How to Heal Picked Acne
Picked acne can become inflamed, irritated and red, and can make the complexion appear blotchy and uneven. When the skin is constantly picked, it can also lead to scarring, which can remain on the skin for months after the acne has healed. To heal picked acne, it is important to treat the skin as gently as possible, while applying treatments that will soothe and nourish the skin. When the picked acne has healed, the skin will then be able to manage stronger acne treatments.
Young woman squeezing her acne in the mirror. (Image: VladimirFLoyd/iStock/Getty Images)Step 1
Cleanse the pores gently using a non-comedogenic oil, such as olive oil. Pour 1 tbsp. of olive oil into the palms of your hands, and rub them together. Spread the oil onto the skin, and use the fingertips to gently massage the oil in. After two minutes, let the oil to remain on the skin to soften the skin and to allow the oil to bond with the trapped oils and impurities inside the pores. After another two minutes, lay a hot washcloth over the face to open up the pores, which will flush out any trapped debris. Once the cloth cools down, wipe off the oil and the impurities. Repeat twice a day.
Step 2
Apply a skin-healing mask that will soothe the skin as well nourish it. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of oats, 2 tbsp. of honey, and 1 tbsp. of jojoba oil. Spread the mixture onto the skin, and allow it to remain there for at least 15 minutes. Then, rinse off the oatmeal mask with warm water. The oatmeal, honey and jojoba oil will soothe and nourish the skin deeply, helping the picked acne to heal more quickly.
Step 3
Revitalize the skin by applying a natural skin toner high in vitamin C, such as concentrated lemon juice. Soak six cotton pads in concentrated lemon juice, then place the cotton pads onto the areas that contain the most picked acne blemishes. Allow this lemon juice compress to stay on the skin for at least 10 minutes. Then, remove the cotton pads and let the skin dry. You can apply a lemon juice compress can up to three times per day. The vitamin C in the lemon juice aids the skin in rebuilding skin cells, which can help heal the picked areas of the skin more quickly.
Things You'll Need
Olive oil
Washcloth
Oats
Honey
Jojoba oil
Cotton pads
Lemon juice
