Get Rid of Acne Fast
Acne is one of the most frustrating and pervasive skin issues around; everyone has dealt with it at some point. Unfortunately for us, it also pops up when we need it the least - the day before prom, a presentation, or a wedding, for example. If you need your skin clear fast, try using one of these many treatments.
Contents
Steps
Using Leave-on Spot Treatments
- Dab on lemon juice. This treatment works for several great reasons; lemon juice is a natural astringent, so it will work to close up your pores. Its high acidity will kill off lots of the bacteria clogging your pores, and it has natural lightening powers which will reduce the redness of your zits. Put lemon juice directly on your pimple and leave it be till your next regular face wash.
- Use some tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has been used by dermatologists for years to reduce skin irritation and acne. Get some pure tea tree oil and coat your acne with it. Do this after washing your face twice daily for the best results.
- Try out lavender oil. Essential oils aren’t always just for aromatherapy; lavender oil may work to clear up your acne. Put a drop on each pimple and allow it to soak into the skin. This can be done several times a day, but is best directly after your morning and evening face washes.
- Apply some basil tea. Brew up a cup of basil tea for your face, rather than your throat. Mix a cup of boiling water with a few fresh basil leaves and allow the tea to steep for a few minutes. Cool the tea in the fridge before applying it to your face. Use it as a spot treatment, or apply it to your entire face with a cotton ball if you have oily skin.
- Put on some witch hazel. Witch hazel is a natural astringent typically used for cleaning up cuts. Put on pimples though, it will tighten the pores and kill the bacteria clogging them. Apply it heavily to your acne-prone areas or sweep it over your whole face with a cotton ball.
- Dab on apple cider vinegar. Yet another natural astringent, apple cider vinegar will clear up your acne and reduce the size of your pores. Apply it to your entire face as a toner or dab it more heavily on your pimples specifically. You can’t go wrong with apple-cider vinegar, so feel free to apply it as many times a day as you would like.
- Rub your face with an ice cube. Ice works to quickly close up pores and reduce the swelling and redness stereotypical to pimples. Gently rub your acne with an ice cube to reduce its appearance and soothe any irritations or pain it may be causing you. For extra effect, making your ice cubes out of green tea. It will work as an astringent to keep your pores tight and clear.
- Use benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide will instantly kill the bacteria making their homes in your skin, without giving you any pain. Look for an acne-fighting spot treatment that has benzoyl peroxide and dab it straight onto your acne.
- Try salicylic acid. This is one of the primary ingredients in most acne-fighting products, and for a very good reason: it works. Salicylic acid is a relatively safe acid that works to melt away dirt and grime in your pores. Look for a spot-treatment product that contains this ingredient, and your acne will be gone faster than you can spell “salicylic.”
Using Items from Your Kitchen
- Make a honey mask. A natural antibacterial agent, honey works to clear clogged pores and lift off excess oil and dead skin. Coat your whole face in honey and leave it for as long as you can before rinsing off. Additionally, dab honey directly on your pimples and cover with a bandage while you sleep overnight. By morning, your zit should have significantly reduced in size and redness.
- Give yourself a tomato facial. Strange, right? But tomatoes actually do help to clear up acne-prone skin. Blend up a tomato to create a thick, pulpy juice. Spread this smoothie-like mixture onto your entire face and allow it to soak into your pores. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes.
- Rub your face with a potato. It’s not a joke, really. Potatoes will help to soak up excess oil while clearing up grime-filled pores. Slice a potato into wide pieces which can be rubbed onto your face. After a minute or two of this, wash off the juice with warm water.
- Try using a strawberry. Go green and use every part of the strawberry - eat the fruit and save the top for your skin. Strawberries will lighten your acne and help kill bacteria. Rub the top of the fruit over your skin where you’re breaking out, holding it on particularly bad areas for up to a minute. Splash your face with cool water when you’re finished to remove the juice.
- Crush up some garlic. It may have a strong smell, but garlic is one of the best natural skin remedies for acne. It is a natural antiseptic, quickly killing off bacteria in your skin. Mince up a clove of garlic into a paste, and apply it to your acne for 20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water afterwards, and be amazed at how quickly your skin will transform. However, be warned that this can be very painful and might leave a burning sensation for a few days. It can also make your eyes water and might elevate/bloat your skin and make it red.
