By Carla Oates
Ah, pimples. No matter your age or skin type—pimples are pesky, problematic and not something you ever want to wake up to! ‘How to get rid of pimples’ is also likely something we’ve all typed into Google at some point...
But unfortunately, pimples don’t discriminate and for most of us, congested skin, blemishes, zits, whiteheads, blackheads and breakouts are something we will all experience more than once or twice in our lifetime. While acne is often used in the same context as pimples, they’re very different skin concerns and usually require a very different approach—they can also have a number of underlying causes which you can read more about here. But if you’re looking for some simple (speedy!) and more importantly, natural home remedies to help get rid of pimples fast, read on…
Try Ice
While it may be tempting to attack an angry inflamed pimple with your full force, applying ice directly to the spot will actually be more beneficial and help to reduce inflammation. Simply wrap an ice cube or two in a soft muslin or cleansing cloth and dab gently on the pimple for a few minutes at a time, repeating as necessary.
Don't Squeeze
Whether you’re dealing with a couple of pimples, a larger breakout or acne—squeezing your spots is never the answer—especially if you then follow it up with old school remedies like toothpaste or pure tea tree oil! For a few seconds of satisfaction, the result of squeezing is often increased inflammation, trauma to the skin and a further impaired skin barrier. In turn, you’ll likely find that your pimple takes twice as long to disappear than if you had left it well alone.
Avoid Stripping Your Skin
By this we mean, avoid harsh face washes, cleansers, lotions, spot treatments, acids and exfoliants—and instead, maintain a gentle skincare routine that nourishes your skin and helps to keep it balanced. Over-exfoliating (which can be tempting if you’re trying to rid yourself of excess oil) and astringent toners and products, can actually have the opposite effect, causing skin to go into overdrive and produce even more sebum to correct itself. These harsh skincare products can also be incredibly irritating, so instead, reach for products that balance the skin’s natural microbiome, gently removing dead skin cells—hello, Probiotic Skin Refiner!
Keep Skin Moisturised
Again, while it can be tempting to ‘dry out’ the skin and avoid adding more moisture, it’s important to keep skin feeling hydrated and balanced. Try using a lightweight facial oil like GLOW F.A.C.E that contains non-comedogenic and anti-inflammatory oils like jojoba, camellia seed, rosehip and argan which are super hydrating and help to support the skin’s natural barrier system, without blocking pores.
Remember To Change Your Pillowcase
Most of us likely change our sheets once a week, but our pillows can harbour all sorts of dirt, grime and bacteria from our faces and hair—especially if we’re guilty of not removing our makeup before bed! If you’re dealing with pesky breakouts, try swapping out your pillowcase every few days—or try a 100% silk pillowcase which can be smoother and less irritating to your skin.
Consider Your Inner Beauty Routine
We all love a quickfix but truth be told, clear, glowing skin comes from within—and consistency is key. This means, not only do you need to be consistent with your outer beauty routine, but also your inner beauty routine. The Beauty Chef’s range of bio-fermented beauty powders and elixirs are designed to feed and nourish your skin from within—but if you’re not sure where to start, we always recommend beginning your inner beauty journey with GLOW. This bestselling probiotic supernutrient formula contains all the ingredients you need to maintain radiant skin including 200% of your RDI of vitamin C (to support healthy skin and collagebn production), 50% of your RDI if zinc (for healthy hair, nails and skin), up to 20% of your RDI of provitamin A (necessary for cellular turnover) and broad-spectrum B vitamins like niacinamide (which is integral for skin function and structure). Not only that, but GLOW also includes prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics to nurture your gut microbiome—because glowing skin truly begins with a healthy gut.
For those who suffer from more regular congestion, however, CLEAR SKIN Inner Beauty Support has been specifically formulated for people prone to breakouts—and contains targeted nutrients that work synergistically to support a clearer complexion including broccoli sprout, dandelion, echinacea, probiotics, digestive enzymes, provitamin A, Vitamin B5 and zinc, which is integral for skin healing.
Stress Less
Easier said than done (we know!), but the brain-skin connection is powerful and studies show that stress can impact and influence our skin in a number of ways—including contributing to skin ageing, dry skin, an impaired barrier function, inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne, rosacea and eczema, as well as how well our skin is able to heal and repair. This means that lifestyle practices such as mindfulness and meditation, exercise, quality sleep and eating a nourishing diet rich in fibre and antioxidants (to help neutralise the impact of free radicals), is key—not only for our mental wellness, but our skin, too.
Speak To An Expert
At the end of the day, skin issues like ongoing congestion and pimples can be tricky to stay on top of if there is an underlying health issue or potential trigger at work. So, if you know that you’re maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and your inner and outer beauty routines are part of your daily skin self-care regime, then it’s worth speaking to an integrated healthcare practitioner or holistic dermatologist to do some further exploration.
