and vitamin C – sources found in tomatoes. Cut a slice of tomato and apply it over the pimple, leaving it for no more than an hour.
Method 2 of 2: Long Term Treatment
Step 1. Confirm your skin type
Everyone has a specific skin type: normal, dry, sensitive, oily or combination. Knowing your skin type helps you find the right skin care products and results in an active treatment while minimizing irritation. If you don't know your skin type, you can ask a dermatologist, make-up stylist or clerk at a skincare/make-up store. They can examine your skin and provide suggestions for skin care.
- Normal: invisible pores, not sensitive, nice skin tone.
- Dry: small pores, red spots, inelasticity, dull skin tone.
- Sensitivity: You experience redness, itching, burning or dryness when exposed to an irritant.
- Oily: larger pores, shiny skin tone, presence of blackheads, acne and other blemishes.
- Combination: normal in some areas, dry or oily in others, especially the T zone.
Step 2. Wash your face twice a day with a mild soap or cleanser
Try to be as gentle on the affected area as possible and use warm water, not hot water. Brands like Dove, Jergens, and Dial make mild soaps designed to cleanse skin without drying or irritating it. You can also use a facial cleanser with salicylic acid, a compound that helps get rid of and prevent acne.
Wash with clean fingers and avoid irritants such as suds, loofahs, or rags. Your hands are an excellent way to wash your face. Other objects may irritate your skin more than they help it
Step 3. Moisturize
Moisturizing your skin is an important factor in ensuring it remains free of irritants. Moisturizing regularly keeps it firm and strong. For best results, moisturize after each time you wash your face, using a noncomedogenic moisturizer. "Noncomedogenic" means it doesn't block your pores.
- Use a moisturizer or lotion that is appropriate for your skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, use a moisturizer that says "oil-free" on the label. You don't have to apply a moisturizer every 20 minutes, but it's good to have one with you in case your skin gets dry that day. This is usually a problem in winter due to cold weather and wind.
- Be aware that there are two main types of moisturizers: gel based and cream based. Gel based moisturizers are better for oily or combination skin, whereas cream based moisturizers are better for dry or sensitive skin.
Step 4. Stay hydrated
Drinking more water helps your body stay healthy and functioning at high levels. And drinking water means you're less likely to drink sugary drinks, like juices, sodas, and energy drinks. Because, yes, there is growing evidence of a link between what you eat and the number of pimples you develop. Keeping your body hydrated also keeps your skin hydrated. It gives the skin a plump and healthy appearance and feel.
Step 5. Be sure to remove your make-up, if possible, before going to bed
Don't be lazy and let it go. Makeup that is left on can clog pores and lead to more breakouts. If possible, place wet wipes near your bed and use them when you feel too lazy to walk to the restroom and wash your face.
Step 6. Exfoliate once a week
This will help remove dead skin cells, soften skin and smoothen your skin tone. You can buy a scrub or an exfoliant. But remember, more is not always better. Exfoliating more than once a week can dry out your skin and even irritate it.
Step 7. Use astringents
Astringents are ingredients that tighten and refresh the skin by tightening the pores. While it's not a good idea to overuse astringents, they are very useful for removing oil and dirt before washing your face.
- If you want to use a natural astringent, try rubbing a slice of lime on your skin, as noted above. After that, you rinse your skin and let it dry or dry it with a towel. It also leaves a fresh scent.
- If you use a strong astringent, be sure to apply a moisturizer to your skin to avoid drying out. If you use lime, be careful around the eyes. If it gets into your eyes, stop and rinse your eyes with water for a few minutes.
Step 8. Apply sunblock
While a little sun exposure is healthy, too much can result in redness and irritation of your face. Plus, UV rays can produce dark spots on your skin and put you at higher risk of developing skin cancer. Before going out, try to use a moisturizer with an SPF of 30 or 45.
Know that you don't really need a product with a higher SPF; SPF 30 and 45 already block more than 90% of harmful rays
Step 9. Identify the different causes of acne
Teenagers and acne are usually side by side, but acne can be caused by several things. Some of the reasons include the following:
- Hormonal changes: this could be from going through puberty, taking certain medications, using birth control devices, etc
- Diet: Dairy and gluten products can cause acne breakouts.
- Unwashed hair: The oil in the hair can clog the pores, especially around the forehead.
- Cosmetics: if you use make-up, even after washing your face, it could be that there is residue that covers the pores and causes acne. You should find a good make-up remover. Also, skin products that are too oily or too harsh for your skin type can have the same negative effect.
- Excessive sweating and moisture: this may sound strange, but there is a yeast on your skin called Malassezia. It can stay on your skin without causing any problems, but when the yeast is exposed to too much moisture, it can grow quickly and cause breakouts.
Step 10. Don't pick your pimples or touch your skin
While it may be very tempting to pop your pimples (especially black-and-white blackheads), it's actually counterproductive. Cracking a pimple spreads the bacteria that causes acne to other parts of your face, increasing the chances of the bacteria spreading. Don't forget that your hands have dirt, oil, and other dust which is not good for sensitive skin. Try as much as possible to keep your hands away from your face and other acne-prone areas.
Tips
- Do not touch your face with your hands or fingers. Your skin produces oil naturally, so touching your face can transfer oil and clog your pores.
- Don't try all of these suggestions at once. Pick one or two and try them in a combination, and see what works for you. More is not always better.
- There are face masks that help reduce redness temporarily and moisturize your skin. If this is something you want to try, look for one that contains Aloe vera or some other toning agent.
