Why do acne appear and how to get rid of them?

What are acne

Acne is a rash that appears on the skin. These are symptoms of a condition called acne. The reasons for this phenomenon are inflammation of the skin, accompanied by blockage of the sebaceous ducts. However, acne often has underlying physiological problems.

In dermatology, acne is called comedones, of which there are two known types. Blackheads are open comedones. The sebaceous secretion thickens and darkens. There are different points of view on the reason for the change in its color:

• chemical reaction - oxidation of sebum;
• external pollution;
• the effect of melanin.

Closed comedones do not have an outlet, although they cannot be called completely subcutaneous. They are characterized by a white color and a softer (sometimes liquid) consistency.

Acne appears on the back, chest and face. The T-area is especially affected: the chin, nose and forehead.

The symptoms of rosacea, although colloquially referred to as rosacea, are not. They are caused by dilation of blood vessels on the skin of the face - this is not associated with blockage of the sebaceous glands.

Classification of acne

Dermatologists distinguish three forms of the disease. They correspond to characteristic types of acne:

• The mild form is comedonal formations. These are the blackheads themselves.
• Moderate form - papular-pustular formations. Pus appears in the clogged pore and nodules form.
• Severe form - subcutaneous formations. They are the most difficult to get rid of, and without proper treatment, scars may remain on the skin.

The forms of the disease are also classified according to the degree of spread. With first degree damage, acne is observed on one or two areas of the face. In the second case, comedones move to the body, and single papules appear. In the third, the rash consists mainly of papules and pustules. The fourth degree is characterized by painful subcutaneous nodes and scars.

Folk recipes

Folk recipes consist of simple ingredients.
Let's look at recipes for effective home remedies to help clear your face of pimples and blackheads.

Cleansers

Skin care begins with thorough cleansing. To remove dirt and traces of cosmetics, it is not necessary to use chemical foams and gels. Traditional recipes will help you cleanse your face well. Although they do not foam very well, they perfectly cleanse the skin, eliminating rashes and pimples, preventing their appearance.

Recipes for cleansing compositions for washing, intended for different skin types:

1. For oily skin – eliminates blackheads, subcutaneous pimples, cleanses pores. Mix 30 ml of low-fat kefir, a teaspoon of soda, and 2 tablespoons of mustard. Add 130 ml of water and mix the composition. When it stops foaming, the product is ready. It is better to use in the evening. For those with very oily skin, you can use it twice a day.
2. For dry skin - this cleanser thoroughly cleanses pores, eliminates rashes, tightness and dryness. Place 200 ml of high-fat milk on the fire and boil it. Add herbs: 4 sprigs of parsley and 2 tablespoons of calendula and chamomile. All herbs must first be ground in a mortar to a powder. Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes, not allowing it to boil. The finished mixture is removed from the heat and infused for several hours. It must be strained, and then add a teaspoon of honey. It is better to wash your face with this product at night.
3. For oily skin with traces of post-acne – fights rashes and the consequences of post-acne, relieves inflammation. Mix a tablespoon of cream with a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, as well as 300 ml of mineral water. The last step is to add 1 tablespoon of sea salt, choose a finely ground product. Used once a day.
4. For sensitive skin – minimizes inflammation, fights rashes, promotes healing of skin wounds. To prepare, mix 1 teaspoon of clay (pink), 2 tablespoons of aloe juice and 300 ml of boiling water. Everything is mixed and heated in a water bath until the components dissolve until a homogeneous mass is formed. Used twice daily.

All cleansers are washed off with warm water. They must be stored in the refrigerator.

Lotions

After cleansing, dry skin should be wiped with lotion. This is a mandatory stage of care. Anti-acne lotion is easy to make at home. Let's look at the best recipes:

