Face scrubs, clay masks, pimple vacuums. Have you run the gauntlet of skincare solves 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.
Finding the right acne treatment can be time-consuming and exhausting. Stores are stocked with shelves of products that seem exactly 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 is prompting your pimples, birth control pills may clear up your skin. Or if it’s bacteria-based, antibiotics do a great job of fighting pustules and cysts. For oily skin, talk to your healthcare provider about topical creams, retinoids, and products containing salicylic acid. 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 area of skin is inflamed. Do you know what over-the-counter medication can calm those irritated spots? Aspirin. But, don’t swallow the pill to abolish your acne. Instead, this time, apply it to your face.
To calm the pimple, crush three to five uncoated aspirin in a bowl. Add just enough water to create a thick paste and cover the pimple 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
If you’ve ever accidentally touched an inflamed zit, you know how tender it can feel. 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. Put it in a plastic bag and gently hold it against the sore spot, removing it every few minutes.
4. Toothpaste
It does a great job cleaning the bacteria that coat your teeth, and it doubles as an acne fix! Toothpaste can be a great home remedy for clearer skin. You must be specific, though cool mint gel won’t do the trick, and whitening toothpaste will cause irritation. 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 a couple of 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 big 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 your acne. Take note, though, 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 thing 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 lots of 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 a great 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 tingles, don’t worry — that’s normal. However, if it burns, gently remove the oil with a cotton ball. If your skin is sensitive, dilute the tea tree oil with some water before applying it.
Lingering acne can be a maddening problem. It literally stares back at you every time you look in the mirror. If you’re frustrated with your face, give these strategies a try. You could have clearer skin looking back at you in no time.