7 Home Remedies And Tips: Don't Let Pimples Spoil Your Groove

Too many people, myself inclusive have been plagued by pesky adolescent pimples and acne that followed us into adulthood. It's very disturbing when you do all you can to keep your face clean and healthy and yet people keep asking you if you're sick or something because of all the unsightly swellings all over your face. I have tried so many facial rubs, scrubs and creams. Some of them even had side effects that were worse than the pimples (you don't wanna know the gist!) There was also the angle of trying to cover it all up with foundation and layers of powder, that only ended up blocking my pores and irritating my skin further. After all the experimenting, I reached the conclusion that home remedies that are all natural seem to be the best way to keep pimples at bay forever. Here are 7 ways to go about that.

1. Watch your diet: Find out what foods cause an outbreak of pimples for you and stay away from them. For me, butter/margarine and groundnuts were the chief culprits. Of course, peanut butter is also a no-go area for me, so I replaced all the butters with jam or mayonnaise and I eat cashew nuts instead of groundnuts. It has really helped.

2. Lemons: A quick way to get rid of pimples is the use of lemon juice, which is rich in vitamin C. Lemon juice helps pimples dry up faster. Be sure to use fresh lemon juice and not bottled juice, which has preservatives. There are a couple of ways to apply this remedy. Dip a clean cotton swab in fresh lemon juice and apply it to the pimples before going to bed. You can also make a paste by mixing one tablespoon of lemon juice with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and put it on the pimples overnight. In the morning, wash the skin well with lukewarm water. However, this particular remedy is not suitable for those with sensitive skin. 

3. Ice: Ice can be used to quickly get rid of pimples. It helps in improving blood circulation to the affected area, and in freezing the skin pores and removing dirt and oil accumulated on the skin. You can use ice cubes or crushed ice, whichever is convenient. Wrap the ice in a piece of cloth and hold it on the affected skin area for a few seconds. Wait a few minutes and repeat the process. When used repeatedly on the pimples throughout the day, ice helps reduce inflammation or swelling and will immediately soothe your skin. 

4. Honey: Honey is a source of natural antibiotics that can speed up the healing process, as well as help prevent infections. Dip and clean cotton swab in honey, put it directly on the affected area and leave it on for half an hour.Wash the skin well with lukewarm water. Another option is to mix honey and cinnamon together to make a paste and applying it over the pimples before going to bed. In the morning, there will be less inflammation or swelling. Wash the skin well with cold water.

5. Toothpaste: The toothpaste that you use every morning to clean your teeth also can be used to treat pimples quickly. It is most effective when used following the ice remedy. You must use white toothpaste; avoid using gel toothpaste. Apply some white toothpaste over the affected skin area before going to bed. In the morning, wash your face with water and you will see a significant improvement in the swelling. If you wish, you can repeat the process in the daytime also. Just make sure the toothpaste remains on the pimples for at least half an hour. 

6. Avoid stress: stress is a big time deal breaker when you are trying to get rid of pimples. I don't know the science behind it, but I know many people break out in pimples as a reaction to stress.

7. Aloe Vera: Aloe vera gel has a pleasant soothing effect on the skin. In addition to its antibacterial properties, it also reduces redness and swelling. You can use aloe vera alone or with several other substances like garlic or tea tree oil. Aloe vera is a nice indoor plant, so you should consider growing it at home. But you can also buy the extracted gel and use to spot treat the pimples on your face.

Other tips that help:

• Always wash your face and hands before using any of the treatments. Always remove all makeup on your face before going to bed, you should also try to rinse your face several times in a day to remove dirt and excess oil. Use a very mild toilet soap.

• Use few treatments at a time for at least 1 week to discover how effective they are on your skin. Don’t use too many treatments at the same time

• Eat a well balanced diet.

• Don’t get discouraged if the pimples do not disappear overnight. With every treatment, you will definitely notice improvement in your skin condition.

Cover image via Clubness.com