If you occasionally have a few pimples, it’s always helpful to know some home remedies that will make them disappear. But what if you suffer from regular acne breakouts that end up having negative impacts on your self-esteem?
These nine tips will show you how to remove acne permanently so you can enjoy clearer skin and feel more confident in your daily life.
1. Avoid touching your acne
Avoid touching your face during a breakout if you aim to eliminate acne.
Popping a pimple might seem like a quick way to eliminate it, but it might worsen things. It all depends on which type of pimple you are dealing with.
Squeezing out a black or whitehead is generally alright, as long as you clean your face and fingers before and after the act.
But trying to pop a papule, a pustule, a cyst, or a nodule is not a good idea as it could lead to infection, scarring, and more acne.
2. Wash your face twice a day
You should not wash your acne-prone skin too often; above all, you should not scrub it, even when it feels greasy or grimy. Too much washing will only irritate your skin and result in more acne breakouts.
Instead, gently wash your face twice daily: in the morning and before bed. For example, you can wash your face thrice daily if you get sweaty after a workout.
3. Choose chemical exfoliation over scrubs
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from your face and helps unclog your pores. But since you’re not supposed to scrub acne-prone skin, you can’t use a harsh scrub or a brush to exfoliate.
The solution is to choose chemical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliants are gentle acids that break down dead skin cells to reveal brighter and smoother skin.
You can buy an exfoliant and use it regularly or get a chemical peel.
4. Use your acne treatment properly
To get rid of acne permanently, you can rely on acne scar treatment. Depending on your situation, you could use an over-the-counter treatment or see a dermatologist to get a prescription.
No matter which treatment you use, you do need to carefully follow the directions. For the treatment to be effective, you must do exactly what is written on the package or follow your dermatologist’s instructions.
You must also be patient, as an acne treatment could take up to 4 weeks.
Try a different product if your over-the-counter treatment gives you no result after six weeks. Some treatments are designed to unclog pores, reduce oiliness, ease inflammation, or attack bacteria. If a product doesn’t work for you, it could mean you are not targeting the right acne cause.
5. Only use oil-free products
Choosing oil-free skincare products will be better for your acne-prone skin since they won’t contribute to clogging your pores with oil. Most skincare products are available in oil-free versions, so it’s up to you to improve your entire routine if you want to.
But what about natural oils such as argan and jojoba oil? You can use them on your skin if they have a low comedogenic rating and are not too likely to clog your pores.
6. Keep your makeup brushes clean
If you use makeup brushes, consider washing them after each use. Dirty makeup brushes can cause acne, skin irritation, and bacterial infections, among other unpleasant things you don’t need.
While you’re at it, you should also keep your cell phone clean. Cell phones are covered in bacteria, which can spread to your face whenever you are talking.
7. Try taking zinc supplements
Acne can be linked to zinc deficiency. Taking zinc supplements could therefore help clear your acne permanently. Just be sure you speak with your doctor before you start taking supplements.
Another option is to eat more zinc sources, including seafood, meat, legumes, nuts, oats, and tofu.
8. Find healthy ways to manage your stress
Have you noticed that you get more acne breakouts when you are stressed out? There is a link between the two, as stress can cause hormonal imbalances, and hormonal imbalances can cause acne.
Look for healthy ways to manage your stress. Practice self-care, meditate, or learn how to do yoga.
9. Make an effort to eat less sugar
What you eat can affect the health of your skin. And unfortunately, candy, desserts, white bread, and other delicious foods are rich in refined sugars, which can also be responsible for hormonal imbalances and acne.
You could permanently eliminate acne by eating less sugar and improving your diet.