The ultimate guide for learning how to get rid of pimples fast and to reduce redness without damaging the skin
A lot of any men are not consciously worried about their skin, that’s it until tragedy strikes: You wake up to find a huge pimple on your forehead. These little bastards don’t just appear any lazy Sunday and go away before dawn. No. Like if they have a mind of their own, and followed Murphy’s Law, pimples pop up on the worst time, right before huge events or important situations: first dates, job interviews, school dances, and weddings.
And like a vicious circle, having a pimple pop out of nowhere causes stress and stress cause more pimples to pop. And so, a desperate cry for help arises: How do I get rid of pimples? And God please make it fast.
First things first. Take a deep breath and relax. And then embrace the idea that these zits won’t disappear immediately. Even popping a pimple, which can be so satisfying, can lead to skin scarring and the threat of infecting the wound, giving you a horrible pimple for weeks, instead of one that healed quickly.
So, we are about to learn a couple of things. Patience is the first lesson of the day. If you leave the pimple untouched it will vanish. But scientifically speaking, how long does it usually take for a pimple to go away on its own? In general, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for a pimple to go away on its own. Anybody got time for that. So, the second-best option is to focus on how to get rid of a pimple overnight, or at least learn how to get rid of a zit fast. And that’s exactly what we are going to guide you through here.
Here are the top remedies to get rid of a pimple fast and to reduce redness without damaging the skin and hopefully vanishing them forever by being proactive with a skincare routine.
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1. How to get rid of pimples fast
Acne Spot Treatments
A good go-to when you have a bothersome pimple. The over the counter versions are fairly inexpensive, and you can buy them almost anywhere, including your trusted neighborhood grocery store. Put a small amount directly onto the pimple and that’s it.
We recommend leaving it overnight to further help the healing. These products work by drying the zits from the outside. The most effective spot treatments contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Sulfur is also a key ingredient. They absorb the oil from the clogged pore and reduce inflammation.
- Benzoyl peroxide: It also kills the bacteria inside the pore but on the downside, it can stain your towels, pillowcases, and clothes, so be careful if you plan to use it overnight or touch your face with any textile.
- Salicylic acid: It helps unclog pores by dissolving dead skin cells. Not only does it dry up the pimple and kill any microbes, but also exfoliate the skin on top to let any accumulated puss out of the follicle.
- Sulfur. It works like benzoyl peroxide by drying up the pimple and it also calms skin. It has been used as an acne treatment for many years and today’s treatments luckily don’t have an unpleasant scent. Some products can be left overnight but others must be rinsed off after a few minutes. Just be sure to follow the directions on your product.
As with any other spot treatment, apply your product of choice to a freshly cleansed face before using any other products. Our recommendations include Kiehl’s Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment, made with sulfur and vitamin B3 and also the Blue Herbal Spot Treatment with salicylic acid that helps clear blackheads, whiteheads, and blemishes.
Aesop Control contains an impressive list of ingredients known for their astringent and soothing properties, while Malin + Goetz Acne Treatment Nighttime synthesizes salicylic acid with 10% active sulfur to effectively dry and medicate acne pimples.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion has reached cult-like following thanks to a mix of salicylic acid, sulfur, and calamine that helps dry up pimples overnight. M.A.D. Skincare Blemish Repelling Gel contains a combination of ingredients that fights blemishes, minimizes pores, soothes the skin and also delivers antioxidants making it a fan favorite along Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment.
If you are also looking to naturally disguise a pimple, look no further than Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Concealer, it helps to clear and prevent blemishes and its gentle, soothing formula provides natural-looking coverage plus a green tint to visually correct redness.
Hydrocolloid dressing
These clear round patches are home versions of the hydrocolloid dressings used in hospitals to prevent infections from entering a healing wound. You may have also seen similar versions that people put on blisters to lessen the swelling.
