If you think that pimples are a sign of poor hygiene, then you are very mistaken. The fact is: skin imperfections always arise when the body is out of balance. This especially happens when we eat too unbalanced a diet or are exposed to constant stress. But natural hormone fluctuations or hereditary predispositions can also contribute to you suffering from pimples in adulthood. This makes it all the more important to deal with skin impurities correctly – from cleaning to care. Here you will find out how pimples arise and how they can be treated quickly and effectively to improve the appearance of your skin.
Pimples mainly appear where you can least use them: on the face, in the décolleté or on the back. This is partly because there are a particularly large number of sebum glands in these areas of the body, which can clog our pores due to excessive production. But external influences such as dirt particles, creams and make-up also promote skin impurities such as blackheads etc. There are also other factors such as dead skin cells, sweat and hormonal changes (for example due to taking or stopping the pill, pregnancy and childbirth or even the Menopause), which contributes to many adults suffering from pimples as they age.
Before you get out the chemicals, it is always advisable to use proven home remedies. On the one hand, these are better tolerated and, on the other hand, significantly cheaper to purchase – you may even already have some of the following ingredients at home:
1. Healing clay
Healing clay has long been used in alternative medicine. The mineral powder of natural origin is particularly skin-friendly, but what is even more important: its ingredients can help pimples disappear more quickly. All you have to do is apply the healing clay to your face or décolleté – there are both loose powder and ready-made masks for external use. If you decide on the former, proceed as follows: Put two teaspoons of soil in a small bowl and mix it with ten tablespoons of water until a kind of paste is formed. Apply this to the desired areas of the body over large areas and allow it to absorb until the soil has dried. Then wash the mask off with a soft cloth and warm water. You can get the finished mask here.
2. Teebaumöl
A classic from the pharmacy is tea tree oil. Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, the proven home remedy can be used specifically to combat skin impurities. The oil not only promotes wound healing, but also dries out pimples and relieves unpleasant pain or swelling. However, only drip the product onto the affected areas, preferably with a cotton swab, and let it absorb (preferably overnight) – unless you have particularly sensitive skin that dries out quickly. In this case, you should wash off the tea tree oil after 15 to 20 minutes. To do this, use a cotton pad and lukewarm water.
3. Aloe vera
The desert plant is a small miracle weapon against pimples: the active ingredients it contains are astringent and antibacterial at the same time. In other words, the gel obtained from it can be used specifically to combat skin blemishes, redness and swelling caused by pimples. But the plant itself also has an anti-inflammatory effect – if you have a specimen at home, you can remove a piece of a leaf. The healing gel collects at the interface within a short time, which you simply have to apply to your skin or the affected areas of the body. If you don’t have aloe vera, you can simply buy the finished gel here.
4. Zink
Zinc is also said to have antiseptic, wound healing, adsorptive and astringent effects. For this reason, zinc ointments are a popular remedy for skin blemishes: the zinc oxide they contain not only dries out pimples, but also promotes wound healing for weeping and painful skin particles. As an alternative to the classic zinc ointment, there are also zinc capsules – the German Society for Nutrition recommends that women take no more than 12 milligrams per day, and men no more than 15 milligrams of zinc. By taking it, you support the skin from the inside, so they say.
5. Apple cider vinegar
At this point, you may be wondering how does apple cider vinegar help fight your pimples? In fact, this is also a tried and tested home remedy that has an antibacterial effect and can therefore help to treat and prevent skin blemishes. For the treatment, mix a tablespoon of vinegar with a glass of water, then dip a cotton pad into the liquid and rub it onto your pimples – to clean the pores and improve the complexion. Find out more about apple cider vinegar.
6. Honey
It has long been known that honey also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Manuka honey, which is obtained in New Zealand, is currently being touted as a new miracle cure for pimples, but why? In principle, it has the same antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties as regular honey – but according to New Zealand’s University of Waikato, these are far more intense. Here, too, the golden juice is simply applied to the skin to eliminate pimples. You can use the rest for colds or gastrointestinal illnesses.
If none of the home remedies mentioned have achieved the desired effect for you, there is still a large selection of skin care products for blemishes. Avoid aggressive products that dry out pimples – this only stimulates sebum production and, in turn, leads to even more pimples. Instead, opt for a mild cleansing gel or facial toner. Alternatively, you can also use rose water, which is used for cleansing and care like a normal facial toner. Peelings, on the other hand, should only be used sparingly, i.e. no more than once or twice a week, to remove dead skin cells. You should then provide your skin with sufficient moisture; fluids, gels or creams that are quickly absorbed are recommended.
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