13 Best Home Remedies for Pimples and Acne

When you get pimples, you might feel less beautiful till the pimples go away. Besides the skin irritation and itchiness, acne or pimples sometimes burst and lead to bleeding. They bleed, grow back, and sometimes cause infections, which is not something you want. Here we give you some simple and effectual home remedies to tackle acne and pimples.

What Are the Common Causes of Pimples and Acne?

There are various reasons why acne happens but the most common ones are:

1. Hormonal Fluctuations

Hormones are one of the biggest causes of acne. Hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy and when you take oral contraceptives may also lead to pimples.

2. Poor Diet

If you’ve been binging on oily, greasy, or fried foods a lot, you’re more likely to get acne. This is because the pores of your skin get clogged up by the oils and the sebaceous glands keep producing more on top of that. Those who have lactose intolerance are also known to get acne when they consume dairy products, cheese, milk, and chocolates.

3. Lack of Sleep

If you’re not getting your ZZZs, you’re going to get acne. This is because sleep deprivation leads to the release of cortisol which could trigger other hormonal responses throughout your body, causing acne.

4. Genetics

If acne runs in your immediate family or previous generations, you’re likely to get it too.

5. Stress

Stress doesn’t directly cause acne but it does play a part. It could lead to bleeding, infections, or more pimples.

6. Cosmetic Products

Any comedogenic ingredients in skincare or cosmetic products will clog up your pores and worsen acne. To prevent this, always go for water-based products and double check the ingredients list just to be sure.

7. Alcohol-based Cleansers

Alcohol-based cleansers sometimes have harmful ingredients which can irritate the skin and upset the pH balance. This ends up causing acne.

8. Too Much Sun Exposure

Exposing your skin to the sun without wearing good sunscreen can make your skin oily and more prone to acne.

9. Dehydration

Dehydration leads to an electrolyte imbalance and clogs up your pores with excess oils and dirt.

10. Sedentary Lifestyle

A sedentary and inactive lifestyle combined with an unhealthy diet is the main reason why many people get acne.

Types of Acne

There are mainly four kinds of acne which are most common:

1. Whiteheads

Whiteheads appear on oily skin and can be cured with the proper exfoliation treatment.

2. Blackheads

When the oil in your skin gets oxidized and turns dark, you get blackheads.

3. Cysts

Cysts penetrate deep into your skin and heal very slowly. Their main cause is hormonal imbalance and they may sometimes lead to infections.

4. Nodules

Nodules are similar to cysts except that they are very painful when touched. This is a severe case of acne and doesn’t always become red. They require intensive treatment by expert dermatologists.

Effective Natural Remedies to Treat Acne and Pimples

Wondering how to treat acne at home? Try out these home remedies and remove pimples naturally.

1. Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an easy and fast home remedy for acne. It is basically the juice extracted from fermented apples or the unfiltered juice of raw organic apples.

How It Helps

The lactic acid and the succinic acid content is known to prevent scarring and lessen inflammation.

Ingredients:

• Raw organic apple cider vinegar (unfiltered)
• Cotton balls
• Cold water

Procedure:

• Take one part apple cider vinegar and dilute it in three parts water.
• Dip cotton balls and apply the solution to the pimple-affected areas.
• Wait for 20 seconds, rinse using cold water and pat dry.
• Do this twice a day or more depending on how oily your skin is.
• Your pimples should go away in 2 to 3 days.

Note: Make sure you dilute it since taking concentrated apple cider vinegar can burn or irritate your skin.

2. Zinc Supplementation

There’s a connection between acne and low levels of zinc in people. You can prevent and stop pimples naturally at home using zinc supplements.

How It Helps:

Research shows that people who have low levels of zinc experience acne. Elemental zinc is known to reduce acne in patients.

Ingredients:

• Any zinc supplement (doctor-prescribed)

Procedure:

• Just take any zinc supplement after consultation with your doctor.
• The optimal dosage for elemental zinc per day is 30 to 45 mg.
• Your acne should go away in about eight weeks if you take zinc supplements daily.

