Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. This causes pimples, pimples, and redness. Although acne is common in teenagers, anyone from infants to the elderly can experience it. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help minimize acne breakouts and reduce redness caused by acne.
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Method 1 of 4: Using Home Remedies to Minimize Redness of Pimples
Step 1. Buy a gentle facial cleanser
Do not buy products that contain astringents, are harsh, and cause dry skin. Avoid facial cleansers that contain alcohol. Look for cleansers that say "gentle" and "alcohol free."
Astringents and alcohol will not help with acne and will dry out your face. Dry skin is more likely to worsen acne symptoms, including redness
Step 2. Wash your face twice a day
With a gentle touch, wash your face with a gentle cleanser for one minute in the morning and one minute at night. Use your fingertips or a soft cloth, not nails or a rough cloth. You should also wash your face after sweaty activities such as sports. Do not rub or scratch the skin, remember that acne-prone skin is sensitive and fragile. Rinse your face with lukewarm water that is neither too hot nor too cold.
Step 3. Apply moisturizer every day
While it may seem counterintuitive, a moisturizer will help prevent acne from getting worse. Because acne can be exacerbated by dead skin cells, maintaining a healthy skin will help reduce the appearance of acne. What's more, very dry skin can stimulate excess oil production which can lead to breakouts. Make sure you buy a moisturizer that says noncomedogenic on the label, which means it won't clog pores.
- Look for ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid in the moisturizer you buy. Avoid cocoa butter, mineral oil, and cold cream (cold cream).
- Some brands of moisturizers and cleansers have special formulas to help reduce redness on the skin, including Eucerin which reduces redness, and Aveeno which soothes. Both brands are recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology.
Step 4. Buy over-the-counter acne medications
There are several products that can minimize the redness of a pimple. They are external treatments that are applied directly to the skin once or twice a day. Start with a low-strength acne medication before moving on to a stronger medication.
- Look for ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and sulfur. It's a good idea to start with benzoyl peroxide as it's not as irritating to the skin as other products. Start with a lower strength like 2.5% to reduce skin irritation if you are used to using benzoyl peroxide.
- Make sure you follow all directions on the label. Sometimes these treatments can make the skin more susceptible to sunburn. Some also cannot be used with other drugs. Pay attention to warning labels, and talk to your doctor if you have any problems.
- Your skin may turn red and scaly in the first few weeks of use. However, if the irritation symptoms do not stop, you should consider changing the product and/or talk to your doctor.
Step 5. Talk about herbal remedies with your doctor
There are several herbal remedies that are said to minimize acne. However, many of these treatments have not been tested and some have dangerous side effects. Remember that "natural" does not mean healthy or safe. Discuss herbal remedies with your doctor to see if it's a wise choice. Herbal remedies that may help include:
- Tea tree oil. Apply a gel containing 5% tea tree oil to the redness area. Watch for contact dermatitis or rosacea. If these symptoms appear, tea tree oil may not be right for you.
- Green tea extract. Apply a solution containing 2% green tea extract to the redness area twice daily. You can also soak a piece of cloth in cold green tea and apply it to your face for 1-2 minutes, then repeat several times. Do it several nights a week.
- Aloe vera. Apply a gel containing 50% aloe vera to the redness area. The best effects can be obtained directly from the plant which can be purchased at the flower shop.
- Brewer's Yeast CBS 5926. Drink this brewer's yeast filtered water straight. Remember that brewer's yeast can cause gas in the stomach.
Method 2 of 4: Using Clinical Methods to Minimize Redness in Acne
Step 1. Make an appointment with a dermatologist
If over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes don't reduce the redness of your pimple, you should talk to a dermatologist or dermatologist. There are several treatments and prescription medications available. A dermatologist will also be able to diagnose your type of acne and its severity.
Other signs to talk to your doctor about are whether there is facial hair growing with the pimple, whether there are deep acne scars, or whether there are sores and boils developing under the skin
Step 2. Talk to a dermatologist about prescriptions for stronger external treatments
There are several external treatments (or treatments that are applied directly to the skin) that acne patients may receive. Common ingredients in this treatment include antibiotics, retinoids, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. In addition, azelaic acid is also used in some creams to treat acne and rosacea. This acid can reduce redness as well as acne.
- Retinoids help treat acne redness by preventing follicular blockage. Retinoids are very effective in treating and preventing acne and redness.
