Acne usually seems to strike when your nerves are on edge. The reason for this is that hormones released by an increase in stress levels can trigger acne. This also explains why you seem to be getting a big zit on your face just before a hot date or an important business meeting. There are some easy short-term treatments that you can use to battle acne that you will get in your own medicine cabinet.
Acne Home Treatments
Ice
Ice is often used for quick reduction of swelling and inflammation in a pimple. The best thing about ice is that it is free. Avoid letting ice directly touch your skin so that you avoid ice burns. Ice burns can redden the skin more and worsen the pimple. However, wrap it in a terrycloth scrap or a paper towel. Apply the towel-wrapped or terry-clothed ice for fifteen minutes every day.
Toothpaste
There are ingredients in toothpaste that spot-dry a pimple. This will help exfoliate the surface of the pimple and will draw out the oil that causes pimples from your skin. If your skin is very sensitive, do not use toothpaste. Ensure also that you don’t ever cover a large skin area with toothpaste or leave it on overnight. This will lead to excessive drying of your skin and cause flaking. However, just apply it directly to the pimple. Wait for five minutes and then wash it off. For the best results do not sue gel or fluoride toothpaste.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an agent that bleaches naturally. When put on your skin it will aid in removing the red marks that are left by acne. Moreover, a mask made from baking soda will assist in drawing out oil from the skin to make the skin clear. It also has properties of a natural exfoliating agent, thereby helping to get rid of dead skin and reduce pimples. The baking soda is best used by combining it with water until it forms a paste. Apply it on your face after this and wait for it to dry. Scrub the baking soda away gently and rinse your face.
Egg Whites and Lemon Juice
These two, egg whites and lemon juice, make a mask that will act in two ways; firstly clearing your skin and secondly making it smoother. Your pores will be tightened and excess oil will be absorbed from your skin by the egg whites. This will help in prevention of clogging. Lemon juice is rich in citric acid and will help in the exfoliation of the skin. The protein rich egg whites can assist in the rebuild and healing of skin which suffers from mild scarring from acne, including the hard crusty shells which form around pimples.