Note: Don’t take more than the prescribed dosage since too much zinc can cause stomach pain and irritation in the gut.

3. Honey and Cinnamon Face Mask

Honey and cinnamon are packed with antioxidants which help in eliminating acne naturally.

How It Helps:

Honey is laden with anti-bacterial properties that kill the bacteria while cinnamon is known to treat inflammation. These are two factors that speed up the treatment of acne.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Procedure:

• Mix the honey and cinnamon with water to make a paste.
• Apply this to your skin and let it sit for 20 minutes.
• Rinse your face using cold water and pat dry afterwards.
• You may start noticing results in less than a week.

Note: There is no conclusive scientific evidence that shows that honey and cinnamon completely heals acne-prone skin.

4. Non-Toxic Aloe Vera Gel

Non-toxic aloe vera gel has been used since generations for treating pimples and acne.

How It Helps:

Aloe vera gel can moisturize your skin, unclog pores and get rid of dust, dirt, and excess oils, thus balancing your skin’s pH.

Ingredients:

• Any organic aloe vera gel (non-toxic)

Procedure:

• Any organic non-toxic aloe vera gel will do.
• Apply that to your face using a skin brush and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Rinse with cold water and pat dry.
• Your pimples should go away in a week. It works in various weather conditions.

Note: Be careful when buying aloe vera gel since commercial products have harmful or toxic chemicals which may lead to scarring and worsen acne.

5. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a great remedy for black spots, pimples, and acne.

How It Helps:                    

Studies show that using tea tree oil on your skin is known to be effective against acne when compared to other commercial products.

Ingredients:

• 1 part tea tree oil
• 9 parts water
• Cotton balls
• Moisturiser

Procedure:

• Mix the tea tree oil and water to make a solution.
• Apply this to your skin using cotton balls.
• Use your moisturiser afterwards.
• Repeat this once or twice a day depending on the condition of your skin.

Note: Tea tree oil is highly concentrated and may irritate your skin so make sure to dilute it before applying

6. Green Tea Bags

Green tea is known to have anti-inflammatory properties which are useful in suppressing acne and preventing breakouts.

How It Helps:

Various studies show that green tea extract is beneficial in reducing sebum production in those who have acne.

Ingredients:

• Green tea bags
• Boiling water
• Cotton balls

Procedure:

• Soak some bags of green tea in boiling water for a few minutes.
• Let it cool down to room temperature and soak the cotton balls in it.
• Apply this to your skin or pour the tea over your acne directly.
• Let it dry and rinse with water afterwards.
• You’ll see results in 2-3 days with regular use twice a day.

Note: Don’t pour boiled green tea on your skin as it may scald you.

7. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a fantastic remedy for healing acne and it is believed to work. However, further research is needed to establish its efficacy.

How It Helps:

Witch Hazel has been shown to possess antibacterial properties, prevent inflammation and speed up healing.

Ingredients:

• Organic witch hazel
• Water
• Cotton balls

Procedure:

• Mix a tablespoon of witch hazel bark with a cup of water.
• Soak this for 30 minutes and bring to a boil.
• Lower the heat, simmer, and cook with the lid covered for 10 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes.
• Strain and apply this solution to your skin using cotton balls up to once or twice a day.

Note: Remember to get organic witch hazel since commercial products don’t have the tannins required to fight bacteria and heal the skin.

8. Mint

Mint not only cools and hydrates your skin but also helps to beat acne.

How It Helps:

It removes oils from your pores and unclogs them.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of fresh mint (finely chopped)
• 2 tablespoons of plain yoghurt
• 2 tablespoons of oatmeal
• Water

Procedure:

• Put the ingredients in a high-speed blender and run it to make a smooth paste.
• Apply this to your skin and leave it on for ten minutes.
• Rinse using cold water and you’re done.
• Do this once or twice a day and you’ll see your acne go away.

