woman looking in the mirror

All you need to know about How to get rid of spots?

Free yourself from spots on face with the help of our experts

How to get rid of spots?

Acne can be very frustrating to deal with, especially as an adult. It keeps you wondering “how to get rid of spots?” and it can knock your confidence down. Whilst you are beautiful the way you are, and it is natural to have spots and skin texture, our experts have put some advice together to guide you through your “how to get rid of spots” journey! The first step towards healing spots on face is to understand what are spots?
 
The science behind spots

WHAT ARE SPOTS?

The sebaceous gland is located next to small hair follicles in the skin and secretes an oil known as sebum, which prevents the skin and hair from drying out. Spots are the body's way of healing itself. They develop when these pores become clogged and inflamed. The body then tries to repair itself by sending extra blood and chemicals to the area. This causes inflammation.

WHAT TYPES OF SPOTS ARE THERE?

To effectively treat spots on your face, it's essential to identify which type of spots you have. Discover the 6 main types of spots you need to know about:

  • Blackheads – small black bumps that develop on the skin; they are black because the inner lining of the hair follicle produces colour.
  • Whiteheads – Whiteheads are formed when the pore is completely sealed up and becomes inflamed
  • Pustules – a small red bump that has a white tip in the centre, caused by a build-up of pus
  • Papules – small sore red bumps
  • Nodules – large hard lumps that build up under the skin surface and are painful
  • Cysts – the most severe type of Spot; large, painful pus-filled lumps that carry the most significant risk of causing permanent scarring

brunette woman laughing
blonde woman laughing

What causes spots

The main reasons why we get spots on face:

healthy food

Diet

It's not surprising that what we eat can affect how our skin looks. 'High-glycemic' carbohydrates that raise the blood sugar, such as pasta, white rice, sugar and white bread, can cause the production of hormones and raise sebum levels. Dairy, saturated and trans fats can also increase your chances of getting spots.
teenager skin needs

HORMONES

The sebaceous glands are susceptible to hormonal changes. As teenagers' hormone levels change dramatically during puberty, they are at particular risk of hormone-related acne. In women, if the androgen receptors are sensitive, they can produce more sebum, causing pores to get clogged.
applying skincare

Harsh Skincare

Using the wrong skincare can affect your chances of getting spots, especially if it's harsh on the skin. Using harsh products, especially with fragrances and dyes, can irritate the skin and dry it out. Sometimes when our skin is dry, it will overcompensate and produce more oil, clogging up the pores and creating spots. 
living in the city

Environment

Your environment contributes to your skin health, and it's crucial to identify whether it's negatively impacting your skin and a causative factor in your acne. If you live or work near major roads and cities, your skin is exposed to pollution as well as more dust & dirt in the air. This can cling onto the oil on your skin and build up to clog pores, especially if you don't wash your face at the end of every day.

Our body is a highly complicated "machinery" that gives us hints. What's going on with different areas of our face can let us know what's happening with our bodies.


Face Mapping - What Do Spots On Different Parts Of The Face Mean


Do's:

  1. DO FOLLOW A SKINCARE ROUTINE
    A good daily skincare routine is a huge part of acne treatment for blemish-prone skin and will help prevent any new spots on face from forming. Make sure you are cleansing twice a day with a mild cleanser to rid the pores of any dirt, grime and pollution. When washing your face, use warm but not hot water to open your pores, allowing your cleanser to wash away any impurities; We suggest our range of NIVEA Magic Bars which have 99% natural ingredients, are soap-free, and the pH is perfectly optimised to your skin's pH level leaving skin soft and gentle. We also advise exfoliating your face a couple of times a week with the wash scrub. Purify  for a deep cleanse and to exfoliate the skin. When drying your face, make sure to pat the skin with a clean towel instead of rubbing it. Always finish with a moisturiser.
  2. DO USE SUNSCREEN PROTECTION
    UV exposure from the sun damages the skin's natural barrier and causes acne to dry up, increasing oil production. Oily skin blocks the pores provoking bacteria growth and, as a result, breakouts. If you are wondering how to get rid of spots on face and think exposing it to the sun will help-you are wrong. By protecting your skin barrier with a non-comedogenic sunscreen product, you'll prevent even bigger inflammations, scarring and pigmentation. 
  3. DO LEAD A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
    Skin problems are often caused by stress. To prevent spots, make a targeted effort to avoid anxiety and tension. Take some time for yourself! Regular exercise can help improve blood flow and improve your mood. Just make sure not to touch your face and to wash your hair and, if you're a man, your beard. Oils from your hair can contribute to acne.
  4. EAT HEALTHILY
    In addition to consistent and tailored skin care, your diet also has an essential effect on your skin. Vitamins and antioxidants from fruit and vegetables are great for your skin and a great way to help acne treatment. Your blood sugar level also has an impact on the development of acne. Everyone is different, so keep track of what foods give you unwanted reactions and avoid their consumption.

