The formation of a new pimple is never pleasant, but it is possible to intervene to prevent it from developing and getting bigger, perhaps even getting rid of it completely. However, before you find the method that best suits your needs, you need to try several approaches, as there is no universal remedy.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Steam Cleaning
Step 1. Perform a preliminary facial cleansing
Apply a gentle cleanser by massaging it gently into the skin with your fingertips. Make light circular motions for about a minute. This way the cleaner will absorb dirt and grease residues.
- Use lukewarm water rather than hot water, which can damage sensitive skin.
- Use your fingers instead of a sponge.
- Before you start cleaning your face, collect your hair so it doesn't interfere with the procedure. At this point, perform the cleaning.
- You can use cleaners without oils or those containing plant-based oils. Many dermatologists recommend using glycerin, grapeseed oil, and sunflower oil, among others. Oil is the most effective product ever for absorbing and dissolving sebum.
- Now, rinse your face thoroughly with warm water and pat it dry with a cotton towel. Do not rub: try to avoid any movement that may irritate the skin.
Step 2. Prepare a steam bath
This treatment helps to clear the pores and get rid of the dirt trapped inside them. Fill a one-liter saucepan with water. Turn on the gas and bring it to a boil: it only takes a few minutes.
- Bringing the water to a boil ensures that it is hot enough to generate plenty of steam.
- The water comes to a boil at around 100 ° C, depending on the altitude. As it is hot, you should handle it with caution, otherwise you risk a third degree burn.
Step 3. If you want to add an essential oil to the steam bath, try it on a small area of the skin before boiling the water
Put a single drop on your wrist and wait for 10-15 minutes. Being of vegetable origin, allergic or sensitive individuals to certain plants can risk an adverse reaction. In these cases it usually manifests itself as a mild rash, sometimes accompanied by itching. Here are some essential oils recommended for this treatment:
- Spearmint or peppermint can irritate some people, so be sure to try them on your skin. If there is no irritation, you should be able to use the oil without any problems. Measure one drop of essential oil for one liter of water. Both spearmint and peppermint contain menthol, which has antiseptic and immunostimulating properties.
- Calendula accelerates healing, has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties.
- Lavender is soothing, calming, effective in fighting anxiety and depression, not to mention that it also has antibacterial properties.
Step 4. Pour 1 or 2 drops of essential oil into the boiling water
The oils illustrated in the previous step have antibacterial or antiseptic properties. Using them it is possible to prevent the formation of pimples, to slow down the development of blackheads by favoring their reabsorption and to remove impurities.
- It is not necessary to add essential oils. The steam treatment is enough to dilate the pores, clear them and make the pimple reabsorb before it develops completely.
- If you don't have essential oils, replace them with half a teaspoon of dried herbs for every quart of water. Once you have added the herbs, let the water boil for another minute, turn off the heat and move the pot to the area where you will be doing the treatment.
- Always remember that over time it is possible to become sensitive to certain herbs. Consequently, you should be aware that they can cause adverse reactions. Test each herb for about a minute, then take your face away from the pot for 10 minutes and assess the situation. If you do not sneeze and do not observe skin reactions, reheat the water and repeat the treatment.
Step 5. Take a facial steam bath
Turn off the gas and put the pot on the table. Cover your head with a large cotton towel and bring your face close to the pot, keeping it at least 30-40cm away from the water. This allows you to open the pores, dissolve the dirt that has accumulated deep and remove excess sebum. This treatment should be enough to clear the pore where the pimple is forming.
- Close your eyes, breathe normally and relax.
- Steam your face for 10 minutes.
Step 6. After treatment, take care of your skin
Rinse it with warm water and pat it gently with a cotton towel, avoiding rubbing. Apply a moisturizer.
Applying a non-comedogenic face cream (that is, one that does not clog the pores) is important. Proper hydration protects the skin, helping to keep it soft and supple. Read the labels on commercially available products - they should say "non-comedogenic" or something similar to make sure they won't clog your pores
Method 2 of 5: Use Plant Extract Treatments
Step 1. Apply essential oil directly to the skin
If a pimple is forming, get a shock treatment to cleanse, firm and heal the skin while fighting blemishes. Here are some essential oils that are effective for acne: tea tree oil, lavender, moscatella and juniper berry.
The plants with astringent properties firm and tone the skin, often causing the comedones under the skin to reabsorb or emerge on the surface. Plants with antibacterial properties, on the other hand, help eliminate the microorganisms responsible for acne
Step 2. Get a green tea treatment
Take a green tea bag and wet it with warm water for a few seconds, moistening it well. Apply it directly to the pimple that is forming.
- Green tea has an astringent function, allowing the pimple to be extracted and dried along with pus, bacteria and dead cells.
- According to several studies, green tea extract is useful for relieving acne. In this research, it has been shown to be effective for adolescent participants with moderate acne.
Step 3. Get an apple cider vinegar treatment
Pour it onto a cotton ball or Q-tip. Apply it directly to the pimple by massaging it gently. Having an astringent function, apple cider vinegar eliminates dirt and cleans the skin.
It can also help dry the pimple and eliminate bacteria
Step 4. Apply tea tree oil, which has antibacterial, antifungal and astringent properties
Mix 3 to 5 drops of tea tree oil with about 1 teaspoon of olive, sweet almond, or castor oil. In this way you will dilute it and you can apply it directly to the skin in a completely easy way.