- Antibiotics help treat acne redness by reducing inflammation and killing harmful bacteria on the skin.
- Benzoyl peroxide helps treat acne redness by reducing the chances of developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Salicylic acid helps treat acne redness by reducing the number of skin cells produced and removing clogged pores. Salicylic acid also reduces the filling of pores.
Step 3. Follow the doctor's instructions when using external drugs
The amount and frequency of application depends on the cause and severity of the acne. Ask your doctor for recommendations for using over-the-counter medications. Make sure you listen to your doctor's warnings about side effects, adverse reactions, and drug interactions.
Tell your doctor about any medications you are currently taking. Also tell if you are planning to become pregnant. This may influence your doctor's decision about the best treatment for you
Step 4. Be patient with your skin
External treatment may take some time before improvement can be seen, from four to eight weeks. Sometimes the redness of the pimple will get worse before getting better. Remember to be patient and that your skin will need some time before it starts to heal.
Step 5. Ask a dermatologist about oral medications
Medications taken by mouth can be used in addition to or instead of external treatments. Medications such as antibiotics, hormonal birth control, and antiandrogen agents can help reduce the redness of the pimple and also prevent future acne breakouts. Note that some of these medications have serious side effects. You should only take it under the direction of a licensed doctor. Always tell your doctor about all other medications you are currently taking.
- Oral antibiotics work in the same way as topical antibiotics. Both help fight redness and inflammation by killing unwanted bacteria. These medications can cause stomach upset and may not interact well with hormonal birth control, so talk to your doctor before starting to take them.
- Hormonal birth control helps relieve acne symptoms by reducing testosterone from the bloodstream. Birth control pills are great for acne-prone skin. This treatment is not only effective for young women and women. In the long term, birth control pills are also more effective than antibiotics. The negative side effects include weight gain, tenderness in the breasts, and potentially dangerous blood clots.
- Antiandrogen agents are treatments for adolescent girls and women, but not for men. This drug works by helping to control oil production in the sebaceous glands.
Step 6. Ask a dermatologist about steroid injections
These injections are used primarily to remove large nodules and deep wounds caused by acne. Steroid injections are not useful in treating acne that spreads or pimples that are mostly on the surface of the skin. If you notice large nodules, boils, or scars deep under the skin, steroid injections can help remove them and reduce the chance of scarring.
Cortisone injections can cause certain side effects. Among the side effects are pale patches of skin, visible reddish veins, and thinner skin. These injections can cause temporary pain
Step 7. Ask your doctor about light treatments
The redness and inflammation associated with acne is caused by the P. acnes bacteria. These bacteria can be killed or reduced by a certain frequency of light, the most common light is blue light. Light treatment can be done in a doctor's clinic, but sometimes it can also be done at home. In addition, certain laser treatments can help reduce the appearance of pimples and remove rough acne scars, along with redness and inflammation.
- The doctor may apply medication to the area of redness prior to exposure to light. This medicine will increase the sensitivity of the skin to light.
- Light therapy treatments usually require several sessions.
- You may experience side effects such as sensitivity to light, dry skin, and temporary redness.
- This treatment is sometimes more expensive than other acne treatments. Consider your finances and discuss with your doctor before making this option.
Method 3 of 4: Lifestyle Changes to Minimize Acne Redness
Step 1. Make sure you don't pop the pimple
Sometimes you may be tempted to squeeze a pimple. However, squeezing and popping a pimple can spread the pimple, cause infection, exacerbate redness, and cause acne scarring. It's hard, but it's better to wait for the pimple to clear up on its own.
Step 2. Don't touch your face
Touching your face can spread acne-causing bacteria, add oil to your face, and cause infection. All of these will make acne symptoms worse, including redness. Convince yourself that touching your face will only make your skin condition worse. If you can't stop touching your face, consider wearing gloves, sitting on your hands, or wearing a rubber band around your wrist to remind you not to touch your face.
Step 3. Keep anything around your face clean
Hair, phones, hats, and headbands can irritate acne-prone skin. All of them can cause sweat and clog pores. Do whatever it takes to keep your face clean and hassle free. Use a loudspeaker when calling, don't wear a hat anymore, and tie your hair back until your skin is clean.
Step 4. Stop using oil-based products
Hairspray, hair gel, oil-based sunscreens, and oil-based cosmetics can exacerbate the redness of a pimple. Stop using all of these products. Instead, use a water-based or non-comedogenic sunscreen and moisturizer.
