Have you too been in a situation where you got all decked up for an occasion, with your hair in place, makeup on point and you spot a pimple that has popped up, uninvited and annoying? We know this incident is #relatable, because all of us have been there at some point or the other. Pimples are like these annoying friends that show up and simply refuse to leave. Pimples usually occur when oil glands in our skin become overactive and cause inflammation in the pores. If you too are a victim of pimples on a regular basis, read on to know more about their types, causes and some pimple-free skin tips.
What Causes Pimples?
Pimples are usually a result of hormonal changes and excessive oil production in our skin’s oil glands. However, those are not the only reasons that cause these annoying pimples to pop up on your face. Here are some other factors that can be probable causes:
- Hormonal imbalance in the body can trigger pimples.
- Stress, anxiety, and tension can also cause pimples. That’s because when we are stressed, our body tends to produce more stress hormones, resulting in pimples.
- Pimples can also be genetic. If someone in your family is suffering from pimples, there are high chances of you getting them too.
What Are The Different Types Of Pimples?
There are six types of pimples (yes, there are variations in these bothersome zits!) and they are classified as:
1. Blackheads
When dead cells and sebum clog the skin’s pores, blackheads are formed. Since the top of the pore stays open, when the accumulated dirt is exposed to air, it forms a blackish coloured plug, thus causing ‘black’heads.
2. Whiteheads
Whiteheads are also formed in the same way as blackheads, but the difference in colour is that the top of the pore stays closed, thus the dirt inside does not come in contact with air that creates a blackish colour.
3. Papules
Often pinkish or reddish in colour, papules are a result of the walls around your pores breaking down due to inflammation. They are harder in nature and cause irritation on the skin.
4. Pustules
Pustules are formed in the same way papules are, the only difference being that they are filled with pus, which makes them even worse.
5. Nodules
When clogged and swollen pores endure irritation and grow bigger, nodules are the result. Unlike pustules and papules, nodules are deeper underneath the skin and hence difficult to treat.
6. Cysts
Cysts develop when the pores are clogged with bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells; and they get embedded deeper in the skin, further below nodules. Cysts can be painful and cause scars.
Home Remedies For Pimple-Free Skin
There are several conventional treatments for attaining pimple-free skin, but if you want to opt for the gharelu nuskha route, then there are several home remedies you can try. These natural alternatives may sometimes heal pimples faster than medical treatments, so here we present some pimple-free skin tips that are effective:
Tea tree oil is renowned for the many benefits it bestows on our skin and our hair. For pimple-free skin too, tea tree oil is a saviour! Tea tree oil fights inflammation and bacteria; and especially, those particular types of bacteria that cause pimples.
How to use it?
Firstly, it is important to understand that tea tree oil must never be used on its own. It should always be used with a carrier oil as not doing so may cause irritation and redness on the skin.
- Combine one drop of tea tree oil with one teaspoon of carrier oil of your choice.
- Dab the mixture directly on the pimples with a cotton ball.
- Wash it off and apply moisturiser afterwards, if required.
Green tea has various health benefits, and you’ll be surprised to know that it is also one of the lesser-known pimple-free skin tips. The flavonoids present in green tea fight bacteria that are the cause of pimples. Besides, the high levels of antioxidants present in green tea also fight inflammation and reduce sebum production, which can ultimately inhibit the formation of pimples.
How to use it?
- Boil green tea leaves in water and once the green tea is ready, allow it to cool.
- When it has cooled down, apply it on your face with a cotton ball.
- Leave it for 10 minutes, or overnight if you can, and then rinse it off with water.
- The leftover green tea can be stored in the refrigerator for two weeks.
Neem leaves help regulate the oil in skin’s pores, thus preventing the excessive oil production that leads to pimples. Anti-fungal properties of neem also lighten scars and pigmentation that are caused by pimples.
How to use it?
- Prepare a paste using neem leaves and apply it on your face.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash it off with water.
Potatoes contain starches that soothe inflammation and absorb excessive oil produced by the skin glands. Moreover, they also contain cytokines that have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help you achieve pimple-free skin.
How to use it?
- Extract the juice from raw potatoes and apply it on your face.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before washing it off.
For centuries, turmeric has been considered a super spice known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of those properties, using it is one of the many effective pimple-free skin tips. Curcumin, which is a primary component of turmeric, can reduce inflammation on the skin.
How to use it?
- Mix a little turmeric powder with water to form a paste.
- Apply this on the affected areas and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off.
The pungent garlic has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties from allicin. Allicin is known to kill bacteria that cause pimples, thus making garlic an excellent home remedy for pimple-free skin. Besides, garlic also helps to reduce swelling and inflammation caused by pimples.
How to use it?
- Make a juice using some garlic pods and apply it directly on the pimples.
- Let it rest on your face for five minutes.
- Wash it off with warm water.
Leaving the garlic paste for too long can cause burns on the skin, so do not let it stay on your face for more than five minutes.
Honey’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties kill pimple-causing bacteria and reduce the activity of inflammatory compounds. Lemon, due to its astringent qualities, can reduce oil production on the skin and reduce inflammation.
How to use it?
- Mix honey and lemon juice to form a tablespoon of the concoction.
- Leave it on your face for 10 minutes and wash it off.
Honey and cinnamon both have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, so they may benefit acne-prone skin when applied on it.
How to use it?
- Prepare a paste using honey and cinnamon powder.
- Apply it on your zits and wash it off after 15-20 minutes.
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Written by Nisha Shah on 16th Sep 2021
Writer, avid reader and a lover of all things creative is the best way to describe Nisha Shah! Equipped with a degree in Journalism and a certification in Digital Marketing, she brings a distinct perspective to her writing. With experience in content covering a range of topics from health to travel and beauty to food, she manages to bring something interesting and yet easy-to-read for her readers. When she's not writing, you can find her curled up with a book and coffee, bingeing on movies and TV shows, experimenting with photography and lots more!