Acne is a common skin disease that affects an estimated 85% of people at some point in their lives.
Symptoms include pesky pimples that can be frustrating and difficult to get rid of.
While conventional treatments can get rid of pimples, they’re often associated with adverse effects, such as skin irritation and dryness.
Here are 4 natural ways to get rid of pimples fast, although they may have limited research supporting their effectiveness for this purpose.
1. Spot treat with tea tree oil:
Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the tree Melaleuca alternifolia, which is native to Australia.
The tea tree oil treatment also resulted in fewer adverse effects, including dryness, irritation, and burning.
It’s important to note that tea tree oil is very potent and can cause redness and irritation when applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it should be diluted with a carrier oil.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, only a small amount of research has been conducted on the topical use of tea tree oil for health conditions, and a limited amount of research indicates that tea tree oil might be helpful for acne.
If you choose to try please it, use it safely and always perform a test patch on your skin, as tea tree oil can be very irritating and should never be applied undiluted to the skin.
You can purchase both tea tree oil and carrier oils online.
How to use tea tree oil for acne
- Combine 1 drop of tea tree oil with 1 teaspoon carrier oil.
- Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it directly to pimples.
- Apply moisturizer, if desired.
- Repeat this process 1–2 times per day, as needed.
2. Spot treat with other essential oils
In addition to tea tree oil, many other essential oils with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help clear up pimples quickly.
Another study found that a gel containing acetic acid, orange, and sweet basil essential oils resulted in a 75% increase in the healing rate of pimples .
Like tea tree oil, these essential oils are very concentrated and can cause irritation if applied directly to the skin. Be sure to dilute all essential oils with a carrier oil, perform a test patch before regular use, and discontinue use should irritation develop.
A wide variety of essential oils are available online, including clove oil.
How to use essential oils for acne
- Combine 10 drops of essential oil with 1 ounce of carrier oil.
- Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it directly to pimples.
- Apply moisturizer, if desired.
- Repeat this process 1–2 times per day, as needed.
3. Moisturize with aloe vera
Aloe vera is a tropical plant with leaves that produce a clear gel.
When applied to the skin, aloe vera gel has been shown to help fight bacteria, reduce inflammation, and promote wound healing.
Because of this, it’s a popular treatment for a variety of skin conditions, including psoriasis, rashes, cuts, and burns.
Aloe vera contains lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols, and sulfur, all of which inhibit bacteria that might cause pimples.
Although aloe vera gel on its own was not effective at treating pimples, it enhanced the anti-acne effects of clove-basil oil and tretinoin cream.
While aloe vera gel may help clear up pimples on its own, it may be more effective when combined with other remedies or medications.
How to use aloe vera gel for acne
- Scrape the gel out of the aloe leaves with a spoon.
- Apply the gel to your skin when you apply other acne treatments. You may want to try mixing it with your other treatment, and then apply this to your skin. Or, you can apply the other acne treatment first, adding the aloe gel over it.
- Repeat 1–2 times per day, or as desired.
Read Also: How To Remove Body Hair – Simple and Effective Ways
