How to Get Rid of Pimples

Acne is like an unwelcome house guest. It tends to show up uninvited at the most inconvenient time while overstaying its welcome and tends to leave a mess of your skin after it’s gone. Unfortunately, pimples are a problem that plagues a majority of the population, not just teenagers who are going through puberty.

Everyone from newborns to adults can suffer from zits, including women who are pregnant. If you are tired of dealing with the unsightly whiteheads and blackheads that are covering your face and body, learn how to remove pimples fast with this ultimate guide.

Acne is usually characterized by red bumps on the face and body that are inflamed and often extremely painful. There are several different kinds of acne, and depending on which kind you have, there’s a natural acne treatment that can help you in getting rid of pimples fast.

This guide covers the different types of acne, the cause, and symptoms of acne, and the home remedies for acne that you can start using today.

What Causes Acne and Pimples

Your skin contains millions of tiny sebaceous glands underneath its surface. These glands, as a way to keep the skin smooth and supple, excrete an oil known as sebum. The oil is released through our pores, which are the small holes on the surface of our skin. Hair also grows out of these pores.

If your body creates an excess of sebum, the extra oil can end up clogging your pores. When the skin pores become clogged, germs and bacteria begin to grow and thrive, resulting in your skin becoming prone to pimples.

Even though acne isn’t a dangerous or harmful condition, you can end up with pimple scars that can significantly change how you feel about yourself for the rest of your life. Below you can find the ten most common causes of acne.

Stress

When you become stressed, your body experiences a fluctuation in hormones, which has a direct correlation to the amount of oil your skin secretes. This excessive oil is directly related to the formation and worsening of acne.

Dehydration

Dehydration is a serious condition, but one that can be easily fixed. Dehydration has many severe effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. It is also known to clog pores.

When your body isn’t properly hydrated, your pores can become clogged because there is an overabundance of dead skin cells which can start to accumulate inside the pores. This can be further compounded if you have dirt and bacteria on your face.

Genetics

Your genes are what make you who you are. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything that you can do about your genetics. If your mother suffered from acne as a teenager, then chances are you will probably have a predisposition to suffer from acne.

Medications

There are certain drugs, including lithium, corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, androgenic steroids, barbiturates, DHEA, and medicines that contain iodides or bromides, that can cause acne and pimples. The potential side-effects of these types of drugs it depends on the person.

If you are taking a drug that has the potential side effect of acne, you can talk to your physician about your concerns and find out if there might be an alternative medication that you can take.

Hormones

Other than genetics, hormones are quite possibly the leading cause of acne. For many people, they have their most severe problems with acne during their teenage years. The main reason behind this is that during this period, their bodies are changing and developing through the release of hormones.

Women, unfortunately, are especially vulnerable to breakouts as a result of a fluctuation of hormones during their menstrual cycle and is entirely unavoidable.

Oils

While the natural oils that are secreted by the skin are ultimately beneficial, other foreign oils that come in contact with our skin increases the chances of it clogging our pores. Oil-based makeup and oily hair can quickly clog pores and cause an acne problem.

Topical Agents

Since not everyone is created equal, different things can affect people differently; what might be good for one person, could end up being disastrous for someone else. Many people can slather lotion on their skin and never suffer from a breakout.

There are others, however, who are not as fortunate. If you have sensitive skin, even a small amount of lotion or oils can create a problem with acne.

Hygiene

It wasn’t too long ago that bathing was considered taboo. The idea of cleaning yourself was a suggestion that you were dirty, and a proper person would never be dirty. However, if you don’t practice good hygiene, you can find yourself with pimples and acne.

To prevent acne from forming, it is imperative that you clean your face and body on a regular basis. You should use a mild soap daily, and women need to remember to wash off their makeup at night to keep their pores from becoming clogged.

Sports Activities and Equipment

Everything from the helmets to the face guards, hats, and sports bras that you wear during sports activities can cause acne. You can also develop acne if you leave sweaty clothing on too long without showering.

Diet & Foods

Whether you know it or not, what you eat has a lot to do with whether or not you will be prone to breakouts. Recent research has shown a direct correlation between acne and blood sugar. There are also some specific kinds of foods that have been known to trigger breakouts.

If you’re looking for a solution to get rid of acne naturally, you may want to consider cutting out those foods that are known triggers. If you’re going to make sure that you are still getting the beneficial nutrients from these foods, you should consider taking a daily supplement.

