How can I remove pimples and dark spots from my face naturally?

Medically reviewed and approved by Nataniel Josue M.D.

How to remove pimples from the face? You want to look a perfect face without any imperfections or marks, but when you're getting ready to go out, you notice that you've got a nasty pimple, and you don't know what to do to hide it or get rid of it.

Well, as a dermatologist, in typical cases, this is what works:

To remove pimples and dark spots from your face, maintain a facial routine that starts with a cleansing cream to remove dirt built up in your pores during the day. The next step is to exfoliate the face to prevent the pores' infection and inflammation, ending with a moisturizer, even if your skin is oily.

For treating the pimples and dark spots, the most recommendable thing is, to begin with, natural treatments based on skin cleanings with water and soap. Most drugs to treat this problem contain isotretinoin and retinoids that can have side effects such as burning, irritation, or dyslipidemia.

Now that you know this, don't worry, because we will give you some advice that will help you get rid of those annoying pimples on your face. I will also explain the causes of these pimples and advice on how to avoid them.

What causes pimples on the face?

The pimples or acne appear due to an alteration of the keratinization process, the follicular colonization by the Propionibacterium, innate immunity, and mainly due to the excess of sebum produced by the sebaceous gland. Acne is a disease suffered by approximately 9,4% of the world's population.

Now I will focus on the leading cause of pimples and blackheads, which exceeds the sebum. That production occurs because:

1) The skin is dehydrated:

 When the skin is dry, your body compensates for this dryness by producing more oil than usual. Use oil-free moisturizers such as gel products, which have a light, non-greasy water-based texture that will treat the skin.

2) Over-makeup:

 When you get a pimple, cover it up with makeup, and then the makeup will cause another spot. The solution is not to get rid of the makeup, but do not buy natural oil-based cosmetics.

Avoid buying makeup that contains artificial fragrances, oil, coloring, and lanolin. These ingredients put a barrier on the skin that prevents the pore from breathing, and that's when it becomes a pimple.

3) Not rinsing the conditioner well:  

 Products such as silicones, conditioners, sulfate, and moisturizing agents, get pimples on the back and forehead because they get into your skin, blocking the pores. 

For this reason, when you take a bath, first apply all the products you will put on your hair and then wash your body well. Clean your face whenever you finish; this will avoid leaving traces of hair products on the body.

4) Stress:

 When you're under pressure, your body produces the cortisol hormone that stimulates your glands to produce more fat. To reduce or avoid stress, exercise, meditate, and plan a schedule of your routines so that you can lead a more peaceful life.

5) Not eliminating the sweat:

When you sweat, your pores open up because when you exercise, wash your face soon after. If you let the wetness dry, the dirt accumulated on your skin, along with the sweat, will penetrate the pores and cover them up. For closing your pores, an efficient remedy is to wash your face with cold water.

6) Alcohol consumption and very oily food:

The consumption of alcohol and eating with excess fat also favors the appearance of pimples.

7) Over-exfoliation

 Many people think that by exfoliating more times, they will find cleaner skin. Peeling too often can have the opposite effect, drying out the skin and making our bodies more oily.

8) Not cleaning makeup brushes:

 When you use makeup brushes that you have not washed, the dirt there can clog the pores, so the pimples come out.

9) Hormonal imbalance:

 Hormones can cause spots on the neck or jaw. Try to wash your neck well, as it is an area that is forgotten and accumulates a lot of fat.

Tips to prevent pimples and dark spots

Wash with soap and water. 

Use water for facial hygiene and a product with a suitable soap for your skin twice a day. Do a gentle cleaning to avoid irritations. After cleaning, use a tonic to reduce grease and bacteria. With this, you balance the PH of the skin.

Avoid products with facial oil. 

Use oil-free cosmetic products; these will moisturize the skin instead of adding more oil. You should choose products of this type, both creams, and makeup.

Don't pop your pimples. 

When they burst, you can push infected material into the deeper layers of your skin, which will cause inflammation and redness. According to a study for the IQWiG in Germany, squeezing and popping pimples can cause pus or sebum to penetrate deeper and become more inflamed. Also, it can produce the unsightly scars that we want to avoid.

Do not touch your face. 

During the day or when applying makeup, do not touch your face with your hands. That will prevent dark spots from appearing and bacteria from entering the skin.

Clean your hair thoroughly. 

Clean your hair thoroughly because it contains oil and bacteria that can clog your pores.