They seem deceivingly simple, but their special ability is to absorb the moisture, bacteria, and debris from the area. They also create an acidic environment to prevent bacterial growth. A single patch can reduce a sore pimple overnight, so you just wake up with a dirty patch and an almost nonexistent pimple.
COSRX makes two of our favorite products, the Acne Pimple Master Patch and the Clear Fit Master Patch. Another two great options? Try the Mighty Patch Invisible+ by Hero Cosmetics and Peace Out Acne Dots by Peace Out Skincare.
Hydrocortisone cream
Pimples are not created equally. Some are small white bumps; others are red and juicy monsters. If you happen to have one of the later, using a bit of hydrocortisone cream can significantly reduce the redness and make it flatter overnight.
Take into consideration that this is a quick fix for redness overnight but shouldn’t be used for more than three nights. Make sure that the cream is not too thick and that it is hyaluronic acid-based, so it doesn’t clog pores.
Great options include Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream, CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream, and Cortizone-10. Vanoxide-HC contains hydrocortisone and benzoyl peroxide so it helps to decrease the skin swelling and also kill acne-causing bacteria.
2. How to get rid of pimples naturally
Tea tree oil
One of the best ingredients you can get in any skincare product for preventing or eliminating acne. It should be used in small doses since high grades can cause redness and irritation. This antimicrobial ingredient is effective at neutralizing bacteria, fights irritation is an anti-inflammatory and also clears up all sorts of skin problems like insect bites, athlete’s foot, and minor burns.
Our top choices are the iconic The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil and Eve Hansen Tea Tree Oil. Aesop also has an amazing Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant that buffs and calms skin.
It contains salicylic acid, which we already learned is a top acne fighter. Apply a paste made of crushed aspirin and a few drops of water directly to the pimple to removes excess oil and dead skin. This is a remedy even dermatologists recommend, and it can also help to reduce pain at the application site.
3. How to get rid of pimple redness
Ice
Wrap an ice cube in a thin cloth and put it on the pimple spot for a maximum of 5 minutes. Repeat throughout the day to relieve pain and temporarily reduce swelling. Ice constricts the blood vessels, so the redness will be significantly reduced. Why cold and not hot? If you’re trying to hide or reduce a pimple’s size, the worst thing you could do is steam it or apply a hot compress. Heat expands, so it will make the pimple look larger and redder.
Nasal spray
Over the counter nasal spray contains Oxymetazoline hydrochloride, which is also a vasoconstrictor. Just like ice, putting a little of this on top of a pimple helps to reduce redness immediately.
4. How to get rid of pimples overnight
Cortisone injections
Use only in case of an emergency. Think you are one day away from your wedding or prom and you need to get rid of a pimple quickly. You will need to visit your dermatologist for an injection of Kenalog, a diluted cortisone medication.
This remedy is just for the big, monster-like pimples. These steroid injections decrease inflammation immediately, but side effects include skin thinning, lightning and possible indentation.
5. How to prevent pimples
Healthy lifestyle
We have learned that certain products help pimples go away, but they may not go away completely overnight. As we said at the beginning, it takes time and we have to learn to be patient.
To prevent pimples, it’s important to take care of our skin which is the largest organ of the body. A healthy lifestyle includes drinking water, getting enough sleep, taking a multivitamin and supplementing with a probiotic. Also, take in consideration that diet impacts heavily in our skin health, so take it easy on the sugar and dairy since they can cause acne breakouts.
Skincare Routine
It is never too late to start a skincare routine. It doesn’t have to be a fancy 10-step process you have to repeat 3 times a day. Start by going to your dermatologist, learn about your skin type and how to choose better what ingredients and products can help you have healthier skin.
We recommend sticking to the products that your dermatologist recommended but you can also try an easy 3-step routine: clean with a mild face wash that doesn’t leave your skin dry, tone to remove excess dirt and dead skin cells and also to balance your skin PH and hydrate using a gel if you have oiler skin or cream if you have drier skin.
And always remember to wear a non-comedogenic sunscreen.
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