Pimples, and blemishes, and zits, oh my. For many of us women, we bear the brunt of stress, hormones, and oily skin on our faces in the form of acne. As if the stress alone wasn’t bad enough! Lest you resort to popping the pus, there are a few remedies to relieve the red spots that won’t break the bank. Keep in mind that if your acne interferes with your daily life, is persistent, or painful that you may need to see your doctor. For the periodic pimple problem, read on.
Toothpaste. Tried and true, toothpaste does help dry up those pesky pimples. You need to use an actual paste variety of toothpaste and not the gel form. After you’ve washed and dried your face, dab a little toothpaste onto the pimple and leave it overnight. Your pimple should be smaller in the morning.
Ice. A large part of pus-filled pimple is merely inflammation. What combats inflammation? Ice! Hold an ice cube to your pimple for a few minutes to reduce redness and bring down the swelling. It will numb the pain, too.
Aspirin. Don’t swallow it, wear it! An aspirin is one of the purest forms of salicylic acid, a common pimple fighter. Crush an aspirin between two spoons, and dab a little water on it to make a paste. Leave it on for the night for a smaller, less unsightly blemish.
Visine. It gets the red out. Not just out of your eyes, it can also reduce the redness of a nasty pimple, too. Just put a few drops of Visine onto your blemish and allow it to penetrate for a few minutes. It won’t make the pimple smaller, but it will make it less red.
Witchhazel. This was the only remedy my doctor would allow me to use when I was pregnant and very pimply. Witchhazel is a natural product with a very unique smell. Just pour a little on a cotton ball and use it as you would a toner. Over time, it will reduce the pimples and help prevent new ones from forming. And you’ll get used to the smell. Eventually.
Hydro-cortisone. Hydro-cortisone cream is a remedy that is best used sparingly. Very sparingly. It is a steroid cream. Steroids do reduce inflammation, such as you might find with a bad blemish. However, use on large areas of the skin, or prolonged exposure to the steroid can cause the skin to thin. It can also cause hormonal issues when abused. For best results, check with your doctor before applying.
Warm Compresses. If your pimple is turning into a white head, you might be able to safely open it up to drain. Do not pick it, poke it, or cut it. Instead, apply warm compresses to the area several times a day. The pimple will open naturally when it is ready. You can gently wipe the pus away with a cotton ball soaked in witchhazel or another astringent.
Neosporin. In a desperate attempt to rid my face of a particular blemish, I turned to my last resort. Triple antibiotic cream with pain reliever. It certainly helped reduce the pimple and the pain. But here’s the rub: the petroleum jelly base can clog pores, which causes more acne. Follow the directions, and don’t use it for more than a couple days. Only use it to spot treat a particular pimple, not over your entire face. And remember, a tiny dab will do.
Over the counter acne treatments. These are great for the occasional pimple sufferer. Name brand acne products from big box stores are reasonably priced, well researched products. Find the one that works for you.
Time. They say time heals all wounds. Well, it heals pimples, too, as long as you leave them alone. Find the cause of your acne and treat it without picking, pulling, or pus-ing. Your skin will look better and you’ll feel better, too.
When in doubt, call the doctor. He or she can help guide you to the best treatment plan for you.
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