How to instantly get rid of a pimple

You wake up on the morning of a big work presentation to find — surprise! — an angry red zit staring back at you in the mirror.

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If you find yourself in this predicament often, you’ll want to make an appointment to see a dermatologist, who can develop a maintenance plan to help keep your skin clear.

But for an occasional breakout, there’s an effective way to tame it at home.

The best way to make a zit go away fast is to apply a dab of benzoyl peroxide, which you can buy at a drug store in cream, gel or patch form, says Shilpi Khetarpal, MD. It works by killing bacteria that clogs pores and causes inflammation. You can buy it in concentrations ranging from 2.5% to 10%.

“It’s inexpensive, it’s been around for many years and it’s very effective,” Dr. Khetarpal says.

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But there’s one caveat: If you keep using it over and over again on the same spot, it may dry out or irritate your skin. So if your skin is sensitive, choose a product with a lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide.

What NOT to do to get rid of a pimple

You can watch pimple popping videos on the internet to your heart’s content, but Dr. Khetarpal recommends against trying it in real life.

“Any manipulation of a pimple can lead to more inflammation, which can increase the risk of scarring,” she explains. “And your hands are dirty, so you’re going to introduce more bacteria and potentially make it worse.”

Your best bet is to spot treat the pimple with benzoyl peroxide and then leave it alone.

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“Wearing makeup and covering it up is not a problem, but don’t poke or pick or squeeze it,” Dr. Khetarpal suggests. “It will resolve on its own.”

In a pinch, will these DIY remedies work?

An internet search turns up many quick-fixes for pimples. Here’s Dr. Khetarpal’s take on some of the most common ones.

• Toothpaste. Many toothpastes contain ingredients like alcohol or baking soda that may help dry out a pimple. But, toothpaste also contains other ingredients that aren’t intended to be put directly on your face. She cautions that using toothpaste to treat a pimple could possibly irritate your skin.
• Tea tree oil. There’s good news here: Studies have shown that small amount of tea tree oil can combat acne. But, Dr. Khetarpal warns that a small percentage of people are allergic to it. “If it works for you, great, but if you put it on your skin and find out you’re allergic to it, you’re going create a whole other problem,” she says.
• Aspirin. Some people swear by crushing up an aspirin, putting a few drops of water on it and dabbing that mixture onto their pimple. Aspirin’s active ingredient, acetylsalicylic acid, is similar to salicylic acid, a common anti-inflammatory ingredient in many skin care products. But according to acne treatment guidelines published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, there’s limited clinical evidence that salicylic acid is effective for treating acne. “Many dermatologists find that it just dries out the skin without giving much of a benefit,” Dr. Khetarpal says.
• Ice or heat. If a pimple is red and swollen, ice can help temporarily quell the inflammation, but the effect will wear off quickly, she says. Similarly, holding a warm wash cloth to the area may temporarily sooth irritated skin, but it won’t do anything for the pimple itself. “Those are just going to temporarily alleviate the discomfort, but the medication is going to be more effective for actually getting rid of the pimple,” she says.

So, while there are several things in your medicine cabinet that could work in a pinch, it might be worth investing in a benzoyl peroxide-containing product to have on hand for skin care emergencies.

Getting a big, red pimple on your face happens to everyone, but that doesn't mean you have to accept defeat and wait patiently until the blemish goes away. There are many ways to treat adult acne, but first it's important to understand the basics on how and why acne occurs in the first place.

"We have sebaceous glands in the skin that normally provide moisture and lubrication, but the combination of stress and hormones can form clogs," explains Marina Peredo, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. "The bacteria causes inflammation in the skin, which is why blemishes and acne form." And just like that, your skin flares up.

So, how do you free yourself of pesky inflammation and acne? Here's how dermatologists recommend getting rid of those pimples quickly — and how to avoid making them worse. (If you need acne scar treatments to fix the aftermath of a troubling zit, there are many solutions to cure those as well.)

1. Keep your hands off your face!

All dermatologists agree that you should never, ever pick at your pimple. We repeat: Do not pick at your pimple. "It may seem tempting, but remember that once you've picked at an acne lesion, it will take longer to heal and is more likely to scar," warns Doris Day, M.D., a dermatologist in NYC and author of 100 Questions and Answers About Acne.

And other derms agree, especially when trying to get rid of a pimple overnight. "Whatever you do, don't pick your pimple before bed," says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. "When you are tired you will inevitably cause more harm than good." Trust us on this one.

2. Tread carefully when it comes to home "remedies."

While toothpaste, lemon juice, and even Windex have been cited as excellent at-home remedies for blemishes, dermatologists advise against them. Skip these "DIY fixes:"

• "Toothpaste traditionally contained an ingredient called triclosan, which has antimicrobial properties, and the thought was that it helped lower levels of acne-causing bacteria to reduce inflammation and treat the pimple," Dr. Zeichner explains. "Because triclosan is a known cause of skin allergies, it has been removed from most toothpastes, so they are no longer useful in treating acne."
• "Lemon juice is also irritating and wouldn't have any effect on the pimple itself," Dr. Day adds.
• Windex — well, it's glass cleaner. Don't put glass cleaner on your face.
  

One way to remove pimples naturally is by applying tea tree oil, which "may help by reducing inflammation and lowering levels of acne-causing bacteria," Dr. Zeichner says. But he warns against applying it undiluted to the skin, because it may cause irritation.

3. Apply a warm compress.

Heat is a super simple way to soothe your skin if you feel a blemish coming on, says Margarita Lolis, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Hackensack, NJ. "Use a warm compress or steam to bring everything to the surface," she explains. Alternately, you can use a cold compress to bring down the swelling of a particularly large, painful blemish.

