Acne on the face: main causes
Many people believe that the problem of acne only affects teenagers during puberty. But this is a misconception. Acne is one of the top 10 most common skin diseases in the world. Since 1970, the number of people suffering from this disease has increased by 25%, and many of them are already well over 20!
Pimples or acne are the result of improper functioning of the sebaceous gland. Ideal conditions for the appearance of inflammation are a disruption in the process of secreting oily secretions, as well as blockage of the sebaceous gland with dust and cosmetics.
Before we understand how to get rid of acne, let's study the enemy in person and understand the factors that influence the appearance of inflammation.
Acne Remover Tools
There are special devices that allow you to painlessly, less traumaticly, quickly and accurately remove pathological elements. These include:
- A cosmetic extractor is a metal handle with two devices at the ends (a spear in the form of a needle with a loop or two loops of different diameters).
- Uno spoon - similar to the first tool, but on one end there is a spoon with a hole in the center for acne, and on the other there is a strainer for removing acne.
- Cosmetology spear - in appearance it is a copy of a large similar device. It is used to puncture a pimple to release its purulent contents.
- A slotted spoon is a small analogue of a kitchen utensil. Good for eliminating pimples and blackheads in hard-to-reach places (ears, wings and vestibule of the nose).
- Curette is a cosmetic loop with a wider rim, but small in diameter. Less traumatic to use.
The tools can be used in a beauty salon or at home without outside help.
Why do acne appear?
The causes of acne on skin areas can be divided into 2 types. There are internal (endogenous) and external (exogenous) factors.
Endogenous factors:
- Stress.
During times of stress, the hormone cortisol is produced in large quantities. When its level is constantly at a high enough level, our sebaceous glands become very active, which leads to the appearance of pimples. - Hormonal imbalance.
A woman’s body produces not only female sex hormones, but also male ones, which are called androgens. Sebaceous glands are sensitive to male hormones. If the body begins to produce a large amount of them, this stimulates a surge in sebum. - Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
If the intestines do not work properly, then pathogenic bacteria begin to release toxins into the body, which affects the condition of the skin. This also includes all the food garbage that we eat.
Exogenous factors:
Sun rays.
Exposure to the sun for a long time without protection has a negative effect on the skin. The sun's rays dry it out. In this case, it begins to secrete even more sebum in order to maintain its protective functions. And this is a direct path to inflammation.
Improper skin care.
The skin does not like excesses in care, therefore:
- Do not use nourishing creams that are too greasy.
They clog pores and cause acne. It is better to choose skincare products labeled “non-comedogenic” or “water-based.” - Don't forget about hydration.
Products for problem skin usually dry it out very much. If there is not enough hydration, the sebaceous gland works more actively, which means the risk of inflammation on the face increases.Skin requires regular care! You can learn more about this in our article on daily skin care.
- Choose suitable decorative cosmetics.
When choosing cosmetics, it is important to pay attention to the following properties: non-greasy, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, and non-irritating. Look for an ingredient called dimethicone. It helps hide redness and smoothes out skin unevenness. You can find the right care in the natural cosmetics store Beauty365
How to remove a pimple overnight: 5 easy ways
In this section we will place methods that should be used just before bed: apply the product to the skin, repeat the steps we have listed, and go to bed.
The pimple will dry out overnight, and if it doesn’t disappear completely, it will at least become noticeably smaller. Acne may leave a slight redness that can be easily hidden with makeup.
What do you need to remember?
It's generally not recommended to squeeze a pimple, especially if you can dry it externally. Here's how spot treatments work.
They take an active ingredient, such as benzoyl, salicylic acid, or sulfur ointment, and then suck out the oil from the clogged pore (and reduce inflammation in the process). You simply apply the product directly to the affected area and let it work.
Moreover, these methods cannot be used daily, as they act too intensely, and if used frequently they will only harm the skin. Especially dry and sensitive.
Also, you should not combine them. Some of the methods involve the use of products that are not compatible with each other. Be careful and follow the rules.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria inside the pore and also dries out the pimple. It can stain your towels, pillowcases and clothes, so it's best to avoid white if you plan to use the product and touch your face to any textiles.
Ask your doctor if an over-the-counter option (as opposed to a prescription one) is right for you, and if so, look for a good 5% benzoyl spot treatment gel.
