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Sebaceous glands are tiny glands in the skin that secrete natural oil to keep the skin lubricated, thus giving the skin its natural texture. Acne is caused when the pores on the surface of the skin are blocked due to dead cells or cosmetics, not allowing the oil or sebum to escape. This results in the appearance of zits or pimples. White heads, black heads, inflamed lesions, pustules, papules, cysts and deep pitted scars are all symptoms of acne.
Washing your face several times a day with cold water helps to reduce the buildup of sebum and dead cells. To reduce acne, apply a thick paste of yogurt and oatmeal on the skin. Rub it off gently once it has completely dried. Then, wash your face with warm water and pat your skin dry. Yogurt is known for its anti-bacterial properties, it kills the bacteria that cause the infection and oatmeal absorbs the excess oil. Rubbing it off gently also helps to get rid of the dead skin cells, thus opening up the blocked pores.
The use of aloe gel is recommended due to its soothing effect on the skin. Aloe is an effective moisturizer, especially in the case of acne prone skin, as it is not oily. Aloe also reduces the inflammation and pain caused by acne and prevents scarring. You can also use tea tree oil which is known for its antibiotic properties. Dabbing on a few drops of tea tree oil diluted in water will kill bacteria, thus reducing acne. Lemon juice, due to its acidic nature, is also effective in reducing zits and pimples. Avoid using lemon juice directly as it may cause a burning sensation. Dilute a few drops of lemon juice in water or milk cream and apply it to the area affected by acne with a cotton ball. The citric acid in lemon juice reduces acne by taking off dead skin and increasing the elasticity of the skin. Being a natural bleaching agent, it also lightens the skin and prevents scarring as well. Orange peels are rich in citric acid. Orange peels - sun-dried and powdered, mixed with a few drops of water make an excellent paste for killing bacteria, leaving the affected area clean and fresh. Finally, avoid foods that are oily and fatty. Using water based cosmetics instead of oil based cosmetics is recommended as they do not block the pores. You should also avoid picking at a blemish or scrubbing your face as this spreads the infection due to the friction.
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