We all wish for that “flawless” skin without any marks or blemishes, but sadly our skin easily gets infected, resulting in acne. If you already have few on your face, I understand how horrible you must be feeling right now. Happily, there are some great home remedies for acne to help you. Before I list them down, there are few things which you require knowing. Read the below section.
What Is Acne?
“Acne” is medically termed as “Acne Vulgaris”, a skin infection which commonly takes place during puberty. Acne isn’t dangerous as it sounds. All it does is – makes you feel horrible and leaves those ugly skin scars. A human skin has pores (or tiny holes). These connect the oil glands lying below the skin.
Oil glands generate Sebum (oily liquid) which helps lubricate your skin & hair. However, excess sebum secretion & dead skin cells can block the follicles. Thus, causing acne. This is exactly when you observe small red pimples growing on your face, buttocks, neck, shoulders, back and chest.
What Causes Acne?
Nobody is 100% sure as to what exactly causes acne. Health experts believe that the main cause is due to rise in androgen (a kind of hormone) level. Androgen levels increase when a person becomes adolescent. When androgen level rises, it makes your oil glands under the skin to grow, in turn producing more oil than it is supposed to.
As said earlier, when there is excess sebum production, acne emerges. Overall, the major reason behind acne formation is blocking of hair follicles. However, other reasons for acne formation include:
- Excess oil production
- Bacteria formation in pores
- Uneven dead cells cracking
- Unbalanced menstruation cycle
- Greasy or oily makeup
- Medicines that contain lithium, corticosteroids or androgens
- Heredity or genes
- Unhealthy diet
- Excess exposure to pollution and sun
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy
Symptoms Of Acne
Common symptoms of acne include
- Scars
- Pigmentation
- Appearance of dark spots
- Cysts
- Pustules
- Red bumps
- Blackheads
- Whiteheads
- Redness around skin eruptions
5 Best Home Remedies For Acne
Majority of acne cases is seen on people aging between 12-25. This doesn’t mean younger and older people are not affected. Even they are. However, when compared to girls, acne more often affects boys. Though it commonly emerges on face but can affect neck, chest and back too. It can be mild or severe.
The good news is that out of 10 teenagers, 9 happen to develop only milder ones. Severe acne is rarely seen. And if you treat them at the right time, it’s good for you but if left untreated, you will see the worse part of it. The infection spreads and causes more irritation. Shockingly, it can last for 4 to 5 years. To help you out, here are few natural tricks of acne home remedies:
1. Use Lemon
Lemon works like a wonder in treating acne. Since it contains citric acid, it acts as a natural cleanser and makes sure that acne dries up faster. Also, it opens all the clogged pores & soothes your skin. There are many ways of applying lemon on your acne. However, here are few simple ways to try.
Method 1
- Take a cotton swab and dip it in fresh lemon juice
- Apply on your pimples before bedtime
Method 2 (avoid this If you have sensitive skin)
- Make a thick paste by combining 1-tablespoon lemon juice with 1-teaspoon cinnamon powder
- Apply the paste on your acne and leave it overnight to heal
- Wash off with lukewarm water in the morning.
Note: Since lemons have natural bleaching properties, it can make your skin photosensitive, meaning sun-rays can damage your skin easily. Therefore, be aware while using a remedy with lemon juice. Avoid going out in sunlight after applying it on your face in daytime.
Apart from applying it externally, you can also drink it. Just mix 1-teaspoon honey and lime-juice in lukewarm water and drink it early morning. This not only detoxifies the body but also maintains a balanced pH level so that there are reduced or almost no pimples!
2. Apply Ice
Since the topic is about best home remedies for acne overnight, “ice cubes” certainly can’t be missed. Rubbing few ice cubes heals acne and the associated pain. If you have plenty of acne, then hold the ice-wrap for at least 5 minutes. This minimizes inflammation and redness of acne. Ice works on your pimples in 3 ways: enhances blood circulation on the infected region, freezes skin pores & removes oil + dirt accumulated on skin. Whether it is crushed ice or ice cubes – both works great. Chances of “overnight acne healing” are much higher if you apply ice cubes several times a day. Just follow the below steps:
- Take few ice cubes
- Wrap them inside a cloth and rub on your acne gently
- Do it until the infected region becomes insensitive
- Do this for 5 to 6 times a day to see faster results.
3. Toothpaste
Yet another best home remedy for acne is none other than “toothpaste”. Toothpaste (the one that cleans your teeth) can be greatly used to heal pimples quickly. But avoid using colored gels. I am talking about the white toothpaste here. This remedy works effectively when used with ice. Below are the instructions:
- Apply toothpaste (white) on the infected region before bedtime
- Wash off with cold water in the morning
You are sure to see a significant improvement overnight. Swelling is much reduced and you feel your acne smaller now. Do this for 2 to 3 days for faster results.
Toothpaste has natural bleaching properties, which is the reason why it dries the acne out and lessens the swelling same time. You can even do this in daytime. But make sure that the toothpaste stays there on your acne for 30-minutes at least.
4. Steam
A very helpful tip on my list of best home remedies for acne overnight is none other than “steaming”. This technique can be used anytime. However, when it comes to treating pimples, it works like a wonder. Steam opens up the pores & allows the skin to breathe. Since pimples are a mixture of bacteria, oil and dirt in the pores, steam helps in removing them. Follow the below listed instructions:
- Fill a container with hot water. If you want, you can add few essential oils in it
- Let the steam encounter your face for few minutes
- After awhile, use warm water to wash your face
- Pat dry and use a good quality moisturizer (oil-free)
5. Sandalwood + Rosewater Paste
Sandalwood + rosewater paste is great in soothing acne. Since sandalwood is known for anti-microbial properties, it cleans the face & maintains a flawless glow. All you have to do is:
- Mix 2-tablespoons of sandalwood powder with some rosewater so that it forms a fine smooth paste (there shouldn’t be any lumps)
- Wash your face properly and pat dry. Then apply this paste on your pimples
- Let it be there for at least 20 minutes before washing it off
Additional Tip: You could also add few drops of glycerin into it.
Check this: Acne Elimination And Prevention