Sulfuric ointment
Sulfur is similar to benzoyl peroxide in that it absorbs dirt and soothes the skin in the meantime. It is also less harmful to your towels and pillowcases. The main disadvantage of this product is that it tends to dry out the skin in the same way as benzoyl.
Although this makes sense, since you are only treating the area of the skin that needs drying. In my opinion, the best sulfur option for your skin is 10% sulfur ointment. It is sold in pharmacies without a prescription, but is quite effective.
Sea salt
This remedy has been unfairly forgotten. Many of you probably didn’t even know that regular sea salt can be used as a remedy for acne. Moreover, if used correctly, it will help get rid of pimples in one day. But don't rush to take a bath right away.
We'll use it a little differently.
To do this, you need:
- take 1 teaspoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of cooled boiled water. You don’t need more, you will need very little money;
- mix the ingredients together. Stir them until the salt begins to dissolve;
- Take a regular cotton swab and use it to apply the mixture to each pimple, pointwise. Try not to touch healthy areas of the skin;
- Leave the mixture on the pimples for several hours.
The fact is that ordinary sea salt has a strong antibacterial and drying effect. It will destroy all bacteria that clog the pores and reduce the size of acne. But in the morning there will still be traces of it: instead of acne there will be slight redness.
Not suitable for dry and sensitive skin.
Salicylic acid
And this remedy is already better known. Almost everyone is well aware of its properties for the skin. Some even keep a bottle of it in their medicine cabinet in case of acne.
If you are looking for how to get rid of acne overnight, then salicylic acid is what you need. By the way, we have already reviewed both the product itself and the drugs made on its basis.
For example, here you can read about the properties of salicylic acid, and this article talks about a milder product - salicylic ointment. We recommend you read it.
And its method of application is as simple as possible. All you need is:
- apply a little product to a cotton pad;
- wipe the affected areas of the skin (it must be clean);
- do not wash off the product - it must be left overnight.
Of course, the smell of salicylic acid is not the most pleasant, and when applied to the skin of the face it will sting a little. But this is a powerful antibacterial agent that can destroy even bacteria that have clogged up in the deepest pores. The next morning there will be no trace of acne left.
Not suitable for dry skin.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, which is native to Australia. It is well known for its ability to fight bacteria and reduce skin inflammation. In particular, tea tree oil helps fight P. acnes and S. epidermidis, two types of bacteria that can cause acne.
One study found that a 5% tea tree oil gel was nearly four times more effective at reducing acne and nearly six times more effective at reducing acne severity than a placebo.
Another study found that a gel containing 5% tea tree oil was equally effective in reducing acne as a lotion containing 5% benzoyl peroxide. This is a common acne medicine (5 Trusted Source).
Treatment with tea tree oil also resulted in fewer side effects than benzoyl peroxide. Side effects from the latter, by the way, include dryness, irritation and burning.
It is important to note that tea tree oil is very powerful and can cause redness and irritation when applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it should be diluted with water or a carrier oil.
The product disinfects, moisturizes and effectively cleanses the skin, thereby having an intense effect against bacteria that clog pores. If you want to know more about it, we recommend that you read our articles on the topic. We have already talked about how it helps with acne and scars.
How to remove acne overnight with tea tree oil:
- Mix one part tea tree oil with nine parts water.
- Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and apply it directly to the pimples.
- Apply moisturizer if desired.
- Repeat this process once or twice a day, as needed.
It is worth noting that you should not overuse tea tree oil - in some cases it can cause redness, flaking of the skin and excessive dryness. Therefore, use the method only once if it is a critical situation.
This method is suitable for all skin types.
Aspirin
When you are looking for how to get rid of a pimple overnight, you don’t expect to see Aspirin on the list of methods. After all, it would seem that these are ordinary pills, how can they help me remove acne within a day?
This is true, but only if you are going to drink it. In this case, the tablets need to be crushed and applied to the skin. Now we'll talk about why this should work. Aspirin is not only a remedy for headaches, but also an excellent antibacterial agent. It relieves inflammation, destroys bacteria and removes redness from the skin.
In addition, it is worth noting that it is a peculiar form of salicylic acid. Only the formula has been slightly changed and softened, thanks to which this remedy can be taken orally, as tablets.
But the properties of acetylsalicylic acid for the skin differ little from salicylic acid. The only difference is that this product is less aggressive on the skin.
