Unsurprisingly, over-the-counter acne treatments are often expensive, hard to get, or ineffective. That’s why some of us prefer to take control and find our own solutions for battling those annoying pimples we all get from time to time.
Below are some of the most effective spot treatments and home remedies made with natural ingredients. You’re likely to have them in your home already!
DIY Acne Spot Treatments
Aspirin
You’ve probably reached for an aspirin tablet at some point to calm an aggravating headache. But did you know that aspirin makes for a great spot treatment as well? It contains salicylic acid, a type of acid often found in conventional skin care products.
Give this a go: crush one pill and mix it with water to create a paste. Put the paste on the pimple, wait for a few minutes for it to dry off, and then rinse it away.
Ice
Ice can constrict the blood vessels, taming the swelling and redness surrounding the pimple. Just as you would with a sprained ankle or injury, wrap an ice cube in a piece of clothing to keep the skin dry. Hold it to the pimple for a minute or two.
Baking Soda
This multifunctional kitchen staple makes for a great option when treating pimples. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of water to create a paste, and then put it directly on the affected area. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then wash it off.
Want to create a face mask out of it? You could always make more using a couple of tablespoons of baking soda and slather it all over your face for a cheap and natural exfoliant.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel originates from the leaves of the Hammameli Virginiana shrub, and it’s been used for centuries as a powerful treatment for skin disorders.
Since witch hazel is commonly found in cosmetic products, you can try it out as a gentle face cleanser or a spot treatment. But if you want the DIY version, just mix a couple of teaspoons of pure witch hazel with a few drops of wild rose oil and apply the mixture to your pimples. Wash it off after a couple of minutes.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is known to help with hyperpigmentation by brightening and gently exfoliating the skin, but were you aware of its pimple-preventing benefits? Citric acid, the active ingredient found in lemon juice, along with L-ascorbic acid, gives it pimple healing benefits.
Lemon juice also contains a high amount of vitamin C, which is very beneficial for the skin. Lemon juice acts as a mild but effective overnight spot treatment. Dip a cotton ball in squeezed lemon juice and apply it to the area you wish to treat.
Wait for a few minutes and wash it off thoroughly. Caution: make sure that you avoid using it on pimples that are previously popped or on any open wounds since this abrasive ingredient can hinder their healing.
Tea Tree Oil
A natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory product, many studies prove that tea tree oil is an efficient way to manage your acne breakouts, especially pesky pimples that appear in awkward places like on your nose. It fights acne-causing bacteria and fungi on your skin and helps prevent future pimples.
Either use tea tree oil in isolation or combine it with other non-comedogenic face oils, such as almond oil or rosehip oil. Apply a few drops on a cotton ball, or drop a cotton swab in the mixture and directly on the skin's surface. Be careful, as tea tree is an essential oil.
Honey
You wouldn’t think to put sweetener on your face, but it can be a great spot treatment. Just make sure to use raw and organic honey that doesn't contain processed sugar or other additives. Put some honey on the pimple, wait for a couple of minutes, and then rinse it with warm water.
Chamomile
Chamomile can tame the inflammation that results from pimples. You can either place a used tea bag directly on the problem area or blend the contents of the tea bags with some water to form a mask.
Clay Mask
If you’re into masks, you’ll definitely want to give this one a go! Clay masks are great for purifying and detoxifying, and at the same time, they’re cheap and easy to access. There are a couple of different clay masks, each serving a unique purpose for different skin types. Here are some of the most commonly used clay masks.
Green Clay
This type works best for people with oily and acne-prone skin since it absorbs the excess sebum on the face and prevents future pimples from happening. On top of that, it's extremely cleansing for clogged pores because it draws out all the built-up toxins, bacteria, and dirt from them.
Expect glowing and refreshed skin even after the first application.
Red Clay
Red clay is an excellent source of iron oxide, a naturally occurring mineral that cleanses and nourishes even the most sensitive skin types. It doesn't cause any skin irritation, redness, or dryness afterward, which is why it's the best option for sensitive, acne-prone skin.
In addition to that, since it has similar effects as green clay, it will prevent future pimples from occurring.
Rose Clay
Another amazing option for sensitive skin types is rose clay. It will purify the skin of toxins and congestion and gently exfoliate the surface without the side effects of abrasive face exfoliants. Your skin will be glowing, healthy, and moisturized as a result.
Kaolin Clay
Named after the Kao-ling Mountain in China, this multifaceted clay banishes acne, soothes dry and sensitive skin, works as a mild exfoliator, and can also be used as a toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo.
Typically, clay is mixed with water to form a mask, but you can also mix it with coconut milk and honey. Wash it off when it starts to dry out and make sure you don’t leave it on for more than 5 minutes. This is because it can cause redness.
Potatoes
Next time you feel like having French fries for dinner, save a piece of raw potato and try it out as an acne treatment. Leave it on the pimple for 20 minutes to half an hour as you enjoy your dinner. Not only will you get to eat a delicious meal, but the potato will likely cause the pimple to shrink, and it will minimize the redness.
