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This article was co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD. Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.
There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 168,155 times.
We’ve all been there — the night before a date, a concert, a wedding, or another big event, and you end up with a pimple that is very red and hard to cover up. Redness on and around a pimple is a sign of inflammation and irritation. Avoid the temptation to squeeze or pop the pimple, as this will only make it more irritated and spread the redness to other areas of your face. Instead, you can try using natural products and professional products on the pimple to reduce the redness and step out for your big event with confidence.
Steps
Apply raw honey to the pimple. Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a good natural product for reducing redness on your skin. Look for honey that is all natural and raw.[1]- Dip a cotton ball or a Q-tip into the honey and dab it onto the pimple. Leave the honey on for about 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water. Do not scrub or rub at the pimple when you rinse off the honey. You can apply the honey as needed.[2]
- You can also try making a paste with cinnamon or turmeric powder and the honey. You can then use a Q-tip to apply the paste to the pimple. Cinnamon and turmeric have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Keep in mind turmeric can tinge your skin an orange color so you may want to try the paste on the inside of your wrist or behind your ear before you use it on your face.
Use ice to reduce the swelling and redness. You can also try using ice on the pimple to make the swelling and redness go down, similar to how you might ice a swollen muscle. You will need ice and a clean cotton towel for this method.[3]- Wrap the ice cube in the towel and apply it to your pimple for 20 minutes at a time. Allow for 20 minutes between applications, applying the ice as needed.
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Try cucumber. Cucumbers are great natural coolants for the skin and they contain astringent properties that can help to reduce swelling and redness. Make sure you use a cold cucumber for this method. Place it in your refrigerator so it is cold enough.[4]- You can place a thin slice of cucumber, peeled or unpeeled, directly on the pimple. Leave the cucumber on for five minutes or until warm, then replace with a new, cold slice. Repeat as needed.
Apply witch hazel or apple cider vinegar. Both witch hazel and apple cider vinegar have astringent properties, which can reduce the swelling and redness. You can find both of these products at your local health food store or in the natural beauty aisle.[5][6]- Apply witch hazel or apple cider vinegar with a Q-tip to the pimple and let it dry. You can apply the witch hazel or apple cider vinegar as needed throughout the day or overnight.
- Stop applications of apple cider vinegar if skin becomes irritated after application.
Use lemon juice on the pimple. Lemon juice is a good natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Try to use fresh lemon juice for this method.[7]- Put one to two drops of lemon juice on a Q-tip and dab it on the pimple. Keep it on for five minutes and then rinse it off with warm water. Repeat this method three to four times a day with a fresh Q-tip.
- Lemon juice is slightly acidic so it may sting a little when you apply it to the pimple. It also has bleaching qualities so make sure you do not go out in the sun right after you have used the lemon juice. The bleaching effect could make the pimple lighter, leading to a spot on your skin that is lighter than your skin tone.
Try applying aloe vera. Aloe vera is an herb that has been traditionally used to promote healing and to soothe inflamed or irritated skin. It also has astringent properties, so it will tighten the skin as it dries. You can get aloe vera gel by breaking off an aloe vera leaf and squeezing out the gel. You can also find packaged aloe vera at your local health food store or online.- Dip a clean Q-tip into the aloe vera gel. Then, apply it directly to the pimple and let it dry. Rinse the area off with warm water. Repeat applications of 100% aloe twice daily.
- If you are using an aloe vera leaf, you can store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. Use the leaf until all the gel inside is gone.
- Do not ingest aloe. Oral intake has been linked with diarrhea, electrolyte imbalances, and kidney dysfunction.
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Apply eye drop solution to the pimple. Eye drops for red eyes contain tetrahydrozoline, which is a drug that constricts your blood vessels. This ingredient can help to reduce blood flow to the pimple and bring down the redness instantly, but it is only a temporary fix.[8]- Put one to two drops of the eye drop solution on a Q-tip and apply it to your pimple.
- Keep in mind this method won’t last long, usually no more than an hour, so it may be better to use it just before or during your special event.
Use aspirin paste. Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which can help to reduce inflammation and redness on your skin. Make sure the aspirin you use is not coated with enteric, as you will need to dissolve the aspirin to apply it.[9]- Place two to three aspirin tablets in a teaspoon of water, allow them to dissolve, and mix to form a paste. Dab it on the pimple and leave it on until it dries. Then, rinse it off with warm water.
