Acne is a skin condition that affects the lives of millions of people. Depending on the cases and the person, it may or may not be complicated to make it disappear.
Completely getting rid of acne overnight is usually impossible to do. However, there are some things you can do to dramatically decrease the redness, irritation, and size of your pimples in just 24 hours.
Home remedies
The following are some of the best and most well-known home remedies you can try to treat acne fast:
Toothpaste
Toothpaste helps in drying out acne overnight because of the presence of silica, a drying agent. In addition, it can help in decreasing the inflammation, making the pimples look smaller.
However, note that it is not used for clearing up acne. It is only good as a spot treatment when you need to dry pimples fast. It does not address the root cause of acne, and thus, will not completely treat it.
To use this home remedy, choose a natural toothpaste, preferably with baking soda in its ingredients, and dab it onto the pimples.
Let it sit for 20 minutes or more to dry before rinsing. When rinsing, use lukewarm water instead of cold or hot water.
Aspirin
Take one tablet of aspirin, crush it into powder, and add a little bit of water just enough to form a paste. Then, take a clean cotton bud, use it to take some of the paste, and apply the paste to all active pimples.
Let it dry. Leave it on overnight. Rinse it with lukewarm water in the morning.
Aspirin has anti-inflammatory properties. This means that it will reduce the inflammation, thereby reducing the size and redness of the pimples as well.
Tea tree oil
One of the most popular essential oils for fighting acne is tea tree oil.
It has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which makes it effective in reducing the size and redness of acne. It kills the bacteria inside your skin’s pores.
To use this home remedy, take a clean cotton bud, dip it into tea tree oil and apply to all active pimples. Do not put too much though as pure tea tree oil is potent.
Ice cubes
This is the only home remedy that is guaranteed to reduce the size of pimples quickly. Other remedies that claim to be effective in reducing pimple size have unverified or limited success.
To use this remedy, just rub an ice cube over all your active pimples until the affected areas go numb. Make sure that you have already cleansed your face before you do this.
Stop rubbing the ice cube once the affected areas have already gone numb. When your skin has regained warmth, repeat the process.
The ice will constrict the blood vessels in your skin, helping make the pimples look smaller. In addition, it helps in lessening the pain if your acne is painful because it will numb your nerves.
Astringents
Astringents are topical products that are designed to treat acne and give you clear skin.
The following are the types of astringents:
Natural astringents
There are some items that may already be in your kitchen that act as natural astringents such as the following:
- Tomatoes contain an acid that fights acne and decreases pimple size. In addition, this acid is anti-bacterial and also seals pores. To use this remedy, just cut a big tomato in half. Apply one half on one side of the face, and apply the other half on the other side.
- Green tea fights free radicals, making it effective in reducing the signs of aging. It also contains plenty of antioxidants. To use this remedy, just steep one bag of green tea in hot water. Then, take away the tea bag and the liquid. Apply to the affected areas for a minute or two.
- A banana peel is also believed to be effecting in decreasing pimple size. Just rub a banana peel gently over the active acne and rinse.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid contains antibacterial properties capable of killing the acne-causing bacteria. It also speeds up the shedding of skin cells.
Thus, it promotes healthy cell renewal. To use this, after cleansing your face at night, apply a bit of salicylic acid onto all active acne.
Benzoyl peroxide
Like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide has antibacterial properties. There are several solution concentrations available.
However, we recommend 2.5 concentration because it is not that potent to cause irritations, but still effective in fighting against acne.
In addition, it helps in removing dead skin cells, leaving smoother, fairer, and younger-looking skin. Use it the same way you would with salicylic acid.
Prep your skin
Cleansing
The most basic rule to remember if you want to get rid of acne and achieve clear skin is to always make sure your face is clean! Wash your face when you wake up and before you sleep.
If you have sensitive skin, go for an effective but gentle facial wash instead of soap. Also, cleanse your face again if you have already been exposed to smoke, pollution, or if you have perspired already.
Not doing so right away will cause all the dirt and bacteria to be clogged inside your pores. This will result in more breakouts.
Exfoliation
You need to exfoliate once a week. This is for the purpose of eliminating the top layer of your skin which contain dead skin cells.
This will result in brighter and more youthful looking skin underneath. Remember to rub lightly when using your exfoliating product because applying too much pressure will damage your skin.
Rinsing
When you cleanse your face, use warm water. This will open up the pores to make sure all the dirt and bacteria will be washed away properly.
Then, use cold water for rinsing. Ice-cold water is best. This will seal the pores and tighten the skin.
If you want to learn more about how to keep acne off of your face, keep reading we have more for you!
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