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

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

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

And, a word of caution: Both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide have a drying effect. Using too much of these products, or using them in combination with certain other products, can irritate the skin¹. Only preparations containing 0.5 to 2% salicylic acid are recommended. Moreover, when using benzoyl peroxide, sun exposure should be limited. This means tanning beds, too. Go slowly when trying any new product, and avoid using more than is needed.

We can’t just hide inside because we have pimples. Fortunately, there are several makeup products available that can help us safely cover up blemishes while simultaneously combatting them. As with the acne spot treatments mentioned above, there are a few key words to look for in the labeling on products such as foundation, face powder, and concealers.

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

Top Term to Look for in Acne-Fighting Makeup: In choosing makeup to cover pimples or to keep skin clear when pimples have abated, one property you should always look for on the label is noncomedogenic. Medically speaking, a pimple is a “comedo (plural, comedones),” meaning a clogged pore. Products likely to clog pores, such as certain oils, are “comedogenic,” and those that don’t clog pores are “noncomedogenic.” Fortunately, with so many products to choose from, you should be able to find one that is suitable for your skin. Other terms to look for are hypoallergenic, which may help with sensitive skin, and “clinically tested” for products that have been tested by dermatologists before coming to market.

There are a ton 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, which treat the acne directly by unclogging pores and reducing inflammation. Another ingredient that works in a similar way is sulfur. Sulfur may bring to mind match heads, hot springs, and the strong smell of eggs, but it is 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.

In choosing a face mask for acne, other key words to look for are “exfoliating” and anti-inflammatory.” Depending on your skin type, you can also choose among products that are “calming,” “hydrating,” “soothing,” or that “detox” your skin and have “antioxidant” or “antibacterial” properties.  All face masks have different formulations that help to offset the drying effects of the acne-fighting ingredients and soothe the skin. Many use botanicals such as tea tree oil or green tea, both of which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

For massive, inflamed pimples, over-the-counter treatments may not pack enough punch. In that case, your best shot may be an injection of cortisone directly into the cyst. Performed with a very thin needle, a cortisone injection shrinks the swollen tissue in the pimple, easing  inflammation and allowing the pimple to heal. A dermatologist can perform the procedure quickly and easily, and you’ll see visible improvement within 24 hours.

In short, we know how distressing pimples can be. Fortunately the immediate solutions we’ve discussed here can help us cope in the short term.  In the longer term, remember that “bad skin” is an extremely common problem, one that has recently been recognized and destigmatized on social media through the acne positivity movement². It is nothing to be ashamed of. Moreover, you don’t have to fight acne alone. For longer-term management of acne and information about other acne treatments, visit Phoenix’s Top Dermatologist at Saguaro Dermatology. We’re here to help!

Recommended Readings

1. Zaenglein A, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al. Guidelines for the care and management of acne vulgaris. JAAD 2016;74(5):945-973. Accessed March 2020 at https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(15)02614-6/fulltext
2. Barton L. “Pimples are in”—the rise of the acne positivity movement. The Guardian 18 September, 2018. Accessed March 2020 at https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2018/sep/18/pimples-in-rise-of-acne-positivity-movement