Understanding the Different Types of Pimples

When the only thing that you can think of is finding out how to remove pimples from your face and body, a refresher course in the different kinds of acne may be far down on your list of priorities.

However, knowing what kind of pimples you’re dealing with is the first step in a successful acne treatment regime. Below, is a list of the most common types of acne that you may be dealing with trying to remove.

Whiteheads

Regarding their appearance, whiteheads are pretty much exactly how they sound. They are small blemishes with whitish “heads.” These kinds of pimples result when the hair follicles and pores on your skin get clogged with dead skin cells and sebum. While your skin needs sebum to protect and nourish your skin, an excess of this oil in your oil glands can quickly clog your pores.

Blackheads

If you have tiny blemishes on your nose and face that look like black dots, you’ve got blackheads. Blackheads and whiteheads, dermatologically speaking, are what are known as comedones, or another word for infected hair follicles.

The difference between the two is that whiteheads are closed, and blackheads are open, hence the black appearance. This is what happens when the bacteria inside the follicle becomes oxidized.

Papules

Blind pimples, or papules, represent the phase beyond the whitehead. These occur when the presence of sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells under the skin, causes inflammation. You can quickly identify papules by their extreme redness and swelling, as well as the absence of pus, and are small to medium in size.

Since inflammation on the skin and irritation are the main symptoms of papules, you don’t want to apply anything that will further dry it out. You want to use an acne treatment that will soothe and calm the area until the medication helps it subside.

Pustules

Pustules, unlike papules, contain pus but are similar to a blind pimple in every other way. Pustules contain yellowish or whiteish-looking pus that makes them appear more significant in size than your typical whitehead, and they may be painful to touch.

While it may be tempting for you to pop these kinds of pimples, you could end up with acne scars. When it comes to eliminating pustules, you should wait until a whitehead is visible before extracting it carefully.

Severe Acne

If your face or body is covered in large, red, and inflamed blemishes that seem to last for months, chances are you have one type of severe acne.

Severe acne is indicative of a broader condition and can cause more severe and permanent damage to your skin if it is left untreated for too long. If you’ve tried the over-the-counter topical treatments, but aren’t seeing any visible improvement after a couple of weeks, then you’ll need to visit a dermatologist for a stronger, prescription.

How to Get Rid of Acne Naturally

When you have a breakout, the first inclination that you might have to get rid of pimples fast is to pop them. However, this can contribute to a loss of tissue that will ultimately result in pimple marks.

When you squeeze a zit, you end up forcing the dead skin cells and oil further down into the follicle, making the follicle wall rupture from the extra pressure.

The extra pressure causes the infected materials to spill into the innermost part of the skin, eventually leading to the loss of tissue and causing acne scars. So, if you’re a pimple popper, to avoid damaging your skin, you should try these natural acne treatments instead and get rid of acne fast.

8+ of the Best Home Remedies for Pimples

If your acne problem is minor, there are a few home remedies you can try to fight it yourself.

Natural Remedies for Pimples and Acne

Aspirin

Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory that can effectively reduce the inflammation on your skin. By applying an aspirin mask to the acne-prone skin can be an inexpensive and fast way to reduce the appearance of a pimple. The active ingredient in aspirin is similar to salicylic acid, which is a natural exfoliator.

Mix the aspirin with just enough water to form a paste. Add the honey to help thicken the paste. Apply the paste to your face in a thin layer. Allow the mask to dry.

Use warm water to remove the mask, using gentle circular motions. Since some people are allergic to aspirin, you’ll want to try a test the mask on your forearm before spreading it over your face.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is an excellent option for getting rid of pimples fast. It contains baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and silica, which is the same ingredient that is found in bags of beef jerky to keep out moisture.

Research has shown that any brand of toothpaste can quickly dry out and reduce the size of a pimple overnight. To remove blackheads and other forms of pimples, apply toothpaste to the affected area before you go to bed and wash it off the next morning.

Honey Mask

The stickiness of honey can help to remove dirt from your skin and is excellent for blackhead removal. Honey, along with being a delicious treat, is also a natural and highly effective antibiotic, which makes it perfect for reducing and healing pimples. You can utilize honey for acne treatment by creating an overnight mask.

