How to Prevent and Treat Pimples and Acne

If you need to get rid of pimples, we can help. Learn how to get rid of pimples naturally, in a hurry and still be kind to your skin by trying one of these four effective treatments:

HOW TO GET RID OF PIMPLES

1. SCRUB AND EXFOLIATE

Choose a face scrub that’s right for your skin type and consider using a gentle exfoliating sponge to avoid irritating your skin. If you have naturally oily skin, exfoliating is a great way to draw a pimple right to the surface and renew your skin cells.

2. APPLY HEAT

If you’re looking to learn how to remove pimples safely, soak a small towel in warm to hot water and hold it to your face regularly throughout the day. You can also prepare a steam bath with hot water in a bowl and hold your face over it at a comfortable distance.

Moderate levels of heat and steam can open up your pores and allows impurities to naturally escape. They can also reduce irritation and redness associated with pimples.

3. MAKE A NATURAL FACE MASK

Natural face masks should contain pimple-fighting ingredients to boost your skin’s recovery.

Try turmeric and cucumber, both of which work to heal and soothe your skin. Mix these ingredients with a mild natural yoghurt for a moisturising kick.

4. USE A NATURAL SPOT TREATMENT

Send your pimple packing with a natural spot treatment – simply apply a dab of a natural anti-bacterial ingredient directly on your pimple, leave for ten to fifteen minutes, and rinse off with warm water. Consider these spot treatment options and send your pimple packing:

Honey – eliminates bacteria and blocks it from entering your pores
Garlic –contains sulphur that dries out oils naturally, and is a great antiseptic
Tomatoes – contain high levels of antioxidants to fight cellular damage and reduce redness
Diluted tea tree oil – is well known for its soothing, antibacterial, and sebum-dissolving properties

With a bit of discipline and a few deep breaths you can learn how to stop pimples from popping up so often. Follow these five helpful tips to prevent outbreaks.

1. Develop a consistent and well-coordinated skincare routine

Remove your make-up thoroughly – don’t let it block or irritate your pores. Face wipes are always handy for this.
Cleanse – use a good cleanser suited to your skin type that will keep your skin fresh and free from excess oil, without drying it out.
Exfoliate – remove dead skin cells. They can build-up and clog pores. A good option for blemish prone skin is NIVEA’s Clean Deeper Daily Wash Face Scrub
Moisturise – keep your skin balanced with a light, oil-free formulation for pimple prevention.

2. Try to limit stress

This is easier said than done! Stress affects our physical health and can cause physical symptoms, including pimples. Taking some time to exercise, take a bath or meditate is great to reduce stress.

3. Follow a skin-healthy diet

Look out for foods containing these four key nutrients:

Vitamin A – reduces sebum and helps skin cells regenerate. Try spinach, carrots, kale, papaya, cantaloupe or sweet potatoes.
Antioxidants – help fight free radicals in your body. Try cocoa, a small square of dark chocolate a good antioxidant fix.
Vitamin C – helps the skin produce collagen for a fresh looking complexion. Try citrus fruits, broccoli or bean sprouts.
Omega-3 and omega-6 – help keep your skin supple. Try salmon, avocados, nuts and olive oil for more unsaturated fatty acids.

Always remember to drink plenty of water or unsweetened tea to help flush out toxins and avoid drinking soft drinks if you can.

WHAT CAUSES PIMPLES

Most adolescents get pimples due to their changing hormone levels and increased sebum production. This often leads to clogged pores, blackheads and pimples.

Adults can also experience pimples as a result of hormonal fluctuations, their skin type, lifestyle and level of stress.

WHAT CAUSES ADULT PIMPLES?

Adult pimples are an unwelcome nuisance. They often form on the face, chest and back, and are caused by factors different from those during your teenage years. The most common contributors to adult acne are:

Your personal skin type
Damaging environmental influences, like UV rays or fine dust
An unhealthy lifestyle
Stress
Hormone fluctuations

For women, the body’s hormonal balance shifts in certain phases, such as before a period or during pregnancy. These hormonal shifts can make your skin react more strongly to external factors and cause more blemishes to form than usual.

THE BEST ADULT ACNE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

Stress less about clear skin with our five fresh tips on the best adult acne treatment and prevention methods:

1. CARE CORRECTLY FOR YOUR SKIN

Before deciding on the right skin care product, determine what type of skin you have.
Not sure what your skin type is? Take our quick and easy NIVEA skin type test. Learn about the characteristics of your skin type and discover the best skin care products for you.

2. AVOID USING RICH SKIN CREAMS IF YOU HAVE OILY OR COMBINATION SKIN

Rich or oil based skin creams can make your skin feel overly greasy and sometimes even block your pores.

3. MOISTURISE DRY SKIN

Dry skin needs a lot of moisture.
Moisturiser supports your skin’s natural protective barrier and prevents bacteria from penetrating your pores and causing adult pimples.

4. DE-STRESS WHERE YOU CAN

Stress is a major trigger for adult pimples.
When you find yourself becoming stressed or anxious take three deep breaths to slow down your heart rate.
Plus, try to organise your daily schedule in a way that you can treat yourself to moments of “me time”.
A relaxing bath or a few minutes of quiet meditation can also work wonders for your stress levels.

5. CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL

If your adult pimples are persisting and causing you excessive grief, talk to your GP or a dermatologist.
They can discuss your options around a prescription for an adult acne treatment.