It seems like acne always makes its grand entrance the night before a major event – whether it’s a graduation, big date, wedding, or job interview. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, but it’s also natural to want to ditch your new pimple ASAP. But before you resort to popping or picking, try the following tips for getting rid of (or at least minimizing) acne overnight.
Get the Right Drying Ingredients
Take the product you’re thinking about applying before bed and look for the words benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, tree oil, or salicylic acid. These are common drying ingredients found in over-the-counter products that can kill acne-causing bacteria and eliminate excess oil from pores, helping pimples appear smaller overnight. Be careful not to overdo it, though, as you don’t want dry, flaking skin either.
Keep in mind that certain products can make acne worse, and combining too many treatments (especially those with drying ingredients) can do more harm than good.
The Perfect Cleanser
For an everyday routine, gentle cleansers are the way to go. They help remove makeup and oils without using harsh ingredients that may irritate the skin. But when the skin is already irritated and you need a quick fix, try a cleanser like Clearasil’s Rapid Rescue Deep Treatment Wash ($5.97, shop here), which contains salicylic acid, one of the miracle ingredients we mentioned earlier. This might just be the extra help you need to kick your blemish to the curb.
Spot-Treat
You’ve probably tried spot-treating acne before – and it’s a good move. But sometimes, blemishes need a little more than surrounding healthy skin. While over-treating a spot can lead to irritation, pimple patches can be miraculous. If you have a zit that is full of fluid or pus, try using a blister bandage or hydrocolloid patch like COSRX’s Acne Pimple Master Patch ($6, shop here) to suck the bad stuff right out. This can speed up healing as well as improve the pimple’s appearance.
Don’t Overlook Concealer
This isn’t what you want to hear, but there’s no miracle cure for acne. The good news is that if washing, drying, and using patches isn’t working for you, makeup might. If it’s an important day and your pimple is still sticking around, look to your trusty concealer. If you’re battling redness, try canceling it out with a green concealer underneath your regular skin-toned shade.
The Bottom Line
There is no need to stress about your skin! These tips will help you say goodbye to inconvenient pimples, fast. If acne is an everyday struggle for you, consider talking to a doctor about possible prescription products or medications that can help. You can do this via a visit to the dermatologist or even online via services like Curology or Musely.