Acne occurs when oil collects on the skin, clogging hair follicles and creating a buildup of bacteria. When hair follicles become irritated or clogged, they form pimples. If a pimple has popped up and you need to camouflage it in a hurry, remove the redness. This way, the pimple will be less noticeable, even if you aren't wearing makeup. If you're having a real pimple emergency, consult a doctor, who can decrease redness in as little as a few hours.
Step 1
Dip a clean cotton swab in redness-reducing eye drops, such as Visine, Blink or Thera Tears. Redness-reducing eye drops constrict blood vessels in the eyes, which also works on the skin to prevent redness from acne.
Step 2
Place the saturated cotton swab in the freezer for one hour. Freezing the cotton swab will help reduce swelling and further constrict blood vessels when applied to the pimple.
Step 3
Remove the cotton swab from the freezer and place it directly on the pimple for two minutes.
Step 4
Apply a green concealer over the pimple to blend away any redness that remains. Finish with a skin-colored foundation and translucent powder, if desired.
Step 5
Consult a doctor if redness persists. Your dermatologist can administer a cortisone shot directly into the pimple, reducing redness and swelling within a matter of hours.
Tips and Warnings
- Apply a new cotton swab dipped in eye drops to the pimple every few hours as needed.
- To prevent scarring and reduce healing time, avoid picking or squeezing the pimple.
