When a pimple shows up it can be embarrassing, especially if it is right before a big event. Pimples are a symptom of acne that show up as red, puss-filled bumps on your skin. They most commonly occur on the face but can also appear on your chest or back. Although pimples can take time to heal, there are some things you can do to reduce the redness and size of your pimple.
Step 1
Do not pick, pop, scratch or touch your pimple. This can make your pimple more red, larger and leave a scar behind. Keep objects off your face, like your hair, your hands and the telephone.
Step 2
Wash your face with a face wash that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Wash your face once a day if you have dry skin and up to three times a day if you have oily skin. Pat your face dry with a towel.
Step 3
Moisturize your face with an oil-free facial lotion. Choose a moisturizer that is for acne prone skin that is noncomedogenic, which means it will not clog your pores. Moisturizing your skin helps to avoid dryness, irritation and redness.
Step 4
Apply an acne spot treatment cream to your pimples. Acne spot treatments contain pimple-fighting medication and can help dramatically reduce the size and redness of your pimple overnight. Apply enough to cover the entire pimple and the red area surrounding it.
Step 5
Apply ice to your pimple to calm the redness. Wrap two to three ice cubes in a clean washcloth and hold it on the red pimples for up to 10 minutes. Hold the ice on your pimple with gentle pressure.
Tips and Warnings
- See a dermatologist if your acne worsens or if at home treatment does not reduce acne symptoms.
Things You'll Need
- Face wash
- Face lotion
- Acne spot treatment
- Ice
- Washcloth
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