These days, more and more companies
are coming out with products that claim to solve all your beauty woes.
While some of these products may actually work, they can be harmful for
your skin in the long run. In this mega guide, we give you home
remedies for common skin problems like pimples, acne scars, dark spots,
tanning and more.
Home remedies to fight pimples
By using a few simple ingredients that are commonly found in most kitchens, it is possible to find a quick-fix for those unsightly pimples on your face.
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 the acne scars. When it comes to reducing acne marks, it is important to remember this because whatever the form of treatment you use, the scars won’t really go away – its only their color, size and appearance that can be modified so as to render them undetectable. Here are a few home remedies you can try to lighten the acne scars.
Sandalwood water
According to Ayurveda, sandalwood is highly effective as a soothing and cooling agent, making it ideal to deal with skin problems. For use against acne scars, simply soak a piece of sandalwood in water for a few hours. Remove the wood, dry and store for reuse. Using a small ball of cotton, smear the sandalwood water slowly on the parts of the skin that has acne scars. Repeat every day for about a week and you are sure to notice a marked difference in your facial appearance.
Another way of using sandalwood is to rub a piece of sandalwood on a wooden base with a little rosewater to get a paste. Apply a small quantity of this paste on the acne scar and leave it on overnight. Wash the next morning with cold water.
Along with the use of these home remedies, it is important to take steps to prevent new pimples from erupting. Stress tends to cause hormonal changes that can worsen acne; so use deep breathing exercises and meditation to keep stress away. Cut down on your use of oil-based cosmetics such as moisturizers and make-up and even hair products; this will reduce the blocking of the pores in the skin and reduce your chances of an acne outbreak. While there is nothing you can do about the appearance of acne prior to or during the menstruation period, you can certainly avoid it getting worse by keeping your face clean and free from oil and adopting a ‘no touching or breaking pimples’ policy.
Home remedies to fight pimples
By using a few simple ingredients that are commonly found in most kitchens, it is possible to find a quick-fix for those unsightly pimples on your face.
Cinnamon and Honey
Cinnamon is a common spice and
flavouring agent but the essential oil it contains also has strong
anti-microbial properties. The water activity of honey is very low and
this means that it does not contain a lot of moisture which can promote
the growth of microorganisms. Considering that pimples often arise from
an infection within the pores of the skin, combining cinnamon with honey
is an effective remedy.
Mix a little cinnamon powder with a
little honey to make a paste; avoid adding water because it will destroy
the action of honey. Dab a little of the paste on each pimple and allow
to remain overnight; wash off with lukewarm water the next morning.
Repeat for a few days if necessary.
Lemon juice
Lemons contain vitamin C and
phytonutrients called flavonoids that have a strong antioxidant as well
as antibiotic action. Free radicals generated during the metabolic
reactions within the body can damage the healthy cells of the body,
causing inflammation and swelling. The antioxidants in lemonrestrict the
action of these free radicals and this makes lemon juice an excellent
remedy for pimples.
Squeeze out the juice from a
freshly-cut lemon and dab a little directly on to the pimple. Leave on
overnight and wash the next morning.
Mix a tablespoon of groundnut oil
into an equal quantity of freshly squeezed lime juice and apply over the
entire face; this provides long-term preventive action against
blackheads that may later turn into pimples.
A word of caution regarding lime
juice – it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and therefore,
do not venture out in the sun when you have applied it to your face.
Tomato Pulp
Tomatoes are acidic in nature and
applying their pulp to the pimple causes the skin to dry and the pores
of the skin in the region get tightened. This means there is a lesser
chance of oil leaking from the pores to cause pimples. Tomato is also
rich in antioxidants and applying the pulp to the face reduces
inflammation and damage of the skin.
Cut a tomato in half, squeeze out a
little of the pulp or the juice and apply on the pimple. If this causes
you pain or drying of the skin, dilute the tomato pulp with a little
water and use. Do not do this more than once or twice a day because it
may lead to excessive drying of the skin which can be quite painful.
Turmeric
Remember how your grandmother always insisted on sprinkling a little turmeric on your wounds saying it would help it heal? Well, medical researchers are now finding that turmeric contains ingredients that make it a powerful antimicrobial. No wonder then that women in India have always been using turmeric paste claiming it keeps their skin healthy and glowing. Although you can apply turmeric paste directly to skin, consuming it with a little warm milk is also said to be an effective remedy for flawless skin.- Mix a little turmeric powder with a little coconut oil and apply directly onto the pimples at night; next morning, wash your face with water to remove the paste.
- Dry a few neem leaves in the sun and grind to a fine powder. Mix equal quantities of this powder, turmeric powder and a little rose water to form a paste. Apply this to the pimples, leave it on for around 20 minutes or so and then wash your face. You could also substitute sandalwood powder for neem powder – this remedy works equally well for acne.
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 the acne scars. When it comes to reducing acne marks, it is important to remember this because whatever the form of treatment you use, the scars won’t really go away – its only their color, size and appearance that can be modified so as to render them undetectable. Here are a few home remedies you can try to lighten the acne scars.
Sandalwood water
According to Ayurveda, sandalwood is highly effective as a soothing and cooling agent, making it ideal to deal with skin problems. For use against acne scars, simply soak a piece of sandalwood in water for a few hours. Remove the wood, dry and store for reuse. Using a small ball of cotton, smear the sandalwood water slowly on the parts of the skin that has acne scars. Repeat every day for about a week and you are sure to notice a marked difference in your facial appearance.
Another way of using sandalwood is to rub a piece of sandalwood on a wooden base with a little rosewater to get a paste. Apply a small quantity of this paste on the acne scar and leave it on overnight. Wash the next morning with cold water.
Fenugreek extract
Add a few seeds of fenugreek (methi)
into a little water; boil for about 10-15 minutes. Allow the liquid to
cool, strain out the seeds and using a cotton ball, apply the water to
the acne scars. Do this regularly for about a week and you will see a
reduction in the intensity of the scars’ appearance.
Neem leaves
Neem contains
alkaloids that give it distinct 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. For action against acne scars,
place a neem leaf directly on the affected area for some time; do this
regularly to see good results.
Apple cider vinegar
Vinegar has the property of scraping off the old cells on the surface of the skin and this peeling action along with its antiseptic property makes it useful against acne scars. However, a direct application of vinegar may damage sensitive skin; so make sure you dilute it with a little water and apply this apple cider vinegar solution to the scars using a cotton ball.Along with the use of these home remedies, it is important to take steps to prevent new pimples from erupting. Stress tends to cause hormonal changes that can worsen acne; so use deep breathing exercises and meditation to keep stress away. Cut down on your use of oil-based cosmetics such as moisturizers and make-up and even hair products; this will reduce the blocking of the pores in the skin and reduce your chances of an acne outbreak. While there is nothing you can do about the appearance of acne prior to or during the menstruation period, you can certainly avoid it getting worse by keeping your face clean and free from oil and adopting a ‘no touching or breaking pimples’ policy.
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