1. A simple recipe for acne - pour a quarter glass of 40% alcohol into 2 tablespoons of calendula, you need to take dried flowers. The resulting infusion is diluted with 1/5 cup of water. For 2 days it is infused in a warm place. After this, 5 g of boric acid 5% is added. The finished lotion should be strained through cheesecloth and cotton wool 2-3 times and add 4 ml of glycerin. 3-4 times a week, use this infusion to rub areas of the body that have acne. The lotion fights acne and makes the spots left on the skin after the rash disappears less noticeable.
2. Lotion for acne spots, as well as blackheads - a medium-sized cucumber is crushed and poured into a glass of vodka. This mixture is placed in a glass container, preferably a dark shade, so that it infuses for 7 days. You need to wipe your face with this effective lotion once a day. It is intended for combination and oily skin types.
3. Lotion for inflamed acne - soothes the skin and cleanses pores. To prepare this quick remedy, grate the horseradish root on a fine grater. ¾ of a half-liter jar is enough. Fill the vessel to the brim with vodka and leave for 10 days. Wipe your face with this lotion once a day. After it has been on the skin for 15 minutes, it should be washed off with hot and then cold water. Then the face can be moisturized.
4. A lotion that helps remove subcutaneous acne - pour a glass of nettle leaves, take fresh or dry, with a glass of vodka, and leave for 10 days in a dark place. Wipe your cleansed face with the prepared lotion twice a day.
5. Nettle lotion intended for dry skin - 5 tablespoons of nettle leaves are poured into a liter of water, take cold water, and then boil. When the product has cooled, it is filtered. Use lotion twice a day.
6. Anti-acne lotion for dry skin - pour boiling water over 1 tablespoon of mint, 0.5 cup is enough, and leave for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture, add a tablespoon of calendula infusion, boric alcohol, and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Wipe areas of skin where there are pimples and blackheads.
7. Lemon lotion – mix a glass of boiling water with the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon. Wipe your face twice a day.

Alcohol-based lotions are very drying to the skin, so they are not suitable for sensitive types. It is advisable to apply them locally, only to areas of the skin affected by the rash, and not to the entire face.

Masks

Masks are considered the best home remedy for acne and acne. With regular use, they help get rid of even advanced stage rashes. Let's look at the best recipes:

1. Cucumber mask is very easy to prepare. It is enough to grate cucumbers and apply the resulting mass to the face for 20 minutes. This mask treats pimples, acne, and also brightens the skin, eliminating red spots left after the rash.
2. Clay mask - relieves acne, especially inflamed ones. Clay has an excellent drying effect, so masks based on it are suitable for those with oily skin. To prepare a mask, a small amount of clay must be diluted in an infusion of calendula, a decoction of chamomile, sage or other herbs. The finished product is applied to areas of the skin where there are acne. You need to keep it until it dries and then rinse off. You can use the mask twice a week.
3. A potato mask that helps cure acne - chop medium-sized potatoes and mix them with the white of one egg. Apply the composition to cleansed skin for 20 minutes. Use twice a week.
4. A mask based on hydrogen peroxide - eliminates blackheads, tightens pores, brightens the face. Mix hydrogen peroxide and yeast in proportion to form a creamy consistency. Apply the prepared mixture to your face and leave for 1.5-2 hours. It can be left overnight and then washed off with warm water. The procedure is repeated once a week.
5. Honey and lemon mask - provides anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and drying effect. To prepare, mix 1 tablespoon of honey with a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Apply the mask for 10 minutes and then rinse off. It should be done a maximum of three times a week.
6. Anti-inflammatory acne mask – mix grated horseradish root and sour apple in equal proportions. The mixture is applied for about 30 minutes. You need to make this mask to treat acne every day until they disappear. For the purpose of prevention, it is applied 2-3 times a week.
7. Mask for acne and pimples - mix liquid honey and onion juice in equal quantities. The resulting mixture is applied to areas of the skin where there is a rash for 30 minutes. Repeat the procedure daily. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.
8. Mask for internal acne – if internal acne appears, a talc-based product will help get rid of it. It is simple to prepare - just mix 5 g of talc and white clay, and then dilute them with a tablespoon of milk. The mask is applied twice a week for 20 minutes. It is washed off with warm water.
9. Mask for blackheads - if blackheads appear on the forehead, chin, wings of the nose, this mask will help get rid of them. To prepare it, chop a large tomato, add a spoonful of olive oil and half a teaspoon of starch. Apply the composition for 15 minutes. After this, rinse with warm water, be sure to wipe your face with tonic. The procedure should be repeated a maximum of twice a week. This mask is not suitable for skin with rosacea.

