Bacteria, hormones and clogged pores on the skin may lead to the formation of acne. Acne may also be a result of heredity. The action of bacteria and dead skin leads to pimples. When pores get blocked and closed and finally protrude out, whiteheads are formed. On the other hand, when the blocked pores remain open but the top area becomes dark, they lead to the formation of blackheads.
Be it an herbal mask or a chemical one, always remember to avoid the lip and eye areas while you are applying the mask. Let it dry and rinse it immediately. There are various homemade acne treatments that make use of herbal masks made out of kaolin, mint, lavender, and cucumber. You also can make use of herbal toners like lemon juice to get an acne-free face.
Your body needs to be constantly flushed properly. Drink as much water as you can to keep your body and skin clean and fresh. Along with consuming water, drink naturally sweetened fruit juices every day. This will help to make you look attractive by giving you a radiant skin.
In order to reduce the inflammation, you can apply packs of ice to the pimple for 2 minutes after every half an hour. You can soothe the irritation and redness by applying a dab of toothpaste on the pimple. You can even use a wet tea bag or press a wet cotton ball against the acne containing a drop of lemon. Holding it for five minutes can reduce both the redness and the swelling.
There are various ointments and lotions available in the markets that help in fighting acne. Most of these products contain benzoyl peroxide that is a bleaching agent. These may be effective for a short-term cure but they may damage your skin and make it dry and rough if the bleaching content is too high. If you are still keen on using these bleaching products take care to use only the mild ones.
It is a well-known fact that acne generally results from both internal problems as well as external problems. Hence the first step to fight acne is to fight internal problems. Maintaining an appropriate and balanced diet can help in fighting such problems. You should ensure that the food you intake has a high level of nutrition in it. If you can follow a proper skin care regimen in addition to a healthy diet you will certainly have flawless skin.
After you have tried all remedial steps and have also taken care to consume healthy food there is one more thing you should remember. You need to have patience. You should give a minimum of two months’ time for your treatment to prove its effect. There are various effective antibiotics that need quite some time to cure your acne.
Do you have oily skin as well as long hair? Your long hair could be detrimental for your acne prone skin. The oil content in the hair attracts dirt and when the hair touches the skin on your face, neck, shoulder, etc. (this is more likely in case of long hair) the oil and bacteria problems are intensified. Shampoo your hair frequently and keep it away from your face.
Increase your intake of vegetables, fruits and nuts. Regular consumption of salads, juices and dry fruits can have a miraculous effect on your skin. Try and cut down on the consumption of coffee, tea, chocolates, refined carbohydrates, sugar and other products with caffeine in it, as all these products tend to increase sebum-producing insulin in the body and enhance the problems caused by acne and pimples.
It is also necessary to avoid sunscreen lotions that are oil based. However, you should not avoid the use of sunscreen completely as exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun may prove to be dangerous for your pimples. You should use a water based UVA/UVB sunscreen with a high SPF or Sun Protection Factor.
Hormonal activity is another major factor for the occurrence of acne. Excessive output of hormones from the adrenal glands and activities like the menstrual cycle are chief causes. Using medication containing halogens, exposure to high level chlorine compounds, use of antibiotic steroids, accumulation of dead cells of the skin, scratching and skin irritation are other general causes for the appearance of acne.
Do not use unnecessary makeup if your skin is prone to pimples. Even if you are wearing makeup, always clean it before you go off to sleep. Make use of topical cleansing pads that contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur to clean excess oil. Do not use harsh cleansers and try using acne skin care products that mildly exfoliates.
Never try to pick or squeeze the acne in any way. Instead of bringing the bacteria out, it rather pushes it back deeper into the skin and makes the area appear red and inflamed by spreading the infection. Squeezing pimples -- or "popping zits" -- can also leave behind permanent blemishes even after the acne dries off.