5 BEST WAYS TO GET RID OF PIMPLES

Since pimples are the most common skin complaint in the United States, we shouldn't be surprised that they seem to pop up at the most inopportune times: the day before an important job interview, right before that party you've been waiting for, or just in time for a family photo shoot. We've all been there! But even if pimples are more complicated than previously thought, we don't just have to suffer with red spots until they disappear on their own. Here we look at how to get rid of pimples fast.

1. Apply ice to the pimple:

The first step to soothing an angry, painful pimple is to apply ice. Wrap some ice in a cloth and press it on the inflamed area for 3 to 4 minutes. If the ice melts too quickly, drop a few cubes into a plastic sandwich bag before wrapping it in cloth. Repeat several times throughout the day to soothe skin and reduce swelling.

2. Apply a paste of crushed aspirin to the pimple

Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which is super effective at removing excess oil and dead skin. Crush an aspirin tablet or two and mix with a few drops of water to make a paste. Then apply the paste directly to the pimple. This should reduce the swelling and redness and make the pimple less painful. Leave the paste on for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water.

3. Use an over-the-counter acne treatment

When picking a product off the shelf, you can narrow down your choices by looking at two important ingredients found in many over-the-counter acne medications. One of them is the aforementioned salicylic acid. Another important ingredient to look for is benzoyl peroxide. In addition to reducing oiliness and removing dead skin cells, benzoyl peroxide also helps kill the bacteria that cause pimples. While both of these ingredients are safe and work in similar ways, which product you choose and how often you apply it depends on the unique factors of your skin.

And be careful: Both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide have a drying effect. Using too many of these products or using them in combination with certain other products may irritate the skin1. Only preparations containing 0.5 to 2% salicylic acid are recommended. Additionally, sun exposure should be limited when using benzoyl peroxide. This also means solariums. When trying any new product, take it slow and don't use more than necessary.

4. Use makeup with salicylic acid to cover pimples

We can't just hide because we have pimples. Fortunately, there are several makeup products available that can help us safely cover blemishes and fight them at the same time. As with the above acne spot treatments, there are several keywords to look for when labeling products such as makeup, face powder, and concealers.

Ingredients in Acne-Prone Skin Makeup: Acne-prone skin makeup typically contains similar ingredients found in over-the-counter treatments; one of the most common of these is salicylic acid. Anti-acne foundations with salicylic acid offer natural-looking coverage for your breakouts while treating existing acne and preventing new breakouts. Neutrogena, E.L. F., and Clinique are just some of the major brands that offer these formulations. Other common ingredients to look for are sulfur, which, like salicylic acid, reduces oiliness and unclogs pores, and hyaluronic acid, which fights the drying effect of other ingredients and keeps moisture in the skin. However, as with spot treatments, you will need to consider your skin type when choosing a product. If your skin is already dry, you may want to focus on products that will keep your pores clear without drying out your skin.

The best term to look for in acne makeup: When choosing makeup to cover pimples or to keep your skin clear once the pimples have cleared, one feature you should always look for on the label is non-comedogenic. In medical terms, a pimple is a "comedo (plural, comedones)" meaning a clogged pore. Products that tend to clog pores, such as certain oils, are "comedogenic" and those that won't clog pores are "non-comedogenic." Fortunately, with so many products to choose from, you should be able to find one that's right for your skin. Other terms to look for are hypoallergenic, which can help with sensitive skin, and "clinically tested" for products that have been tested by dermatologists before being put on the market.

5. Apply a face mask to acne

There are a lot of face masks on the market these days and many of them target pimples. Again, you'll see ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide that treat acne directly by unclogging pores and reducing inflammation. Another ingredient that works similarly is sulfur. Sulfur may bring to mind matchheads, hot springs, and the strong smell of eggs, but it's also used to treat pimples, especially milder outbreaks, and is often found in face masks. Sulfur is gentler than salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide and may be a better choice if you have sensitive skin.

Other keywords to look for when choosing an acne face mask are “exfoliating” and anti-inflammatory. Depending on your skin type, you can also choose between products that are "soothing", "hydrating", "soothing" or "detoxifying" and have "antioxidant" or "antibacterial" properties. All face masks have different formulations that help offset the drying effects of acne-fighting ingredients and soothe the skin. Many use botanicals such as tea tree oil or green tea, which both have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.