Wondering how to get rid of pimples on nose fast? There are conventional pimple medicines but they often have undesirable effects and don’t always work. In today’s article, let’s take a closer look at eight herbal treatments you could use to get rid of these ugly zits fast.
What is a pimple?
A pimple, also casually called as zit, spot, or blemish, is a disorder of the hair follicles that lead to pore blockage and swelling in the skin. Although the terms “pimple” and “acne” are used interchangeably, they’re not the same. Acne (acne vulgaris) is due to the stimulation of your androgen hormones, which cause changes to your hair follicle, hair shaft, and sebaceous gland.
Different types of pimples on face:
- Whiteheads and blackheads – Whiteheads happen when your pores lock up, while blackheads happen when your pores remain open.
- Pustules – These are small lumps on your skin that hold or make pus.
- Papules – These normally measure around less than one centimeter. They’re small, rounded bumps that are hard to touch.
- Nodules – These are pimples that have really gone bad. Nodules are a lot bigger, deeper, and more painful. The average size of each nodule is over 0.5 centimeters.
Should you a pop pimple?
It’s best to leave your pimples alone. They’ll usually go away on their own within three to seven days.
When you pop or prick them, you’ll release the bacteria, pus, oil, and other debris inside. These could ooze out on your outer skin and penetrate your unaffected pores, which will lead to more pimples.
What’s more, by popping your zits, you may unknowingly introduce new bacteria to your already infected pores. Thus, your old pimples become more tender, swollen, and inflamed.
How to prevent pimples naturally:
Regularly wash your face (a no-brainer). According to WebMD, it’s best to do this only two times a day. Make sure to use lukewarm water to open up your clogged pores. Personally, I’d advice you go for certified organic facial washes or make your own using natural ingredients.
Use moisturizers that are best suited to your skin type. Dry skin predisposes you to developing pimples and acne.
Exfoliate at least once a week. But avoid scrubbing rigorously or using very coarse loofah or washcloth. Use either your hands or a soft washcloth.
Avoid frequent touching of your face because your hands come in contact with different microbes and dirt throughout the day.
Wash your make-up sponges and brushes at least once or twice a week. The same goes with other things that come in contact with your face, like your pillow cases, blankets, and your hair.
Choose “non-comedogenic” make-ups, which basically mean they won’t cause pimples, acne, and other skin irritations. If possible, avoid or minimize wearing of make-up. Remember, don’t sleep with your makeup on.
How to get rid of pimples on nose, cheeks and chin fast
#1: Use diluted tea tree oil products as a short-term remedy for your pimples.
Tea tree oil is also called Melaleuca alternifolia. It’s used in a wide variety of skin conditions because of the ability of its chemicals to fight off fungi, bacteria, and allergens. A few studies also suggest that it may be an effective treatment for mild to moderate forms of pimples or acne.
Based on one study published in the journal of The Medical Journal of Australia, putting 5% of tea tree oil gel on your zits seems to be equally effective as 5% benzoyl peroxide, a conventional treatment med for pimples and acne. When religiously applied two times a day for forty-five days, tea tree oil was able to lessen the severity and symptoms of acne.
And what’s even greater? Benzoyl peroxide may produce faster results, but tea tree oil causes less skin irritation.
There’s really no established dose for a tea tree oil up to now. To make a 5% tea tree oil solution, mix 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil with 3/8 cup of water.
Does tea tree oil have any side effects? As long as you don’t use large quantities of it, your skin is safe. Too much or too frequent application of this oil could lead to dryness, burning, and redness of your skin. Boys who are in the pre-puberty stage should also avoid using this.
#2: Apply a minimal amount of unprocessed coconut oil on the affected areas of your face.
Unprocessed coconut oil is not only good for the health, but it’s also good for your skin. A study has shown that it exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. You could also find traces of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in coconut oil. This vitamin is valued for its ability to keep your skin healthy by preventing clogged pores and ensuring your sebum glands work fine.
It’s also highly abundant in two antibacterial agents, such as lauric acid. Lauric acid is a type of medium-chain saturated fatty acid that’s easily absorbed, digested, and utilized by the body. Aside from coconut oil, it’s also found in lesser amounts in palm kernel oil and laurel oil.
Lauric acid is said to be the major anti-pimple component of unprocessed coconut oil. But what if it goes against other free fatty acids, such as oleic acid and palmitic acid? Will it still be the best antibacterial agent against pimple-causing bacteria, like Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes)?
According to a study, the answer appears to be a resounding yes. In fact, lauric acid in coconut oil requires lower concentration in order to stop the growth of P. acnes compared to benzoyl peroxide. Meaning, it’s a more potent antibacterial agent than benzoyl peroxide.
How to remove pimples with coconut oil
- The simplest way is to dab a small amount of it on your zits or your entire face.
- Another way is to use it as carrier oil, and then mix it with other anti-pimple essential oils, like tea tree oil. Use it as a daily moisturizer. You can leave the mixture on your face for 15 to 30 minutes before putting on your makeup. Remember, a little goes a long way.
