It never fails; you’re getting ready for a job interview, a photo shoot, or a date with a loved one when you notice a pimple showing up on your face at the absolute worst time! Pimples are an extremely common skin issue for both men and women, so it’s not surprising that they pop up when you least expect them.
If you don’t have a few days to wait until they go away on their own, here are a few quick tricks on how to get rid of pimples fast when you have important plans.
TRY SOME ICE
If your pimple is red and painful, ice can help soothe it. Place a single ice cube in a paper towel or clean cloth and gently press it against the pimple for up to 5 minutes. Don’t put the ice directly on your skin, or you might increase the amount of inflammation and redness in the area.
Ice is a great way to not only soothe the painful bump, but can also help reduce the appearance of the pimple and lighten the redness around it. If you only have a few minutes to spare before you need to leave the house, give this tip a try!
MAKE AN ASPIRIN PASTE
While this may sound strange, making a paste from a crushed up aspirin can reduce swelling and provide pain relief as well. Aspirin contains salicylic acid, the same ingredient found in a wide range of exfoliators, acne creams, and other facial products which makes it great to use in a pinch.
Crush one aspirin tablet into a powder and add a small amount of water to make a thick paste. Apply this paste directly to the pimple and let it sit for up to 15 minutes. After the time has passed, gently rinse the aspirin paste off of the area with lukewarm water.
You’ll notice a reduction in the redness, swelling, and pain. This may be just the quick fix remedy you need before meeting up with friends or family.
REACH FOR THE ACNE TREATMENT
If you have a bit more time to spare before you need to look your best, reaching for your favorite acne treatment might be the best option. Since these products usually contain salicylic acid and other botanical ingredients specifically formulated to target inflammation and swelling from pimples, they may provide better results when used over a longer period than the quick fixes will do.
We love reaching for the CLEAR CELL clarifying acne spot treatment when pimples pop up at the worst moment. When used well in advance, this 2% salicylic acid treatment helps prevent acne blemishes, whitehead and blackheads from forming on your skin.
It also provides a soothing feeling to already sore and inflamed areas, while also working to minimize the redness and swelling that surrounds it. You’ll also notice a reduction of the size of your pores which helps prevent future breakouts from happening.
RELAX WITH A FACE MASQUE
Face masques are a great way to enjoy the benefits of a facial cream or serum, without having to spend a lot of time rubbing it into your skin. Masques can come in a wide range of different types from clay masques to various chemical masques.
When it comes to masques, we stand behind our CLEAR CELL clarifying salicylic masque to help reduce the appearance of skin redness and other acne blemishes with gentle exfoliation. The 2% salicylic acid formula is great for removing excess oil buildup on your skin and clearing away dirt and skin cells from your clogged pores.
Depending on your skin type, you can find masques for oily skin as well as overly dry skin. There are masque formulas that specifically provide hydrating benefits, as well as some made to detox your skin from every pore.
CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE
While there are many more home remedies and potentially quick fixes for pimples, these four options are tried and true. Whether you need a quick fix now, or have a bit of time to plan ahead, making use of ice, aspirin, standard acne treatments, or a face masque can help reduce the appearance of pimples, whiteheads, and other minor skin blemishes.
