How to Soothe Red and Painful Pimples? Here’s 6 Home Acne Remedies + Quick Acne Relief Tips

Looking for effective acne treatment? Acne isn’t exclusive to teenagers—people of all ages can struggle with it. While there are many treatment options available—like acne creams, topical solutions, and oral isotretinoin—many women also turn to natural remedies to combat blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed skin. But before choosing the right acne treatment, it’s important to first understand the root causes of acne so you can address them properly.

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Understanding Acne Treatment: Causes of Acne

Here are five common causes of acne:

1. Inflammation of Hair Follicles

When the skin produces excess oil and dead skin cells clog the pores, pressure builds around the follicles, causing inflammation and leading to acne.

2. Incorrect Skincare Routine

Over-cleansing or using harsh products can disrupt the skin’s natural oil balance, causing it to produce even more sebum and trigger breakouts. Many mistakenly believe that oily skin should be cleansed more often, but this can actually worsen acne by stripping away essential oils that protect the skin barrier.

3. Stress

Stress disrupts hormonal balance and increases adrenaline levels, which in turn stimulates sebum production and heightens the risk of breakouts.

4. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal fluctuations, particularly before menstruation, lead to an increase in androgen levels in women. This causes excessive oil production, clogging pores and creating the perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria.

5. Constipation

Constipation can lead to toxin buildup in the colon and disrupt metabolism. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, accumulated toxins can interfere with the skin’s renewal cycle, triggering acne outbreaks.

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Understanding Acne Treatment: Types and Severity of Acne

Before starting any acne treatment, it's crucial to identify the type of acne you’re dealing with. Acne can be classified into two main categories:

1. Non-inflammatory Acne

This milder form includes whiteheads, blackheads, and comedones caused by clogged pores due to trapped oil and dead skin.

2. Inflammatory Acne

This more severe form includes papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. These are often red, swollen, and may contain pus. The most serious type—cystic acne—extends deep into the dermis and causes painful, swollen bumps.

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Understanding Acne Treatment: Quick Acne Relief Methods

When a pimple becomes red and swollen, effective skincare is key. Try the following emergency remedies:

1. Proper Facial Cleansing

Those with oily skin should avoid over-cleansing, which strips the skin of necessary oils and may increase oil production. Stick to washing your face once or twice daily with a gentle cleanser to avoid further irritation.

2. Soothing Toner Compress

In addition to applying acne ointments, you can use a toner with anti-inflammatory ingredients like calendula or centella asiatica. Soak a cotton pad and place it on inflamed areas to reduce redness and swelling.

3. Gentle Exfoliation

Acne often forms due to clogged pores and built-up dead skin. Regular exfoliation can help unclog pores and remove excess dead skin, reducing breakouts.

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Understanding Acne Treatment: Home Remedies

Do you always need to see a doctor when acne flares up? Not necessarily. Here are six home remedies that may help improve acne and reduce future breakouts:

1. Zinc Supplements

Zinc is essential for cell growth and hormone balance. Studies show that people with acne often have lower zinc levels. Oral zinc supplements may help, but consult a doctor first, as individual needs vary.

2. DIY Green Tea Mask

Green tea is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and tannins, which help reduce inflammation and fight bacteria. You can buy skincare products with green tea or make your own green tea mask at home.

3. Low-GI Diet

High-glycemic foods raise insulin levels, increasing oil production and worsening acne. A low-GI diet—avoiding white bread, cakes, and sweets—can help keep acne under control.

4. Reduce Dairy Intake

Milk and dairy products may increase insulin and hormone levels, contributing to acne. Cutting back on dairy may help reduce breakouts, especially during treatment.

5. Regular Exercise

Exercise boosts blood circulation and promotes healthy skin by delivering nutrients. It also helps regulate hormones, making it beneficial for preventing and treating acne.

6. Stress Management

Stress-related hormones can worsen acne by increasing oil production and slowing skin healing. Activities like listening to music, yoga, and meditation can help manage stress and improve skin health.

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Understanding Acne Treatment: Products That Help Clear Acne

Many women turn to over-the-counter acne products when breakouts occur. Here are some common types:

1. Acne Creams

These often contain vitamin A derivatives, acids, sulfur, or antibiotics that help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. Always check the ingredients, as not all are suitable for deep or cystic acne.

2. Acne Patches

These patches create a sealed environment to absorb pus and fluids from the pimple, keeping the wound moist and promoting healing. However, they’re less effective for deep cystic acne.

3. Tea Tree Oil Products

Tea tree oil is a natural essential oil known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s often used in acne products to soothe and disinfect inflamed skin.

4. Acid-Based Products

Acids like AHAs, BHAs (salicylic acid), azelaic acid, and topical retinoids help exfoliate the skin, clear clogged pores, and accelerate cell turnover—ideal for treating and preventing acne.

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Understanding Acne Treatment: Medications Used in Western Medicine

When acne becomes severe and forms cysts deep in the skin, it’s best to seek medical help. Common Western medicine treatments include:

1. Oral Isotretinoin (AHA)

Derived from vitamin A, isotretinoin shrinks oil glands and reduces oil production, cutting off the acne bacteria’s food source. However, it comes with side effects like dryness, redness, itching, and a possible initial flare-up. It’s not recommended for pregnant women due to the risk of birth defects.

2. Antibiotics

Oral antibiotics like tetracyclines and macrolides reduce acne-causing bacteria and inflammation. They can cause side effects like dizziness, headaches, and diarrhea, and acne may return after stopping them.

3. Birth Control Pills

For women with acne linked to high androgen levels, birth control pills can help balance hormones and reduce oil production. Always consult a doctor before starting this treatment.

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Understanding Acne Treatment: How TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Approaches Acne

Many women turn to TCM when looking for holistic acne treatment. TCM diagnoses are based on the "four examinations": looking, listening/smelling, asking, and pulse-taking to determine the patient’s constitution. The goal is to balance yin and yang and restore internal harmony. Acne is often caused by imbalances in the digestive system or hormonal disruption, leading to internal heat that rises to the skin.

TCM acne treatments may include:

1. Internal Herbal Medicine

Based on the belief that external issues stem from internal imbalances, TCM practitioners prescribe herbs to regulate organ function and improve digestion.

2. Acupuncture

Acupuncture stimulates the flow of energy (qi) and blood through meridians, helping to reduce inflammation and improve skin clarity.

3. Topical Herbal Medicine

Some TCM doctors may prescribe topical herbal formulas to detoxify the skin, clear heat, and reduce acne marks directly on the affected areas.

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Acne Treatment Spotlight: What Is the Perfect Medical Acne Treatment?

Although various acne treatments exist, drug-based options may deliver quick results but can stress the skin. On the other hand, topical products like acne creams and acid-based solutions are gentler but might not penetrate deeply. For fast and safe results, Perfect Medical’s Acne Treatment is a great option for women.

This treatment works by deeply cleansing pores, regulating sebum production, and reducing cystic acne recurrence. It uses a unique vacuum microdermabrasion technique to gently remove dead skin cells without pain, restoring smoothness to the skin.

Combined with a purifying serum infusion, the treatment balances oil production, clears blackheads and whiteheads, and delivers active ingredients deep into the dermis using high-penetration technology and vacuum pressure. It also boosts collagen repair and regeneration, helping restore damaged tissue and promote healthy, resilient skin.

Perfect Medical Acne Treatment is an all-in-one solution for removing acne and improving cystic acne, blackheads, and clogged pores.