Emergency Home Remedies for Pimples

We’ve all been there – wake up to an otherwise regular day only to notice a growing third eye on your forehead. Your worst nightmare: a pimple.

It’s an emergency! You tell your mother, your aunties, and your friends, but no one has any words of wisdom to offer. You’ve got 45 minutes before you have to face the world – what now? Run to your kitchen; these remedies might just help you:

Egg white contains protein and vitamins which unclog pores by tightening them and removing excessive oil. The protein also helps generate new skin cells at a faster rate.

1. Rinse your face with water and pat dry.
2. Separate 2 – 3 egg whites from their yolks.
3. Whip the egg whites till they’re frothy and let them sit for 10 minutes.
4. Apply the egg whites onto your face, especially on the affected area.
5. Apply a few layers, making sure that each layer is thoroughly dry before applying the next one.
6. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.
7. Pat your face dry, then apply moisturiser to prevent your skin from drying out.

Lemon is a natural astringent containing vitamin C and nitric acid. We all know how important vitamin C is to our body but what about nitric acid? This acid works best for exfoliation – it scrubs away the skin’s buildup and dirt to unclog pores. Astringents contract body tissue and dries out pimples.

1. Rinse your face with water and pat dry.
2. Squeeze a fresh lemon into a clean bowl, then dab a cotton ball into the bowl.
3. Gently rub the dipped cotton ball on your pimple. Leave it on for no longer than 30 minutes.
4. Rinse off thoroughly and apply sunscreen before exposing your skin to sunlight as your skin temporarily becomes more sensitive to ultraviolet light.

It sounds almost absurd to use banana peel as a remedy to treat pimples but they work really well! Banana peel contains lutein, an antioxidant that reduces swelling and inflammation. After applying the peel on your face, you’ll be able to see your pimple reduce in size. Lutein also stimulates healthy cell growth which encourages speedy skin recovery!

1. Rub the peel on your blemish in a circular motion.
2. Wait for 30 minutes before rinsing it off.

Apple cider vinegar has similar effects to the lemon juice remedy – it’s an astringent which contains citric acid. It kills off bacteria on the surface and draws out excess sebum. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to leave it on your hands to test a reaction before applying it to your face.

1. Wash your face with water and pat dry.
2. Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water.
3. Apply the mixture on your face (especially the affected area) with a cotton pad.
4. Leave it on for no longer than 30 minutes before washing it off.
5. Apply a moisturiser.

Tea tree oil contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It also removes excess sebum and dead skin cells.

1. Wash your face with water and pat dry.
2. Dilute the tea tree oil with water – 1 part oil to 9 parts water.
3. Apply the mixture onto your pimple using a cotton bud.
4. Apply moisturiser onto the rest of your face.

As much as ice reduces the swelling on a sprained ankle, it also eases inflamed pimples by stimulating blood circulation. The coldness also tightens pores, preventing pimple formation.

1. Wrap a washcloth around some ice and hold it on the pimple for a minute.
2. Repeat until swelling eases.