Try a spot treatment that contains salicylic acid. You can also use an over-the-counter spot treatment product that contains salicylic acid on the pimple to reduce redness. Salicylic acid can be found in the form of a gel or a lotion. You can then apply a small amount of the gel or lotion directly to the pimple. Let it dry overnight.[10]- Look for salicylic acid products that contain .05 to 1 percent salicylic acid with a pH of three to four. Use 2 percent for salicylic acid for stubborn acne. You may also find salicylic acid in cleansers, but the acid works best if it is given time to dry and set in your skin so the cleanser may not be as effective as a toner, gel, or lotion.
- You can find spot treatments with salicylic acid at your local drugstore or in the beauty aisle. Many major brands use salicylic acid in their spot treatment products.
- You can also use a product containing benzoyl peroxide, if you'd like. However, it's best to only use one treatment at a time, so don't use benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid together.[11]
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Cover up the pimple with makeup. If none of the natural or professional products work on your pimple, you may need to use makeup to hide it. You can use makeup concealer over the pimple so it is less noticeable.[12]- Apply foundation and/or tinted moisturizer to your face. Then, apply a skincare serum or face moisturizer to the pimple. This will give the area around the pimple more moisture and calm down the red skin.
- Take your concealer and draw a small X over the pimple. You may use the wand if your concealer comes with a wand or use a small makeup brush to apply the concealer. Draw a circle around the X. Using a clean fingertip, lightly tap the concealer into your skin. Dab, rather than rub, the concealer around and over the pimple.
- You should then apply foundation with a brush to set the concealer. This will ensure the concealer stays over the pimple.
Use accessories to distract from the pimple. You can also wear accessories like a bold necklace or earrings to distract from the pimple on your face. You may try to have your accessories go with your outfit and show off another part of your body, like your ears or your neck, to distract from the pimple.
Get a good night’s sleep. You can also improve the appearance of your skin overall by getting a good night’s sleep. Getting at least eight hours of sleep will help your skin to appear less puffy and irritated in the morning.- Make sure you wash and moisturize your face before you go to bed to ensure your skin is not irritated further during the night. You may also want to apply a spot treatment product that contains salicylic acid to the pimple and leave it on overnight.
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Expert Q&A
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- QuestionHow can I reduce the redness of my pimples?
Mohiba Tareen, MDMohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.
FAAD Board Certified DermatologistRedness indicates inflammation, so try using a product with benzoyl peroxide as a spot treatment to fight that inflammation. If it's really bad, oral antibiotics or Accutane can help. However, you should definitely avoid exfoliating the area, as that will cause more breaks in the skin, which can lead to more bacteria and more inflammation.
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Tips
- If you have persistent acne, talk to your dermatologist about oral antibiotics, which can help fight the bacteria that might be leading to your breakouts.[13]Thanks
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Warnings
- Do not exfoliate around the area where you have a breakout, as this will lead to more redness and inflammation.[14]Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.allure.com/story/honey-acne-treatment
- ↑ https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/beauty-uses-for-honey
- ↑ https://www.bona-fide-skincare.com/reducing-pimple-redness.html
- ↑ https://www.bona-fide-skincare.com/reducing-pimple-redness.html
- ↑ https://www.skinacea.com/acne/acne-treatment-witch-hazel.html#.V3QfQjkrIy4
- ↑ https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-13304/how-i-cured-my-acne-with-apple-cider-vinegar.html
- ↑ https://www.facingacne.com/lemon-juice-cure-reduce-acne/
- ↑ https://www.bona-fide-skincare.com/reducing-pimple-redness.html
- ↑ https://7beautytips.com/reduce-pimple-and-acne-redness-using-aspirin/
- ↑ https://intothegloss.com/2014/10/benzoyl-peroxide-vs-salicylic-acid/
- ↑ Mohiba Tareen, MD. FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
- ↑ https://imabeautygeek.com/2015/04/29/how-to-hide-a-pimple/
- ↑ Mohiba Tareen, MD. FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
- ↑ Mohiba Tareen, MD. FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
About This Article
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
This article was co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD. Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology. This article has been viewed 168,155 times.
Co-authors: 9
Updated: April 17, 2024
Views: 168,155
Categories: Acne
Article SummaryX
To get rid of pimple redness overnight with natural products, dab raw honey on it and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then, rinse it off with warm water. Another way to reduce the swelling and redness of a pimple is to apply ice to it for 20 minutes at a time with 20 minutes between applications. You can also place a thin slice of cold cucumber on the affected area for 5 minutes to reduce inflammation and redness. If you’d prefer to use a professional product, get an over-the-counter spot treatment that contains salicylic acid, apply it, and let it dry overnight. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to use eye drops to reduce the redness of a pimple, keep reading!
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