Tips For Treating Pimples | Helpful Skincare Advice

The Benefits of Tea Tree Oil for Acne

May 14, 2019January 6, 2013 by Alison

I never really suffered from acne when I was growing up so you can imagine my annoyance when it started to appear as an adult. If I’m being totally honest, it’s not so much “acne” as it is a few spots here and there; just enough to ruin your morning though.

Not requiring a dermatologist and not really interested in spending big bucks on drugstore topical creams, I went on the hunt for a natural alternative.

From witch hazel to lavender and calendula oils, there were sites (and facts) boasting of their acne-fighting properties. None caught my eye more than that of tea tree oil.

What Is Tea Tree Oil?

Located in sunny Australia, tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of tea tree evergreens. Boiled down, the leaves make a vastly useful antiseptic.

The active acne-fighting ingredient is called terpinen-4-ol. Found naturally in the plant, the chemical component terpinen-4-ol suppresses the body’s’ natural inflammatory response and helps to support the immune system.

Tea tree oil is also a great anti-fungal. It is commonly used to treat fungal infections of the nail, athlete’s foot and even lice. On top of all that, it is a great healer of abrasions, burns, bites, boils and cuts. Got a sore throat or ear infection? Tea tree oil is great for those as well.

Why Is This Oil So Good For Acne?

The benefits of this wonder oil are hard to dispute, but what makes it so great for acne? Well, let
me fill you in!

Acne is a result of a disruption with your pilosebaceous units. If that made no sense to you then listen up.

All over your body you have hair follicles, sebaceous glands and of course, hairs. Your sebaceous glands produce oil called sebum which is your way of naturally moisturizing your skin. When bacteria clogs up your glands and sebum becomes trapped, acne breakouts occur.

Tea tree oil works as a solvent by cutting through all the oil and dirt and unblocks the pores. Its antibacterial properties kill any remaining acne-causing bacteria thus preventing future outbreaks. Simple, isn’t it!

Depending on what type of acne you suffer from, here are a few options for tea tree treatments.

How Can You Combat Acne and Pimples?

May 14, 2019September 8, 2012 by Alison

Let’s begin by talking about the miracle of our skin and how it works to defend our body. Once we understand this process a little better, we can better understand why acne and pimples develop – and what we can do to combat them.

The Miracle of Human Skin

The skin is the largest organ and the soft outer covering of the human body and other vertebrates. It is made up of layers of tissues known as ectodermic tissues and comprises cells that continually replace themselves.

When any cell of the skin ages, it advances towards the surface of the skin; in the process, dying and evening out, to unite with innumerable other dead cells of the skin to create a defensive layer. This layer acts as the primary line of protection, defending the body from viruses, bacteria, pathogens and undue water loss. It also serves as the body’s insulator and regulates its temperature.

When skin is severely impaired, it has the capacity to heal in the form of a scar tissue. The thinnest skin of the human body is that around the eyelids and under the eye and hence the most likely part to show the first signs of aging in the form of crows feet or wrinkles.

Why do we get Acne and Pimples?

Acne Vulgaris
This is the commonest form of acne. It is formed when there is a bacterial infection at the point of blockage on the skin’s surface. In a normal skin, small oil producing glands called sebum are present within the hair follicles. The oil produced by them mixes with the cells of the skin on the path towards the outer skin. But in some skins, there is an excess quantity of sebum that hinders this passage out of the hair follicles, giving rise to the blockage as mentioned above and hence to the formation of acne. This is a common problem that generally begins when children attain adolescence and it continues till their mid-twenties; there may be variation in the extent of acne and the ages that are affected by it.

Pimples
pimple These are a form of skin lesions that develop when there is occurrence of inflammation beneath the skin’s surface, due to which the walls of the pores break down. Bacteria, dead cells of the skin and sebum thus are afforded an easy entry to amass below the skin’s surface. This in turn, develops into an infection that give rise to raised, red bumps and they are called pimples. When the inflammation takes place even deeper within the skin, it results in the formation of Pustules; which are pimples filled with pus.

Herbal Remedies for Pimples

May 14, 2019June 2, 2012 by Alison

A pimple, spot or zit is a kind of acne and is usually the result of excess oil trapped in the pores. Sometimes a visit to the dermatologist for prescribed drugs is a solution preferred by many. Often, a pimple problem is not addressed until it becomes a serious situation. They are even caused by stress, exposure to the sun, menstruation, usage of abrasive soaps or hormonal upheaval. Moreover, an herbal remedy is more of a permanent cure and constantly helps in cleansing the skin.

