There are 2 simple things you need to do to clear up your acne and prevent it in the future.
When I was a teenager, I started to get really bad acne. It made me self conscious and was, frankly, embarrassing. I tried every acne cream, facial scrub and mask I could find. Some were effective in not making it worse, but that was about it. Nothing "cured" my acne.
Then one day, I noticed that if some shampoo suds got on my forehead, it made my skin feel dry and tight there. Just like some of the nicer mud masks I "borrowed" from my mom, it help dry up the oily parts of my skin. So I started to experiment.
I discovered that if I put the shampoo directly on my skin and let it sit for a minute, it was VERY effective at drying out my skin, almost too effective. It was great for putting a breakout in check but my skin was so dry and tight that I could hardly talk to anyone before 3rd period, for fear of cracking my skin. Once my natural skin oils kicked in and my face loosened up, it actually felt great. The several hours of my face being uncomfortably dry though was not pleasant.
Next, I tried just using the suds from the top of my head after I washed my hair. This work perfect! I would gently massage the suds onto my face and let them sit for about a minute before rinsing my head and face. After about 2 weeks of doing this, my face was completely cleared up. I have done this everyday for over 20 years now, and never had a serious acne breakout since.
I can't stress enough how important it is to be gentle with your skin, particularly in the middle of a breakout. I still have small scars and pock marks in some places on my face from before I discovered this method of getting rid of acne. As I said, I tried many methods prior and facial exfoliant scrubs were among them. It is tempting to think that you can scrub away the acne but you can't. When your skin is red and inflamed from an infection or has even come to a head, it is important not to scrub it too hard.
Remember, while the acne may be irritating and ugly, a scar will be just as ugly and be there forever. Let your body heal naturally after you have neutralized the infection, and your skin will go back to normal.
Lastly, an anecdote. A couple months after I started using shampoo to wash my face, I was starting to feel more self confident and decided to share my "secret" with a couple friends of mine. My female friend, predictably, laughed and said, "that's just silly". However, my male friend said, "You know, I did the exact same thing. Remember how I used to have zits all over my face a few months ago and now I don't? I used shampoo, too!"
By Jess from Hillsboro, OR
This page contains the following solutions.
Start by cleaning your face. I use glycolic cleaner, it's non-irritating and helps clean pores out. A mixture of cinnamon and lime or lemon juice is excellent after washing your face.
If I feel one coming, I instantly get out the tea tree oil. It's not going to make it go away completely.
For all those girls and boys that have tried everything to get rid of acne! Well this might be the solution for your case of acne! Well, this a really simple tip!
All of a sudden, I developed a huge zit on the side of my nose. I tried dabbing some tea tree oil on the spot twice a day. In 3 days, it was completely gone!
Here is a very cheap facial mask, I use this all the time to reduce hormonal breakouts. I know some people use it for blackheads and acne scars.
My effective, inexpensive way to prevent and get rid of acne is Ivory soap and Sea Breeze. Wash your face at night before bed with Ivory soap. Dry and then get some Sea Breeze on a Kleenex and apply to face.
Make a thick paste of baking soda with a drop of water. Apply on your zit at night. By morning it will fall off.
Make a thick paste of baking soda mixed with water. Apply on your acne. Or use soda white tooth paste and put on your zit and let it dry.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have really bad acne and acnes scars on my face. My skin is very oily. I have tried many different medicines and herbal treatments, but nothing has worked. If I put coconut oil on my hair, acne forms on my face. My doctor says that I am allergic and have very sensitive skin.
Try Cetaphil! Best stuff ever, my dermatologist recommended it.
I get bad acne. I've been using OXY brand stuff and its helped a little bit but I need something else that works a little better, whether I still have to use the Oxy stuff with it or not. I want a facial scrub or something that is easy to make and will make my skin look fresh, soft, clean, and clear with no stupid acne.
If you are using a scrub on a daily basis, you might try only using it every other day, or less. A dermatologist once told me that scrubbing too often will irritate your skin and cause it to produce more oil and acne. I use a store brand version of Cetaphil cleanser most days, and have just started using an Aveeno scrub for acne 2 times a week.
If your acne is bad, you really want to see a doctor. Call your general practitioner and ask for a referral to a good dermatologist.
Good luck!
I'm 51 years old and until I was 30, never had a problem with my skin except for the occasional breakout.
What I found that works great as a face wash is Clearasil Ultra Acne Clearing Gel Wash. I wash and RINSE WELL twice a day.
