Blemishes, which can occur as skin discolouration or dark spots, are generally caused by acne breakouts. “Blemishes can be credited to causes like hormonal imbalance, genetics, improper skin care, poor diet, sun exposure and ageing. Pimples, pustules, blackheads and whiteheads can also be categorised as blemishes caused by clogged pores,” dermatologist Dr Abdulrahman Raghib said. While they can appear anywhere on the body, the main focus is always on the face, neck, shoulders and back, he said. “The market is loaded with products to fight blemishes, but they are often chemical-based and might be harsh on the skin,” he added.
If larger pores and unsightly blemishes are bothering you, there are some other smart ways to shrink them. In fact, Raghib suggests turning to Mother Nature to get rid of them and pamper your skin at the same time. Here are his recommendations:
Wash your face everyday but don’t over do it. Use a gentle, daily scrub to help unclog pores because they enlarge when they become bunged up with dirt, oil or bacteria, causing them to become inflamed. Washing twice a day will help keep pores looking smaller and feeling better.
Keep the area cold. When washing your face, give it a gentle massage with an ice cube for 15 to 30 seconds. This will have a tightening effect on the skin.
18 Quick and Easy Hacks to Try at Home:
Baking Soda
Using baking soda is a very popular method for getting rid of acne scars naturally, as it helps to unclog your pores and kills acne-causing bacteria. It even helps to exfoliate the skin. Simply combine water and baking soda and mix it into a paste. Apply this blend to your acne scars and let it sit for about two to three minutes, then wash and rinse your skin well. Use this technique twice daily.
Tomato Face Mask
This is a simple home acne remedy that can help get rid of acne scars/blemishes. Take half a tomato and start rubbing it on your scars. Leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse. This will lighten the scars.
Carrots
Take some boiled carrots, mash them up and apply the paste to your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse off with milk. This will remove blemishes/acne scars.
Cucumber Juice
Apply cucumber juice to your face or just massage it with cucumber slices. This will help remove marks/spots and freshen up your skin. Use cucumber juice to wash your face once a day to keep your skin soft and supple.
Egg Whites
Use a cotton ball to massage some egg white on your face. The whites of an egg have very powerful healing qualities, which can help to heal your scars, blemishes and dark spots.
The Honey Rub
A honey rub is an excellent way to smooth out the skin and clean your pores. Use warm water to clean your face, then quickly pat the skin and dry. This will open up the pores and allow the honey to make its way into them. Rub in the honey to the areas affected by acne scars and lightly massage your face. Leave it for 20 minutes, and then wash your face with warm water. Dry your face and then rub an ice cube all over the face as it will close up the pores.
The Potato Rub
Gently rub potato slices on marks and all over your face or alternatively apply some potato juice. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse with water. This will lighten marks.
Lemon + Honey + Almond + Milk powder
Take a spoon each of lemon juice, honey, almond oil and milk powder in a bowl. Mix them all well and spread on your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash. This will lighten and remove acne marks and blemishes. It is also used to lighten skin.
Turmeric + Lemon
Apply a mixture of lemon juice and turmeric once a week to remove your acne marks/blemishes.
Lemon Juice
Simply take a cotton ball, dab it with some lemon juice, then start massaging your acne scars thoroughly. Leave the juice on for about 20 minutes and then wash it away with warm water.
Orange Peels
Oranges are great for skin. Drink orange juice for healthy skin and use its peel for making a face pack. Grind orange peels with some water to make a paste and rub some into your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse with water.
Honey + Yogurt + Lemon
Take an equal quantity of honey, yogurt and lemon juice. Mix them well and apply to marks on the face. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes and then rinse.
Vinegar + Water
Wash your face with a 1:1 ratio of water and vinegar. This works wonders for your skin and makes your skin clear, mark-free, smooth and supple.
Aloe Vera + Vitamin E
Mix aloe vera gel with a few (two or three) vitamin E capsules and apply this gel on your face. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse. This will remove blemishes on your face, making it soft and supple.
Cardamom + Lemon
Take cardamom powder and mix it with a few drops of lemon juice. Spread on the mixture over the blemishes and acne marks. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse with water.
Almond + Milk
Soak almonds in milk overnight. The next morning grind them into a fine paste and apply it onto affected areas. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse with water. You can use this as a face mask.
Rose Water + Lemon
Rose water works great for skin. Mix rose water and lemon juice in equal quantities and rub this mixture to the face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse with water.
Strawberries + Vinegar
Make a paste by grinding two strawberries with vinegar and apply this on blemishes/marks. Leave it on overnight and then rinse with water. It works well to remove acne marks/blemishes.