To use the product, you need:
- take 3 Aspirin tablets;
- crush them into small pieces using any means convenient for you;
- add a little water to the resulting mixture so that the final consistency resembles gruel;
- Apply the mixture onto the pimples pointwise using a cotton swab;
- If you have oily skin, leave it on your skin overnight, if you have dry and sensitive skin, leave it on for a couple of hours.
The product effectively dries out pimples and makes them less noticeable. The size of the acne will decrease, as will the intensity of the redness. Since Aspirin, in principle, works well as an anti-inflammatory agent, you can expect that unwanted rashes will disappear without a trace or redness.
You just need to use it correctly, choose the right proportions and take into account the characteristics of your skin type.
This method is suitable for all skin types.
Toothpaste
We have also already placed this method in our personal collection of the strangest (but, surprisingly, working) acne remedies. The fact is that toothpaste has a strong antibacterial and drying effect, which will easily answer your question: “How to remove a pimple overnight with toothpaste? Is this possible?
Yes, it's quite possible. But you should understand that it acts very aggressively on the skin; after all, it was never intended for such use. Therefore, we recommend it exclusively for oily skin.
We talked in more detail about how toothpaste can help against acne in this review . We recommend reading before using this method.
And, of course, this tool must be used correctly. It is too dangerous for our skin, and any deviation from the rules can be harmful.
Be careful:
- Apply it to pimples pointwise . Try not to touch healthy areas of the skin;
- do not leave the product on the skin until completely dry , maximum 10 minutes. Otherwise, the product will simply dry out your skin and even, in cases with strong pastes, can cause chemical burns. Therefore, you should not believe the instructions that say that you need to keep the paste on the skin all night;
- try to choose a classic white toothpaste , preferably with sage, chamomile or eucalyptus extract;
- After use, be sure to apply moisturizer to your skin.
This method is ONLY suitable for oily skin.
Hydrocolloid dressing
If you are faced with an unpleasant skin blemish, look in pharmacies or medical cosmetics stores for a product called a hydrocolloid dressing. This is the same as people putting on blisters to reduce swelling. A hydrocolloid dressing simply absorbs moisture from the affected area and soothes the skin.
The bandage absorbs pus and oil from the inflamed area. It also creates an acidic environment to prevent bacterial growth.
You can try using it on the area around the pimple. Patches that are intended to treat acne are essentially a hydrocolloid dressing, the effect of which can be enhanced or weakened by active ingredients.
Apply it to a pimple to speed up the healing process and remove surface impurities from the skin. It can also be useful in treating small spots on the skin left by acne.
So, while it won't leave your skin completely clear overnight, it will reduce the pimple to a smooth, dried-out state, allowing you to apply a small amount of spot concealer to the affected areas.
Sometimes it's easier to use concealer
The worst thing is that a suddenly popped pimple shows itself so clearly to everyone you come across. And you become fixated on the fact that everyone is looking at you. This is probably not the case where everything is outright terrible. But if it really bothers you, but you can’t get rid of acne, look for a good, non-comedogenic concealer.
I do not recommend completely covering your face with makeup. But if you choose a good concealer according to your skin tone, you can apply a small amount over clean skin.
But you shouldn’t overuse tinting products: this will only worsen your skin condition and increase the number of rashes. Sometimes even a high-quality foundation cannot be harmless, especially if it is incorrectly selected for your skin type. In this article we talked about how to choose it.
Acne map on face
There is an opinion that the location of acne signals specific problems in the body.
Let's look at the main locations of acne:
- Forehead.
This area contains many sweat and sebaceous glands. This is why the skin there is often oily. If you have acne in the forehead area, then this indicates a disorder of the nervous system and digestive problems. - Nose.
Acne on the nose forces you to pay attention to the respiratory system and heart. - Cheeks.
Very often, acne appears on the cheeks. This is caused by consuming large amounts of sugar, which is found in many foods. - Chin.
A problem with the skin on the chin usually indicates a hormonal imbalance, which we discussed above. Pimples often appear there before menstruation.
Hardware techniques and medications
Hardware treatment methods are mostly aimed at eliminating acne on the surface of the face - these are blackheads, boils, acne, comedones. They are carried out in beauty salons, where there is special equipment. Facial cleansing and various nourishing beauty treatments will help get rid of problem areas where blockage occurs.
ADVICE! If you eliminate unfavorable areas, then subcutaneous bumps will no longer appear in this area and you can quickly get rid of them. A beauty salon specialist will remove your skin problems and tell you how to take further care.