Strawberries
Just as you would with a potato, rub a piece of strawberry on your pimple. Leave it on for 20 minutes or so. Vitamin C, salicylic acid, and the antioxidants found in strawberries will help the healing process.
Tomatoes
Juice a bunch of tomatoes and daub the juice on the affected area with a cotton ball. The vitamin C and lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, will help soothe the pimples and reduce their size.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a common ingredient in many skincare products, particularly those for sensitive and dry skin.
According to research, aloe vera has potent antibacterial properties. It’s known to treat sunburns, reduce redness, and soothe irritation. The anti-inflammatory ingredients found in aloe vera will help reduce inflammation and congestion. It also contains sulphur and salicylic acid, making it an excellent overnight treatment option.
When treating acne and pimples, you'll probably find that many products contain aloe vera as an ingredient. You can use fresh aloe vera gel directly on your skin.
Jojoba Oil
There's a reason why this is used in so many home remedies. Research shows that jojoba oil can treat acne and other skin-related issues. In addition, it helps balance oil production and nourishes the skin without clogging the pores. It’s high in vitamin E, zinc, and copper, making it a great moisturizer, cleanser, or even as an ingredient for face masks. It also has amazing anti-aging benefits, helping with fine lines and wrinkles, and will keep your skin hydrated.
Overall, it reduces redness, swelling, inflammation, irritation, dryness, and premature signs of aging, making it the perfect spot treatment. Use it all over your face as a moisturizer, add a drop or two to your favorite face mask, or put it directly on the pimple. Let it sit for a few hours - or even overnight, and wash it off in the morning.
Garlic
While it’s not the most appealing option, garlic contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help heal the pimple overnight. It will flatten the pimple, reduce swelling and even make it disappear altogether after you leave it overnight. Make sure you’re not allergic to garlic before trying this method.
Take one clove of garlic and extract its juice. Rub it on your pimple and let it sit overnight. Wash it off in the morning, and you should see visible improvement in its size and swelling.
Orange Peel
Because they’re high in acidity and vitamin C, orange peels make for a very effective spot treatment. Rinse off an orange to eliminate any dirt and pesticides it may contain. Peel the orange and rub it on the spot you want to treat.
Neem
Use neem water, powder, or oil to help combat pimples and pigmentation. You can make neem water yourself by boiling neem leaves. Boil them until the water becomes green, and strain the content in a bowl or a bottle.
Use it all over your skin to get rid of pimples, give your skin a youthful appearance, and lighten your complexion. Alternatively, dab a cotton ball in the oil and put it on the pimple. You can leave it overnight or wash it off with lukewarm water after half an hour.
Mint
This powerful herb has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties crucial for treating pimples. It will also cool down the affected area and help with itching. It’s rich in vitamin C, A, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Boil some mint leaves and strain the water. Use the concoction as a gentle toner and keep it refrigerated. Also, you can extract the juice from a fresh mint leaf and apply it directly to the pimple. In addition to this spot treatment, you could also try purchasing skincare products containing mint.
Lavender Essential Oil
Like tea tree oil, lavender is a natural option for fighting redness, dry skin, and skin irritation. You can gently apply a drop or two directly on your pimples using a cotton ball or add a couple of drops to your favorite face mask.
Add a few drops of lavender oil to your bath water to help with body acne. It’s known to reduce stress and anxiety, so it will be beneficial for preventing future pimples from occurring.
Banana Peel
Banana peel helps with many skin-related issues, such as acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, bug bites, and warts. It contains antioxidants, lutein, which are known to protect against sun damage, and it’s rich in potassium and manganese. Gently rub the peel over the acne and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before washing your face. It's one of the easiest DIY acne treatments around.
How to Prevent Future Pimples
We get it - acne feels awful; it can knock your confidence and lower your self-esteem. If you want to get rid of pimples for good, you might want to make healthy lifestyle changes. Add regular exercise as part of your daily routine. Eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible and minimize the amount of processed food you ingest.
It might sound counter-productive if you have oily skin, but you must moisturize your face regularly. Overly dry skin can signal to your brain that it needs to produce more oil, resulting in excess oil production.
On top of that, exfoliate your skin with gentle products regularly, but not too often. Avoid excessive sun exposure, and when you do go out in the sun, wear sunscreen and protective clothing like hats or scarves.
If you're unsure whether to use an ingredient, check to see whether it's non-comedogenic. Comedogenic ingredients (such as coconut oil) will clog pores and worsen acne.
With acne, it’s important to stay patient and persistent. Acne can be a painful experience, so seeing a dermatologist is a good idea if it simply refuses to go away. In the meantime, you can use these DIY acne spot treatments to get rid of pesky spots.
References
Honey: A Therapeutic Agent for Disorders of the Skin
Tea tree oil gel for mild to moderate acne
Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Acne Effects of Hamamelis virginiana Bark in Human Keratinocytes