Dont's:

  1. DON'T POP 
    According to dermatologists – you should never pop a spot! When you pop a spot, you are actually preventing your skin from healing. You can also tear the skin, and this leads to bleeding and creates an open wound, which may get more bacteria in making the spot bigger and worse. Popping a spot can also lead to more debris being pushed further into the follicles, making spots worse. Another reason why you shouldn't pop spots is because it can actually lead to scars that are difficult to get rid of!
  2. DON'T OVERDRY THE AFFECTED AREA
    Avoid washing excessively or using harsh products, as skin that suffers from impurities is very sensitive. Less is sometimes more with acne treatment. Overuse of active ingredients can irritate the skin. As a result, it becomes flaky and sore. 
  3. DON'T WEAR MAKEUP WITH PORE-CLOGGING INGREDIENTS
    If you have breakouts-prone skin, there are certain ingredients to steer clear of. Makeup products that contain mineral oils and lanolin are comedogenic. This means they can clog pores and provoke spots. Before using any product, do your research and read the labels. 
    Remember to remove the makeup -Each time you leave makeup overnight, your pores become more clogged. 
    Prevention is better than cure.
     
    If you are struggling with “how to get rid of spots on face “ or acne for a long time, don’t hesitate to contact your dermatologist or doctor for advice.

Don't Believe Every Diy Hack You See.

3 Home remedies for spots

DIY is a very attractive solution for spot treatment, especially on a budget; however, be careful when it comes to home "remedies." While toothpaste, lemon juice and soda have been cited as excellent at-home remedies for how to get rid of spots, dermatologists advise against them as they are too harsh, ineffective and skin-damaging.

 

If you are still tempted to try out some home remedies, check out these 3 safe at home options selected by our experts.

 

Remember- If you notice any signs of skin irritation, you should immediately stop the procedure!

honey

Honey and cinnamon mask

Honey and cinnamon have antibacterial properties when combined to help reduce acne-causing bacteria. It also may help with inflammation reduction and wound healing.

How to use:
Prepare a paste by mixing 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Cleanse your face and then apply the paste and leave it for 10-15 minutes. After 15 min, rinse the mask off with warm but not hot water and pat your face dry.

aloe vera ingredient

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is another plant-based ingredient. It contains naturally occurring salicylic acid and sulphur to heal skin and improve skin condition. Like tea tree oil, aloe vera is available as an extract or in OTC skincare products.
 
How to use:
Get an aloe plant leaf and pill the outer layer of the leaf, revealing the gel content inside. Scrap the gel out of the leaf using a tablespoon. Apply the gel directly to your face as a moisturiser. Repeat if needed.
 

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is known as a natural anti-inflammatory. It may also have antimicrobial benefits. These effects mean tea tree oil could help clear up spots.
 
How to use it:
To safely use tea tree oil to gain its benefits, prepare the solution with 1 part tea tree oil with 4 parts of non-comedogenic carrier oil such as jojoba oil. Apply the solution to the affected areas by using a cotton swab. Repeat the procedure 1-2 times per day and apply moisturiser to avoid dry skin.

SHOPPING LIST

We've compiled a shopping list of products we would recommend to help get rid of spots - shop them below to find one suitable for you.

2 Minutes to Build Your Custom Skincare Routine

Whether you have any perfect imperfections or skin concerns that really bother you, try our routine builder for a genuinely bespoke, helpful skincare routine. All you need to do is answer a few simple questions about your skin concerns and lifestyle. Our tool then analyses your unique skin features and constructs a personalised routine adapted to your needs.

What you’ll get from NIVEA Routine Builder:

  1. Bespoke skincare routine for your skin type
  2. Tailored product suggestions
  3. Problem area analysis
  4. Lifestyle suggestions