Mix the cinnamon and honey until combined. Rinse your face thoroughly with water and gently pat dry with a soft, clean towel. Apply the mask to the blemishes and leave it overnight. In the morning thoroughly rinse your face to remove any leftover honey residue.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is known to be great for your skin. It also contains antifungal and anti-bacterial properties. These properties make it a highly beneficial acne treatment. Studies have shown that it is just as effective at treating acne as benzoyl peroxide.

To avoid your skin from becoming irritated by the tea tree oil, make sure that you dilute it with water. Here’s how to clear pimples with tea tree oil.

Combine the tea tree oil with the water. Using warm water, thoroughly wash your face to remove dead skin cells and dirt. Apply the acne treatment of tea tree oil to the affected area with a cotton swab or cotton ball. Do not rinse.

Ice

You can use ice to instantly reduce the swelling, redness, and inflammation of the face and forehead acne.

It aids in improving blood circulation to the affected area, helps to remove the dirt and oil that accumulates in your pores, and helps to tighten the skin pores, making it more difficult for dirt and bacteria to collect.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Along with being an astringent, apple cider vinegar is also a disinfectant, which makes it an excellent natural antiseptic. When applied topically to the skin, the apple cider vinegar helps to balance the pH levels of your skin and body.

Not only will apple cider vinegar effectively treat breakouts, but it can also help to remove acne scars. You can combine it with honey to help fade acne scars to a great extent.

Apple Cider Vinegar Acne Scar Treatment

Combine the ingredients and mix well until combined. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture. Gently apply the treatment to your acne scars and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Wash it off with warm water, making sure to remove any residual stickiness from the honey. Continue to do this every day until your acne scars disappear.

Baking Soda

You may think that baking soda is nothing more than an ingredient that is used for baking or a way to keep odors out of your refrigerator. It is a highly effective treatment for those unwanted acne breakouts. It has powerful antiseptic properties that make it great for destroying bacteria.

Baking soda also is a therapeutic product that helps to stimulate the growth of new skin cells. Combine equal parts baking soda and warm water to form a paste. Apply the mixture to your skin and leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Castor Oil

Castor oil has many beauty and health benefits, including helping to keep your skin looking healthy and young. It should come as no surprise, that along with the many uses of castor oil for your health, it can also be used for the treatment, healing, and prevention of acne, as well as reducing the appearance of acne scars.

If you have acne-prone skin, you can use castor oil, along with steam to treat the acne you currently have and prevent future breakouts. Here’s how to use castor oil as an acne treatment.

Start by boiling a pot of water and pour it into a large, plastic bowl. Position your face over the bowl and place a towel over your head to trap the steam. The steam will help to open your pores and prepare them for the castor oil. After several minutes, rub some castor oil into the affected areas using a gentle circular motion.

Once you’ve treated the affected areas with castor oil, use a damp, warm, cloth to wipe the oil from your skin. Using cold water rinse your face to help your pores shrink back down to their normal size. Use a dry towel to pat your skin and follow up with a small amount of castor oil to moisturize your skin.

Garlic

Garlic contains high levels of antioxidants, which makes it an excellent treatment for acne. It also has strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. You can utilize garlic in two different ways to help you clear up acne.

The first is as a preventative measure. Adding more garlic to your diet will help you gain better overall health as well as purify your blood, which can help stop breakouts in the future.

If you’re currently dealing with a breakout, you can rub a peeled clove of garlic on the blemishes several times a day.

Cucumber

If you didn’t already know, cucumber is a great anti-inflammatory, which is why cucumber slices are used to combat puffy eyes. It also means that cucumbers are exceptional for fighting pimples by reducing the inflammation and redness of them. For immediate effects, apply a homemade cucumber face mask.

Peel the cucumber and chop it into several pieces. Add the pieces to the blender, along with the Aloe Vera gel and the lemon juice. Blend the ingredients until smooth. Apply the cucumber mask to your face and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Egg White Mask

Egg whites contain several beneficial ingredients, including amino acids and vitamins that have been shown to help rebuild skin cells. These properties make egg whites an effective treatment for removing unwanted pimples as well as a way of treating acne scars.

To use egg whites to remove pimple marks, start by separating three egg whites. For three minutes, whisk the egg whites in a bowl. Using your fingertips, apply them to the affected area.

Allow the egg whites to dry, then repeat the process four times, essentially building four layers of egg whites on the affected area. Leave the mask on the affected area for at least 20 minutes then rinse off. Apply a light moisturizer to your skin afterward.

Steam

Steam can be a great way to treat acne because it helps open your pores, preventing them from becoming clogged. Steam can also moisturize and detoxify your skin.