- Make a mint mask. Not only does mint smell and taste great, it does great things for your skin as well. Grind up a few mint leaves to form a paste. Spread this over your acne and allow it to soak for 15-20 minutes. The mint will soothe and cool your face while working to clean out your pores. Rinse it off with cool water afterwards.
- Put on an egg white mask. If you’ve ever gotten raw egg whites on your skin, you’ll notice the tightening effect they have. Dab some egg whites onto your pimples and leave it overnight. By the morning your pores should be closed up and your acne reduced. Rinse off the mask with warm water.
Using Face Masks
- Apply aloe vera. There’s a reason aloe vera gel is applied to sunburns - it soothes and takes away pain while preventing infection. Do the same for your acne by dabbing on some fresh aloe vera from the plant (or from a bottle of the pure stuff). Leave it on as long as you can or overnight, and rinse off with cold water afterwards.
- Make a baking soda paste. If you’ve ever cleaned your home with baking soda, you know the wonders it can do in killing bacteria and brightening surfaces. Mix baking soda with enough water to form a paste, and dab it onto your acne. Leave it be until it has dried and begins to flake off, after 20-30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water (scrub gently to use the exfoliating powers of the powder as well).
- Apply a clay mask. Clay is a natural way to dry out your skin, removing the excess oil that is the source of most acne. Make your own clay mask out of powdered cosmetic clay and water or purchase one from the store. You can leave it on your pimples only or cover your entire face. Allow it to dry completely (around 20-30 minutes) before rinsing off with warm water.
- Use a bit of toothpaste. The whitening toothpaste you use isn’t just great for your smile, but for your skin as well. The chemicals present will dry out your acne while the whitening agents will work to reduce redness. Dab a bit of (white, not clear gel) toothpaste onto any pimple and leave it overnight. Rinse off after a few hours or in the morning.
- Try using Listerine. For the same reason toothpaste works so great, so does Listerine. Grab a cotton ball and pour it on, dabbing it onto your acne. Leave it on for as long as you are able before washing off with warm water. Your skin should feel tight and smooth afterwards as well.
- Make an aspirin mask. Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory as well as a pain reliever. Use both of these to the benefit of your skin by turning an aspirin tablet into a face mask. Grind up 1-2 pills and add just a bit of water. Dab this mixture onto your pimples and leave it to dry. Rinse off after a few hours (or overnight) with warm water.
Tips
- Don't touch your face. If you have bangs, wash your hair frequently and wrap your hair at night to keep it away from your skin, or, at least, keep it in a ponytail and drink lots of water. Water should be the first thing you drink and the last thing you drink before you go to bed. If you have pimples on your forehead, and you have bangs, the best thing to do is pin up your bangs away from your skin with pins or some clips.
- Always wash your face twice daily to keep your skin clean and clear on a regular basis.
- Remember to drink lots of water! It does help since it flushes out toxins.
- When washing your face use warm water. It will open your pores. And when you have finished, splash cold water to close those pores back up!
- It's important to moisturize at night too, even if you do have oily skin.
- Don't use toothpaste that has fluoride. It deepens the scars.
- Eat lots of fruit and vegetables as vitamin deficiency is also the main cause of acne, especially vitamin A.
- If you apply an aspirin mask make sure you don't use this method too often. If you keep using the aspirin mask, the anti-inflammatory medication will eventually stop working because your skin is used to it and it won't have any effect.
- Do not wear your make up to sleep. It will promote acne.
- Don't use two products at the same time or you might get irritation.
- Try not to touch your face that much because the bacteria will transfer. Wash your hands before you wash your face so the bacteria won't move.
- Toothpaste works well on acne.
- Make sure to eat lots of tomatoes.
Related Articles
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- Remove Blackheads
- Use Household Pantry and Bathroom Items to Remove Acne
- Get Rid of Blackheads
- Get Rid of Acne Without Using Medication
- Get Rid of Acne
Sources and Citations
- Videos provided by Jennifer Chiu
