We all have one of those days when we have an important event coming up, and in the morning, we get greeted by a loathsome, red pimple. So basically, after crying and feeling worst, we realise that all we want to do at that moment is to make the pimple disappear overnight. If you also have that desire, you are at the right place. Here I provide you with the best spot treatments for acne. And, you can do all of them at home!
What is acne?
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when dead skin cells and oil from the skin clog hair follicles. It includes pimples, blackheads/ whiteheads, scarring.
What is the cause of acne?
Acne occurs when the pores of your skin get blocked with oil, dead skin, or bacteria. It could be due accumulation of dead skin, bacteria buildup or too much oil production.
Overnight spot treatments for acne
These are the treatments you can do at home to get rid of a pimple overnight. Make sure you do a patch test first. We all have different skin textures. Not everything will work for your skin. Try these acne spot treatments and see what works for you:
STEAM
- Fill up a small pot with 1 cup of water. Add 1 Tbsp green tea to it and bring it to a full boil.
- Remove your makeup and clean your face with a gentle cleanser.
- Pour boiling water into a big glass bowl.
- Cover your head with a towel so that it drops down on either side of your face. Trap the steam so that it concentrates near your skin. Do not be very close to the steaming water- it can burn your skin.
- Take steam for 5 minutes.
- After that, apply a clay mask on your face to draw the impurities out of the pores.
- Wash the face mask after 15 minutes and rub ice all over your face. Then, apply the toner and moisturiser.
Benefits of facial steam:
Steam opens up your pores and helps loosen up any buildup of dirt for a deeper cleanse. It increases circulation resulting in a natural, healthy glow. It releases trapped sebum beneath your skin’s surface that is a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.
Benefits of using ice on the face:
Ice minimises skin pores, as a result of which excessive oil production gets stopped. The technique works wonders for reducing acne and pimples.
Black pepper
For this, mix black pepper powder with yoghurt/ curd and apply it on the pimple. Wash it off after 10 minutes.
Benefits of yoghurt:
Yoghurt has natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that can help prevent acne breakouts and ensure healthy skin.
Benefits of black pepper:
Black pepper has anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties. It is an effective remedy for unclogging pores and facilitating the removal of pimples and acne.
Cinnamon
- Take 1 Tbsp of aloe vera gel in a bowl.
- Add 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon powder to it.
- Mix both ingredients together until you get a gel-like consistency.
- Dab this gel directly on the pimple and wash it off after 30 minutes.
Benefits of aloe vera:
Aloe vera gel is a natural anti-bacterial substance that kills acne-causing bacteria and helps in lessening the associated redness. It contains a significant dose of magnesium lactate that takes the itchy feeling away from painful acne pimples. Aloe is a natural astringent that can pull dirt and other impurities off the skin, thus helping to avoid a breakout.
Benefits of cinnamon:
Cinnamon has anti-fungal, anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties that are a boon for healing acne. It dries out the skin by supporting enhanced blood circulation.
White sandalwood
- Mix one spoon of sandalwood powder and a pinch of camphor together.
- Add water to it until you get a paste-like consistency.
- Apply this magical sandalwood paste to the pimple.
- Leave it for an 30 minutes to get rid of acne.
Benefits of white sandalwood:
White sandalwood has a mention in the Ayurveda as a natural healer. It has anti-bacterial properties that help in fighting acne-causing bacteria, exfoliating the skin and soothing sunburns. It also removes sun tan and reduces signs of ageing.
Benefits of camphor:
Camphor is rich in anti-oxidants that help in preventing skin damage and repair damaged skin cells. It reduces inflammation, swelling, and redness on your skin which helps in calming breakouts. Camphor is also an astringent that makes it ideal for acne-prone skin types. It helps tighten your pores which, in turn, prevent clogging of pores and balance the oil production on your skin. And this helps in controlling acne.
Wild turmeric
- Take wild turmeric in a bowl.
- Add few drops of rose water to it.
- Apply the paste on a pimple and wash it off after 30 minutes.
Benefits of wild turmeric:
It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that are proven to fight against acne-causing bacteria. The anti-oxidant properties of wild turmeric protect your skin against harmful UV rays. It removes dead skin cells, deep cleanses your skin pores and provides natural radiance and glow to the skin.
Benefits of rosewater:
The anti-inflammatory properties of rose water reduce redness and prevent additional swelling. Rosewater contains vitamin C and phenolics, which make it a natural remedy for acne spot treatment.
Tea tree oil:
Tea tree oil is a must-have for acne-prone skin. I either use diluted tea tree oil directly on a pimple or mix few drops of it with moisturiser in case of multiple breakouts. Tea tree oil is rich in monoterpenes, such as alpha-terpinene terpinen-4-ol, which helps the oil soothe inflammations. Not to miss, it proves to be my personal favourite spot treatment for acne.
Peppermint oil
Extracted from the leaves of the Peppermint plant, peppermint oil has a high menthol content which leaves a cooling effect when applied topically. Widely used in aromatherapy, it is known to help alleviate mental fatigue and headaches and is soothing. Peppermint oil is rich in Phenols and flavonoids. It acts as an anti-oxidant, stimulates blood circulation in the skin, scalp, hair, etc. and has astringent properties.
Neem
Neem powder and neem oil prove to be the most effective for treating acne. Since ancient times, it has been the most widely used spot treatment for acne in India.
Neem oil consists of Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid and Linoleic Acid. Rich in carotenoids and vitamin C, neem oil stimulates blood circulation and protects the skin from free radicals. It is soothing for the skin and scalp.
Manuka honey
Manuka honey is known for its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can heal wounds, clear acne and other skin conditions. You can apply manuka honey to the pimples directly or by mixing turmeric with it.
Green tea
Green tea contains catechins. They attack free radicals. It is rich in epigallocatechin gallate, which can heal acne. Epigallocatechin lowers lipid levels and is anti-androgenic, making it effective at reducing sebum (oil) excretions in the skin. You can use green tea as a toner/ spray or as a spot treatment for acne.
Nutmeg
- Take nutmeg powder in a bowl.
- Add rice water to the nutmeg powder.
- Mix both the ingredients together and form a paste.
- Apply the above paste on the pimple and leave it on for 20 minutes. Then, wash it off.
Benefits of nutmeg:
Nutmeg is your BFF if you have acne-prone skin. It contains natural astringent properties that are really helpful for someone who suffers from hormonal or cystic acne. Nutmeg also helps out with dry skin issues because it is nourishing for the skin.
If you are interested in a chemical-based spot treatments for acne, you can try products that contain-
- Salicylic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Retinol
- Alpha-hydroxy acids
I know it feels worst when you see a new pimple coming up. Trust me, I have been there. You might not see it magically disappearing overnight until and unless it is a small one, but you will definitely see a reduction in its size. Make sure you do a patch test before trying spot treatments for acne.
Interesting articles
28 reasons why you are still having adult acne- HERE
How to get rid of dark circles permanently- HERE
How to get pink lips naturally- HERE
Best anti-ageing face yoga exercises- HERE
Beauty secrets according to ancient Chinese medicine- HERE