15 Ways to Get Rid of Acne (Pimples) Without Cosmetic Procedures

Acne is the most common skin issue in the world, affecting 85% of people. It often occurs in puberty as acne vulgaris but can continue well into adulthood. Acne causes red bumps or pimples on the face but the neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms can also get affected.

Acne can be consistent or occur intermittently with different severities. Either way, it can easily suppress a person’s confidence, especially in adolescents.

In this article, we will review 15 ways to get rid of acne to help you build your skin and also confidence back. They include both commercial treatments and natural remedies that you can try at home. But first, we need to understand what causes acne in the first place.

What Causes Acne?

Although acne is a complex skin issue but some concepts have been proven correct in response to acne treatments:

• Excessive sebum production by sebaceous glands of the skin is the main cause that fills the pores and clogs them leading to occasional pimples and blackheads. If the bacteria P. acnes can get into the site, infection occurs and attracts white blood cells to kill the bacteria that lead to inflammation, and whiteheads or papules formation. In severe cases, pustules, nodules, and cystic acne are formed that contain pus. Fungal acne can also develop in presence of excess yeast in the hair follicles.
• Dead skin cells that should be removed from the surface through a regular cleansing process are also the cause because they get trapped in the pores and cause different types of acne.

Other factors might also cause pimples:

• Hormonal fluctuations especially in females due to the menstruation cycle, pregnancy, and menopause are most common cause. Excess testosterone is a likely cause of pimples.
• Digestive issues such as food intolerance or sensitivity can cause pimples in some people. Dairy and gluten are often blamed but medical tests are required to confirm the case.
• Infection in any one of the organs such as the stomach can lead to pimples on the face which has to be addressed effectively by a specialist.
• Stress is also considered when it comes to blotches since it is an inflammatory process that raises blood sugar and pressure leading to more sebum production. Thus, it should be managed through lifestyle changes or in severe cases medication.
• Genetics also play a role as it has been observed that acne-prone skin can be a family trait.
• Skincare and makeup products are major contributing factors that can clog the hair follicles with their excessive oil and cause acne breakout. That is why you should only use makeup products that are oil-free, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic.

So, a comprehensive acne treatment plan might involve certain medical tests and specialists in addition to a dermatologist but for mild cases, you can try some safe home remedies for acne.

How to Get Rid of Acne: 15 Acne Treatments You Should Try

There are many over-the-counter (OTC) products you can find in pharmacies that have scientifically proven effect but there are some natural remedies too that you can find at home. Here are some home remedies and substances that can help you get rid of or improve your acne.

1. Salicylic acid

It is the main ingredient in most spot treatment products in concentrations of 0.5% to 2% that acts quickly. It absorbs excess oil, removes dead skin cells, and resolves the inflammation that is most effective for blackheads. However, you can find it in surprising places.

Aspirin is a good example that contains salicylic acid so you can crush one tablet and mix it with a small amount of water to make a paste. Apply it on the pimples and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes then rinse with warm water and pat dry. Slight dryness might occur after this treatment.

2. Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is another main ingredient in acne spot treatments found in drugstores that have concentrations of 2.5% to 10%. It performs the same job as salicylic acid especially on whiteheads but also kills the bacteria that cause infection. Benzoyl peroxide also has a drying effect on the skin. So be mindful of the dosing and frequency of application. For the same reason, sun exposure and tanning beds should be limited during treatment.

3. Retinol

A vitamin A derivative from the retinoid family that is approved for OTC products in 0.1% concentrations, Retinol can increase cell turnover to unclog pores and reduce oil production. It comes in the form of cream, lotion, and gel. You should start with once a week at night and increase the frequency gradually so your skin gets used to the product. Retinol increases skin sensitivity, so sun protection is a must.

4. Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid is produced by a yeast that has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It comes in 20% concentrations in conventional products.

5. Sulfur

This chemical compound can reduce sebum production and clear pores. Sulfur is gentler on the skin compared to salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide which makes it ideal for sensitive skins.

Sulfur is abundant in many foods that you have at home such as onion, garlic, and cabbages that is why they are recommended in most home remedies and healthy diets.

6. Niacinamide

Niacinamide is vitamin B3 that has anti-inflammatory properties leading to less redness or lower sebum production. However, some flushing is associated with topical products.

7. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is one of the botanical options that has found its way to the commercial market. It is extracted from the leaves of the Melaleuca Alternifolia tree native to Australia. It is a known anti-bacterial substance that can fight P. acnes and S. epidermidis bacteria, two common causes of pimples.

It is worth mentioning that tea tree oil is potent enough to cause skin irritation if applied directly to the skin. Therefore, it should always be diluted with a safe carrier oil in a ratio of 1 to 10 drops.

