Be assured that you’re not the only ones that have stumbled into the bathroom half-asleep, only to be rudely awoken by the massive breakout on the forehead. To minimise these horrifying encounters you have with the mirror, we’ve come up with our best tips and tricks to get rid of all your acne naturally. Read on to find out what they are!
Effective DIY packs for treating pimples
There are a great variety of ingredients that you can apply to your face to reduce the frequency with which you catch a spot on your face. We’ve listed some of them below:
Apple cider vinegar

Packed with a variety of organic acids, apple cider vinegar is great for killing bacteria and viruses – in particular, the damage caused by P. acnes, the bacteria that are found on the skin and are responsible for many skin problems. The acetic acid present also works to minimise scarring from previous spots and can also reduce the surplus of oil that is responsible for breakouts.
Mix apple cider vinegar with three times as much water and apply the mixture to the face. Leave it on for only around 15 seconds before washing it off. If your skin is particularly sensitive skin, stay on the safe side and add some extra water – vinegar can be quite harsh on the face, so it needs to be sufficiently diluted before it can be applied.
Green tea

This is a classic for a reason. Similar to apple cider vinegar, green tea is full of organic substances that work to fight bacteria. It also reduces inflammation of your pimples. Its high antioxidant content is further said to decrease the excess sebum produced on the face.
All you need to do is make some green tea, and then let it soak through a cotton ball before gently massaging it into your face. Once it has dried, rinse your face with water. Make sure the green tea is not hot, and at room temperature as it could dry out your face.
Tea-tree oil
This is another ingredient that works wonders for preventing the appearance of that odd pimple you may find here and there. With both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil can effectively reduce the aggravated areas of your skin. It is important to note that it is very strong and needs to be heavily diluted before it is used on the skin - this can be done either with other carrier oils, e.g. olive or coconut oil, or it can also be diluted with water.
Chamomile

Looks like we’ve got another form of tea on the list! The skin-healing properties of this ingredient will make your skin problems a thing of the past. Chamomile not only helps to curb inflammation, but it also helps to heal scars and wounds: it is useful for both the active-acne stage and the after-acne stage.
After dipping one or two chamomile tea bags into a cup of water and letting it seep for ten minutes, wash your face thoroughly as to remove any makeup residue before applying the chamomile tea with a cotton ball.
Foods to consume
Unfortunately, massive amounts of chocolate and chai will not work to reduce your acne. So make sure you cut down on coffee and tea and increase the intake of these following foods:
Foods that are high in Omega 3 fatty acids
By working to regulate the hormones that stimulate excessive sebum production, omega 3 fatty acids are great for controlling hormonal acne. By eating salmon for dinner once a week or packing some walnuts as a snack at work, you’re helping yourself more than you know. Another option that you can go for is fish oil supplements, as they are known for their high omega 3 content.
Foods that are high in zinc

Another chemical that is essential for efficient hormone regulation is zinc – a correlation has been found between those that have low zinc levels in their blood and people with acne. To try and increase the levels of zinc in the body, one can eat nuts like cashews and almonds. There are also zinc supplements that are available to provide you with the extra boost that you need. It has been found that topically applying zinc to the skin is ineffective because it cannot be absorbed by the skin – it needs to be consumed directly.
Foods that are low in simple sugars
This one is quite obvious – as foods with high sugar content tend to negatively impact the skin, it can be assumed that a low-glycemic diet would work with you, rather than against you, when it comes to dealing with your acne. Things that you should be eating include whole grains like oats and rice.
Products to use

If controlling your diet isn’t the way you want to deal with your acne (although to be honest there’s no avoiding this), you can opt for using store bought products to help combat your blemishes.
Moisturiser
While it may seem that applying moisturiser to the face would only add to the oil on your face, it actually does the opposite. The excess sebum that remains in the pores is released when moisturiser is applied because it has a loosening effect on the skin. Try and pick a moisturiser that contains salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, as these are two known ingredients that efficiently reduce acne. However, you need to make sure that you don’t over-apply this onto the face as after a certain point, the moisturizer that is not absorbed by the skin and remains on the face, prompting more breakouts to appear.
SPF sun screen
Sun damage is a major cause of acne – its UV rays contribute to increasing the damage caused by free radicals on your skin, which in turn cause inflammation and lead to pimples. The sun can also worsen acne scars as it can cause hyperinflation that will make blemishes appear significantly darker. By using a strong sunscreen you’ll be able to minimise the negative impact of the sun on your face.
General tips
#1 Clean up your makeup tools
Now we’re sure that you’re all guilty of letting your brushes go unwashed for weeks on end – please, don’t do this. By letting all your makeup residue remain exposed for long periods of time, you’re essentially calling all forms of bacteria and personally asking them to ruin your skin. All you need to do is rinse the bristles in lukewarm water before applying soap.
#2 remove your makeup before you go to bed
This is another essential step that you cannot miss out on – seriously and under no circumstances. The oil and dirt that naturally build up by the end of the day get trapped when you don’t remove your makeup, making your skin prone to breakouts.
Written by Khadijah Ebrahim on Nov 20, 2018
Author at BeBeautiful.