Pimples On The Face? These Home Remedies and Treatments Can Help!

Tired of waking up to pimples on your face? Don’t give up yet. Pimples or zits may come across as stubborn, but there are several ways to reduce them for good. And besides dermat-backed treatments and skincare products, Mother Nature can help too.

But before you try the best of both worlds, we want to ask: Have you figured out why you get those face pimples? If not, you must first understand what face acne is! Because acne is where most of your problems begin.

What is face acne?

Face acne can appear on your forehead, cheeks and chin. Albeit anyone can get face acne, they are more common for those with oily or combination skin (i.e. oily forehead, nose, and chin areas). Face acne is basically excess sebum (oil), dead skin, and dirt trapped in your open pores to cause bacterial build-ups. And when left untreated, they form into red and pus-filled pimples.

But can I get pimples without getting acne first?

Unfortunately, yes. Poor hygiene or lack of a good skincare routine can quicken bacterial build-up on the skin to form pus-filled pimples.

So, in a way, acne is a sign that your skin needs a little attention or the product you are using is probably not suitable. But if you get pimples, it’s an alarm that your skin needs the utmost care and attention as soon as possible.

What’s the difference between acne and pimples?

Pimples are inflamed forms of acne. So basically, blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples are a part of the acne cluster. Here’s a better understanding of them:

Blackheads: Also known as open comedones, they have a crater-like appearance with dark spots in the centre. These dark spots are sebum (excess oil), dirt and dead skin trapped in your open pores.

Whiteheads: Just like blackheads, whiteheads are clogged pores but closed and have a skin-colored or whitish appearance.

Papules: These are tiny red bumps that appear on the face, which can hurt or cause irritation. These papules, when left untreated, can accumulate pus to form pimples (pustules). Also, picking or popping these can cause acne scars.

Nodules and cysts: Pimples that spread around and deep into your skin to form big bumps are called nodules and cysts. You must consult your dermatologist if you have large-sized pimples.

Who can get pimples on the face?

Anyone with a poor skincare routine, diet or hygiene can get pimples. However, they are more frequent during puberty, menstruation or for anyone with imbalanced hormones.

What to do if I have pimples on my face now?

If you are dealing with acne or flared-up pimples, please do not squeeze, pop or pick on them. It will only make them worse and cause more breakouts!

Okay, what causes pimples on the face?

This is important. Although it’s difficult to pinpoint what exactly causes pimples on the face, we’ve collated some common triggers for you:

1. Poor or no skincare routine:

Not cleansing your face (twice daily) will make the dirt and gunk settle into your open pores and cause bacterial build-up. Plus, no exfoliation will make the dead skin trap in dirt and gunk to trigger more breakouts.

2. Harsh scrubs:

Exfoliation is good for your skin, but that does not mean you over-exfoliate or use a harsh scrub. It can cause abrasion and strip the natural oil that your skin needs to stay supple. And lack of oil can cause the skin cells to overproduce sebum and clog your pores.

3. Unhygienic exposure:

Yep, you could be transferring bacteria to your face without realising it! For example, through an uncleaned pillow case, by touching your face with unwashed hands, wearing uncleaned headgear (such as a hat, cap, scarf, etc.) or wiping sweat with a used handkerchief. These can cause zits too!

4. Using unsuitable or comedogenic products:

Using products that are not suitable for your skin can cause irritation or inflammation. Similarly, comedogenic products (pore-filling products) can clog your pores eventually and trigger breakouts.

5. Hormonal imbalance or stress:

Stress or hormonal imbalance in your body can cause pimples too. Puberty and menstruation are when you might notice breakouts on your face because of hormonal changes in your body.

6. Unhealthy diet:

Yep, remember what you eat will always show on your skin! A high intake of sweets or greasy food can trigger blood sugar levels. This can cause inflammation throughout your body and increase oil production, thus causing acne!

7. Genetics:

If your parents had chronic pimple problems, there’s a high chance you might get it too.

But don’t worry! You can tackle mild to moderate pimples with home remedies.

5 super-effective remedies for face pimple treatment at home:

Before using these remedies, clean your face with a gentle cleanser like acne-away foaming face wash to eliminate all the gunk and impurities.

