There are fewer things more annoying and horrifying than waking up to an angry new pimple on your face just a day before an important event. Acne always seems to rear its ugly head at the worst possible times, right before first dates, job interviews, and weddings.
You need a quick and effective solution fast, says Katie Pierce or you’ll be picking at your new zit or slathering toothpaste on your chin next—both of which would only make matters worse.
While it’s true that you can’t make a pimple disappear in an hour, and there are no guarantees when it comes to bedtime acne miracles, do not resort to popping. If you follow a strict regimen, you can get rid of acne’s worst characteristics. You may not be able to clear up a pimple overnight, but you can reduce its size and redness to make it barely visible.
These overnight fixes can improve the appearance of the bump on your face in hours. Even if the pimple doesn’t vanish completely, it will be considerably easier to conceal with makeup.
Look for products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are two of the most popular ingredients used to treat acne by eliminating excess oil and removing dead skin cells that can clog pores and contribute to acne breakouts. Both topical chemical compounds are available over the counter to remedy mild acne and prevent future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is an effective treatment for blackheads and whiteheads. It’s great for exfoliating and unclogging pores. When used regularly, it can also help prevent the formation of new comedones. Benzoyl peroxide works best on pustules or big, pus-filled pimples. It also helps reduce inflammation and kill acne-causing bacteria beneath the skin.
Bear in mind that both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can dry the skin. Excessive use of these products, or using them in conjunction with certain other products, can cause skin irritation.
Apply a paste made of crushed aspirin.
Don’t let a new pimple give you a headache. Instead, crush an aspirin tablet into a fine powder and mix with a few drops of water to form a paste. Apply the paste directly to the pimple. Leave the paste on for ten minutes before rinsing thoroughly with warm water.
This easy fix should help reduce inflammation, swelling, pain, and redness. Just like aspirin can help soothe a headache, this aspirin paste can help soothe an inflamed zit.
Try a pimple patch or spot treatment.
There’s a pimple patch for every type of acne breakout, from hormonal acne to cystic acne and other types of blemishes. Pimple patches are made from hydrocolloids that absorb and drain excess fluid, such as oil and pus, from your pimple.
You can also slather on a spot treatment—an extra-strong solution of salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, or sulfur (or a combination of all these ingredients). Spot treatments work wonders for reducing inflammation and redness, dissolving dead skin cells that clog pores, and eliminating the bacteria causing the acne.
Just keep in mind that pimple patches and spot treatments are only meant to be applied on the pimple itself and not your entire face. Also, make sure to consult your doctor before using a spot treatment if you’re taking any prescription medication for acne.
Apply redness relief eye drops.
Visine does not just get the red out of eyes, but it also gets the red out of pimples. The eye drops won’t make your pimple disappear, but they will make it less noticeable for several hours.
Visine contains Tetrahydrozoline, a decongestant used to relieve irritation and redness in the eyes—and on acne blemishes. This drug essentially shrinks the blood vessels surrounding the blemish and significantly reduces redness.
Makeup artists use this simple Visine pimple trick to conceal acne blemishes. Lightly dab a cotton swab soaked in Visine on the pimple, and let it work its magic.
Reduce pain, swelling, and redness with ice.
Resist the urge to pop a red, inflamed pimple and head to the freezer instead. Get an ice cube, wrap it in a thin cloth, and press the cold compress against the inflamed area for three to four minutes at a time. Make sure not to apply the ice directly to your skin.
Ice the affected area for a few minutes, remove it for the same amount of time, and ice it again. You can repeat the process several times throughout the day to relieve pain and minimize swelling and redness.
Dab on some tea tree oil.
Tea tree oil is well-known for its ability to reduce skin inflammation and help fight bacteria—specifically Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, two types of bacteria that contribute to the inflammation of acne.
Dilute two drops of tea tree oil with a few drops of water or a carrier oil like coconut oil, dab some on a cotton swab, and apply directly to the pimple. Let it sit for a few hours before rinsing thoroughly with warm water.
Prevention is better than cure.
Everyone’s looking forward to an end to the pandemic when people can safely get together outside of Zoom meetings. When that day comes, don’t let pimples stop you from taking off your face mask. Just like washing your hands can prevent the spread of disease, you can avert a breakout by building a post-pandemic skincare regimen that works for you, practicing healthy habits, and reducing stress.
Talk with your dermatologist to learn more about preventing and managing acne.
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