If your pimple has become a whitehead, you can also apply a warm compress. Soak a washcloth in hot water, then apply it to your pimple for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this process 3-4 times a day until the pimple releases its pus and heals.
Benzoyl peroxide works by killing the bacteria that cause acne. As a peroxide product, benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics. Keep it away from your clothing, and consider sleeping on white sheets or towels if you’re applying it before bed.
Higher concentrations of salicylic acid products are available, but only by prescription. Higher over-the-counter concentrations are likely to produce more noticeable effects, but can also cause your skin to peel.
Avoid washing your face much more than twice a day, since this can dry out your skin. Wash your face once in the morning and once before bed, and again if you’ve been sweating a lot. Look for a cleanser labeled as “non-comedogenic. ” This means that the product does not promote the formation of acne, blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples. [7] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source Harsh soap or cleansers can dry out your skin and make it more prone to acne. Opt for gentle cleansers, and switch to another product if you get rashes or other negative reactions. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source Nodules and cysts do not happen because your face or other parts of your body aren’t clean. However, keeping your face and body clean can decrease the amount of sebum and cell debris that are at the root of pimples.
Foods that are low-sugar include vegetables (except beets, pumpkin, and parsnips), fruits (aside from watermelon and dates), rolled oats and bran cereals, whole wheat and whole-grain bread, whole-grain pasta, nuts, legumes, yogurt, brown rice, barley. [10] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Consider eliminating sugary soft drinks from your diet and reducing the amount of foods you eat with processed sugar, like candy, donuts, baked goods, and other similar foods.
Vitamin A rich foods include spinach, carrots, broccoli, red peppers, sweet potatoes, and summer squash. Fruits that contain vitamin A include mangoes, cantaloupe, and apricots. Legumes are a good source of vitamin A, as well as meat, and fish, such as herring and salmon. [13] X Research source The best way to get Vitamin D is to go out into the sun for 10 to 15 minutes in the morning or late afternoon a few times a week. Foods with high levels of vitamin D include fish like salmon and tuna, along with cod liver oil. Vitamin D is also found in dairy, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. [14] X Research source Omega-3 fatty acids are found in nuts and seeds, such as flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, chia seeds, butternuts, and walnuts. Other great sources for omega-3s are salmon, sardines, mackerel, and whitefish. [15] X Research source Vegetables like spinach and Chinese broccoli also contain omega-3s.
The American Academy of Dermatology also recommends avoiding products that irritate the skin. This includes astringents, toners, and exfoliants. [18] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
Put some tea tree oil on a cotton ball or swab and apply it directly to the deep pimple. If you have a sensitivity to tea tree oil, use a carrier oil. Tea tree oil has been shown to be just as helpful as benzoyl peroxide in treating acne. Be careful not to get any tea tree oil near your eyes. Tea tree oil can cause sensitivity and rashes for some people, so always test it first. Put a single drop of the oil on your wrist and wait for 10 to 15 minutes. If there’s no irritation, you should be able to use the oil. [20] X Research source
You can also use the brewed tea on your acne. Put some on a cotton ball to spot treat the hard pimple. Since green tea is soothing to your skin, you can apply this treatment as often as you’d like. Start by applying green tea to your acne twice a day.
Begin by mixing 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of honey, 1 egg white, and 1 tsp (4. 9 mL) of lemon juice. Honey has antibacterial and healing properties. [22] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Since lemon juice is a bleaching and whitening agent, you can substitute witch hazel if you don’t want to use lemon juice. [23] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Then, add 0. 5 US tbsp (7. 4 mL) of either peppermint, spearmint, lavender, calendula, or thyme oil. Spread the mixture over your face or wherever else you have acne. If you’d like, use a cotton swab to spread the mixture over specific problem areas. Allow the mixture to dry for 15 minutes. Then rinse it off completely with lukewarm water. Pat the area dry with a clean towel and apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer.
Make a honey-baking soda exfoliant by mixing 0. 25 cups (59 mL) of honey with enough baking soda to make a paste. For an oatmeal exfoliant, grind 0. 25 to 0. 5 cups (20-40 grams) of rolled whole oats in a food processor or coffee grinder. Add enough olive, jojoba, vitamin E, avocado, or almond oil to make a paste. To make a sugar-olive oil exfoliant, mix a teaspoon of sugar with 0. 5 cups (120 mL) of olive oil. You can also use castor, jojoba, vitamin E, avocado, or almond oil. Make a sea salt exfoliant by putting 2 tsp (9. 9 mL) of sea salt in enough olive, jojoba, vitamin E, avocado, or almond oil to make a paste. When using a homemade exfoliant, apply it to your face or affected areas in gentle, circular motions. You can also use a cotton swab or cotton ball to apply to smaller areas. Gently work the mixture into the area for 2-3 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
Wash your face before trying this steam treatment, and keep your head over the water for 10 minutes. The steam will open your pores and soothe your skin. Pat your face dry after your done with the treatment. You can then apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer. If your acne is on a location other than your face, you can turn your bathroom into a steam shower by using towels to cover gaps below the door and turning on your shower to the highest heat setting. Remove your clothes and sit on a towel on the floor outside your shower for 15 to 20 minutes. [28] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source To include essential oils when using your shower as a steam room, boil a bowl of hot water and add a few drops of oils. Then, place the bowl by your shower. If you begin to feel dizzy while in your bathroom, turn off the shower, leave the room immediately, and drink some cold water to keep you from becoming dehydrated.
Common treatments include retinoids, topical or oral antibiotics, oral contraceptives (for women), an anti-androgen agent, or isotretinoin. [30] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source If you have an isolated acne lesion, your dermatologist might recommend an intralesional steroid injection. This can be an effective way to get rid of acne quickly. [31] X Expert Source Paul Friedman, MDBoard Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.
Lasers and other light therapies: Lasers and light therapies can kill off and reduce bacteria that cause pimples. Chemical peels: These are professional strength chemical peels. Though these are most often used to treat blackreheads and papules, your dermatologist may feel that these can benefit you. Acne removal: This is procedure is called drainage and extraction and is used for larger nodules and cysts. It may be an option when the nodules or cysts do not respond to other treatments.