Start by boiling a pot of water on the stove and pour it into a large bowl. Add any essential oils or herbs to the water that you’d like, and let steep for several minutes. Place a towel over your head and hold your head directly over the pan for at least ten minutes.

Close your eyes and breathe deeply. After ten minutes, apply a mask to your face to help pull the impurities out of your pores. Wash the treatment off with warm water, then splash cold water on your face to help close your pores back up.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has specific properties that encourage the elimination of bacteria. This reason alone is why there are so many ways for which you can use coconut oil for the skin. Lauric acid is the main ingredient and is an effective treatment for acne. Here’s how to get rid of breakouts and dark spots using coconut oil.

Use your fingertips to apply the coconut oil to clean the skin gently. Using circular motions, gently massage the oil into your skin for about five minutes. Leave the oil on for ten minutes, then remove it with tissue paper. Rinse your face with warm water, followed by cold water, and pat dry with a clean towel.

Peppermint Oil

The aromatic extract of the peppermint plant, peppermint oil exhibits three beneficial properties for treating acne. Along with being cooling to the skin, it also helps to inhibit bacteria growth and reduces the production of testosterone 5 ALPHA-reductase. To use peppermint oil to treat your acne, place a few drops into the palm of your hand.

Dip your fingertips into the oil, and gently rub the affected area. If you have a large area that needs to be treated, you can dilute the peppermint oil with some olive oil or jojoba oil and spread the solution over your entire face.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera gel is a triple threat to acne. Not only does it have a pleasant, soothing effect that cools your skin, but it can also reduce the inflammation caused by pimples and remove the oiliness from your skin. You can buy Aloe Vera gel at the store, or you can make your own. Here’s how to get rid of pimples using an Aloe Vera gel.

Take an aloe Vera leaf and cut it into an eight-inch long section. Slide the knife blade just under the skin of the leaf to get to the flesh of the plant. Cut the meat into two to three pieces and place them into a blender. Blend the pulp until it becomes smooth. Put the fresh Aloe Vera gel in the refrigerator and apply it to the infected area as needed.

How to Treat Acne Scars Naturally

Getting rid of acne scars the fast way is a bit more challenging than getting rid of the acne itself. While you can treat your pimples with natural ingredients that have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, acne scars are a bit more difficult to erase.

While it may take some time, your continued efforts using natural products and bleaching agents may lighten your scars and gradually eliminate them.

Lemon Juice

Lemon is a natural bleaching agent and contains Vitamin C which helps in rebuilding collagen. The acid in the lemon juice will help to brighten your skin and fades acne scars. Take some lemon juice and apply it directly to your scars with a cotton ball or your fingertips.

Let it sit on the affected area for at least ten minutes, then rinse with warm water. Doing this every day for at least two weeks will diminish your scars considerably.

Olive Oil

Due to the antioxidants, iron, and slew of vitamins, it contains, olive oil is said to be one of the most skin friendly oils. You can also benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties when it comes to removing acne scars. Before you go to sleep at night, place a small amount of olive oil on your fingertips, and gently massage it into your face, making sure to focus on applying it to your acne scars.

Once your skin absorbs the oil, take a cloth dipped in warm water and place it over your face. Allow it to sit on your face for several minutes to allow the steam to open your pores. Then, gently wipe away the excess oil with a clean cloth. After about two minutes, you can wash your face with warm water.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil has numerous natural, skin healing properties and is excellent for treating acne scars because of its ability to soothe, protect, moisturize, and restore the skin’s natural pH balance.

Before you go to bed at night, apply a few drops of jojoba oil to your fingertips and gently massage into your skin. Allow it to sit overnight, before washing your face in the morning.

How to Prevent Acne Scars

The most effective way to treat acne scars is to try and avoid them from the start. While acne is usually a temporary problem, acne scars can become permanent.

While the above treatments for eliminating acne scars are valid, wouldn’t it be better to not end up with scars in the first place? Here are ways you can prevent acne scars.

Treat Acne as Soon as It Develops

The best way to prevent scars from acne is to get breakouts under control as soon as possible. If the over-the-counter and natural remedies aren’t working, consult a doctor. Not only does quick treatment help to keep breakouts to a minimum, but it can also help to prevent scars from developing into a more severe situation.