However, there’s a concern that virgin coconut oil (VCO) may cause more breakouts or clogged up pores. In my humble opinion, this could happen if you put on too much on your face. But based on many people’s feedbacks, VCO actually helped balance the oiliness of their skin.
#3: Thyme may help solve your pimple and acne problems.
Thyme is another natural anti-acne ingredient you can add to your list. Is it effective, though?
A research featured in The Daily Mail said that thyme herbal cream beats myrrh, marigold, benzoyl peroxide gel, and other conventional treatments. What’s more, thyme seems to be less irritating to the skin compared to peroxide-based skin care products.
Researchers from the Leeds Metropolitan University arrived to these conclusions by preparing tinctures from marigold, myrrh, and thyme. Then they added billions of Propionibacterium acnes to each. After waiting for five minutes, thyme tincture was able to annihilate 100,000 bacteria per millimeter.
What I really like about using thyme for pimples is it smells really nice. Inhalation of thyme is also said to promote relaxation, sleep, and better mood.
To use this to zap your pimples, combine one tablespoon of thyme essential oil and two tablespoons of your favorite carrier oil (e.g. almond oil and olive oil). Store the resulting mixture in the appropriate dark glass bottle.
Generally, topical application of thyme oil causes no problems. But as expected, experts still caution the public from using thyme on the skin to eliminate zits. It’s always best to consult your dermatologist or a competent herbalist before rubbing thyme all over your face.
#4: Apply raw or Manuka honey to your entire face at least once a week.
Warning: If you have known allergies to bees and honey, feel free to skip this part.
There are many reasons why honey helps eliminate your pimples. It’s believed to contain antibacterial properties that stop the growth of bacteria and soothe your irritated skin. This antibacterial property is a certain enzyme called hydrogen peroxide. The limited amount of water available in honey also makes it hard for bacteria to thrive.
Honey is a good moisturizer because of its humectant qualities. What’s good about it is that it doesn’t only draw in water, but it also retains it in order to keep your skin soft and supple.
Now, there are a lot of honey varieties out there. Which one should you use for this purpose? Of course, always go for raw, unfiltered—meaning, it still contains a good amount of pollen—honey. But Manuka honey is apparently better than raw, unfiltered honey and other honey varieties.
Using honey for your pimples is pretty straightforward. Just apply it directly on each pimple or your entire face. Since pure honey can be real thick, it helps to dampen your face first or add other liquid ingredients.
Personally, I would combine 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. I usually use lemon juice because it doesn’t only dry out your pimples, but it also lessens the appearance of scars and dark spots.
Wash off the honey mask after 15 to 30 minutes, more or less. If you added lemon juice, leave it for a shorter period of time, like 10 minutes.
Reminders:
- Here’s the catch. Honey will only work if your pimples are caused by bacteria. It won’t help you if your hormones, virus, or other factors are causing your breakouts.
- To rule out any possibility of having allergic reactions, be sure to do a skin patch test on a small area of your inner lower arm or jaw line.
#5: Papaya juice is a possible anti-pimple agent.
Have you already used it? Turns out a raw papaya (Carica papaya) has been used for decades to get rid of pimples and acne. Its juice can be used to stop pus formation, prevent clog pores by removing dead and damaged skin, and ease the inflamed pimple.
What’s the secret ingredient of papaya? Among the chemical components found in papaya, it’s papain that’s most potent. This enzyme doesn’t only soften and whiten the skin, but it also treats various skin problems that involve inflammation and dark spots secondary to excessive sun exposure.
Let me give you a breakdown of the specific components of a raw papaya that are beneficial for your skin. Based on the United States Department of Agriculture: National Database for Standard Reference Release 27, it has…
- 038 mg/100 grams of vitamin B6, which prevents and treats acne
- 9 mg/100 grams of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is effective against nodular pimples
- 950 IU/100grams of vitamin A, which strengthens and protects your skin tissue and decreases sebum production
Should you use a raw or ripe papaya for this purpose?
It seems that the maturity of a papaya doesn’t really matter. Whether you use seeds or juice from a raw or ripe papaya, it’s still able to inhibit the growth of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria (e.g. Propionibacterium acnes).
Papaya facial mask
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of moderately ripe papaya (chopped)
- 1 ½ cups of raw, unfiltered honey
- 1 cup colloid oatmeal
Kitchen tools:
- Blender or mixer
- Spatula
Preparation:
- Pour the chopped papaya into your blender. Blend it until smooth, and then add the honey.
- Pour the resulting mixture on a small bowl. Add the colloid oatmeal.
If you plan to use a raw papaya, make sure to dab a small amount of the resulting mixture on your jaw line to test if you have latex allergy.
#6: Holy basil is a good alternative antibacterial treatment for pimples and acne.
Holy basil (Ocimum gratissimum) is a plant native to India, wherein it’s widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to combat stress. The essential oil extracted from a holy basil is a good antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent because of its linoleic acid component.
