Swati_Sarath
- Aug 19, 2020

How To Get Rid Of Acne (Pimples) - Types, Causes & Remedies That Actually Work

Out of 100 people almost 60-65 would have had acne at some point in their life. Some would have overcome the acne issues while there might be still some people fighting against it to fade it completely from their life.

Have you tried everything you could do but still not able to achieve healthy and clear skin? That's because you probably need to know and bring changes to some most important steps in your lifestyle. So today, let's get to all the steps you need to follow in order to see effective results against acne or pimples on your skin.

What is Acne?

Acne is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that is mainly caused when oil and dead skin cells clog the hair follicles. This leads to spots, pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads on the face, back, neck, chest, and shoulders. It is also commonly known as acne vulgaris.

It starts off as a pimple or a zit and when not treated properly can spread and break out more leading to severe acne. Though it is not any life-threatening condition, it can be painful, distressing, and also can leave behind permanent scars on your skin.

To avoid this condition most dermatologists recommend practicing a few steps right from your early teenage years as it’s when chances of getting acne are the most.

Causes of Acne

Studies mention that genetic factors can lead to more severe acne compared to others. Anyhow improper care can also transform your acne from mild to severe.

Other causes and risk factors can be -

Hormonal changes
Menstruation
PCOD
Unhealthy diet
Emotional stress and anxiety
Greasy cosmetics
Squeezing pimples

Steps To Reduce and Fight Against Acne

There might be 'N' number of steps and remedies to clear acne but you might never get the best results until you follow some of the most basic steps in your day to day life.

1) Identify the type of acne -

The first and foremost essential step should be to identify the type of acne you have. Acne can come almost anywhere on your body. But that doesn’t mean that the acne you have on your face must be the same type of that on your back /shoulders.

Here are the most common types of acne you can come across -

Papules - They are tiny, red, raised bumps caused by inflamed or infected hair follicles.
Pustules - They are small red pimples that have pus at their tips.
Nodules - They are solid, often painful lumps beneath the surface of your skin.
Cysts - They are large lumps found beneath your skin that contain pus and are usually painful.they are also called cystic acne.

Treatment for these should be taken depending on how severe and persistent they are. For mild to medium acne (OTC) medications usually work but for extreme severe issues, it’s really important to consult your dermatitis specialist.

2) Eat the right diet -

A proper and right diet itself can change the whole game. What you intake daily can contribute a lot to how your skin looks.

If you are having or developing acne then you must say goodbye to these food items -

Dairy products
Chocolate
Oily foods
Fast Food
Excessive Refined carbs and sugar

It’s probably not necessary to avoid all of them completely but rather reduce their intake and focus more on foods that can be really great to fight against acne. Consuming a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, green tea, fruits, and vegetables may protect against the development of acne. Vitamins A, D, and E, as well as zinc, may also help prevent acne.

Remember, overall dietary patterns are likely to have a larger impact on skin health than eating or not eating any one particular food. So, eat healthy to stay healthy and beautiful.

3) Drink plenty of water -

Along with your proper diet, you also need to drink a minimum of 3 liters of water daily so as to flush out all the toxins from your body.

Also, make it a practice to drink 1 cup of lukewarm water in an empty stomach right after you wake up. You can also squeeze half a lemon or 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar before having it.

4) Do not touch your face -

Most of us have the urge to touch or squeeze the pimple on our faces. Popping a pimple may seem like the fastest way to clear it, but actually it makes things worse.

When you pop a pimple the pus in it spreads to other parts of your face leading to more pimples. It also pushes bacteria and pus deeper into the skin, which might cause more swelling and redness. Squeezing also can lead to scabs and might leave you with permanent pits or scars.

If you don’t want this to happen control your temptation on popping a pimple or touching your face.

5) Stick to a good skincare regime -

This is something that I always emphasize in all my skincare articles. It’s very necessary to have a simple yet powerful skincare routine to keep our skin healthy and glowing.

People with acne issues need to be very careful in choosing products. Here are a few tips you can follow for the same -

Wash your face twice a day and after sweating.
Choose cleansers that have acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and Benzoyl peroxide.
For sensitive skin use gentle and mild products that are not too harsh on the skin.
Stop scrubbing your face and other acne-prone areas with harsh exfoliators. In case you want to remove the dead skin cells, use a mild scrubber once a week.
Using a toner having green tea or apple cider vinegar or tea tree as its main ingredient. This can help in minimizing your pores and also to reduce the acne.
Use makeup products that are oil-free and do not clog the pores.
Products having Retinoids, such as adapalene gel, unclog pores and reduce oiliness thus preventing acne. You can use them on active acne.

Once you identify the best skincare regime that actually works for you, stick to it so as to see visible changes on your skin. Do not keep switching or experimenting with new products. You can check out my blog on the ultimate skincare regime and also the best cleansers for acne-prone sensitive skin so that you get to choose the right one.

6) Change your pillow covers -

Your pillow can be the home for bacteria, oil, grease, and dirt. This build-up can clog your pores when you sleep on it. Hence it’s extremely important to change your pillowcase every 3-4 days to keep your skin healthy and pimple-free.

Studies also say that sleeping on satin pillows can help in providing a clear and smooth skin. It also prevents aging. Therefore, washing what touches your acne-prone skin can make a huge difference.

Note - This is also applicable to your face or bath towels.

7) Clean your daily essential items -

Your phone can be a hotbed of germs and dirt that can cause acne issues. It accumulates all the makeup, moisture, sweat, or any other cream you have applied. So, always make sure to clean them every alternate day with some rubbing alcohol or wet wipes. This can really be a great step towards preventing acne problems.

Another major thing is the makeup brushes. If you are a makeup lover like me, then make sure to keep them clean after every two uses. This prevents the build-up of bacteria in them thus making it safe for our skin.

8) Do spot treatments -

Spot treatments really work great for acne. It doesn't clear up your entire skin but will work on each pimple individually to kill the bacteria causing the zit. Apply it overnight right after cleansing your face to get the best results.

Pimple patches also make convenient spot treatments. They have awesome blemish-fighting ingredients and also prevent you from picking or popping your pimples, which affects inflammation and healing time. You can buy it online (link is given below) and use it on any active pimple after cleansing your face. You can use it during the day or at night.

Buy Online -> Acne and Pimple Spot Patches

Buy Online -> Acne Clarifying Gel for Active Acne Pimple Treatment

9) Reduce stress and anxiety -

Another most common cause of acne is emotional stress. Have you ever noticed erupting pimples or the development of acne when you lack sleep or are stressed and depressed? These mental and emotional imbalances trigger breakouts and sometimes make the existing acne even worse.

Hence try to relax and sleep for at least 8 hrs a day. If that’s not working for you then take a break from your stressed and busy life and enjoy doing something your love to do. You will definitely see a huge change in your pimple or acne issues.

But if you feel things cannot be handled by you anymore, seek a doctor for help.

Final Verdict

So we now come to the end of this blog. Pimples are a common condition that actually frustrates all of us. But if left ignored can really damage our youthful-looking skin. Every skin is different and so the results. All remedies might not work for everyone but could be worth a try. However, taking care of the above-mentioned steps can really help in some way to get rid of your acne issues.

Remember if you live with severe acne, you may still want to consult a dermatologist.