How to get rid of blemishes overnight—is it possible? Fortunately, this common skin problem can be treated naturally and safely at home. Thanks to a number of effective remedies, you can achieve a healthy and blemish free skin in a short time.
What are blemishes
They’re usually distinguished by their dark or discolored spots commonly found on the face and neck. Blemishes can be flat or raised.
The common causes of a skin blemish are the following:
- Acne or pimples
- Whiteheads and blackheads
- Birthmarks
- Aging
- Allergies
- Hormonal imbalances
- Sun exposure
- Stress
- Freckles
How to prevent blemishes?
Well, getting rid of blemishes due to birthmarks are next to impossible. But for other types of blemishes, they can be greatly reduced through rigorous daily skin care, limiting your exposure to sunlight, proper diet, and regular workout.
Treatment for blemishes may slightly vary depending on the cause. Here are some of the popular home remedies for blemishes.
How to get rid of blemishes fast and naturally
1. Spend less time under the sun.
The ultraviolet rays from the sun are the common causes of skin blemishes. It’s only logical to limit your sun exposure as much as possible to prevent further skin damage.
When the sun rays (ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B) penetrates your skin, they destroy the skin’s collagen fibers. Also, during this process, there’s an overproduction of free radicals (oxidants), which cause different skin issues, such as wrinkles and blemishes.
Of course, you can wear sunscreen! Here’s the problem, though…
According to the 2014 sunscreen guide released by the Environmental Working Group, around 75% of commercial sunscreen products contain toxic ingredients, like Cinoxate, Homosalate, and Oxybenzone. These harmful chemicals are linked to cancer, allergic reactions, endometriosis (inner lining of the womb is found outside it), and hormone disruptions.
The good news is you can use mineral-based sunscreens (those containing titanium or zinc), which don’t get fully absorbed by the skin because the ingredients are not broken down in sunlight. Thus, they don’t cause allergic reactions and introduce horrid chemicals to your body.
Reminder: Don’t think a sunscreen with a higher SPF (over 50) is way better. It’s not. In fact, they contain higher concentrations of sun-filtering chemicals that may cause health risks once they penetrate the skin. Besides, sunscreens with an SPF of over 50 only prevents sunburn, not other forms of sun-induced skin damage.
If you prefer something natural, use an organic coconut oil or olive oil. Oily substances are efficient because they offer an even coating and more long-lasting effects. Plus, they keep your skin moisturized.
Another great alternative is green tea, which contains sun-protective catechins called the epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). There are two ways you can use green tea as a sunscreen:
One, you can drink at least 24 ounces of green tea daily.
Second, you can add a green tea bag on 2 cups of boiling water. Let it steep for five minutes, and then use a cotton ball to apply the resulting extract onto your skin. Make sure to apply it 30 minutes prior to your scheduled sun exposure. To maximize its sun-protective effects, continuously do this for at least 5 to 6 weeks.
2. Have a “scrub and soothe” session once or twice a week.
I’m sure you already heard about skin exfoliation, but are you doing it at least once a week? If not, you should start incorporating it to your skin care regimen. Exfoliating helps lighten your blemishes and unclog the pores by removing dead skin cells.
There are two types of exfoliants: physical and chemical. Examples of physical exfoliants are coarse sea salt, coffee grounds, sugar, rolled oats, and ground almonds. Meanwhile, examples of chemical exfoliants are lemon juice (or other citrus juices), the flesh of papaya, glycolic acid (derived from sugar cane), lactic acid, and alpha hydroxy acid.
Should you go for a physical exfoliant or a chemical exfoliant?
It really depends on your skin type. In most cases, many people prefer using both. The great thing about chemical exfoliants is they produce consistent and reliable results. But since commercial chemical exfoliants may cause different side effects, experts recommend using natural alternatives, which are easier on the pocket anyway.
Facial Scrub Recipes:
Recipe #1
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon coffee grounds
- 1 tablespoon pure honey
- 3 to 4 drops of lemon juice
Simply mix all the ingredients together, and then gently scrub the mixture to the affected area using a circular motion. Leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off with warm water.
Recipe #2
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil (which promotes skin regeneration)
- 2 ½ tablespoons of ground almonds
- 1 teaspoon of rolled oats
- 2 ½ tablespoons of powdered milk
- Macadamia nut oil
Except for the macadamia nut oil, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Then transfer the resulting mixture to an air-tight container. This will last up to 12 months if stored in a cool, dark place.
Get a small amount of the scrub. Mix it with avocado oil until its texture becomes paste-like.
Softly scrub this mixture onto your skin using circular motions. Make sure to avoid the delicate skin around your eyes.
Wash off using warm water. Gently pat the area dry.
To finish, apply a thin layer of macadamia nut oil with your fingertips. Macadamia nut oil is full of antioxidants. And like avocado oil, it helps rejuvenate the skin.
3. Organic honey might be worth rubbing into your blemished skin.
Blemishes are a constant nightmare for people because of their acne, which could leave dark spots and scars. Fortunately, you don’t have to look far for an effective natural solution. Organic honey, a low-cost remedy for skin blemishes, is valued for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and exfoliative properties.
A research from the British Journal of Surgery have shown that honey could promote faster healing time and lower the risk of developing hypertrophic scars among patients with superficial burn injury. Aside from that, it’s also a great skin exfoliant because it contains natural alpha-hydroxy acids and sugars (glucose and fructose).
