Cures from the Kitchen: Overnight Home Pimple Remedy

It never fails - right before some major event - an interview, a big date, the prom, IT strikes… or rather, a ZIT strikes… It's true, acne has a way of showing up at the worst possible time but we've got an overnight home pimple remedy that will knock its socks off. And the best thing is that you don't have to leave the house - our overnight home pimple remedy is made from things you already have on hand!

So instead of rushing out to buy the latest acne medicine or "zit cream", head to the kitchen - after all, many of the acne lotions and creams on the market include a few herbs and spices on their ingredient list.

Our overnight home pimple remedy takes a three pronged approach to deal with the "acne problem". First, dry up any excess oil. Next, reduce any swelling. Finally, reduce the redness.

Don't Skip Breakfast!

Breakfast is an important way to start your day, and a breakfast food is what we'll start out with on the path to clear skin. A mask of oatmeal will thoroughly cleanse your skin and soak up any excess oil. Mix oatmeal with just enough water to make a paste and apply to the affect area and allow to dry for 20 - 30 minutes. Rinse with tepid water. Then it's on to phase two - reduce that swelling!

To reduce swelling, grind fresh orange peel and mix it with water to form a paste. Apply it gently and leave it on for at least 30 minutes. Let the anti-inflammatory properties of orange peel work its magic.

Next, it's time to get the red out! Add 3 teaspoons of dried basil leaves to 1 cup boiling water and let steep for 10-20 minutes. After it cools, apply to affected area with a cotton ball. This is an excellent herbal acne treatment and general tonic for problem skin.

Our last "prescription" is a good night's sleep. During sleep is when your body repairs itself so give it a chance to do just that. And when you wake up, that pesky acne problem will seem like it was all a bad dream.