Note: Don’t use hot water for the blending since it may lead to dryness.

9. Holy Basil Essential Oil

Holy basil essential oil is one of the best ways to get rid of acne.

How It Helps:

Holy basil balances your hormonal and blood sugar levels, thus preventing acne.

Ingredients:

• Lemon water
• Holy basil

Procedure:

• Mix a few drops of lemon water with holy basil essential oil.
• Apply this to your skin and let it sit for a few minutes.
• Rinse using cold water and pat dry.

Note: Make sure to dilute the lemon water since you don’t want to scar your skin but just balance your pH levels.

10. Fish Oil Supplementation

Fish oil supplements can be used to prevent acne.

How It Helps:

The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil capsules manage the oil production in your skin and have anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredients:

• Fish oil capsules (500mg)

Procedure:

• Buy fish oil capsules after consultation with your doctor.
• Take 500 mg fish oil twice a day.
• Your acne will go away within one to two weeks.

Note: Be sure that the fish oil capsules are molecularly distilled and free from mercury contamination

11. Low GI Foods

Avoiding processed and simple carbs and reaching out for low GI foods has been a proven way to significantly reduce acne.

How It Helps:

Low GI foods reduce oil production by the sebaceous glands and lower blood sugar levels too. This helps in eliminating acne.

Ingredients:

• Fruits and vegetables like bitter greens, red cabbage, apples, bananas, watermelons, etc
• Nuts and seeds like chia seeds, flax seeds, almonds, walnuts, etc.

Procedure:

• Stock up on foods like fruits, vegetable, nuts, seeds, and minimally processed grain.
• Eat these on a regular basis to get a wide variety of nutrients.
• Your acne will naturally clear up in 12 weeks.

Note: Avoid processed versions of these foods and anything that’s canned or packaged.

12. Chamomile Tea Bags

Chamomile is a plant that has been proven to reduce acne. Here’s how you use it.

How It Helps:

Chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory properties which reduce the risk of getting acne.

Ingredients:

• Chamomile tea bags
• Water

Procedure:

• Empty out the contents of the chamomile tea bags and put them into a high-speed blender.
• Make a smooth paste by blending it with water.
• Use this face mask on your acne to heal it.
• Give it a week and your scarring or pimples will start going away.
• You can also make chamomile tea and pour it on your face.

Note: Be sure to let it cool and then pour since you don’t want to get scalded.

13. Aspirin

Did you know that aspirin can help you treat acne? No, we don’t mean drinking it but rather applying to your skin!

How It Helps:

The salicylic acid in aspirin tablets is known to lower inflammation and heal acne.

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 aspirin tablets

Procedure:

• Crush the aspirin tablets and dissolve the powder in water.
• Apply this to your acne-affected skin using cotton balls.
• Let it sit for a while and rinse.

Diet and Lifestyle Tips to Get Rid of Acne and Pimples

In terms of dietary and lifestyle tips for getting rid of acne and pimples, here’s what we recommend:

• Incorporate antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and veggies. Aim for five to six servings of these a day and drink freshly-squeezed juices.

• Avoid milk and dairy products like cheese, processed foods, donuts, and unhealthy carbs. Don’t opt for simple carbs either. Instead, go for complex carbs like brown rice, quinoa, and oatmeal.
• Make sure you exercise every day and drink enough water to hydrate your skin and flush out the excess oils and toxins.

How Long Does It Take for Pimples or Acne to Go Away On Its Own?

Acne usually goes away on its own in 3 to 6 months, with proper treatment, if it’s a severe case. For mild cases, it’s just 4 to 6 weeks.

That’s it. Just try out these home remedies and watch how your pimples disappear over the course of a few weeks!

Also Read:

Foods to Eat & Avoid for Healthy Skin
Home Remedies to Lighten Your Dark Underarms
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Open Pores on Skin