The mask must be selected in strict accordance with your skin type. Those with dry and sensitive skin should not get carried away with strongly drying products. They can only be applied to the surface of inflamed acne.

Other folk remedies for acne

There are many other folk recipes intended for the treatment of acne and acne:

1. Wipe clean skin with the pulp of raw pumpkin a couple of times a day. It must be cut off immediately before use, since contact with air reduces the amount of beneficial substances.
2. Wipe cleansed skin with aloe juice daily. Before squeezing the juice from the leaves of the plant, they need to be prepared. To do this, cut leaves are washed with warm water and placed in a dark place for 7 days. After this, juice can be squeezed out of them, which eliminates rashes and promotes skin healing.
3. Compresses made from wormwood and hops are used for acne and pimples. During the cooking process, a tablespoon of wormwood and hops are mixed. The mixture is poured into a glass of boiling water. When the product has infused for 1-2 hours, add 1 teaspoon of vinegar, it is better to take apple cider vinegar. Those with dry skin should use glycerin instead of vinegar. Soak a cotton pad with the resulting infusion and apply it to the skin where there are rashes for 10 minutes. Carry out the procedure daily.
4. Lotions for ulcers - 0.5 liters of boiling water, pour in a tablespoon of celandine, let it brew for 2 hours. Soak a cotton pad in the prepared infusion and make lotions for 7-10 days.
5. Viburnum juice - twice a day, areas of the body where there is a rash are wiped with viburnum juice.
6. Steam baths for acne - boil hop cones in a large bowl. After removing it from the heat, tilt your face over the steam. This will cleanse the pores and nourish the skin with beneficial substances. For those with dry skin, it is enough to hold your face over the steam for 3 minutes. For normal skin, the procedure takes 5 minutes, for oily skin – 10 minutes. Steam baths are contraindicated in the presence of ulcers or for those with skin prone to rosacea.
7. Acne medicine - mix equal proportions of honey, butter and chopped onion. The mixture is boiling. When it has cooled, add flour to create a consistency similar to playdough. From this composition, cakes are made, which are applied to areas of the skin covered with rashes and pimples. The procedure is repeated until the rash goes away. Store the product in the refrigerator.

By following these recommendations, you will be able to quickly clear your skin of pimples and acne.

Reasons for appearance

Skin inflammation with such unpleasant symptoms is caused by two groups of factors: dermatological and endocrinological. The first is associated with an excessive increase in male hormones androgens (especially testosterone). Therefore, acne appears on the face and body:

• during puberty;
• before menstruation;
• during pregnancy;
• after an abortion;
• for diseases accompanied by hyperandrogenism (for example, polycystic ovary syndrome).

Dermatological causes include hyperkeratosis (pathological acceleration of the division of horny skin cells) and hypersecretion of the sebaceous glands. Cosmetics with a thick texture can clog pores.

You can provoke the appearance of new acne if you get rid of old ones by squeezing. The resulting wound becomes infected, causing inflammation of the skin. The rash quickly spreads over a large area.

Inexpensive but effective

However, you should not immediately resort to the strongest drugs. You can get by with easier means.

Clay

For example, cosmetic clay is excellent for ridding the skin of acne; it cleanses pores well and nourishes the skin.

Clay is an excellent natural adsorbent.

Blue and white clay are best suited for this purpose. It is enough to apply clay masks to your skin 2-3 times a week, and within a month you will see the results from their use.

Badyagi powder is an effective remedy in the fight against acne. Dilute it with water to a paste and apply it to your face for 15 minutes. Repeat once a week.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a great helper for cleansing the skin and treating acne. It disinfects the skin, draws dirt out of the pores, and prevents the development of bacteria in them that cause inflammation. Peroxide is effective for purulent acne. Before use, dilute a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution with boiled water in a 1:1 ratio. Wipe the skin with a cotton swab soaked in diluted peroxide. Or use it spot on.

Acetylsalicylic acid

Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) occupies an important place in cosmetology. Recently, aspirin skin peeling has become popular. Crush several aspirin tablets, dilute them with water to a paste, then apply the resulting mixture to your face. Rub your face lightly to remove dead skin cells. Such a cheap and simple remedy will help even out the skin and stop the inflammatory process.