There are plenty of honey varieties. Each honey contains different amounts of vitamins, acids, and sugars. However, in most cases, it’s their hydrogen peroxide, low water content, and low pH levels that are believed to give them their ability to fight off bacteria that cause acne or pimples.
Manuka honey is a popular variety of honey. It stands out from the others because it’s highly abundant of a certain compound called Methylglyoxal or pyruvaldehyde, which possesses potent antibacterial abilities. Its concentration in Manuka honey ranges up to 761mg/kg.
Organic honey also contains antioxidants or flavonoids, like pinocembrin and propolis. As I previously said, antioxidants are your skin’s top protectors against the damaging effects of free radicals. The rule of thumb is the darker the color of a honey, the more antioxidants it contains.
Honey and Rice Powder Body Polish:
Aside from honey, rice powder and lavender essential oils are valuable agents for getting rid of blemishes.
Rice powder, a traditional skin whitening in Asian countries, contains para aminobenzoic acid (PABA), ferulic acid (an antioxidant), and allantoin (anti-inflammatory), which are all believed to be great sunscreens. Meanwhile, lavender essential oil doesn’t only lighten skin blemishes, but it also helps eliminate acne.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of raw honey
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil
- 3 ½ tablespoons of rice powder
- 2/3 cup of milk
- 1 tablespoon of lavender essential oil
- Mild organic body wash
Pour the avocado oil in a small bowl, and then add the rice powder and milk. Mix until it makes a paste.
Add the honey and 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil to the mixture.
Prior to taking a bath, apply a small amount of mild organic body wash. Start scrubbing from the middle then away from the body.
4. Fenugreek (Methi) promotes a healthy and blemish-free skin.
Fenugreek is not only a good seasoning, but it’s also able to heal many skin ailments, like sunburn, acne, and boils. In fact, seeds of fenugreek are often used in many home remedies in order to moisturize, soothe, heal, and whiten the skin.
In one particular study, researchers wanted to know the effect of a formulation containing 4% fenugreek seeds extract and paraffin oil. So, they enrolled eleven volunteers age 25 to 35 years. Each of them was given two types of creams: the base cream and the cream with the active ingredients. For six weeks, they had to apply the creams to their cheeks.
What’s the final verdict?
Researchers found out that the cream with fenugreek seeds extract was able to noticeably decrease skin melanin. This effect may be due to the presence of flavonoids (plant antioxidants). Also, the skin of the volunteers were softer, well hydrated, and less inflamed.
Fenugreek Seeds Face Mask:
Ingredients
- 2 ½ tablespoons of powdered fenugreek seeds
- 1 ½ tablespoons of plain yogurt
- 2/3 cup of liquid milk (which helps cleanse and soften the skin)
Grind the fenugreek seeds into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or a seed grinder.
Add the plain yogurt and liquid milk. Blend well to make a thick paste.
Apply the resulting mixture onto your face, and then leave it for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse it off using lukewarm water.
Remainder: Frequent topical application of fenugreek may cause allergic reactions and skin irritation. To be on the safer side, women who are pregnant or have breast cancer should avoid using any fenugreek preparations.
5. Use oats to get a blemish- and acne-free skin.
Oats, also known as Avena sativa, are wonderful additions to your DIY skin care recipes. In the past, Romans and Greeks used them to treat a variety of skin issues. Today, scientific trials have supported a few of its supposed skin benefits.
Oats contain a high amount of antioxidants called avenanthramides. A 2009 scientific literature has shown that the antioxidants (polyphenols) in oats have the ability to fight off inflammation and itching.
Due to their rough texture, oats make wonderful exfoliants. They can also help rejuvenate dry and dull skin and improve skin elasticity because they contain polysaccharides. Although, it’s not backed up by clinical trials, many use oats to lighten their skin.
Rolled Oats Face Mask:
Ingredients
- ½ cup of rolled oats/oatmeal
- Warm water
- 1 tablespoon of raw honey (the darker, the better)
Pour the rolled oats into a small bowl. Then add enough warm water. Blend it until the mixture becomes paste-like.
After, add the raw honey. Mix well for one last time.
Gently rub it on your face (or other parts of your body) using circular motions. Just make sure to avoid the delicate skin around your eyes.
Leave it on your face for approximately 15 minutes, and then rinse it off using warm water.
Finish off by applying a thin layer of sweet almond oil or sesame oil. Almond oil is perfect for dry skin, while sesame oil is valued for its sunscreen properties.
Remainder: Oats may cause other people to break out. If you’re not sure that you’re sensitive to oats, apply a small amount of the paste on an inconspicuous part of your face or neck.
Final thoughts on How to Remove Blemishes
The following solutions for skin blemishes have proven to be effective by many people. BUT let’s be realistic here. Don’t expect to get dramatic results. You’ll probably see improvements within a month or so of consistent use.
If none really works, visit your trusted dermatologist. They can offer you other options, like in-office chemical peeling, laser treatments, or skin care products that are specially formulated to solve your skin problems.
Got other proven remedies you want to share with everyone? Well, don’t be shy and comment below. I’d love to hear your ideas about getting rid of skin blemishes.
References:
http://news.stkate.edu/articles/green_tea_fontsize1.html
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bjs.1800780435/abstract
http://www.agriculturejournals.cz/publicFiles/07735.pdf
http://ptf.content-manager.pl/pub/File/acta_pol_2010/2_2010/173-178.pdf
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