There’s nothing more frustrating than waking up with a gigantic pimple on your face. Whether you furiously wash your face, apply a big dollop of acne cream, or smother it in concealer, the goal is the same– get rid of it! One treatment option is one you may not have heard about. The next time one of those unsightly blemishes pops up, add a dab of pure aloe vera gel and get ready to watch it shrink.
Steps
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Grab an acne-fighting face wash . It's important to clean your face before you apply aloe to your pimple or pimples. Regardless of what kind of skin you have, washing your face will remove any makeup, dirt, or dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, which will help to prevent or reduce breakouts. [1] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source If you have a favorite face wash, stick with that. Otherwise, head to your local pharmacy and find a face wash for acne-prone skin.
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Wash your face with lukewarm water. Use circular motions to gently rub the face wash into your skin with your fingertips. Hot water can be too harsh and drying to your skin, so keep the water at a comfortable lukewarm temperature. After you’ve washed your face, rinse your face thoroughly with more lukewarm water. [2] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- Avoid scrubbing your skin, which can irritate acne and cause further breakouts. [3] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
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Pat your face dry with a clean towel. Let excess water from your face drip into the skin, then grab a clean towel and dab your face dry. Avoid rubbing your face with the towel, as this can irritate your skin and cause potential breakouts or dryness. [4] X Research source
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Apply the gel directly on blemishes. It's incredibly important to buy pure aloe vera gel , so look for a bottle that states it is pure or 100% aloe vera. With clean hands, dab a dot of the aloe vera gel directly onto your pimple. Avoid placing the aloe on broken skin or open wounds. [5] X Research source
- Aloe vera gel can help treat existing pimples and breakouts but won't prevent breakouts altogether. Use it alongside prescribed acne treatments to help treat blemishes. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Because aloe vera gel is calming and decreases redness and inflammation, it may be effective on treating cystic acne or any swollen and red acne. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Aloe vera gel can also be a great option if you are prone to acne scarring. It can expedite the healing process while blocking bacteria, which may also help reduce the chance of acne scars. [8] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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2Leave the gel on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes. This is a perfect thing to do right before bed after you’ve washed your face. Simply let the ale vera gel sit on your skin for at least 10 minutes. [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Do not apply makeup or other moisturizers over the gel.
- The aloe vera has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, so it can help protect and heal your skin while you sleep. [10] X Research source
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Wash off the aloe vera gel. Use lukewarm water to rinse your skin, and let air dry. The aloe vera gel may help decrease the inflammation and redness of your pimple(s), making them less noticeable. [11] X Research source
- Repeat this process in the morning and evening in addition to using a topical acne prescription for the best results. [12] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Keep in mind that aloe vera gel is an option to reduce the swelling, redness, and potential scarring of acne. [13] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source If you have frustrating, persistent acne, talk to a dermatologist about stronger treatment or prescription medication alongside the home remedy. [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to sourceThanks
- Aloe vera gel works best in conjunction with other acne treatments. Combine it with regular face washing and topical cream specifically for acne to get the maximum benefit. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceThanks
- Place the aloe vera on the inside of your wrist or the back of your neck to ensure you don’t get an allergic reaction before putting it on your face. [16] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceThanks
References
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/skin-care/tips
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/face-washing-101
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/skin-care/habits-stop
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/skin-tips.html
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/aloe
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8175793/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6330525/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8175793/
- ↑ https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera
- ↑ https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-aloe/art-20362267
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-aloe/art-20362267
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6330525/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
About This Article
To get rid of pimples with aloe vera gel, dab a dot of gel directly on the pimple before bed and allow it to work overnight. If you have a broken out area, you can rub the gel over the entire section. Avoid touching your face as it dries. In the morning, rinse the gel off with lukewarm water, then allow your skin to air-dry. You can also use the gel during the day, but don’t apply any makeup or moisturizer over it. Keep reading our Naturopathic reviewer’s tips on how often to use aloe vera gel!
Reader Success Stories
- "I've been using for almost two weeks now morning and night, it's amazing. So far, it has changed my skin's texture, it's much smoother even and more hydrated than ever." ..." more