Sunbathe in moderation. 

Sunbathe, but don't overdo it. Through the sun, our body generates vitamin D in the skin. The rest of the vitamins are ingested by food, but in this case, our body can develop them with the help of the sun's UV rays.

According to a study conducted by Rathish Nair and Arun Maseeh and published in the Journal of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics, humans synthesize vitamin D through sun exposure. This study also says that the vitamin generated by solar radiation lasts in our body more than twice as long as we ingest it.

It is unnecessary to stay all day in the sun; an exposure of at least twice a week for 10 minutes will be enough.

Avoid stress. 

As I told you before, stress makes our organism generate cortisol. This hormone has many effects on our body; among them is the appearance of pimples.

A study published in Bentham Science showed that stress increases our skin's sebum (lipogenesis in sebum).

Drink plenty of water. 

Water is nature's most potent cleansing agent. By keeping the body hydrated inside, the skin will become cleaner and healthier.

According to a study for Dovepress, increasing regular water intake has a very positive impact on skin physiology.

You may be interested in "Why is it important to drink water?"

Practice some physical activity. 

Exercise is very beneficial to activate our blood flow. That will help eliminate toxins, and our skin will produce less sebum.

Skincare routine for pimples

We must learn to have a routine of facial care to eliminate the face's pimples.

 It is essential to make deep facial cleaning of the face's skin because it accumulates dirt and impurities. Environmental pollution and dust are on the skin, which causes different types of pimples and even premature aging of the skin. 

The frequency with which we should clean our surface depends on the type of skin. If your skin is oily and has blackheads, you should cleanse every week, and this way, you will achieve a balance in your skin. When your skin adapts, you can do this every two weeks.

1) Cleanse your face well: 

 To begin the cleaning, the first thing to do is wash your face with water and a neutral soap, facial gel, or a makeup product according to your skin type. The water you are going to use should be cold to stimulate blood circulation. Before doing any treatment on your face, it is essential to remove these products' remains to avoid infection.

2) Open the pores of the skin:

 To clean the pores well, first, you will have to massage the fingertips on the chin, between the eyebrows, and on the neck. In this way, you will relax the facial muscles and make the pores open more easily. This massage also promotes the production of collagen and elastin in the cells.

If you prefer, you can open the pores with steam. To do this, you must place the face in front of a hot water container with a separation of 30 cm. That will help you open your pores and if you want more effectiveness, place the towel over your head so that the steam is more concentrated and hold it for about 10 minutes.

You can also open your pores if you are afraid of steam to apply hot towels to your face.

3) Exfoliate your face:

 Since your pores are already open, now is the time to exfoliate your skin. Apply an exfoliant and massage the entire face gently with circular movements. These exfoliants have small granules that drag dirt away from the skin. You must use these products with caution; otherwise, your skin will be irritated.

4) Tone your skin: 

After you cleanse your face thoroughly in the morning and evening, you should apply a tonic that has an astringent effect and gently helps close the pores.

5) Moisturize the skin:

 Although it is imperative to moisturize and nourish your oily skin, apply moisturizing cream on your face to be completely hydrated. Try to buy creams that help regulate sebum production in the skin and do not clog the pores.

6) Do not wear makeup:

After cleaning, it is not advisable to put on makeup because the pores are still a little open and can become infected. Wait at least two hours, but ideally wait until the next day. With this, the skin will regenerate and rest from the facial products.

How can you remove pimples and dark spots from your face naturally?

How to remove pimples from the face with home remedies? Now I'm going to indicate some treatments to get rid of the spots on your face.

Steam

 The steam is a great ally to eliminate pimples and pores effectively. It helps you open your pores and let your skin breathe, allowing your epidermis to remove all the accumulated dirt that causes infection, inflammation, and, therefore, pimples' production.

Before any remedy or treatment is performed on your face:

• Put water to boil.
• Place the boiling water in a container.
• Put your face on top of the steam (at a safe distance, without burning yourself).
• Stay there for a few minutes.
• Cover your face with a cloth so that the water vapor does not escape and has more effect.
• When you have finished, you can wash your face with warm water.

Ice.

 Another way to remove a pimple is to place ice on the affected area. The cold immediately reduces the spot's inflammation and activates the circulation, removing the dirt that accumulates on the skin.

•  To use it, wrap an ice cube in a cloth, gently pressing the pimple for several seconds.
• Remove it and wait a few minutes and then repeat the action.

