Skincare 101: Simple ways to treat your pimples

We all get pimples on our face from time to time and that’s okay. It’s natural and completely normal to get acne. In order to not aggravate it further and get rid of pimples, here are some ways to treat them:

Keep your hands off your face

The one advice all dermatologists emphasise on is to never ever pick at your pimple. We repeat: Do not pick at your pimple. As tempting as it may be, once you’ve picked at an acne lesion, it takes longer for it to heal and is more likely to leave a scar.

Skip DIY fixes

No matter how much people swear by these DIY fixes to get rid of pimples, best is to avoid them altogether. While toothpaste and lemon juice have been cited as excellent at-home remedies for blemishes, dermatologists advise against them. Skip these DIY fixes.

Apply a warm compress

Heat is a super simple way to soothe your skin if you feel a blemish coming on. Use a warm compress or steam to bring everything to the surface. Alternately, you can use a cold compress to bring down the swelling of a particularly large, painful blemish.

Use an acne spot treatment

On top of always washing off your make-up at night, use the right moisturiser for your skin type and keep your fingers away from your face. You can also use a spot treatment cream to get rid of stubborn pimples once they surface. Ingredients to look out for:

• Benzoyl peroxide to kill acne-causing bacteria.
• Salicylic acid to help exfoliate and unclog pores.
• Retinoids to help boost cell turnover, prompting cells to shed and preventing them from clogging.

Tweak your diet

Since acne is caused by a combination of genetics and your environment, factors such as hormonal fluctuations, stress, and diet can cause breakouts. Stick to a low sugar diet and avoid cow’s milk and whey protein, as they can be known to exacerbate acne. Try to minimise stress by indulging in however you can, such as practices like meditation or yoga.

Wash your face regularly

Your oil glands are active all day. When that oil combines with dirt, make-up and pollution, it can be a recipe for clogged pores and blemishes. Make sure to use light ingredients that don’t strip off your skin’s natural moisture completely.