Have you run the gauntlet of skincare solutions only to be left with the same breakouts as before? If so, it could be time to flip the script on how you’re tackling your acne: face scrubs, clay masks, pimple vacuums.
Finding the proper acne treatment can be time-consuming and exhausting. Stores are stocked with shelves of products that seem precisely the same. Instead of spending time and money on products, you’re not sure will work, try a few things proven to work. You might be surprised by the smooth-skin results of the seven tips below.
1. Prescription Medication
Before you try home remedies, think about how long you’ve struggled with acne. If it’s a long-term problem, consider prescription acne treatment. There are different treatments for specific skin types and acne issues. A conversation with a healthcare provider can help you pick the best fit.
If your doctor says a hormonal imbalance prompts your pimples, birth control pills may clear up your skin. Or, if it’s bacteria-based, antibiotics do a great job of fighting pimples and cysts. Talk to your healthcare provider about oily skin topical creams, retinoids, and salicylic acid products. It’s simply a matter of finding the treatment that fits your needs.
2. Powdered Aspirin
One look at a red, angry zit, and it’s easy to see that the entire skin area is inflamed. Do you know what over-the-counter medication can calm those irritating spots? Aspirin. But don’t swallow the pill to abolish your acne. Instead, this time, apply it to your face.
Cush three to five uncoated aspirin in a bowl to calm the pimple. Add enough water to create a thick paste and cover the pot for 30 minutes. Repeat every few hours. Besides anti-inflammation properties, there’s a secret as to why aspirin works. It also contains salicylic acid — the same component you’ll find in other acne-fighting products.
3. Ice
You know how tender it can feel if you’ve accidentally touched an inflamed zit. Reduce pain and shrink the pimple with an easy home fix: ice.
Ice does a great job of reducing that achy feeling. The cold temperature also brings down inflammation and helps reduce the size of the actual pimple. Don’t apply ice directly to your skin, though. Please put it in a plastic bag and gently hold it against the sore spot, removing it every few minutes.
4. Toothpaste
Toothpaste can be an excellent home remedy for clearer skin. It does a great job cleaning the bacteria that coat your teeth and doubles as an acne fix! The cool mint gel won’t do the trick, but you must be specific. Whitening toothpaste will irritate. To clear your skin, stick with plain white toothpaste that includes baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
Put a small dab on your pimple and leave it for a couple of hours. Remove it gently with warm water. Unlike ice or aspirin, you can only use toothpaste several times. Repeated use can dry out your skin and cause more irritation.
5. Baking Soda
Baking soda traps odors in the fridge and plays a significant role in baking. Go ahead and add zit-zapping to the list. That’s right — use it just like powdered aspirin. Make a paste with water, apply it to your pimple, and let it sit for 20 minutes.
The paste reduces inflammation, exfoliates your skin, and kills the bacteria responsible for acne. However, note that baking soda will bring all the gunk brewing in your pores to the surface. That means you may end up with a whitehead pimple. Be sure you’re ready to handle that problem.
6. Eye Drops
It’s doubtful you wish to see your pimples more clearly. Fortunately, eye drops have another use. Just like they eliminate redness in your eyes, a few droplets can do the same for your zits. It’s not a healing strategy, but it does make your acne less noticeable.
The drops work by calming swollen blood vessels. They’ll be most effective if you chill the bottle in the fridge for a few hours. Then, squeeze a few drops directly onto your pimple or apply it with a cotton ball. The cool sensation will feel good on your inflamed skin, too.
7. Tea Tree Oil
You may already know many uses for tea tree oil, such as treating athlete’s foot or insect bites. It’s also great for battling acne. At the same time, it fights bacteria it can also reduce inflammation. That makes it an excellent weapon for drying pimples out.
Start by using a little bit because of its strong drying ability. Dab it gently and leave it on for several hours or overnight. If your skin itches, don’t worry — that’s normal. However, gently remove the oil with a cotton ball if it burns. If your skin is sensitive, dilute the tea tree oil with water before applying it.
Lingering acne can be an annoying problem. It stares back at you every time you look in the mirror. You could have clearer skin looking back at you in no time. If you’re frustrated with your face, give these strategies a try.