As usual, scientists were curious about the efficacy of this essential oil and other anti-pimple agents. Depending on the skin type, they tested six samples on 60 participants (30 guys and 30 women) age 20 to 28.
Researchers observed that samples #1 and #2 (contains aloe vera, mint, wild mint, neem, cucumber, and tulsi or holy basil) hold the greatest potential as effective anti-pimple agents. They even have insignificant side effects.
Sample #2 was used on participants with sensitive skin and inflammatory pimples (papules and pustules). The group given this anti-pimple sample felt that it’s efficient (with 92% efficacy rate) and soothing. The amount of time it needed to provide healing was 8 to 9 days.
The specific compound that’s responsible for holy basil’s ability to eradicate pimples is not yet really known. But it may have to do with its primary compound called eugenol. According to a group of Thai researchers, holy basil essential oil with 3.0% concentration possesses great ability to fight off bacteria that cause pimples and acne.
How to stop pimples with holy basil essential oil
- Remember to always dilute it with your choice of carrier oil to avoid further skin irritation. I recommend using virgin coconut oil because it’s usually well absorbed by the skin.
- This recipe requires 2 teaspoons of virgin coconut oil and 3 to 5 drops of basil essential oil. Add first the holy basil essential oil one drop at a time before adding the remaining oils still one drop at a time. Gently mix these together using a toothpick or a stirrer.
#7: Mangosteen fruit rind extracts have activities against pimples and acne.
Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is usually found growing in the rainforest of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. It’s a small (around the size of a tennis ball) rounded fruit with purple rind and white pulp with a seed inside. In the United States, mangosteen is marketed as a juice, puree, and dietary supplement (powder, tablet, and capsule).
It has gained popularity through the years because of its highly potent antioxidants, specifically xanthones. The medicinal properties of mangosteen are normally concentrated in its rind.
Like other antioxidants, xanthones helps protect you from different environmental stressors that could cause illnesses and worsen your pimples. Overwhelming stress, whether emotional, mental, or physical, allows the production of excess free radicals, which could wreak havoc to your skin.
Early clinical studies have shown that mangosteen is a promising anti-pimple topical treatment. This may be because mangosteen rind extract has alpha-mangostin (α-mangostin), a major compound in mangosteen that has antibacterial activity against opportunistic skin microorganisms, like Staphylococcus epidermis and Propionibacterium acnes.
How to get rid of zits with mangosteen
- You could use it as a facial wash. To make your own mangosteen facial wash, boil a few mangosteen rinds for 2 to 5 minutes. Strain and allow the mixture to cool before using.
- Aside from using it topically, it’s also a great idea to take mangosteen dietary supplements to combat the bad effects of stress.
#8: Treat your pimples by extracting juice from an onion.
Apparently onions don’t just make you cry, but they also contain volatile oils and sulphur compounds, such as glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, allyl propyl disulphide, and alliin, which help treat various skin problems. But the major anti-pimple components of onion are quercetin, kaempferol, and allicin.
Onion is normally used externally as a poultice. This helps decrease an inflammation and lightens blemishes on your skin. Studies also reveal that onion juice has the ability to suppress fungi, bacteria, and allergens. Together with catechin, onion kaempferol, a flavonoid, is the most promising candidate for the treatment of infections caused by Propionibacterium acnes.
Onion juice face mask
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion (peeled)
- 1 egg yolk (beaten)
- 2 teaspoons of carrier oil
Kitchen tools
- Juicer or blender
- Containers
Preparation:
- To make the onion juice, use a juicer. If you don’t have a juicer, you can just pour the chopped onion into a blender. Later, pour everything into a strainer, and then let the juice collect into a container.
- Mix 1 ½ tablespoons of onion juice with 2 tablespoons of your favorite carrier oil, like olive oil and sweet almond oil, and egg yolk.
- Rinse your face with lukewarm water to open up your pores.
- Apply everything onto your face. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes before thoroughly rinsing it with lukewarm water.
Final thoughts on how to make pimples go away
There are really no surefire ways to totally prevent zits from populating your face. However, there are a couple of pharmacological and non-pharmacological ways to reduce their severity, symptoms, and number. Like what I said earlier, avoid popping or frequently touching them, manage your stress levels, maintain a healthy diet, and cultivate good hygiene habits.
Should you consult your dermatologist? Although natural ingredients are helpful, it doesn’t mean they won’t cause any side effects, especially if you have a sensitive skin. Talk to your dermatologist to find out what skin type you have and what you can do to safely manage your pimples.
If you’re into organic pimple treatments, make sure to always perform skin patch tests when using certain ingredients for the first time. The last thing you want is to create a monster out of a harmless pimple. Wait for at least 30 minutes and up to 6 hours to see if you develop any allergic reactions.
Got other suggestions on how to get rid of pimples? Don’t be shy and share them below.
References:
http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/2145499
http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/13880200903062614
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0142961209007479
http://www.nature.com/jid/journal/v129/n10/abs/jid200993a.html
http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/15040064
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20516704
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1381117706000786
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