After I wash my face, I smooth on some of this soap over my clean skin (twice a day). After a few days, my skin begins to dry and flake, which is what I want because the old skin is sloughing off and will allow the pores to be properly cleaned because they are now opened.
If the flaking gets too bad I use a scrub.
Take ordinary aspirin uncoated tablets. Aspirin is salacytic acid. Mash a few aspirins in a mortar and pestle until powdery. Add a little water until you get a scrub, not too dry though. Rub over your skin and don't forget your neck and the back of your neck, and behind your ears. The salacytic acid will help with the discolorations and you want your face and neck (back and front) to have a uniform color. Rinse very well.
Also, try using regular peroxide (not the kind to bleach your hair) as a tonor. Peroxide is a natural antiseptic and will 'foam' where ever there is bacteria. Rinse very well.
Make sure you rinse well after all of these steps. Very important.
Use a fresh washcloth every time you wash and rinse your face - two per day.
Don't use natural loofahs on your skin. They hold too much bacteria.
Don't touch your face - watch this because you might not even realize you're doing it.
Another easy scrub is regular cold cream and sugar. Just mix the two together and scrub gently. However, cold cream contains mineral oil and if you have a problem with this product, don't use it.
I don't use anything at all that contains mineral oil or petroleum or petrolatum. This includes cosmetics and skin products. Start reading the labels; you'll be surprised to see how the expensive brands use mineral oil and petroleum.
Or just use water and sugar and make a paste. Sugar is a natural exfoliate. Rinse well.
Good luck!
Smoochie
I am 30 years old and have been suffering from acne for most of my life. Not only pimples and such, but I was getting very painful cystic pimples that my $30 a bottle soap didn't help. At Christmas time I made some bath products to give as gifts, I have since quite using any products on my skin that I didn't make myself. My skin looks and FEELS better than it has my whole life!! My acne has almost completely cleared up and I haven't had a single cystic pimple in over 2 months. Here's what I have ended up with:
In the morning:
I make a mixture of oatmeal powder, honey, and a dash of apple cider vinegar. Mix and use as a creamy soap (homemade oatmeal powder will be coarser than store bought and will ex foliate a bit, but either works fine, just make sure that your powder doesn't have any additives if you buy it) or apply it and leave on as a mask. The oatmeal soothes and softens, honey is a natural anti-bacterial, it has anti-oxidants, and softens, moisturizes, and tightens skin, apple cider vinegar has great astringent qualities, it balances out skins ph levels, and helps to tighten pores. The combo cleans, softens, etc.
After washing use a tiny bit of cider vinegar (or a 50/50 combo of cider vinegar and green or chamomile tea) on a cotton swab as a toner. After it dries I use a bit of pure aloe vera gel all over to help heal the old acne and it seems to help control excess oils through out the day.
At night:
I use a simple scrub. I have a mixture of Epsom salts, sea salt, and baking soda that I mix with just enough vitamin e oil to make a paste(check the label to make sure that your vitamin e doesn't contain mineral oil or petroleum oils). VERY GENTLY scrub face and neck in a circular motion, rinse, and pat dry.
I also will apply either vitamin e oil or coconut oil to my skin at night to help repair acne scars and soften wrinkles.
Depending on how much gunk is deep down in your skin you could also try a facial steam once a week to help draw everything out. I usually end up with a few blemishes coming to the surface the next day or so, but they heal and disappear quickly.
Honey alone has also proved to make a great face mask. Just apply and leave on for as long as possible.
I make enough of the salts to last a while since they don't spoil. The oatmeal mix I throw together real fast before I jump in the shower. Don't worry to much about measurements, you'll figure out what works for you. I keep all the ingredients handy in the bathroom except the aloe, which is kept in the fridge.It sounds like a lot, but honestly once you see and feel the results you'll never waste money on chemical filled products again.
My acne prone skin glows now and I actually get complimented on my skin. Hope this helps you as much as it's helped me.
I have really bad pimples on my forehead, chest area, neck and back! I have nice skin on my cheeks and chin. I need help to get rid of them, I've had them for at least 2 and a half years. Its embarrassing because everyone stares at my forehead. I want it to be clear, but I don't know what to do! Please help me!
I'm 23 year old male. My problem is I have had some kind of infection on my scalp for 4 years. I have continuously occurring acne like pimples all over my scalp. When I use anti-dandruff shampoos containing zinc pyothine, these remain under control, but nothing has cured them. These pimples release same material as that of acne. I also have acne all over my face. I have tried many oral antibiotics like erythromycin and tetracycline, but no cure. Please help me.
By atiharsh from Pakistan