Among the hardware methods it is recommended to perform:
Another article:
How to treat acne on forehead
- ozone therapy;
- skin peeling;
- light therapy
Medications can help remove internal pimples. First of all, doctors advise using aspirin - aspirin tablets. This is the simplest remedy that can be found in every home medicine cabinet. To combat bumps under the skin, you need to crush several aspirin tablets, dilute them with a little water so that a mushy mass appears, after which this product is applied to the bump for 20 minutes. The product should be washed off with regular running water.
Among the means of combating internal ulcers, ointments occupy the main place. Doctors recommend using various medications. One of the most effective is the drug Tritin. This ointment has no side effects, has a good and gentle effect on the skin and helps to quickly eliminate internal pimple on the face.
A well-known remedy in the fight against acne is Levomekol. The drug has an antibacterial effect, promotes skin regeneration, and produces an anti-inflammatory effect.
Clindamycin and Dalacin have a bactericidal and bacteriostatic effect - ointments are good at eliminating those bumps that are accompanied by suppuration of soft tissues. Vishnevsky ointment is specific. Despite many negative reviews about this remedy, the ointment helps well with already mature boils, which open on their own under the influence of the drug.
Determining the severity of the disease
Easy degree.
In this case, there are no more than 10 pimples on the skin, and their size does not exceed 5 mm. There is a small rash on the body, blackheads and pimples can be noticed only by looking closely at the skin.
Average degree.
There are from 10 to 25 pimples on the skin. There are pustules on the body, they can usually be identified by the white-yellow liquid inside them.
Severe degree.
25 or more pimples, some painful. The hue is usually pinkish and the size exceeds 5 mm. Almost the entire face is affected.
Is it possible to remove redness with iodine?
The effectiveness of iodine in the treatment of acne has long been proven. It does a great job of not only reducing redness, but also pimples in general.
But there are several recommendations:
- It is necessary to apply iodine only to the pimple itself, and not to the entire face. Do not cauterize it too much, otherwise it may cause a burn. It is best to carry out the procedure with a cotton swab.
- If itching appears and new rashes appear, it may be an allergic reaction. In this case, iodine should be abandoned.
- It is advisable to smear the pimple with iodine at night, then it is perfectly absorbed and not a trace remains in the morning. But it may also happen that iodine remains on the skin. Therefore, it is worth taking this moment into account if, say, the next day you need to go somewhere.
Preventive measures to combat acne
- Wash your face twice a day
Many people believe that washing your face more often will help prevent acne. Washing your face too often dries out your skin and causes inflammation. Therefore, to cleanse, it is enough to wash your face in the morning and evening. - Exfoliate your skin once a week.
This will help to promptly cleanse the skin of particles of dead epidermis, excess sebum and clogged pores, and therefore reduce the risk of acne. - Avoid touching your face with your hands, and wipe your phone screen with disinfectant wipes once a day.
There are a lot of bacteria on your hands and phone that cause rashes. The less your face comes into contact with them, the better for skin health. - Don't squeeze!
By squeezing a pimple, you injure nearby areas of the skin, which means you increase the area of inflammation.
How to treat
Before treating purulent pimples on the nose, you need to establish the exact cause of their appearance. To remove rashes, you can use traditional methods and folk remedies. At the clinic, the doctor will be able to choose the most effective treatment for the patient.
Drug treatment
All medications must be prescribed by a specialist. Depending on the etiology of the rash, recommendations may vary. To achieve maximum results, complex therapy must be prescribed.
Treatment should begin with cleansing procedures. To do this, you can use a variety of cosmetics. Cleansing the skin should not be done more than twice a week.
To treat pustules, dermatologists most often prescribe drugs from the following pharmaceutical groups:
- antiseptics (Resorcinol);
- antibiotics (Levomekol, Tetracycline, Levomecithin ointments);
- probiotics (Lactovit, Bifidumbacterin);
- sorbents (Polysorb);
- hormonal ointments.
If drug therapy is ineffective, then other treatment methods are prescribed:
- ozone therapy;
- ultrasound therapy;
- cryotherapy;
- mesotherapy;
- microdermabrasion;
- hardware or mechanical cleansing of facial skin.
External means
The most effective drugs for removing pustules are:
- Dalatsin. The drug contains an antibiotic that copes well with pathogenic microflora that parasitize human skin and activates the wound healing process. Apply to the problem area in a targeted manner.
