How to Reduce Pimples Fast: The Best Remedies & Prevention Methods

Do you have an untimely spot, pimple, or breakout? If so, drying the blemish out to remove the excess oil can help your skin heal and minimize how noticeable it is. Luckily, this is super easy to do, and there’s no reason you can’t safely treat your skin at home. In this article, we’ll walk you through your potential options—from home remedies to natural steam treatments to medically-approved products.

How to Get Rid of Pimples Fast

Get rid of pimples fast by applying an over-the-counter spot treatment that has salicylic acid and/or benzoyl peroxide. Simply wash your face and apply the product with clean hands according to its instructions. You can also use a warm or cold compress, herbal face mask, or sea salt face wash to dry out acne.

Method 1

Method 1 of 7:

Getting Rid of Pimples Using At-Home Remedies

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Applying a warm, clean washcloth to your pimple may help lessen the pain and dry it out. All you have to do is soak the clean cloth in warm water, wring it out, and hold it onto the affected area. Try doing this multiple times a day until the pimple goes away.^{[1]
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Ice is a great and simple way to calm down a swollen or irritating pimple. Wrap some ice in a cloth or clean rag and hold it on the pimple in 3-minute increments. Similarly, you can also apply a clean cold compress or ice pack. Repeat this several times throughout the day.^{[2]
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3
Wear a pimple patch. Acne patches are like bandaids for your pimples (just with extra benefits). These little patches can help dry out your pimples while reducing swelling and irritation. Simply pick up a pack online or at your local drugstore and follow the directions on the packaging.^{[3]
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- Ask your dermatologist if they have any pimple patch recommendations.
- Keep in mind that pimple patches don’t work for everyone. Even so, they can be a great tool to help you stop picking or squeezing pimples.
4
Try taking a skin probiotic or supplement. Sometimes, your body needs a little extra help fighting a pimple or breakout. Consider adding a skin probiotic or vitamin supplement to your daily routine. These can help prevent excess oil and promote overall health.^{[4]
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- Talk to your doctor or dermatologist about taking an oral supplement for your skin health.

Method 2

Method 2 of 7:

Getting Rid of Pimples Using Medical Treatments

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1
Ask your doctor about retinoid treatments. Topical retinoids are gels or creams you apply to your face to reduce acne. These medications require a prescription from your doctor or dermatologist.^{[5]
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- These medicines prevent hair follicles from becoming clogged, which is a common cause of acne.
2
Use salicylic acid products. Salicylic acid is one of the best products to help treat acne and dry out pimples, as it helps reduce oils that cause the pimples. Look for products that have salicylic acid in them, including over-the-counter facial products.
- These products may be concentrated between 0.5% to 5%. Common side effects of salicylic acid include stinging at the site of application and skin irritation.^{[6]
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Discuss antibiotics with your doctor to reduce redness and swelling. If your acne is red and irritated, your doctor may decide to prescribe an antibiotic. Antibiotics are often combined with other medications, such as retinoids or benzoyl peroxide products, to help clear up and prevent infections caused by acne.^{[8]
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- Make sure you use the antibiotic exactly as instructed by your doctor. Improper use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-resistant infections.
4
Try benzoyl peroxide products, such as face wash and moisturizer. Benzoyl peroxide is a substance that eliminates the bacteria on the face that causes acne. It can also help remove excess oils and dead skin. Over-the-counter products have benzoyl peroxide in concentrations of 2.5% to 10%. Look for one with a concentration that matches the severity of your pimple (the higher the percentage, the stronger the product).^{[9]
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- Be aware that benzoyl peroxide may cause burning, scaling, stinging, and irritation on your skin when you apply these products, so use them with caution.^{[10]
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If you’re female, taking an oral contraceptive may help fight your acne. Oral contraceptives are often effective at treating acne as they can regulate and balance your hormones. Talk to your doctor about whether or not this would be a helpful treatment for you and your lifestyle.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 7:

Making a Sea Salt Wash

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1
Mix 3 US tbsp (1.5 fl oz) of hot water and 1 tsp (0.17 fl oz) of sea salt. A great way to dry out pimples is to use a sea salt face wash. This can work as an overall mask or to treat isolated problem areas. Boil some water, and then remove from heat. Once the water has cooled slightly, pour 3 US tbsp (1.5 fl oz) into a bowl with 1 tsp (0.17 fl oz) of sea salt. Stir until the salt dissolves.
- Make sure you use sea salt rather than iodized salt, as sea salt is better for the skin.
2
Apply the wash to your skin. Gently cup the solution in your hand and rub the liquid on your face. Avoid getting the mixture in your eyes. Leave the mixture on for about 10 minutes.
- Avoid leaving the solution on your skin for longer than 10 minutes, as it can be extremely drying.
- For smaller problem areas, soak a Q-tip or cotton ball in the solution and then apply it to the area.
Once the 10 minutes are up, rinse the wash off your face. Make sure you avoid letting the wash run into your eyes. After it's gone, pat your face dry with a soft cloth towel.^{[12]
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4
Apply moisturizer. After you have washed and dried your face, apply a facial moisturizer to avoid excessive dryness. Make sure it is a non-comedogenic moisturizer, such as Clinique, Olay, Cetaphil, and Neutrogena, to avoid future breakouts.^{[13]
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- Don't overuse this method; only use it once or twice a week. Using it more often can dry out your skin and cause irritation.