4. Use an acne spot treatment.

On top of always washing off your makeup at night, using the right moisturizer for your skin type, and keeping your fingers away from your face, you can use a spot treatment to get rid of stubborn pimples once they surface. Ingredients to look out for:

While there is no way to get rid of a pimple in as fast as five minutes (aside from hiding it under makeup!), Dr. Zeichner recommends immediately treating it with either benzoyl peroxide or over the counter 1% hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation. "The pimple may show some signs of improvement in an hour," he said.

BeautyCounter Countercontrol SOS Acne Spot TreatmentCredit: BeautyCounter

Mario Badescu Drying LotionCredit: Mario Badescu

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne TreatmentCredit: Differin

Proactiv Emergency Blemish ReliefCredit: Proactiv

5. Wash your face regularly.

Olay Daily Facials Deeply Purifying Cleansing Cloths

Olay Daily Facials Deeply Purifying Cleansing ClothsCredit: Olay

"Your oil glands are active all day," Dr. Zeichner explains; when that oil combines with dirt, makeup, and pollution, it can be a recipe for clogged pores and blemishes.

That goes double for workouts: "Sweat mixed with dirt and oil can become trapped under wet workout clothing," he says, potentially worsening a breakout. "If you can't take a full shower," Dr. Zeichner says, "at least use a cleansing towelette," like Good Housekeeping Beauty Breakthrough Award winner and Seal holder Olay Daily Facials.

6. Try a product with salicylic acid.

If your breakouts are frequent and you're tired of battling them, you may want to consider switching up your skincare routine. "Pick a cleanser that has salicylic acid in it, which you can get over the counter," Dr. Peredo recommends. "Those with acne-prone skin may need an astringent to degrease the skin, too — I like salicylic or glycolic acid, because they can help with the scarring that could occur, as well." Try La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin, made with 2% salicylic acid along with lipo hydroxy acid, which also exfoliates and helps reduce oil production.

"Salicylic acid is also very potent when it comes to getting rid of blackheads — it helps by removing dead cells and excess oil from the surface of the skin," Dr. Zeichner says. Another way to bust blackheads is using a vitamin A derivative, like adapalene, which is the main ingredient in dermatologist-favorite Differin Gel. "Think of it like a pipe cleaner for your pores, to keep them clear so oil does not get trapped," he explains.

CeraVe Renewing SA CleanserCredit: CeraVe

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne WashCredit: Neutrogena

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid CleanserCredit: The Inkey List

MURAD Clarifying CleanserCredit: Murad

7. Go light on your makeup.

Beauty products are one of the most common causes of adult acne, and unfortunately, using heavy duty makeup to hide your blemishes won't make them physically disappear.

"Use mineral makeup on your skin rather than oil-based products that can contribute to breakouts," recommends Dr. Peredo, adding that oil-based foundation and concealer can block pores. Better yet, go totally makeup-free for a few days — it could be just the break your skin needs to clear up quick.

bareMinerals Original Foundation SPF 15Credit: Bare Minerals

L'Oreal Paris True Match Mineral FoundationCredit: L'Oréal Paris

MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage FoundationCredit: Makeup Forever

M·A·C Next to Nothing PowderCredit: MAC

8. Tweak your diet.

While it's advised to be wary of at-home treatments, there are ways to get rid of pimples without products. "Since acne is caused by a combination of genetics and your environment, factors such as hormonal fluctuations, stress, and diet can cause breakouts," Dr. Zeichner says. Stick to a low sugar diet and avoid cow's milk and whey protein, as they can be known to exacerbate acne, and try to "minimize stress however you can, such as practices like meditation or yoga," he advises.

9. Medicate if necessary.

For those who suffer from cystic acne, a combination of topical products, in-office treatments (like lasers), and medication are often times the way to go. A dermatologist can work with you to find medications that will help treatment in the long-run.

"Nodular acne often requires treatment with systemic medications such as oral antibiotics and hormonal medications (oral contraceptives, spironolactone)," says Valerie Harvey, M.D., a dermatologist in Newport News, Virginia. "Isotretinoin, a derivative of vitamin A, is also very effective."

10. Use light therapy to zap acne.

Instead of going to your dermatologist for red and blue light therapy (which can cost upwards of $100), use an at-home device over a blemish, or over your whole face, for just two minutes. The red light reduces acne inflammation, while the blue light targets acne-causing bacteria. Additionally, the light stimulates the dermal layers of the skin to produce collagen. In turn, acne scars fill out and the skin looks more even-toned.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare SpectraLite FaceWare ProCredit: Dr. Dennis Gross

Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Spot TreatmentCredit: Neutrogena

LightStim LightStim for AcneCredit: LightStim

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpotLite Acne Treatment DeviceCredit: LightStim

11. In a pinch, get a cortisone shot.

Have a really big event coming up? Then you probably don't have time to wait and see if your blemish will disappear on its own. Consider seeing a dermatologist for a true overnight cure. "A cortisone shot is an anti-inflammatory, so it treats the pimple itself," Dr. Peredo explains.

"If it's a big, painful pimple, the cortisone diffuses the inflammation and flattens it out, hopefully without leaving a scar," she says. Of course, this isn't an easy, at-home DIY fix. It should only be administered by a physician, usually a dermatologist, and it is often covered by insurance if you have acne.

Pia is a beauty and fashion editor with a decade of experience at publications including Hello Giggles, InStyle, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, People en Español and HELLO!/HOLA! She has also written for People, Elite Daily and Bustle. She received a B.A. in creative writing from NYU and a Master of Science at Columbia’s journalism school. She is based in New York City.  

Contributing Beauty Editor

Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.

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