Activated carbon

Activated carbon has proven itself to be an excellent adsorbent for skin. Masks made from it give visible results immediately after the first use. To prepare this miracle mask, dilute 1 tbsp in water. spoon of gelatin, then heat it. Add several tablets of crushed activated carbon to warm gelatin. Stir everything thoroughly. Then apply the warm paste to your face and leave until the mask dries completely. Similarly, you can use a mask made from gelatin alone.

After the gelatin mask dries, remove it along with any dirt.

Ways to get rid of acne

Acne is just a symptom, so simply getting rid of the acne is not enough. First of all, comprehensive treatment of the disease that gave rise to them is required. Most often this is a correction of hormonal levels. If the nature of acne is dermatological, the following measures will help:

• elimination of hyperkeratosis;
• normalization of the process of exfoliation of the stratum corneum of the epidermis;
• suppression of increased sebum production;
• medicinal sanitation of the skin (including antibacterial treatment) to remove inflammation;
• correction of the structure of the upper layer of the epidermis to remove scars.

It is useful to change the usual regimen of daily skin care for the face and body, since acne indicates its low effectiveness. You may have to give up your usual cosmetics.

How to properly treat pimples* on the scalp?

If rashes appear on the scalp, you need to contact two specialists at once - a trichologist and a dermatologist. The first one deals with hair problems, he will recommend proper care, select shampoos, masks, balms, and other products in order to minimize harm to curls and skin.

A dermatologist treats acne. He will conduct a study, identify the causes of rashes and select the necessary drug treatment. In anti-acne therapy, drugs containing azelaic acid can be used, for example, Azelik® gel5,9. It normalizes disrupted keratinization processes in follicles and reduces the content of free fatty acids in skin lipids5. Azelik® gel exhibits antimicrobial activity against propionibacteria and Staphylococcus epidermidis5. The anti-inflammatory effect of the drug is presumably achieved due to the ability to reduce the metabolism of neutrophils and reduce their production of free radical forms of oxygen5.

*acne

Acne treatments

They get rid of acne using various means and methods. They are selected individually, taking into account the patient’s medical history: his age, hormonal levels, the presence or absence of dysbacteriosis, and the need for vitamins.

Acne is often accompanied by a change in the ratio of beneficial and harmful microflora in the body - dysbacteriosis. Therefore, patients often develop intestinal problems that also need to be treated.

A medicinal complex to get rid of blackheads may include:

• antiseptic drugs;
• antibiotics for external and internal use;
• systemic retinoids;
• drugs that normalize testosterone levels;
• metabolism;
• vitamins.

Physiotherapy is also effective as an additional area of ​​treatment and elimination of cosmetic defects. The following methods are actively used: cryotherapy, phonophoresis, mesotherapy. Scars are removed using circular dermabrasion.

Rules for facial skin care

If your skin is prone to comedones, you need to take care of it more carefully. The main goal is to soothe the sebaceous glands and prevent clogged pores. To do this you need:

• Ensure sufficient cleansing. Standard washing is not enough to get rid of excess oil. You need to wipe problem areas (nose, forehead, chin) with lotion or micellar water at least twice a day.
• Apply the correct cream. A moisturizer containing keratolytic (exfoliating) and antibacterial ingredients will do.
• Avoid alcohol-containing products. The first time after application, they provide the desired drying effect. But in the future they upset the balance of microflora and remove the necessary fluid.

Although acne on the nose or other areas of the face may look unattractive, you should not try to remove it yourself. It is important to break the habit of squeezing pimples to avoid infection and worsening the problem.

Homemade beauty recipes

Honey is famous for its healing and antiseptic properties. It perfectly tones the skin, makes it soft, velvety, and perfectly tightens pores. Honey can be used in its pure form, diluted with water and used as a tonic, or used to create cleansing and nourishing masks. After using the honey product, wash your skin and apply a nourishing cream.

Wipe oily skin and directly affected areas daily with a cotton pad soaked in lemon juice or strongly brewed green tea.

