Acne: Causes and Remedies! Get Rid of Acne with These 10 Potent Home Remedies for Pimples!

Pimples or zits are one of the types of acne that occurs around puberty, but in some people, it can also continue into adulthood. During puberty, there are changes in hormone production and as a result, the sebaceous glands become overactive. When dirt, oil and dead skin cells clog the pores, it can cause pimples, which affect face, chest, shoulders and back.

Although there is no evidence that confirms a particular type of food causing this skin condition, it is suggested to follow a healthy diet to reduce the risk. Pimples can be of many types – Blackheads, Whiteheads, Papules, Pustules, Cysts, or Nodules. If pimples are mild to moderate then you can try some simple home remedies to prevent them.

The hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle and puberty contribute to acne formation. During puberty, pregnancy etc, there is increased production of sex hormones, which results in more production of sebum by the follicular glands. A few hormones that are attributed to acne include dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone.

Some beauty products for both hair and skin may contain oil or ingredients that can trigger breakouts. If you continue to use these products then pimples may also continue to occur. So, it is suggested to use ‘non-comedogenic’ products or those that are labelled as ‘won’t clog pores’.

Acne eruptions can sometimes be triggered or aggravated due to certain medications. Oral corticosteroids, oral contraceptives and anabolic steroids can cause acne. Besides this antidepressants, halogens, antituberculosis drugs, antiepileptics etc are also known to cause acne.

Studies have shown that dairy products increase IGF-1 (an insulin-line growth factor), which triggers or worsen breakouts. Also, carbohydrate-rich foods like bagels, chips and bread can make the condition worse.

Aloe Vera is a succulent plant with serrated and thick leaves. The clear gel in the leaves is used topically to soothe skin. Aloe Vera has compounds such as cinnamomic acid, sulfur, phenols, salicylic acid, lupeol etc, which can inhibit bacteria that cause pimples. In a randomized double-blind study, tretinoin cream with 50% of Aloe Vera Gel was topically used for 8 weeks and significant improvement was seen in the participants who had mild to moderate acne.

Scrape the gel from the aloe leaves and apply this on the affected area. Leave it overnight and wash off the next morning to reduce irritation and redness. There are plenty of aloe vera based home treatment for acne. If acne is mild-moderate, then this is one of the effective home remedies to include in your daily skincare regime.

Pimples develop when oil, dirt or bacteria accumulates in the pores. Tea tree oil promotes healthy skin by healing a range of skin issues including acne. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of the essential oil are especially useful in reducing acne scars. The compound terpinene-4-ol in the oil is as effective as the chemical components like benzoyl peroxide that is used to treat acne. It also helps reduce sebum production.

Since it is super potent, one must be cautious while using this essential oil. It is not recommended to apply the oil directly to the skin as it can cause irritation. It should always be diluted with a carrier oil like almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil, aloe vera or honey. Also, one must be careful while using it around the eye. You can counter the acne problem with tea tree oil. Try using products that contain tea tree oil for acne as there are chances that they will work for you. You can use multipurpose Tea Tree Essential Oil on Kama Ayurveda. The 12 ml product cost is Rs. 750.

Indian gooseberry or amla is a superfood that holds great value in Ayurveda due to its several benefits. It a powerhouse of various nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin B complex and antioxidants. Regular consumption of amla is considered to be beneficial to maintain skin health. It also can be used externally in the form of scrubs and face packs to prevent pimples, sunburn and other skin problems. It is an excellent elixir for our skin. Here are two face packs that you can try to reduce pimples and get rid of the scars.

Tulsi is known as a miracle plant. It is packed with phytonutrients, minerals, electrolytes and vitamins. It has anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial properties and is the best ingredient for skin and hair health. Tulsi does not just add flavour and aroma to curries and tea, but when used in your daily beauty regime, you can reap plenty of benefits.

This is one of the best ingredients when it comes to treating various skin problems including pimples. The antibacterial properties of neem help in getting rid of both pimples and its scars. Moreover, it is the safest, fastest and surest ways to prevent any outbreak. This power herb has about 130 bioactive compounds. Besides following a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, pamper your skin with this natural ingredient to combat pimples and get a beautiful glowing skin.

If you are constantly suffering from pimples and unclear skin then try these wonderful face packs that guarantee to give a glow to your skin. These face packs work by preventing bacterial growth and reduces excess oil.

Although there are several over-the-counter and prescription medications available for acne, if you are looking for nonchemical and natural remedy to treat this problem then Green Tea is just perfect. The flavonoids and tannins in green tea are found to have an anti-acne effect. Also, tannins have anti-inflammatory property.

Another component present in green tea is catechins, that has antibiotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They attack free radicals. According to studies some people benefit by consuming green tea or through topical application. It reduces redness, lesions that are caused due to acne. Although there is no specific way to use green tea, a trial and error method would be beneficial.

Honey in its natural form is produced by plant matter, live bacteria and enzyme activity, all coming together to make this powerful ingredient. Raw honey has components that are beneficial for skin, especially pimples. Manuka honey is considered to be the best for acne. Include honey in your daily beauty routine to get its benefits. Honey also helps to reduce facial scars. However, using honey must be avoided if you are allergic to it.

Liquorice is a herbal root that is obtained from the Glycyrrhiza plant. It is known as Mulethi in India and has been used in Ayurveda for its immense beauty benefits. The demulcent, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties help heal several skin conditions including inflammation and redness. The liquorice powder available on Indus-Valley is a chemical-free product that can be used for DIY pimple packs. The microfine powder makes it easy to use in any preparation. The price of the product is Rs. 199.

Witch Hazel is a powerful plant with medicinal properties. Studies have suggested that the herb is useful to treat pimples. It can be directly applied to the face for maximum effectiveness. The astringent property helps shrink pores thus soothing and relieving inflammation. It might also prevent bacteria that causes acne and hence many over-the-counter products for acne use this herb as one of its ingredients.

The Witch Hazel Distillate available on sattivicfoods.in is a versatile natural astringent that can treat oily, red, blemished and irritated skin. The flavonoids found in Witch Hazel’s is soothing and effective. This colourless distillate is suitable for all skin types. The natural toner is perfect to make your DIY anti-acne creams. The distillate is also very effective in minimizing enlarged pores that helps reduce oiliness and leaves your skin fresh and toned. 30 ml of the product costs Rs. 300.

Chamomile is a potent powerhouse that has a number of benefits from clearing skin problems, nausea to insomnia. Chamomile is native to Australia, North America, Europe and Asian regions and blooms during the summer season. The aromatic compound – Chamazulene found in chamomile has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps in reducing acne, as well as the inflammation and redness associated with it. You can buy the deep floral-scented chamomile tea on dancingleaftea.com. The price of 50 grams of chamomile flowers is Rs. 450.

Acne medications help reduce oil production, inflammation and fight the bacterial infection. The treatment regimen prescribed by your dermatologist depends on the type, severity and age of the person. Besides topical and oral medications like retinoids, antibiotics, salicylic acid, isotretinoin etc. there are some therapies too that are suggested either alone or with medications.