Method 4

Method 4 of 7:

Making an Herbal Face Mask

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1
Mix together honey, egg whites, lemon juice, and essential oils. An herbal facial mask can help clean, heal, and tighten your skin. The key is to use astringent herbs with antibacterial qualities to help dry out your pimples. For the base of your mask, mix together:
- 1 US tbsp (0.50 fl oz) of honey, which has antibacterial, astringent, and healing qualities
- 1 egg white, which acts as a thickener for the mask
- 1 tsp (0.17 fl oz) of lemon juice, which provides a slight whitening agent as well as acts as an astringent
- ¹⁄₂ tsp (0.083 fl oz) of an astringent herbal essential oil that also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, such as peppermint, spearmint, lavender, calendula, or thyme
2
Apply the mask to your face for 15 minutes. Once you mix all these ingredients, dip your fingers into the mixture and apply it all over your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes or until it dries. Rinse the mask off with warm water and a soft cloth.
- You can treat your entire face or individual pimples to dry them out. Use a Q-tip to spread the mixture over individual problem areas.
After you get the mask off, gently dry your face with a soft towel. Then, apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Popular brands of these moisturizers include Olay, Clinique, Neutrogena, and Cetaphil.^{[14]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 7:

Using a Steam Treatment

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1
Boil a pot of water and add in essential oils. To start this treatment, fill a medium-sized pot full of water and let it come to a rolling boil. Carefully remove this water from heat and pour it into a bowl, filling it about 3/4 the way up. To this mixture, add five drops of one of the antiseptic essential oils, such as tea tree, lavender, frankincense, rosemary, or oregano.^{[15]
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- If you don't have any oil on hand, add 1 tsp (0.17 fl oz) of dried oregano, lavender, or rosemary.
2
Lean over the steam. Grab a towel and sit in front of the table where you placed the bowl. Lean your face over the bowl, and place the towel over your head and bowl. This creates an enclosed area for the steam to collect around your face. This will help open up your pores, and the oils will treat your skin.^{[16]
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- Make sure you stay far enough back from the steam. You don't want to burn your face.
3
Alternate to a cool compress after 10 minutes. Stay under the towel in the steam for about 10 minutes. Then, wet a soft washcloth with cool water and cover your face for 30 seconds. After this, return to the steam treatment. Repeat this 3 times, ending with the cool cloth treatment.^{[17]
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- Transitioning between hot and cold helps contract and expand your pores, which will help tone your skin and improve circulation.
- The water will get cooler as you go between hot and cold. You may need to move closer to the water as the water cools. Always stay at a distance that is comfortable for your skin.
4
Use an astringent. Astringents are liquids you put on your skin that can draw together your facial tissues, help dry your skin, and help reduce inflammation. After you’ve steamed, use a cotton ball or Q-tip soaked with an astringent and apply directly to your pimple.
- Some good astringent options include teas, such as black, green, chamomile, sage, and yarrow, undiluted lemon juice, and essential oils, such as boswellia, tea tree, sage, juniper, grapeseed, rose, oak bark, lemon, lime, orange, and willow bark, and apple cider vinegar.^{[18]
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- Don't overuse this method because these astringents have intense drying power. If you use them too much, you can increase the possibility of more pimples and skin damage.

Method 6

Method 6 of 7:

Preventing Pimples

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1
Wash your face twice a day. Cleansing your face regularly is extremely important. Not only does this remove built-up oils and dirt, it can also help dry out and reduce pimples. Plus, routine washing is an excellent way to prevent more pimples from popping up.^{[19]
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- Always use gentle pressure when you cleanse your face to avoid hurting your skin.
- If you need to wash your face more often, go for it! Aim to cleanse your face after intense activities that make you sweat.
Look for facial products that fit your needs. For example, if you have oily skin, search for products marketed for “oily skin.” No matter your skin type, always opt for products that are “alcohol-free.”^{[20]
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3
Stick to a treatment plan. Consistency is key when fighting acne. Trying new treatments too often could irritate your skin and cause more breakouts. So, ease into new products or remedies. Then, use them for several weeks to see if they work before switching things up.^{[21]
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- If your skin breaks out more than usual or becomes red and irritated, immediately stop the treatment or home remedy.
Touching your face can cause acne to flare up. To prevent pimples, do your best to avoid touching your face, especially with dirty hands. Always wash your face before applying makeup or facial products, and avoid squeezing or picking at your skin and pimples.^{[22]
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Method 7

Method 7 of 7:

What to Know About Acne

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Know that mild acne can easily be treated at home. Mild acne is the form of acne where you only have a few mildly inflamed or irritated pimples, usually less than 20, as well as fewer than 20 non-swollen whiteheads or blackheads.^{[23]
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- The presence of more than 20 inflamed pimples or pimples that cover the majority of your face is a sign of moderate to severe acne, which needs to be treated by a dermatologist.
2
Understand that oil-based products can help fight acne. Although it may seem counterproductive, oil products will actually help fight pimples and dry them out, especially when mixed with the right additional ingredients. The natural oils your face produces help moisturize your skin and reduce pimples.^{[24]
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Go to source} This means that drying out a pimple can be beneficial every now and then, just not as a daily treatment method.
- The two different oils from your face and cleanser react to one another and dry each other out.
If you’re still having issues with your skin after trying multiple home remedies or treatments, talk to a dermatologist, a skin doctor who can analyze what’s going on with your skin and give you a care plan ideal for you and your skin type.^{[25]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What dries out pimples?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You don't necessarily want to dry out a pimple, and even if you do, you may still have inflammation. Ingredients like witch hazel and tea tree oil will help to counteract oiliness while also reducing irritation and redness.

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Warnings

Some online users say you can dry out pimples by applying toothpaste to the problem area; however, this is a myth. Putting toothpaste on a pimple can actually make it worse (and cause more to pop up).^{[26]
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Avoid putting crushed up Aspirin on your pimples. While this is a common method used online, experts say it can do more harm than good and isn’t an effective acne treatment.^{[27]
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