Reduce Inflammation

The large, inflamed pimples are more likely to leave scars, as opposed to the non-inflamed breakouts and blackheads. To help prevent acne scarring, your goal should be to calm the inflammation and avoid further irritating your skin, which includes using harsh skin care products and vigorously scrubbing your skin.

Don’t Squeeze, Pick, or Pop Zits

Try to pass up the temptation to squeeze and pick at your pimples. When you try to pop your pimples, you are forcing more debris further into the pores which can end up spreading the infection to the surrounding tissue and worsen the inflammation.

This is especially true for deep blemishes like cysts and nodules. Popping pimples will result in extended healing time and increase your chances of ending up with a permanent scar.

Don’t Pick at Scabs

If you’ve already popped your pimple and have ended up with a scab, don’t pick at it. A scab is your skin’s natural way of protecting the wound as it heals. When you pick at scabs, you increase the healing time and increase the chances of scarring.

While the smaller blemishes still can leave scars, these more substantial forms of acne are what usually does the damage. Cysts and nodules extend deeper into the skin, which makes them more likely to destroy skin tissues resulting in scars.

Many of the over-the-counter acne treatments won’t work with these kinds of blemishes, so you should speak with a dermatologist and find a stronger medication to help.

Medical Treatments for Pimples

While there isn’t one definite cure for acne, a few ingredients found in common acne medication have been shown to improve and reduce pimples.

Acne cleansers with these and other ingredients can be found in many different forms. They sure work well to treat pimples. It’s easy to find one that works best for you and your skin, whether you prefer gel cleansers, soaps, or creams.

Prevention – How to Prevent Acne Breakouts

Whether you have some pimples or are relatively clear, there are steps you can take to prevent outbreaks.

If you have oily skin, it can be challenging to avoid breakouts. While you can’t control the oil secretions on your skin, there is plenty that you can do to remove it from your skin. When your body produces excess oil, it will trap dead skin cells and dirt in your cells, effectively clogging them, and causing you to suffer from breakouts. Here are several ways that you can prevent acne.

Clean Your Skin Daily

To keep your skin oil free and clear of acne is to clean it twice a day. When you wash your skin with a quality cleanser or use witch hazel, it can help to clear of the impurities, dead skin cells, and excessive oil from your skin.

Make sure that you use a gentle face wash or mild cleanser and avoid harshly scrubbing your face with a loofah, hard washcloth, or exfoliating gloves. You want to use a soft cloth along with a gentle scrubbing cream.

Moisturize Often

Even if you have oily skin, you should moisturize it often. You want to use a mild moisturizer and one that is labeled non-comedogenic. Many of the moisturizers designed to treat acne or pimples will dry out your skin, which will only make you more prone to breakouts.

For the best results, apply the moisturizer immediately after washing your skin so that it will absorb completely.

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise can naturally help keep your skin healthy and free from many kinds of skin ailments. When you are physically active, your body naturally sweats, which helps to eliminate toxins while opening your pores.

Regularly physical exercise can help to keep pimples at bay.

Learn to Relax

Stress, whether you know it or not, brings about specific biological changes to the body that can result in breakouts. When you are under a lot of stress, your body experiences hormonal changes, which can occur in your sebaceous glands to secrete more oil.

To help prevent breakouts, stay away from stress, and keep your brain engaged in activities that help reduce stress. Practicing meditation and yoga regularly are great ways to help keep stress at bay.

Maintain Hygiene

Another way to prevent acne is to maintain good personal hygiene. You will need to regularly clean anything that comes into frequent contact with your skin. This includes your pillowcase, bed sheets, towels, and blanket cover.

The oil in your hair and skin transfers to your bedding when you are sleeping, and your skin can then absorb the oil. By cleaning your bedding more frequently, they will be less likely to affect your skin.

Exfoliate Regularly

An essential part of your skin care routine should include exfoliating on a regular basis. Regular exfoliation removes dead skin cells so that they aren’t able to clog your pores. It is essential to select a mild exfoliator that is free of chemicals to keep from damaging your skin.

Acne is, unfortunately, one of those things that everyone has had to deal with at one point in their lives. The good news is that several natural remedies can help you get rid of those pimples fast. Once you can effectively get rid of the pimples that have already formed, with the right cleansing routine and some minor changes to your lifestyle, you can get rid of breakouts for good.

We hope you enjoyed this ultimate guide on how to remove pimples for good. If you found the information in this article useful, please don’t hesitate and share our tips to get rid of pimples with all your friends and family.