Pimples / Acne (Only slight acne)

Ice is a proven remedy against pimples and other skin problems. It is used to improve the blood circulation within the affected areas of skin, and also helps to get rid of swelling, pain and pacify the skin by reducing inflammation. Also, it's painless.

To treat a pimple or pimples, hold the ice wrapped in a cloth on the affected area for a few seconds and repeat after a few minutes.

Of course, do not apply ice if you have skin conditions aggravated by increased blood circulation.

You can find more information about this on Dermadoctor.

Benzoyl Peroxide's action is threefold: it unblocks pores, has bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects. It comes in different forms: bars, soaps, lotions, solutions, creams, gels, liquids, pads, foams.  Content of benzoyl peroxide in medications (their strength) ranges from 2.5% to 10%. Before using Benzoyl Peroxide medication, make sure you have read information leaflet that comes with it.

Examples of products with Benzoyl Peroxide:

http://www.cleanandclear.com/facial-cleansers/continuous-control-acne-cleanser
http://www.amazon.com/Benzoyl-Peroxide-10%25-Acne-Treatment/dp/B00PO7GKLM
http://www.amazon.com/Roche-Posay-Effaclar-Action-Treatment-Fluid/dp/B004L8J15C
http://www.amazon.com/Stiefel-PanOxyl-Percent-Foaming-Wash/dp/B0011Z3X8O

Some brand names as well as dosage and precautions can be found here.

During initial 3 weeks of using a Benzoyl Peroxide topical your skin may become irritated and peel. This is normal, since it may need some time (4-6 weeks) before you see the results.

If you can't remove a pimple you can hide it. For that purpose you can use concealers of different colors: green (cancels red color of pimples), dark brown, brown and yellow (to fully cover a pimple up).  However, you should only use small amount of concealer, just enough to hide pimples. Make sure you remove it before going to sleep at night, so that pimples could heal.

Here's a few concealers that do their job well, according to http://www.examiner.com/list/top-5-concealers-for-acne-and-acne-scars:

• Full cover concealer
• Secret Camouflage
• Acne Solutions Clearing Concealer

Lemon juice has the following benefits which make it an excellent anti-pimple remedy:

• Prevents oily skin: Astringent characteristics of citric acid help shrink skin pores preventing build-up of the skin oil, which can lead to acne flare-ups. Astringent properties also help reduce redness of affected skin areas.
• Anti-bacterial: Citric acid exerts anti-bacterial properties. It creates acidic environment unfavorable to bacteria living on top or inside the skin.
• Inexpensive: Lemons are quite cheap. 
• Good to avoid scars: Some believe lemon juice is a natural way to reduce scars caused by acne. This statement is not supported by any research, though.

In general, lemon juice helps to dry pimples up. Use fresh lemon juice - bottled juice contains preservatives.

The method is simple: soak a cotton swab in fresh lemon juice and apply it to the affected skin area. Wait for 10 minutes, until lemon juice dries. Rinse the treated area with cool water, and dry with a towel. Repeat the process twice a day to reduce acne.

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is an inexpensive and safe remedy for treating pimples. It can be used to adjust the pH level of the skin that contributes to pimple formation. Baking soda also has mild anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. 

How to make a baking soda mask:

1. Put 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of baking soda from a fresh box into a bowl.
2. Add enough warm water to obtain a thin slurry.
3. Wash your face with warm water and pat dry with a towel.
4. Apply the baking soda mask being careful not to get the mixture into your eyes. Allow it to dry for about 15 - 30 minutes
5. Wash your face with warm water and dry with a towel once again.

Repeat this procedure once a week.

Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent that produces water and oxygen upon decomposition. The oxygen of hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria, which heals pimples. Hydrogen peroxide also dries the skin, reducing oil produced by skin, therefore preventing future breakouts. So be careful if you have sensitive skin.

How to treat pimples with hydrogen peroxide:

1. Use a gentle cleanser to clean your skin.
2. Soak a cotton ball in the hydrogen peroxide solution.
3. Dab the cotton ball soaked in the hydrogen peroxide over the affected area.
4. Holding the cotton ball over a pimple for 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Allow the hydrogen peroxide to dry and apply moisturizer onto the areas of your skin that are prone to drying.

AHAs (glycolic acid and lactic acid) have exfoliating effects which can prevent the clogging of pores and bring pimples to a head faster.

AHA acne treatments come in the form of lotion, toner or gel, as well in some cleansers or body washes.

Examples of products with Alpha Hydroxy Acids:

http://www.amazon.com/Acne-Org-Acne-org-6-oz-AHA/dp/B001CLXNZ0
http://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Hydrox-AHA-Enhanced-Lotion/dp/B000052YM7
http://www.amazon.com/Paulas-Choice-Perfecting-Exfoliant-Chamomile/dp/B00949CO66

You can find more information on how to use AHAs here.