Walnut (its leaves) also helps reduce inflammation on the skin and thereby prevent further spread of comedones. To prepare the decoction, pour 2 tablespoons of walnut leaves (dry) into a glass of boiling water and boil for 5 minutes. Then cover the broth with a lid and leave to brew for another 25-30 minutes. After this, strain the broth and use it, rubbing it on problem skin several times a day.

Traditional medicine also helps in the treatment of marks and scars left after large acne. Melissa essential oil and blue volcanic clay cope well with this problem. Mix a few drops of oil with clay and dilute with water to form thick sour cream. Apply the paste on your face for half an hour, then rinse with warm water. The therapeutic effect of this mask is achieved due to the ability of lemon balm to relax the skin, heal wounds and tighten scars. Repeat the mask 1-2 times a week.

If your pores are large, a mixture of chamomile flowers and sage leaves will help tighten them. Take 1 teaspoon each of chamomile and sage, pour boiling water over them and let it brew for 20-30 minutes. Apply lotions to problem areas with this infusion.

Rules for caring for the skin of the chest and back

Acne appears on the back and chest no less often than on the face. This is not so striking, but requires no less responsible skin care. If she is prone to oiliness, it is worth increasing the frequency of bathing procedures. It is advisable to shower twice a day - in the morning and before bed.

In the absence of rashes, it is better to clean your back with a washcloth or medium-hard sponge. During an exacerbation, it is better to prefer softer options to avoid microtraumas.

After cleansing of excess sebum, sweat and dead particles of the epidermis, you can move on to special products:

• scrubs to exfoliate excess stratum corneum;
• thermal water for hydration;
• soft peelings;
• creams enriched with vitamins A and E.

When acne appears, it is recommended to remove synthetic items and wear natural fabrics. It is better to choose loose clothing: tight and constricting ones contribute to clogging of the follicles.

How to prevent acne: 7 ways

Like most problems in our lives, acne is not always completely under control. Therefore, instead of wondering how to get rid of acne quickly, it will be more effective to take preventive measures. Here's what might help:

1. Never go to bed without washing your face thoroughly.
2. Read the labels of facial care products carefully. Pay attention to labels such as “non-comedogenic” or “will not clog pores.”
3. Avoid touching your face during the day with unwashed hands (try to touch it as little as possible).
4. Always shower after exercising.
5. Try to reduce your stress levels.
6. Some pimples are not acne, but post-inflammatory pigment changes from previous pimples or attempts to squeeze them out. Apply sunscreen with SPF 30+ daily (even on cloudy days) to prevent darkening of these spots.
7. There is some scientific evidence that certain dietary changes can help reduce the risk of developing acne. For example, one meta-analysis of observational studies involving nearly 80,000 children, adolescents and young adults found an association between dairy products and an increased risk of acne. Additionally, some studies have linked foods with a high glycemic index (those that cause your blood sugar levels to rise quickly) to acne.

How to get rid of acne on your back and prevent its occurrence in the future? Read about this in a separate article.

• FAQs How to get rid of acne on your back? 7 most effective ways

How to get rid of acne quickly

This question often plagues people for whom impeccable appearance is important. Sudden pimples that appear before an important event (a date, an interview, a photo shoot) become a serious irritant for them that needs to be promptly eliminated.

Dermatologists never tire of repeating: squeezing out acne is unacceptable. It’s still not possible to get rid of an unwanted defect. An unpleasant wound will appear at the site of the pimple. If it gets infected, its appearance will suffer even more.

At home, you can only relieve inflammation in order to reduce the tubercle and speed up its healing:

• use SOS products specifically for problem skin;
• make a mask with tea tree or aloe extract.

You should not try to get rid of blackheads using tinctures or non-specialized products. This can cause allergies or cause even more redness.

Is it possible to rid your face of acne forever?

Normally, this problem should not arise after puberty. No one has yet been able to completely get rid of the risk of acne. From time to time, any person may experience hormonal imbalance or accelerated production of sebaceous glands. But this happens sporadically.

Typically, acne is viewed as a lingering problem caused by an endocrine disorder or hyperkeratosis. It cannot be solved on its own. But if the cause is eliminated, you will also get rid of the unpleasant consequence.

The only group of people for whom the problem is practically impossible to solve are those whose acne is of a genetic nature. Careful skin care and prevention of endocrine diseases help reduce the extent of damage.