8. Green tea

Another herbal product that is abundantly available at home. It is a strong antioxidant that contains flavonoids and tannins to reduce inflammation. It also has epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) which is effective in reducing sebum production and inhibiting the P. acnes bacteria growth.

It is often found in 2–3% extract form in commercial products but you can make your own by brewing green tea at home. Just make the green tea as you usually drink, let it cool then apply it to your pimples with a cotton pad and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then rinse it thoroughly and pat dry. Do it 1 to 2 times a day and apply moisturizer as needed.

9. Essential oils

Many essential oils such as rose, lavender, cinnamon, clove, rosemary, lemongrass, basil, witch hazel, and orange, have anti-bacteria effects on S. epidermidis and P. acnes that often cause a breakout.

However, all essential oils must be diluted with a carrier oil in a ratio of at least 1 to 10 to prevent skin irritation. Apply the mixture on your skin once or twice daily.

Other ingredients such as honey can also be mixed specifically with cinnamon oil to maximize the anti-bacterial effect while being a hydrating agent.

10. Acetic acid

Acetic acid is the main ingredient of vinegar, which can be found in every kitchen. Apple cider vinegar is a good choice to treat acne but other vinegars such as grape are also effective.

Vinegar must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 3 to prevent skin irritation. Apply it directly on pimples using a cotton ball, avoiding the eye area, and let it sit for less than 30 seconds. Then rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Apply moisturizer generously.

It can also be mixed with essential oils to maximize anti-acne properties.

11. Aloe vera

The gel in aloe vera leaves is believed to be a strong hydrating agent but it also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects along with healing properties.

The anti-bacteria property is due to the presence of substances such as sulfur, salicylic acid, phenols, lupeol, urea nitrogen, and cinnamic acid.

You can buy aloe vera gel that comes in a tube but you can also make your own by scraping the gel out of an aloe vera leaf with a spoon. Keep it in the fridge and apply the mask once or twice a day on your pimples. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.

12. Daily cleansing

Since the excess oil and dead skin cells are the main cause of acne development, it makes sense that cleansing and exfoliating will prevent and clear pimples.

Twice a day cleaning ritual with an acne cleanser or oily skin soap is the best practice that can save your skin. The safest scrub you can use is made at home with sugar and maybe some oil such as coconut or olive. Just gently massage your skin with the mixture and rinse thoroughly. It will feel soft and smooth.

Post-exercise skin wash is of critical importance since sweating that is left unwashed can attract bacteria and lead to inflammation. Scalp oil can also cause pimples so daily washing is necessary for oily hairs.

13. Avoiding foods that cause acne

As mentioned above, your diet has a direct effect on the quality of your skin and some foods and processes might cause acne. Eliminating these foods for a month and reintroducing them back will prove their role in your pimple breakout.

Insulin and glycemic index are believed to be a factor that relate to the speed at which carbohydrates are turned to simple sugar in the blood. The higher the GI the sharper the spik in insulin level that might increase sebum production. Processed grains such as white bread and pasta are often to blame for this issue so whole grains are promoted as a healthier option. A low glycemic diet also leads to lower levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is a hormone involved in the development of acne.

Dairy products also contain hormones and growth factors that might lead to acne development. In addition, the majority of adults do not have the right digestive enzymes to process milk and its products so digestive issues might arise and affect the skin quality in the form of pimples.

14. Exercising

Doing exercises that increase the breathing rate is a proven method to burn energy, circulate more blood throughout the body and initiate the healing process that often leads to better skin quality. It also regulates hormone levels which can be helpful in cases of hormonal blemishes.

Stretches such as yoga might help with regulating your breathing and sleeping pattern after which you will feel more rested while your body has a chance of cleansing and healing pimples.

15. Avoiding popping pimples

Just leaving the acne pimples the way they are is the most effective way to prevent furthur deterioration since picking or squeezing can spread bacteria on your skin and lead to a breakout. Popping pimples also has the risk of scarring which will require invasive procedures to remove acne scars.

Closing Words

Whatever the non-prescription treatment for acne you choose, either organic or commercial products, remember to give it enough time (like a month) to see the actual effect. Otherwise, you might trigger breakouts or irritate your skin.

If you didn’t get a result, consult a dermatologist to find the root cause of your pimples. You might want to give prescription drugs a try that might include oral and topical medications depending on your age, type of pimples, and severity. Antibiotics, contraceptives, anti-androgen agents, retinoids (retinoic acids and tretinoin), Isotretinoin (Accutane), and cortisone injection are common options.

Be patient and commit to the treatment since acne might take several months to completely clear. But for a quick fix, there are other nonsurgical acne treatments such as chemical peel and laser genesis that you can undergo after consulting with a dermatologist.