Milk thistle cleanses the entire system including the skin. The herb detoxifies various organs including the liver and and can help in preventing the generation of a pimple.
Fruit juices when added to the diet considerably also help in acne reduction. Chocolates, Nuts, fried and fatty foods should be avoided for healthy skin.
One other effective herbal remedy is Tea tree oil which stops the acne causing bacteria from damaging skin.
Calendula herbs help to remove the acne without leaving an ugly facial mark. It helps mend the skin and takes care of the scar, the end result of a pimple cured improperly.
Inclusion of zinc as a supplement, also helps in the reduction of acne.
A mixture of lemon juice and sandalwood applied onto the face regularly day after day assists in pimple reduction adding glow to the skin.
Raw garlic juice is a strong and effective medication for pimple reduction. Application of it on affected areas regularly, reduces the chances of a new spot cropping up.
Another easy and effective cure for pimples is to apply a small amount of mixture of olive oil and a teaspoon of sugar after steaming the face for almost ten minutes. Scrub and rinse the face thoroughly after the application to see improved results within weeks.
Fenugreek is one more effective herb that could eradicate spots. The fresh leaves of fenugreek after being ground to a fine paste must be applied to the face every night prior to sleeping and should be washed out with warm water. This tremendously reduces the chances of pimples, reduces blackheads and the early appearances of wrinkles too.
An ingredient used for cooking up tasty meals, Coriander also turns out to be a perfect cure for pimples. Extract a teaspoon of coriander juice and mix it with a pinch of turmeric powder to make a paste. Apply it on the face and let it dry. Wash it off before sleeping at night and notice improved results within weeks.

How To Hide Pimples With Maybelline Pure Concealer

May 14, 2019February 11, 2012 by Alison

Before you find out whether Maybelline Pure Concealer is the right product for you if you are trying to find out how to hide pimples, you need to understand why concealer is the most important item in your makeup bag.

If you suffer from pimples, blemishes and discoloration of the skin and do not yet use a concealer, you need to get your hands on one now! In fact, many professional makeup artists rely on concealers far more than foundation.

If you want to pick up some tips on hiding your imperfections but do not like heavy makeup coverage, one of these little beauties will transform your life!

Amazon customer review:-

“About 5 years ago, every cosmetics company had a concealer pencil like this one (e.g., Clinque, Avon). However, one by one, they all chose to go the sponge/wand route, and I believe this may be the very last product in a twisting-pencil form.
I love how easily it goes on (without tugging), how precisely you can dot each blemish, and how good the coverage is. I am stocking up!”

Maybelline Pure Concealer is available in three shades: light, medium and dark. It is crucial that you use the right shade of concealer for your skin tone. You may also want to use a darker shade in the summer months, if your skin is slightly darker then.

How to Conceal Pimples:

Wash your face with warm water and your usual cleanser, then pat it dry with a soft face cloth. Apply moisturiser if required.
Apply a dot of concealer on each pimple.
Tap it in (do not rub) with the pad of your middle finger until it is blended with your skin tone.

Use in the same way to hide any other imperfections such as dark circles under your eyes or any patches of uneven skin tone.

Concentrate on applying several very thin layers and building it up gradually to avoid an obviously “concealed” look.

Maybelline Pure Concealer targets pimples in two ways.

Not only does it effectively hide those existing pimples, it helps to treat the problem. It contains 2% salicylic acid, which works by softening keratin, the protein that makes up part of the skin structure. It also helps decelerate the shedding of the skin cells within the follicles, which reduces clogging and keeps pores clear from blockages that can lead to pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.

To soften and soothe the skin, this product contains aloe, Vitamin E and chamomile.

Pimples on Scalp, Causes and Treatment

May 14, 2019December 18, 2011 by Alison

Pimples are a common disorder of the skin that can occur almost anywhere on the face or body.

Pimples on scalp can be folliculitis, caused by bacteria in the follicles causing infection. If you have hair on your head, it is easy to damage these pimples when combing or brushing your hair and if you do not have hair on your head, they can become an embarrassment as well as being very uncomfortable.

Follow our advice to get rid of this problem, fast!

What Causes Pimples on the Scalp?

resist picking at pimples on scalp to avoid an infection

The reason that pimples develop on the scalp is almost always the same as with those that occur elsewhere, blocked pores.

Pores become blocked with dead skin cells and sebum and this provides a breeding ground for the acne bacteria that cause inflammation and irritation.

Scalp acne can also be triggered by sweating after exercise or shaving your head.

Prevention of Scalp Pimples

Keeping in mind the causes of pimples, maintaining proper hygiene is of paramount importance. Using a shampoo or treatment product containing salicylic acid (which is an acne medication that is also found in many medicated and anti-dandruff shampoos), will gently exfoliate your scalp and lessen the likelihood of pores becoming blocked with dead skin cells. This also helps to reduce excess oil formation on the skin which will not only reduce pimples, but will also help with the inflammation on your scalp. It is also a good idea to minimize the use of conditioners or choose your conditioner very carefully as these do tend to clog the pores.

Neutrogena T/Sal Shampoo is an inexpensive salicylic acid shampoo and is available at a great price from Amazon (follow the link to visit the product page).

If you just have the occasional scalp pimple, you could use a salicylic acid toner on a cotton bud, followed by a dab of treatment cream applied in the same manner.

Tip:- Do not use products containing Benzoyl Peroxide on your scalp if you have hair on your head as it can bleach your hair!

Changing the diet may also contribute to lowering excess oil production on the skin of the face and scalp. Other preventive measures for pimples include taking plenty of water to keep the skin properly hydrated and to flush out toxin. Getting sufficient sleep and avoiding stress as much as possible will also help with all forms of acne.

In addition, make sure that you shower and wash your scalp after any strenuous activity that has caused you to perspire as sweat can block pores and make the problem worse.