Garlic:

With this remedy, you will eliminate pimples from your face quickly. Garlic is very beneficial for the skin due to its mighty antiseptic power.

Also, garlic has antioxidant properties that make it the ideal ingredient for removing pimples.

How to use it:

• Take a fresh garlic clove and cut it into two parts.
• Apply the inner side of the garlic to the grain and keep it there for 5 minutes.
• Then rinse it with warm water.
• Repeat this process several times a day.

Lemon:

 Lemon is rich in vitamin C and very useful for drying pimples quickly. It also contains antibacterial properties to remove the spot from the root.

If you want to use the lemon juice, wet a cotton ball and apply it on the pimples before going to sleep. In the morning, rinse with water.

Baking soda:

 It is a product that also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that help finish with the pimple and prevent it from becoming infected.

To prepare this remedy: 

• In half a glass of water, add a spoonful of baking soda.
• Stir it very well until you get a cream.
• This cream must be applied to the pimple and leave it for 10 minutes.
• After this time, rinse with warm water and dry your face very well.

Honey:

Honey has antibacterial properties and is very effective in reducing inflammation and moisturizing your skin. 

• When you go to sleep, apply the honey as a cream on the grain to remove or deflate it.
• Let it work all night long. 
• I recommend that you use organic or unprocessed honey.

Apple vinegar:

 Apple vinegar is very beneficial because it has antibacterial properties. Also, thanks to its acidity, it allows the grain to dry quickly. 

To use it on the skin, you must dilute it in water before applying it to the grain. You can also use it on the whole face to take advantage of its many benefits.

 How to use it:

• Mix one part apple vinegar with three parts of water. If your skin is sensitive, add more water.
• Soak cotton in the mixture and apply gently to the skin.
• Leave it on for 5 to 20 seconds.
• Then rinse with water and pat dry. 
• You can repeat this process 1 to 2 times a day. 

Carrot

• Take a carrot, remove the skin, and cut it into pieces. 
• Then you must cook it in abundant water until it softens very well. 
• Then make a puree with the carrot.
• Apply this puree to the areas affected by the grains.

Toothpaste:

The toothpaste helps to dry the grain quickly. To use the toothpaste, apply a little bit of it to the grain before going to bed to work all night long. You can also apply it at any time of the day, letting it work for half an hour and then removing it with water. I recommend that you use white toothpaste, which does not contain aggressive agents or components.

Take a zinc supplement:

 According to several studies, zinc administered orally reduces acne. You can consume 30 to 45 mg of elemental zinc per day.

Honey and cinnamon mask:

Honey and cinnamon are excellent sources of antioxidants. When applied directly to the skin, they help reduce acne more effectively thanks to their antibacterial properties. They also can reduce inflammation and fight bacteria.

 How to prepare it:

• In a container, mix two tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon until it forms a paste. 
• Then apply this mask on your face with clean skin.
• Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Rinse the mask entirely and pat it dry.

What to eat to avoid pimples on the face

Vitamin E:

 Vitamin E is vital for keeping skin well hydrated. Many people think that pimply skin should not be hydrated, but we should. 

If we don't correctly hydrate our skin, we dehydrate the skin and make the pimples worse. You can get these vitamins in almonds, spinach, sunflower seeds, flax oil, basil, nuts, or hazelnut cream.

You can add these nuts to salads, toast, or eat them raw.

You may be interested in "Why oily skin needs moisturizer? 5 crucial reasons to use it."

Proteins:

 Proteins are what regenerate skin cells. Their intake is essential for the creation of healthy tissue. You can find them in meat, fish, eggs, and vegetables.

Omega 3 and 6:

 Nourish and give elasticity to the skin keeping it luminous and free of pimples. You will find them in chia seeds, bluefish, avocado, coconut oil.

Beta-carotenes:

Beta-carotenes help to protect the skin from the sun. If you have a pimple with pus or blackheads, when exposed to the sun, you can get spots or marks where these pimples are. We can find Beta-carotene in foods such as tomatoes, carrots, pumpkins, and green leafy vegetables.

You may be interested in "The 22 best foods for health according to science".

Drink plenty of water:

To keep your skin healthy and hydrated, drink plenty of water. That helps to eliminate the waste of the organism through sweating and urine.

You may be interested in "Why is it important to drink water?"

Conclusion

Follow all these tips and tricks I have given you throughout this article to reduce pimples' appearance on your face. Keep trying until you find the one that fits your skin.