To apply it, soak a Q-tip or cotton ball and massage it gently on the pimple
Method 3 of 5: Make a Herbal Mask
Step 1. Prepare everything you need
The main ingredients of this mask are almost all available in the supermarket. They include:
- A spoonful of honey, which has antibacterial, therapeutic and astringent properties. Any type of honey will do, but manuka is more effective.
- An albumen. It allows to thicken the mask and has astringent properties.
- A teaspoon of lemon juice. It has astringent and whitening properties. If you don't need to lighten your skin, replace it with witch hazel water, which is known for its astringent properties and effective in fighting swelling.
Step 2. Add 5-10 drops of an essential oil
Mix it well with the main ingredients. Essential oils can be found online or in herbal medicine. Here are some particularly recommended for this mask:
- Pink;
- Peppermint;
- Roman mint;
- Lavender;
- Calendula;
- Thyme.
Step 3. Apply the mask
Massage the mixture on your face, neck or any other spot affected by impurities. You can also use a cotton swab to apply it to specific problem areas.
This mask can get very dirty, so be sure to apply it in an easy-to-clean place, like the bathroom
Step 4. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse it well with warm water
Gently pat your skin dry with a towel.
After washing your face, apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer
Method 4 of 5: Use an Exfoliator
Step 1. Make a honey and baking soda exfoliant
Gently exfoliating the skin surrounding a pimple helps remove dirt that has built up and accelerates healing. Try using natural exfoliants that are easy to make at home. For example, mix 60ml honey with a handful of baking soda until you get a paste.
- Apply the mixture to the affected areas by making gentle circular motions. You can also apply it to specific areas with a cotton swab or cotton swab. Just make sure you don't rub your skin, as that would do her more harm than good.
- Gently massage the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.
Step 2. Make an oat-based blend
Grind 20-50g of whole grain oats with a food processor or coffee grinder. Add enough oil (olive, jojoba, vitamin E, avocado or sweet almond oil) to make a paste. Apply it to the skin by making gentle circular movements. To treat targeted areas, use a Q-tip or cotton swab.
- Try adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of honey so it sticks better to your face.
- Massage the mixture into your skin for 2 to 3 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Step 3. Make a sugar and olive oil exfoliant
Mix 1 teaspoon of sugar with half a cup of olive oil. Apply it to the skin by making gentle circular motions. To treat specific areas, use a cotton swab or cotton swab.
- Gently massage the mixture into the affected area for 2 to 3 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
- You can also use castor, jojoba, vitamin E, avocado, or sweet almond oil - choose whichever one you like best.
Step 4. Make a sea salt exfoliant
Measure 1 or 2 teaspoons of sea salt and add enough oil (olive, jojoba, vitamin E, avocado or sweet almond) to make a paste. Apply it to the skin by making gentle circular movements. To treat specific areas, use a cotton swab or cotton swab.
Massage the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes. After exfoliating the skin, rinse with warm water
Step 5. Use an over-the-counter exfoliator
Most scrubs contain salicylic acid, usually 2%. They are available in pharmacies and supermarkets. Follow the instructions on the package.
- Salicylic acid is effective in dissolving dead skin cells and sebum. It can also eliminate the bacteria responsible for the pus.
- It also has astringent properties and shrinks pores, making pimples less noticeable.
- The scrub removes dead cells. The skin must always be exfoliated with extreme delicacy: rubbing it can damage or irritate it.
Method 5 of 5: Preventing Pimples
Step 1. Wash your face at least twice a day
Regular cleansing removes excess sebum and dead skin cells, which are among the main causes of pimples. Wash it in the morning, before going to bed, and after engaging in activities that cause intense sweating.
Bathe or shower once a day. If you sweat a lot, take a shower immediately after engaging in the activity that caused perspiration
Step 2. Wash yourself with a mild, plant-based, non-comedogenic cleanser
By not clogging the pores, it should not promote the formation of impurities, such as blackheads, white comedones or pimples.
- There are many non-comedogenic products, but read the label to make sure.
- Use alcohol-free products: by eliminating natural sebum, it dries, irritates and damages the skin.
- It is recommended to treat the skin gently. Do not use irritating astringents, tonics and exfoliants. Chemical scrubs such as salicylic acid (beta-hydroxy acids) and alpha-hydroxy acids remove dead skin cells, but they can also dry out and irritate the skin.
Step 3. Use your fingers to gently apply the cleanser
Do not rub, otherwise you risk leaving permanent scars and will slow down healing. A vigorous exfoliation often does more harm than good.
- Exfoliation can cause more noticeable micro-scars or scars and can often aggravate acne.
- Do not use sponges, which can irritate the skin and make the situation worse.
- Don't tease, crush, break, or touch blackheads. This can cause inflammation and scarring, lengthening the healing time.
Step 4. Avoid exposure to the sun and do not get lamps
UVB rays can damage the epidermis.
- Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day. If you exercise or sweat a lot, use a waterproof sunscreen.
- Some acne-specific or other medicines can cause photosensitivity. If you observe this side effect, speak to your dermatologist. Here are some of the culprits: antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, tetracyclines, sulfamethoxazole and co-trimoxazole), antihistamines (diphenhydramine), medicines used to treat cancer (fluorouracil, vinblastine, dacarbazine), specific medicines for heart disease (amiodarone, nifedipine, quinidine), and dacarbazine non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen, acne medicines such as isotretinoin and acitretin.
