How To Get Rid Of Pimples
Written by: Swati on:
Isn't this a question most of us find ourselves asking often? Occasional breakouts/pimples/zits or spots - call them what you may, the fact is that they can be troubling. And they happen for all skin types. Here are some of my tired and tested ways on how to get rid of pimples along with products I have used & like.
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1) Use A Gentle Cleanser
Shift to a Sulphate free gentle face wash. It should not strip your skin & leave it dry or stretchy. Some of my favourites are :
Kama Rose Jasmine Cleanser (all skin types)
Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel (oily-combination skin)
Kaya Purifying Face Cleanser (oily-combination skin)
Seabmed Cleansing Foam (oily skin)
Aroma Magic Lavender Face Wash (dry skin)
2) Add A BHA In Your Routine
If you are a BEGINNER - Add a Salicylic Acid face wash in your routine 2-3 times a week.
The Cipla Saslic Foaming Face Wash is a good one. Available in 1% & 2% concentration. Start with the 1% one and build up tolerance slowly.
If you have already been using a wash off salicylic acid product, you can consider stepping up to a leave on treatment like the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant - it is a fabulous product and helps a lot in reducing pimples, blackheads & whiteheads. Also helps in minimizing & refining pores!
3) Hydrate & Moisturize
Yes, you heard me right! Don't skip on this step. Always use a moisturizer even if you have oily skin, and use it day and night. Choose one depending on your skin type. Light gel based creams for oily-combination skin and thicker ones for dry skin types.
Oily skin types tend to wash their face a lot and often use harsh cleansers which leave the skin dehydrated & stretchy. Dehydrated skin can in turn increase breakouts. So keep the skin well hydrated and supple - hydrating serum/essence or a moisturizer or both if required.
Here are some recommendations :
Essence
Cosrx Snail Mucin Power Essence (all skin types)
I'm From Mugwort Essence (all skin types)
Laneige Cream Skin Refiner (combination-normal-dry skin)
Serum
Klairs Fundamental Watery Oil Drop (all skin types)
Zilch Insta Bounce Serum (combination-normal-dry skin)
Dot & Key Hyaluronic Acid Serum (oily-combination skin)
Moisturizer
Lacto Calamine Lotion (for oily skin)
The Face Shop Chia Seed Hydro Cream (combination-normal skin)
Dot & Key Hyaluronic Acid Sleeping Mask (all skin types)
Klairs Midnight Calming Cream (all skin types)
4) Sunscreen
Don't skip sunscreen. It is very important to protect the skin from UV damage. Using a sunscreen in the daytime will not only help your skin stay healthy, but will also help reduce the pigmentation of acne marks. Use a physical one or a chemical one - whichever you like and will be comfortable using. Both are good and don't let brands trick you into believing one is better and the other toxic.
5) Spot Treatments
These come in handy especially in times when a secluded pimple surfaces suddenly - they can help reduce the size & inflammation, but use one which isn't super drying.
A few good ones are
Glam Glow Supermud - works incredibly well as a spot treatment
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid - dabbed on the pimple overnight
Inkey List Succinc Acid Treatment
Klairs Midnight Calming Cream - not a traditional spot treatment, but works so well in calming the angry red pimple and inflammation.
5) Masks
A nice addition which can be used once a week.
- Clay masks are clarifying - they help to clean the pores deeply, draw out the impurities and also help with excess oil/sebum. Here are some of our favourites :
- Soothing masks are also a good way to go - the help in soothing and calming down the skin redness & inflammation and are not drying. Here are some recommendations
I'm From Mugwort Mask
The Body Shop Almond Milk & Oat Mask
Any good quality Aloe Vera Gel (free of colour & a lot of additives)
- You can even make masks at home provided you use good quality ingredients that are actually beneficial. I will be sharing a post on this soon.
6) Patch Test
I cannot stress on this enough. Please patch test for 1-2 days before trying out any new product. Even if you are trying out a new brand with an ingredient you already use, patch test anyway. It's always better to be safe & try it on an isolated area (under the jawline, behind the ear, forearm) than get a reaction/breakouts all over and feel sorry afterwards.
7) Get Professional Help
And lastly, always remember that it if the condition is long term and not reducing, then it's always better to go in for a consultation - dermatologist/medical professional. It is also usually more affordable than buying & trying a bunch of products by self diagnosing and experimentation.
Hope you found these tips on how to get rid of pimples, reduce the frequency of pimples/breakouts & how to heal them faster.
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