It's the night before a big event and you have developed an unsightly blemish on your face. When this occurs, it's best to take quick action to reduce the appearance of the blemish by engaging in anti-inflammatory measures to reduce redness and shrink the pimple. Remember--resist the urge to squeeze or pop the pimple, as this will make the problem worse and potentially result in scarring after the pimple has healed.
Benzoyl Peroxide
A benzoyl peroxide spot treatment helps reduce blemishes by filling the pore with oxygen in place of the bacteria and other items that can clog the pores. The product is sold over the counter in strengths of up to 10 percent. However, a strength of at least 2.5 percent will be sufficient to treat your blemish, according to The Doctors Book of Home Remedies. Before applying, Beauty Tips Online recommends applying a warm washcloth compress to reduce initial swelling. Because this can dry out the area, you may want to apply a light moisturizer, as well.
Aspirin
Aspirin is a natural anti-inflammatory that can be used topically to reduce redness, according to Beauty Tips Online. To begin, crush an uncoated aspirin in a small bowl and crush it with a spoon. Add enough warm water to make a paste and then apply this paste to the affected area. Let the paste sit for several minutes. Rinse the paste away with warm water. You should notice a reduction in swelling and redness.
Medicated Concealer
If you have to reduce the appearance of a blemish lightning-fast, sometimes the only option is to cover the areas of discoloration to reduce the blemish's appearance. Before applying a concealer, check its ingredients--do not use any makeup items that contain oil because this can clog the pores even more. You also can purchase a concealer that features a blemish fighter, such as salicylic acid, or an anti-inflammatory cooling agent, such as cucumber or aloe. The Doctors Book of Home Remedies recommends using a concealer with a pigment level of 50 to 70 percent, meaning the pigment is opaque and no traces of the red blemish can seep through. Gently dab a thin layer of the concealer on the face and allow to fully dry. To set the concealer, apply a light dusting of powder. A mineral-based powder may be less irritating to the skin.
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