A blind pimple can occur almost anywhere – on your nose, forehead, chin, or jaw. It is formed beneath the skin’s surface. It is often deep-rooted, and you may notice it only when you run your hand over it or when it hurts.
Blind pimples can be hard to get rid of. However, a few natural remedies may help speed up their healing. Scroll down to find out what they are.
What Is A Blind Pimple?
A ‘blind pimple’ is a term used to refer to the acne that develops under the surface of the skin. These pimples are not quite noticeable from a distance, but you can feel them under the skin when you touch it. They are usually a result of a nodule or cyst.
A typical acne lesion is referred to as a comedone. Whiteheads and blackheads are the mildest forms of acne lesions. A whitehead is a closed comedone, while a blackhead is an open comedone.
A blind pimple is a closed comedone that develops deep within your skin. As such pimples begin emerging through the skin, they may develop into whiteheads. In other cases, they just disappear. Blind pimples usually do not have heads like other types of pimples.
Let us now take a look at a few home remedies that can help treat inflammatory acne lesions like a blind pimple.
10 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Pimples Under The Skin
- Warm Compress
- Essential Oils
- Raw Honey
- Toothpaste
- Aloe Vera
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Lemon Juice
- Epsom Salt
- Green Tea Bags
- Ice
Note: Most of the remedies discussed below may help prevent the occurrence of blind pimples.
1. Warm Compress
A warm compress can help push the blind pimple to the surface of the skin. It can also help drain the pus within the acne by opening up your skin pores. It may also help relieve pain from acne.
You Will Need
A warm compress
What You Have To Do
- Apply a warm compress to the blind pimple.
- Allow it to work for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the compress.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 2-3 times daily.
2. Essential Oils
a. Tea Tree Oil
The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil can help fight the inflammation and infection associated with a blind pimple.
Note: Do not apply pure tea tree oil directly on your skin as it can cause irritation.
You Will Need
- 1-2 drops of tea tree oil
- 1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil (or any other carrier)
- Cotton swabs
What You Have To Do
- Mix one to two drops of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of sweet almond oil.
- Apply the mixture directly to the blind pimple using a cotton swab.
- Leave it on overnight.
- Rinse it off in the morning.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this once daily.
b. Cinnamon Oil
The powerful bactericidal activities of cinnamon oil can help eliminate acne-causing bacteria like P.acnes. They may help prevent the occurrence of blind pimples.
You Will Need
- 1-2 drops of cinnamon oil
- 1 teaspoon of any carrier oil
What You Have To Do
- Add one to two drops of cinnamon oil to a teaspoon of any carrier oil.
- Mix well and apply it to the affected area.
- Leave it on overnight.
- Wash it off the next morning.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this daily.
3. Raw Honey
Honey possesses antimicrobial properties that work against multiple skin microbes. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also help reduce the inflammation in the pimple-affected area.
You Will Need
Raw honey (as required)
What You Have To Do
- Dab a little honey on the affected area.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes. You can also leave it on overnight.
- Wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 1-2 times daily.
4. Toothpaste
The main component of almost all kinds of toothpaste is baking soda or sodium bicarbonate. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial nature of this compound may help in drying and healing the acne faster.
You Will Need
Any white toothpaste (as required)
What You Have To Do
- Dab a little toothpaste on the affected area.
- Leave it on overnight.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this once daily.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and healing properties that may help reduce the swelling and inflammation in the affected area.
You Will Need
Fresh aloe vera gel
What You Have To Do
- Apply aloe gel directly to the blind pimple.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 2-3 times daily.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar exhibits antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. These activities may help fight the acne-causing microbes and reduce inflammation. However, more scientific evidence is warranted to prove this effect.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons of water
- Cotton balls
What You Have To Do
- Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to three tablespoons of water.
- Mix well and dip a cotton ball in it.
- Apply the mixture all over your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse it off.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this once daily.
7. Lemon Juice
Lemon exhibits bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, it may help reduce acne and prevent its recurrence.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons of water
- Cotton swabs
What You Have To Do
- Add two teaspoons of water to freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Mix well and apply the mixture to the pimple using a cotton swab.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off.
How Often You Should Do This
You may do this once daily.
8. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt contains magnesium that can help reduce inflammation.
It reduces acne by getting rid of dirt, dead skin cells, and sebum accumulated in the pores.