- Zenerite. A combination product consisting of an antibiotic and zinc. Inhibits the proliferation of microbes, inhibits the growth of staphylococcal colonies.
- Celestoderm. A highly effective product that contains antibacterial substances and hormones. Relieves irritation and has an antiseptic effect. Used to treat deep pustules.
- Retinoic ointment. A vitamin-containing preparation that activates the healing process of damage and normalizes metabolic processes in the epidermis. Retinoids included in the ointment help reduce sebum production.
Domestic
In severely advanced cases, in order to achieve the desired result when treating acne, medical practitioners, in addition to the remedies described above, prescribe medications for oral use:
- Roaccutane.
- Brewer's yeast for acne.
- Unidox Solutab.
Folk remedies
You can remove purulent rashes using traditional medicine methods:
- masks based on black and green cosmetic clay, especially thickly worn on areas where there are more rashes (the procedure is performed twice a week);
- Strawberry, raspberry, apricot, and peach masks can be used as anti-inflammatory agents;
- ice cubes from infusions of medicinal herbs;
- fruit peelings;
- compress on the nose from medicinal herbs (used to narrow pores).
What not to do
Usually, the rashes disappear over time, causing only psycho-emotional discomfort to the owner. But with inadequate therapy, problems can arise.
You need to know what not to do to get rid of acne:
- during inflammation, the use of scrubs is not recommended, such manipulations injure the skin and contribute to the spread of infection;
- It is forbidden to squeeze pimples on the nose;
- do not sunbathe, the sun's rays activate sebum production;
- You should not mask acne with cosmetics, as this can increase inflammation.
- use hypoallergenic cosmetics;
- eat less smoked meats and sweets;
- minimize visits to fast foods;
- give up alcohol and smoking;
- spend more time in the fresh air;
- regularly cleanse your face of dirt using neutral products;
- Take additional vitamin and mineral complexes.
Review of the best anti-acne products
Sage hydrolate from Beauty365
Sage hydrolate is great for cleansing and toning problem skin. It tightens pores, regulates oiliness, relieves irritation, eliminates flaking and fights rashes. The hydrolate is completely natural and is produced by steam distillation of plant materials (sage) using water from a natural mountain spring.
Squalane from Beauty365
We have already talked about how important hydration is for problem skin. Squalane from beauty365 moisturizes the skin and is suitable for absolutely any skin, including oily and inflammation-prone skin. It consists of 100% natural plant squalane - sugar cane oil. Strengthens the skin and prevents moisture evaporation, normalizes the secretion of natural sebum. Makes it elastic and promotes skin regeneration.
How can you quickly get rid of blackheads and pimples?
Of course, there are many ways, let’s look at the most popular, effective recipes.
You can get rid of acne using simple laundry soap. Take a small container, grate some laundry soap, add warm water, mix well. If the affected area is large, then you need to add table salt.
Application: onto damp skin, apply the mixture evenly, massage into the skin. Apply the mixture for 30 minutes. Rinse off the remains with warm water. With this recipe you can get rid of a nasty dermatological defect in a month.
If laundry soap does not bring a positive result, you can use pharmacy medicinal chamomile. Before use, carefully read the instructions so that you have no contraindications for use. Preparing pharmaceutical chamomile is simple.
A product made from chamomile is used as a daily cleanser.
Preparation: Infuse 1 tablespoon of dry chamomile herb in 250 ml of boiling water. Then strain through cheesecloth or cloth.
Application: use warm for washing.
This recipe is used until acne and pimples disappear completely.
Calendula tincture for acne
Many people know how to get rid of pimples and blackheads at home using calendula tincture. Positive effect of 50%, why? Many people with this problem simply use or prepare the tincture incorrectly.
To bring truly positive results, it is necessary to properly prepare the skin before applying the tincture.
First, wash your face well with laundry soap, then dry your skin with a towel.
If there are no wounds on the skin, then apply alcohol tincture of calendula using a cotton pad. The smell of the tincture is unpleasant, so apply for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
It takes a long time to prepare the tincture at home, so it’s easier to buy it at the pharmacy. For a high-quality alcohol tincture of calendula at home, at least 3-4 months of infusion must pass.
Note! If there are wounds, then alcohol tincture cannot be used.
In this case, you can use a decoction of sage, yarrow, or the above recipe based on chamomile.
We would also like to draw your attention to the fact that if you have oily skin and you use this tincture, you need to include tablets in your treatment. The doctor should tell you which product to use based on your medical history.