Tea tree oil is effective against pimples because it soothes and disinfects skin. It works like a solvent, penetrating through dirt and grease on the skin surface and kills bacteria inside, preventing further outbreaks. It also heals you skin.

Method:

1. Mix 3-4 drops of tea tree oil in water.
2. Soak a cotton pad in the solution and apply it on the pimples.
3. Leave for 20-25 minutes and apply your moisturizer once it gets dry. You don’t need to wash this away.

You can find more information on Stylecraze.

Egg whites contain enzymes, i.e. lysozyme, that kill bacteria by destroying their cell walls. The egg whites mask is an effective and cheap solution.

Method:

1. Break 3 eggs and separate yolks. Place eggs into a mixing bowl.
2. Whisk the eggs until they are white and fluffy. You can add lemon juice prior to whisking, since it is known for the ability to loosen clusters of dead skin.
3. Apply the whisked whites onto the face with your fingers.
4. Leave the egg white on your face for at least 30 minutes or overnight, if you feel comfortable with that.
5. Wash your face with lukewarm water.
6. Apply moisturizer.

Repeat this procedure 2 or 3 times a week.

Don't use this solution if you are allergic to eggs.

Vinegar is a 5 – 8% water solution of acetic acid. The action of vinegar against pimples is related to its good antiseptic action and ability to restore normal pH level of the skin. It is a cheap remedy with known effectiveness.

Method:

1. Dilute the white vinegar solution up to 10 times with water, depending on vinegar concentration. Apply a small amount of diluted vinegar onto skin and see if it stings. If it is, the concentration may be too high.
2. Wash the skin with mild cleanser and rinse before applying vinegar.
3. Apply vinegar with a cotton ball and leave for 5-10 minutes. Then wash your face with cool water.
4. Optionally apply moisturizer, since vinegar dries the skin.

In order to determine effectiveness of vinegar, it should be used for 3 weeks, since there might not be any improvements at first.

Aspirin helps treat pimples by reducing swelling and redness. It also constricts the pores and removes dead skin, which is a source of bacteria that cause pimples. Another aspect of aspirin's effectiveness is its anti-inflammatory effect (aspirin belongs to NSAIDs - Non Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs).

Topical aspirin application may be done in the form of spot treatment or mask. Crush an aspirin tablets (from one for spot treatment, to about 2-5 for a mask) and mix it well with distilled water, add just enough to make a thick paste. Apply onto pimples. You can leave it on from 5 to 15 minutes. It is advised to this once or twice per week, not more, but prepare a new batch of paste each time.

Salicylic acid is an effective peeling agent. It belongs to keratolytics, which decrease cohesion between skin cells, thus intensifying exfoliation and preventing clogging of pores.  Unlike benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid does not kill acne-causing bacteria. It comes in many forms like gels, cleansers, lotions, creams, toners and pads with concentrations of salicylic acid in range from 0.5 to 2%.

Examples of products with Salicylic Acid:

http://www.aveeno.com/product/aveeno-+clear+complexion+foaming+cleanser.do
https://www.mariobadescu.com/Anti-Acne-Serum

Before using Salicylic acid medication, make sure you have read information leaflet that comes with it.

You can find more information on how to use salicylic acid here.

Clearasil is an inexpensive and well-known brand of anti-acne products. 

It is effective, however, according to this site, Clearasil washes do not remove pimples (they just cleanse your face), while Clearasil acne treatment pads may induce new pimples to show up by drying the skin. Also, high salicylic acid concentrations (2%) in Clearasil products may cause skin burns.  So you should try mild medications containing lower concentrations of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide first, if you have sensitive skin. Some of Clearasil products include:

-Daily Clear Daily Face Wash. Active Ingredient: Salicylic acid 2%. Description: Unblocks pores to prevent pimples

-Ultra Rapid Action Acne Treatment Overnight Face Wash. Active Ingredient: Salicylic acid 2%. Description: Reduces redness and pimple size overnight.

-Ultra Rapid Action Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream. Active Ingredient: Benzoyl Peroxide 10%. Description: Reduces redness and pimple size in 4 hours.

-Clearasil Ultra Pore Cleansing Pads. Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2%. Description: Removes dirt, oil, and bacteria from pores.

Garlic contains potent antioxidants and a strong antimicrobial compound, allicin. It helps to open clogged pores and is capable of drying out the pimples.

For spot treatment:

1. Cut in pieces or crush garlic cloves
2. Dilute them in water (the more sensitive your skin is, the more water should be added)
3. Rub the cut or crushed garlic into the pimples. 
4. After 10-15 minutes wash the skin. Alternatively, you can leave it on the skin overnight.

