Goodbye, acne

Suffering from acne? Get some help with these five easy DIY ways to fight acne for a blemish free skin.

by Deepa Mistry

The weather is currently yo-yoing, unable to decide between rainy gloom or sudden bursts of sunshine. And this causes breakouts on your face and other parts of the body.

Every woman dreams of having a clear skin, but waking up with a giant zit is a horror that each of us experiences from time to time. A pimple always catches you off guard on the day you want to look your best. Most of us would just cover it up with lots of makeup, but no matter how much foundation and concealer you slather on, it’s just a temporary remedy.

Acne can be very distressing; and though your pimples can be treated with various treatments, they leave permanent scars. People believe acne happens only to teens or people in their late teens, but we find that breakouts are increasingly caused in adults due to stress, lifestyle choices and hormonal changes.

Dr Manisha Shah, dermatologist, says, “Acne is mostly seen on the face, but it can also occur on other parts of the body, such as on the neck, back and the shoulders. A pimple arises due to some sort of skin damage; during the healing process, the body creates new skin cells and collagen fibers – this repair process leads to the formation of acne scars.

Its full form is Acne Vulgaris. Acne is also caused during adolescence, ovulation, menstrual cycles, pregnancy or if birth control pills are taken. Blood impurity causes acne breakouts too, so avoid oily and junk foods.”

But all is not lost – you can combat acne with a few simple home remedies. Try these five simple tricks:
Aloe vera: It is most easily available in almost every household. The magic lies in the gel-like substance found in its leaves, which has the ability to heal skin problems. Peel the green upper portion of the leaf, and scoop out the gel with a spoon. Apply a little quantity to the scarred tissue. Apply twice a day, leave it for half an hour and wash with water. Over a few days, you will notice that not only does the acne scar become undetectable, but your skin also feels tighter and gets a distinct glow.

Neem leaves: Neem contains alkaloids which have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. This makes it effective against a wide range of skin problems, right from acne and eczema to ringworm, because it also has the property of cleansing the body of toxins. Make a neem paste with a little water and apply on the affected area for some time. You will see the difference over a period of time.

Baking soda: This handy kitchen must-have is the simplest and fastest cure for acne. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with water to form a paste. Just slather it over your zits before you go to bed and rinse it off in the morning. Similarly, a corn starch and water mask also helps exfoliates skin.

Toothpaste: For a quick anti-redness remedy, cover your pimples with toothpaste, leave for 10 minutes or so, and then rinse. For a deeper cure, apply toothpaste on your pimples before going to bed and cover with a bandage or soft cloth, and leave overnight. Wash the toothpaste off in the morning. If you have sensitive skin, do not opt for toothpaste with whitening properties.

Fenugreek and cumin seeds: The most recommended remedy for pimples. A fenugreek paste made with water is the perfect aid to avoid further breakouts. A paste made with cumin seeds mixed with water is a must as it is a rich source of zinc.

Apart from the above tricks, the two key ingredients to use are cucumber paste and lime juice. Cucumber applied daily removes dead skin cells and cleans pores, while keeping skin hydrated and moisturised to remove extra oil. Lime juice also plays a key role in preventing acne; it not only does not allow pimples to dry out, but it also kills acne bacteria, providing a calming effect to the skin. Besides, its vitamin C content maintains healthy and glowing skin. Simply rub a cotton ball dipped in lime juice on your face every day and rinse.

The simplest remedy is detox. Drink a lot of water, eat garlic every day, and consume foods with a high content of vitamins. Try including eggs, carrot juice, lean meats, green leafy vegetables, chicken, oats and mushrooms in your diet. Cut down on oily food, caffeine, alcohol and carbs.

Avoid oil-based cosmetics and try some deep breathing exercises, as stress is a major cause for acne. Nowadays acne-curing pills are also easily available in the market, but they contain hormone affecting properties which can harm you. Pimple extractor creams are also available, but they can cause skin irritation and can leave marks.

(Pictures courtesy www.drkabra.com, www.123rf.com, lanasbeautyzone.com, www.biobloomonline.com)