How not to let a pimple ruin your day

Being in a country where we sweat like crazy, especially during summer, pimples are inevitable. And if we don’t take care of our skin during these times, the more breakouts we are prone to have.

So how do we get pimples? Pimples come up when an oily substance called sebum clogs the pores. When bacteria and sebum mix together, you get those huge pimples that seem impossible to cover up. But no worries! There are ways of diminishing that zit and covering it up like it was never there to begin with.

• Treat the pimple before anything else.

Popping your pimple prematurely is possibly one of the worst things you can possibly do. Not only will it create a wound (which takes longer to heal), it will also leave superficial scarring on your face. So resist the urge to pop that pimple, and let it naturally fade away in due course.

If you don’t have pimple medicine, that’s fine. There are a few home remedies that can help reduce that zit. After the pimple erupts, dab an ice cube onto it. Ice can help diminish the spot and reduce the swelling. If you have sensitive skin, use aloe vera instead. Leave it on for five minutes; this will reduce swelling and can also take away dark spots from past pimples. If your skin isn’t that sensitive, try chopping up garlic and patting it onto your zit. Though it may sting a bit, garlic has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiseptic properties that clean out pores. If you want to treat your acne with garlic, make sure to dilute it in water first before applying it.

Once you feel like your pimple is less irritated and dry, you can now move on to makeup.

• Cover your pimple using makeup.

If your skin is prone to pimples and you’re looking for makeup that will help your skin rather than harm it, use makeup that is oil-free. Makeup that does not clog pores is called non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic. These are water-based makeup products.

Make sure to wash your face before putting on makeup. To ensure that concealer won’t slide off your pimple, apply primer, preferably one with SPF 15. This will allow your makeup to stay put throughout the day. Leave it to dry for a few minutes then apply concealer.

Using a brush and concealer that matches the skin color of your face, apply the product onto the pimple. If you feel like the redness of your pimple is not being properly concealed, use a green concealer to neutralize the color before applying your skin-toned concealer. Then blend out the sides using a clean brush, sponge or clean fingers.

Apply your foundation and setting powder as you like. Make sure to use matte foundations and powders. This gives less attention to the hidden pimples. Never give a pimple the power to ruin your day. With these tips, you can conquer and conceal it.