1. Cinnamon and honey mask:

Steps:

• Mix 2 tbsp honey with 1 tsp cinnamon powder.

• Apply the mixture evenly to your face and let it sit for 15 minutes.

• Later, wash it with lukewarm water.

Benefits:

Both cinnamon and honey have antioxidants and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The mask will calm the redness, swelling and inflammation, thus reducing acne and pimples.

2. Green tea toner:

Steps:

• Boil 3-4 green tea leaves in water.

• Let the mixture cool down before you apply or spray it like a mist on your face.

• You can keep it for 10 minutes or overnight for the best results.

• Next morning, wash your face with a gentle cleanser.

Benefits:

Green tea has high antioxidants to help fight inflammation and reduce excess sebum (oil) production to tackle pimples.

3. Aloe vera gel:

Steps:

• Apply naturally-extracted aloe vera gel directly to your face daily for 15 minutes.

• Later, wash your face with cool water and pat dry.

Benefits:

Natural aloe vera gel has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It will not only calm flared-up pimples but also reduce redness and lighten acne scars.

4. Multani mitti (fuller’s earth):

Steps:

• Mix Multani mitti with water or rose water.

• Apply it to your face and keep it for 15-20 minutes.

• Later wash your face with cool water and pat dry.

Benefits:

Multani mitti is a boon for oily and combination skin. It also acts as a deep cleanser. It will eliminate impurities on your skin, reduce excess oil, and calm active pimples and acne.

5. Tea tree oil (spot treatment):

Steps:

• Mix tea tree oil with a soothing carrier oil (coconut or almond oil).

• Apply to the affected areas for 5-10 minutes.

• Wash the area with cool water and pat dry.

Benefits:

Hailed as a miracle oil by skin experts, tea tree oil has antimicrobial, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps calm the redness and inflammation that causes pimples.

If not home remedies, here’s what a dermat would recommend:

Other methods to get rid of acne

1. A new skincare routine:

If you have mild or moderate pimples, a dermat will prepare a new skincare routine for you with anti-acne products. It’ll include a gentle cleanser, toner, exfoliating gel, and moisturizer.

Most of these products will have AHA and BHA acids to reduce excess oil, eliminate dead skin, and purify and tighten pores to leave your skin fresh and glowing.

Want to buy these products now? Check out skinnsi by makeO’s 100% dermat-curated skincare products here. They are toxin-free, cruelty-free, vegan and super gentle on your skin.

2. A chemical peel treatment:

A dermat might recommend a chemical peel treatment for moderate and chronic pimple cases. In the process, a solution is applied to your skin to gently scrub away dead skin to reveal newer, smoother, and softer skin. It also reduces excess oil and purifies and tightens pores.

Want to get a chemical peel treatment? Try skinnsi peel at home! 100% dermat-curated and performed by dermat-certified therapists at your home, we use naturally-derived solutions to exfoliate and pamper your skin. Check out skinnsi peel here!

3. Healthy habits

And last but not least: You must adopt some healthy habits such as:

• Washing your face twice a day.

• Following your skincare routine regularly.

• Not picking, popping or squeezing the pimples.

• Washing your hands before touching your face.

• Applying minimal makeup to prevent clogging of pores.

• Changing your bedsheets and pillow covers every week.

• Limiting or avoiding excess smoking or caffeine beverages.

• Using a broad-spectrum SPF to shield skin against harmful sun rays.

• Using non-comedogenic face wipes (that won’t clog pores) to wipe sweat or dirt from your face.

And remember, pimples don’t define your beauty, so why let them dim your confidence? Besides, they are treatable and avoidable if you follow a dermat-backed skincare routine, healthy diet, and lifestyle. And if you need more skincare guidance, products or treatments, skinnsi by makeO is always happy to help (that too at your home!).

About makeO

makeO] is the first of its kind at-home oral and skin care services in India, that is focussed on providing technology and science-backed solutions to its customers.

makeO will offer expert-backed oral and skin care solutions such as teeth alignment with clear aligners, laser hair removal, hydra facial, acne treatment services, anti-ageing treatments, and premium products, including electric toothbrush, teeth whitening kit, aligner cleaning foam, face wash, toner, etc. – all of which are available directly at customers’ doorstep as well as at makeO experience centres and partner clinics.