Blemishes
What helps against pimples? With these tips you can improve the complexion of your skin
Pimples are not a question of age, but of the right skin care
© berekin / Getty Images
Not only teenagers suffer from blemishes, but adults too – more precisely, around 40 percent of adult men and women struggle with pimples. But where does the problem actually come from?
If you think pimples are a sign of poor hygiene, you are very much mistaken. Because the fact is: skin blemishes always arise when the body is out of balance. This mainly happens when we eat too one-sidedly or are exposed to permanent stress. But natural hormone fluctuations or hereditary predispositions can also contribute to the fact that you suffer from pimples in adulthood. This makes it all the more important to properly deal with skin imperfections – from cleaning to care. Here you will learn how pimples develop and how they can be treated quickly and effectively to improve the complexion of your skin.
How do pimples actually develop?
Pimples mainly occur where they can at least be used: on the face, in the cleavage or on the back. This is partly due to the fact that there are a particularly large number of sebum glands in these body regions, which can clog our pores through excessive production. But external influences such as dirt particles, creams and make-up also promote skin impurities such as blackheads and the like. There are also other factors such as dead skin, sweat and hormonal changes (for example through taking or stopping the pill, pregnancy and childbirth or even the Menopause), which contribute to the fact that many adults suffer from pimples as they age.
The best home remedies for pimples
Before you get the chemical club out, it is always advisable to rely on tried and tested home remedies. On the one hand, these are easier to digest and, on the other hand, they are significantly cheaper to buy – you may even have some of the following ingredients at home:
1. Healing clay
Healing earth has been used in alternative medicine for a long time. The mineral powder of natural origin is particularly kind to the skin, but what is even more important: its ingredients can help pimples subside faster. All you have to do is apply the healing earth to your face or cleavage – both are available for this loose powder as well as ready-made masks for external use. If you choose the former, proceed as follows: Put two teaspoons of soil in a small bowl and stir it with ten tablespoons of water until it forms a kind of mush. Apply this to the desired parts of the body over a large area and let it soak in until the earth has dried. Then wash the mask off with a soft cloth and warm water. However, you get the finished mask here.
2. Tea tree oil
A classic from the pharmacy is tea tree oil. Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, the tried and tested home remedy can be used specifically to combat skin impurities. The oil not only promotes wound healing, but also actually dries out pimples and relieves unpleasant pain or swelling. However, only drip the product on the affected areas selectively, preferably with a cotton swab, and let it soak in (preferably overnight) – unless you have particularly sensitive skin that dries out quickly. In that case, you should Tea tree oil Wash off again after 15 to 20 minutes. Use a cotton ball and lukewarm water for this.
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 against skin blemishes, redness and swelling, such as those triggered by pimples. But the plant itself is also anti-inflammatory – 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 parts of the body. If you don’t have aloe vera, you can simply use the finished gel here to buy.
4. zinc
Zinc is also said to have an antiseptic, wound healing, adsorptive and astringent effect. 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 in oozing and painful skin particles. Alternative to the classic Zinc ointment There are also zinc capsules – the German Nutrition Society recommends women not take more than 12 milligrams per day and men not more than 15 milligrams of zinc. It is said that by taking it, you support the skin from the inside.
5. Apple cider vinegar
At this point you may be wondering how Apple Cider Vinegar to help fight your pimples? In fact, this is also a tried and tested home remedy that has an antibacterial effect and can therefore help treat and prevent skin blemishes. For the treatment, mix a tablespoon of vinegar with a glass of water, then dip a cotton ball in the liquid and smear it on your pimples – to cleanse the pores and improve the complexion. Learn more about apple cider vinegar.
6. honey
It has long been known that honey also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Especially the one won in New Zealand Manuka honey is currently touted as a new miracle cure for pimples, but why? In principle, it has the same antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties as normal honey – but according to the New Zealand University of Waikato these are far more intense. Again, the golden juice is simply applied to the skin to remove pimples. The rest can be used for colds or gastrointestinal diseases.
The right care products for pimples
If none of the home remedies mentioned were able to achieve the desired effect on you, there is still a wide range of skin care products to choose from. Avoid using aggressive products that dry out pimples – this only stimulates sebum production and, conversely, leads to even more pimples. Instead, use a mild cleansing gel or facial toner. Alternatively, you can Rose water that is used for cleaning and care like an ordinary 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. Then you should provide your skin with sufficient moisture; fluids, gels or creams that are quickly absorbed are recommended here.
Preventing pimples: this is how it works The top rule is: hands off! Expressing the pimple is taboo © Charday Penn / Getty Images
- Tip 1: Keep your fingers away from your face – there are millions of bacteria on your hands that make blemishes easier.
- Tip 2: Don’t squeeze pimples with your fingers – this will only rub more bacteria into the wound and encourage infection.
- Tip 3: Wash your face several times a day – preferably in the morning and evening. This will remove dirt, sweat, and makeup.
- Tip 4: Change your towels and washcloths regularly – dirt and bacteria collect here within a short time.
- Tip 5: Avoid using aggressive cleaning agents – they destroy the skin’s natural protective acid mantle.
- Tip 6: Use only mild creams – if they contain too much oil, they clog your pores and make blemishes easier.
- Tip 7: Eat a balanced diet – sugary, fatty and dairy foods promote breakouts.
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