For internal use, add 1-2 crushed garlic cloves to your meal or mix them with water and drink it.

You can find more details about anti-acne applications of garlic here.

Green tea is rich in antioxidants, particularly in catechin, which is a 25-50 times more potent antioxidant than vitamin E. Its benefits include:

• Reduces sebum production.
• Prevents inflammation
• Reduces inflammatory reaction to the bacteria that cause acne.

You can treat your pimples with green tea either

• orally – Drink 4-5 cups of caffeine free green tea per day. You can also try taking green tea extract supplements like this one.
• topically – Apply the brewed tea onto pimples. Or you can use Q-tips to apply brewed and cooled tea from green tea leaves on the affected area. This should be done at least 3 times daily.

 You can find more information and links to research articles here.

The following properties of jojoba oil make it a good remedy against pimples and acne:

• It contains antioxidants like vitamin E.
• It has antibacterial and fungicide properties.
• It is non-toxic and non-allergenic and is similar to human sebum.

The fact that jojoba oil resembles sebum tricks the skin into "thinking" that there is already a high amount of sebum present, and the skin stops producing it.

Method:

1. Use a mild cleanser to wash the affected area of your skin. Allow the excessive moisture to dry.
2. Soak a cotton swab into the jojoba oil and dab onto the affected area.

Repeat this procedure 3 times a day and for a few weeks.

Witch hazel is a herbal remedy known in traditional medicine for its ability to treat skin diseases. It has a set of properties that help in healing acne:

• Astringent - shrinks the skin and constricts pores;
• Antiseptic - witch hazel is a mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory remedy (it contains tannins, proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and resins);
• Anti-irritant.

Witch hazel tonic:

In a glass jar, add 1 tablespoon of dried lavender flowers and 6 drops of lavender oil  to a cup of witch hazel. Close the lid and store the jar in a cool, dry place for a week, shaking it daily. Filter the flowers off and pour the remaining liquid in a dark-colored glass container.

Shake the bottle and use cotton balls to apply the herbal extract on the affected skin area. Use three times per day or less.

Witch hazel mask:

Mix 1 teaspoon of witch hazel and 2 teaspoons of honey. You can also add essential oils to form a paste. Apply it on the skin area with pimples and leave for 15 minutes. Wash your face with cool water.

Manuka honey is considered the best kind of honey for treating pimples and acne that comes from New Zealand and Australia is a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial remedy. Alternatively, you can use raw (unprocessed and unpasteurized) honey.

Keep in mind that bacteria is not the only one factor causing acne, the other being closed pores. While honey is indeed an effective antibacterial agent, it cannot penetrate into a clogged pore and do its job there. 

There are several ways of using honey as an anti-pimple solution:

1. Apply honey as a spot treatment by putting a droplet of honey on a would-be pimple.
2. Use honey as a mask, applying it over clean skin. Wet your hands to spread it easily. You can leave such mask for at least 15 minutes or even overnight. Honey masks don't dry up, so don't put too much of it on your skin.

Internal use: Quercetin found in the honey delays stress reactions of acne-susceptible skin.

For more details see http://www.facingacne.com/honey-stop-acne/

Do not use honey if you are allergic to it.

These videos will help you understand what pimple and acne are and how to treat them effectively:

Toothpaste is known to be a great drying agent for pimples. It is a cheap and effective remedy. The effectiveness of toothpastes is most likely due to the fact that most of them contain triclosan, an effective antibacterial agent. Paste is also has drying properties and it draws grease out.

For best results it is recommended to apply ice to the pimple for minimum 10 minutes before using toothpaste (use white paste, not gel). Apply paste overnight. Wash your face normally in the morning. The size of pimple should be reduced.

Toothpaste may contain ingredients that irritate skin. Don't use this solution on an inflamed pimple, because in this case paste may cause sores and will make the pimple look even worse.

Face steaming is another good solution against pimples. The benefits related to this process are following:

• Steaming helps to remove dead cells, dirt and bacteria from of your skin. 
• Steaming may also increase blood flow and perspiration. The latter will help get rid of wastes carried by sweat from your body.

How to do it: 

1. Prepare your steaming device if you have one or pour some hot boiled water into a bowl. Professionals recommend the temperature of 110 degrees F (43 degrees C). 
2. Make sure your hair won't get in the way, cover your head and the bowl with a towel (like a tent).
3. Hold the problem skin area over steam for about 5-7 minutes. Caution: Don't get too close to the hot steam. After that, wash your face with lukewarm water, dry and apply an oil-free moisturizer. 

Find more detailed information about this on Newvision.