Step 5. Wash your hair regularly
Oil from hair can make acne worse. Remove excess oil from hair by shampooing regularly. Try to wash it twice a day or every other day, see if the redness on your pimple reduces.
Step 6. Protect yourself from the sun
Dry sunburned skin is very prone to acne. Use a noncomedogenic or oil-free sunscreen, or take cover from the sun to protect your skin. Protecting your skin from the sun is especially important if you are taking acne medications that make your skin prone to sunburn.
Step 7. Replace dairy products with plant-based products
The relationship between diet and acne is controversial. However, there are some studies that indicate that dairy products contribute to an increase in acne scars in some people. Consider replacing dairy products with nut and soy based products, and see if your skin condition improves.
Remember that dairy products can provide important calcium and vitamins for humans, especially for teenagers who are still growing. Talk to your doctor before changing your diet to make sure you continue to eat a balanced diet
Step 8. Eat a healthy diet that doesn't raise blood sugar
The glycemic index measures how much high-carbohydrate foods raise blood sugar levels. Many research results show that a high-glycemic diet is more likely to cause acne than a low-glycemic diet. In addition, high-glycemic foods are generally less healthy when compared to low-glycemic diets. High-glycemic foods are usually processed foods, made with lots of white flour and sugar. Low-glycemic foods are usually high-fiber whole foods such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruit.
Method 4 of 4: Using Cosmetics to Minimize Redness in Pimples
Step 1. Be careful when applying makeup on acne-prone skin
Acne-prone skin may be very sensitive and can be further irritated by cosmetics. Some cosmetics even cause new pimples while masking other pimples. Be aware that makeup may not be the best choice for you and your skin. Talk to a dermatologist about whether or not you can use cosmetics. Stop using any makeup that seems to add to the appearance of the pimple.
If you wear makeup, remember to always remove it before going to bed
Step 2. Purchase non-oil based cosmetics
You should only use cosmetics that are water and mineral based. Look for ingredients like silica, zinc oxide, and dimethicone. These ingredients help reduce redness.
Another alternative to foundation is a tinted moisturizer, which is also oil-free and non-comedogenic
Step 3. Apply a thin layer of concealer on the pimple
Press the concealer on the pimple with a brush, and twist it slightly. Apply around the pimple until it is completely covered. Carve an X pattern so that the pimple is completely covered after blending.
- Try to find a concealer color that is closest to your skin tone
- Using a brush with flat, angled bristles allows you to apply a thin layer of concealer to the skin.
- Concealers with yellow and green tones are great for hiding the redness of pimples. Look for a concealer with yellow or green undertones that you can use during breakouts.
Step 4. Use your fingers to apply and blend the concealer
Start at the center of the pimple and move outwards. Use pressing or tapping motions, not rubbing, to avoid streaks. Make sure the concealer covers the entire perimeter of the pimple.
Step 5. Apply foundation all over the rest of the face with a makeup sponge
As with using concealer, try to match your makeup as close to your skin tone as possible for a natural look. Make sure the covered area looks the same. Apply foundation to the outer edge of the pimple so that the overall color of your face is even.
You can apply an extra layer of yellow or green concealer on top of the foundation if it needs to be covered again
Step 6. Use a powder brush to gently apply loose powder over the pimple to spread the makeup evenly
Consider using talcum powder or cornstarch to make the concealer last longer, especially in hot weather and prone to sweating. Translucent powder is a great choice because it can complete makeup without an additional layer of color.
Step 7. Repeat makeup if necessary
This method probably won't last all day when you're working, school, or playing. Make sure you bring a small container of reusable product with you if necessary.
Tips
- The key to controlling acne is prevention. Develop a gentle and consistent skincare routine.
- While some home remedies blogs rely on toothpaste and acne medications, some dermatologists warn against their use. Toothpaste does contain comforting ingredients, but it also contains abrasive irritants that can make pimples tight, dry, and red.
- Try anti-red eye drops on very red and inflamed acne scars for temporary relief. You can also apply ice to the area.
- Another temporary treatment is hydrocortisone cream. You can apply this cream on pimples twice a day for two to three days to reduce redness and inflammation.
Warning
- Stop using any treatment-at home or over the counter-if you experience additional irritation, swelling, or itching.
- Talk to your doctor if you experience any negative side effects from cortisone injections, light therapy, or antibiotics.