You Will Need
- ½ teaspoon of Epsom salt
- 1 cup of warm water
- Cotton swabs
What You Have To Do
- Add half a teaspoon of Epsom salt to a cup of water.
- Mix well and dip a cotton swab in it.
- Apply the mixture to the acne.
- Leave it on until it dries.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 1 to 2 times daily.
9. Green Tea Bags
Green tea polyphenols possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help in treating acne. They also help in controlling the secretion of sebum. This may prevent the blind pimple from surfacing.
You Will Need
1-2 used green tea bags
What You Have To Do
- Take the green tea bags and refrigerate them.
- Apply the cold green tea bags all over your face.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
- Rinse it off.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 1 to 2 times daily.
10. Ice
Ice cubes can reduce redness, swelling, and inflammation. Ice can minimize skin pores and reduce inflammation around the pimple.
You Will Need
Ice cubes
What You Have To Do
- Put the ice cubes in a clean towel and fold it.
- Hold it against the affected area for 5 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 3-4 times daily.
These remedies may aid the healing of the blind pimple to a great extent. Check out the causes of blind pimples below.
What Causes A Blind Pimple Under The Skin?
Your skin has pores that are connected to the oil glands beneath it. Small sacs called follicles to connect the pores to the oil glands.
The oil glands secrete sebum (an oily liquid) that may carry bacteria, dirt, and dead skin cells to the surface of the skin via the follicle. Small hairs usually grow through this follicle.
However, in some cases, there are chances that this follicle is blocked. This causes the sebum to build up underneath the skin, thereby forming a plug. Such plugs may be exposed to bacteria and result in swelling and inflammation. A blind pimple, like most forms of pimples, is caused due to the breakdown of these infected plugs.
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) are bacteria that live on the surface of the skin and responsible for causing infectious pimples.
Some of the most common factors that increase your risk of developing acne are:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Certain cosmetics
- Stress
- Menstruation
The common symptoms associated with the appearance of a blind pimple are listed below.
Signs And Symptoms
- Swelling
- Inflammation in the surrounding skin
- Pain upon touching
Some individuals often confuse boils or cysts for pimples. To help you understand the differences better, here is a summary differentiating a pimple, a boil, and a cyst.
Pimples Vs. Boils Vs. Cysts
Pimples
- Pimples occur in different shapes and sizes and are most often found on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, or back.
- Acne or pimples usually begin in the pores of your skin.
- Pimples are more common in adolescents, but nowadays, they also occur in adults.
- They can be triggered by hormonal imbalances, certain cosmetics, stress, certain foods, or may even be hereditary.
Boils
- A boil usually appears as a small inflamed bump that gradually grows and is filled with pus. It is usually found in areas where you sweat a lot or where your clothes rub against your skin – like your face, buttocks, underarms, neck, and thighs.
- Several boils can cluster together to form a carbuncle.
- A boil also forms in the pores or follicles on your skin and is a result of a bacterial infection.
- It is more common in teenagers and younger adults. Men are more affected than women.
- It can be caused due to vulnerable medical conditions like diabetes, eczema, or a weakened immune system. Sharing the same towels, razors, or cosmetics can also cause boils.
Cysts
- Cysts are sac-like growths that are often caused due to an infection or clogging of glands.
- They can occur almost anywhere on the body.
- They are a result of clogged sebaceous glands.
- These can cause pain if they are infected or ruptured.
- Some cysts can also be cancerous and pose a higher risk to health as compared to pimples and boils.
- Tumors, infections, chronic inflammatory conditions, and certain genetic conditions are associated with the appearance of cysts.
Along with the remedies, you also need to follow the below tips to prevent its recurrence.
Prevention Tips
- Avoid popping, squeezing, or constantly touching the blind pimple.
- Wash your face with a mild cleanser no more than two times daily.
- Avoid scrubbing the facial skin daily. Instead, scrub one to two times a week.
- Wash the pillowcases regularly.
- Keep the screen of your phone clean.
- Avoid going to bed with makeup on.
- Use non-comedogenic and oil-free products.
- Wash your hair regularly as the dirt from your hair that touches your skin constantly can also cause pimples.
- Choose your skin care products and cosmetics carefully.
You must be extremely patient with these remedies as blind pimples are one of the most stubborn forms of acne that may take weeks to disappear. If you develop blind pimples regularly, consult a dermatologist to test for any underlying causes.