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Many of us have faced acne outbreaks that result in inflamed and red skin. The redness associated with acne is a result of inflammation, not scarring. Inflammation plays a key role in tissue regeneration and is a natural part of the body’s healing process. However, it can be frustrating when the inflammation spreads across the face, becoming visible to others. Fortunately, there are some home remedies that can help reduce the redness or conceal the acne spots until they heal.
Steps
Use Quick Home Remedies
Apply Ice to Reduce Inflammation Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean, thin cloth and gently press it onto the acne. Hold it in place for 5-10 minutes per session, repeating throughout the day as needed. Remember to allow your skin to rest for at least 2 hours before applying ice again to prevent skin damage.
- Don’t apply excessive pressure. Too much force can break the acne, causing more redness and spreading bacteria.
Laura Martin
Licensed Aesthetic Expert
Licensed Aesthetic Expert
Did you know? Salicylic acid, found in most facial cleansers, contains anti-inflammatory properties similar to aspirin, making it highly effective at reducing redness and speeding up the healing process of acne!
Place cucumber on acne. Cucumber is a natural cooling agent, and its mild astringent properties can help reduce swelling and redness. You can slice a cucumber thinly and apply it to the affected area for 5-10 minutes.
- For best results, use cucumber straight from the refrigerator. Cold cucumber works better in reducing inflammation than room temperature cucumber.
Make an aspirin mask to reduce redness. Crush 4-5 uncoated aspirin tablets and mix them with a little water to form a paste. Gently apply the mixture with a cotton swab to the inflamed areas and wash off once it dries.
- Do not use the aspirin mask if you are allergic to the medication, taking any drugs that may cause a drug interaction, or if you have a condition that prevents you from using aspirin.
Try a yogurt and honey mask to reduce inflammation. Mix equal parts of honey and whole milk yogurt. Apply a thin layer of the mask to the affected areas of your face. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
Apply a warm compress to the acne. While ice can provide temporary redness reduction, a warm compress works more effectively to reduce inflammation in the long term. This method also helps to open pores, allowing excess oil and bacteria to escape from the acne. Apply the warm compress for about 10-15 minutes per session. Repeat the warm compress treatment up to four times a day for effective acne healing.
- To make a warm compress at home, soak a washcloth in hot water, but make sure it's not too hot. You can also use a tea bag if you just brewed tea.
- Gently cleanse your face after using the warm compress. Washing your face helps remove oils and bacteria released during the treatment.
- You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil or lavender oil to the compress to further reduce inflammation.
Use green concealer to cover acne spots. If you need to quickly reduce redness around a pimple, dab a bit of green concealer directly onto the acne. Use a makeup sponge or brush to blend it and apply a thin layer of translucent powder on top. The green hue will help neutralize the redness of the pimple.
- Not all skin tones suit green concealer. You might need to apply a layer of foundation or concealer that matches your skin tone on top of it.
- While green concealer can hide redness, it won't conceal raised pimples. However, some concealers with salicylic acid can aid in acne treatment.
Cover acne with clothing or accessories. While clothes and accessories don't directly treat the swelling, they can help hide acne. If acne appears on your body, you can use clothing to cover it. If it's on your face, try wearing accessories like sunglasses to keep it hidden.
- If you have long hair, you can style it to cover acne spots as well.
Use Medical Treatment Methods
Apply topical treatment with salicylic acid. You can find over-the-counter topical products containing salicylic acid at most pharmacies. Apply the treatment directly to the acne. The acid helps dry out the oil and sebum in the affected area, reducing swelling and redness.
- Topical treatments may take several hours to a few days to fully clear acne, but they start reducing swelling and redness fairly quickly.
Apply acne treatment cream containing benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide helps eliminate acne-causing bacteria, and since the redness associated with acne is due to bacteria, this cream also helps reduce redness.
- Check the label of the acne treatment cream to find one containing benzoyl peroxide.
Use eye drops as a topical treatment. Eye drops containing tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride are known to treat redness. This same ingredient can help reduce the redness associated with acne. Apply a few drops onto a cotton swab and dab onto the pimple to help treat it.
- You can also freeze the cotton swab soaked with eye drops overnight and gently apply it to the acne. The cold will help reduce inflammation.
- Note that eye drops are not a treatment for acne; they only temporarily reduce redness.
Use over-the-counter redness-reducing products. Many pharmacies offer creams and topical treatments designed to reduce redness and inflammation. These products can help treat mild to moderate redness and prevent discoloration for up to 12 hours. Consult with a pharmacist to find a product suitable for you, especially if you have sensitive skin or are using other topical treatments.
- Common products for reducing redness include Rhofade and Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Night Cream.
Try hydrocortisone cream to temporarily reduce redness. Although hydrocortisone cream is typically used to relieve itching, it can also help reduce redness. Dab a small amount of the cream directly onto the pimple.
- You can find 1% hydrocortisone cream at most pharmacies without a prescription.
Apply a clay mask to dry out pimples. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of clay powder with enough water to form a spreadable paste. Apply a thin layer of the mask to your face and let it dry completely before washing it off with warm water. Adding a few drops of tea tree oil to the mixture before applying it to your face can boost its acne-fighting effect.
- You can purchase clay powder at most pharmacies, health stores, or online.
- Alternatively, you can use a pre-mixed clay mask available at cosmetic or drug stores.
Preventing Acne Breakouts
Consult a dermatologist if you're experiencing frequent breakouts. Acne can be triggered by various factors, ranging from hormonal changes to external environmental influences. If you're struggling to manage these triggers on your own, a dermatologist can help you create a comprehensive acne treatment plan that may include dietary and lifestyle changes, skincare routines, and/or acne medications.
- Only a doctor can prescribe stronger medications if over-the-counter treatments and home remedies are ineffective.
Cleanse your face daily with a high-quality facial cleanser. Washing your face daily helps remove dead skin cells, excess oil, and acne-causing bacteria. Look for a facial cleanser designed for acne-prone skin. A dermatologist can recommend a suitable cleanser for you.
- Wash your face once or twice a day. If you wear makeup, make sure to cleanse at the end of the day to remove cosmetics. Try not to wash your face too often, as this can actually trigger more acne.
- Avoid scrubbing too hard or using abrasive materials like loofahs or rough towels. It's best to wash your face with your hands or a soft brush. Pat your face dry with a towel instead of rubbing.
Use a toner after washing your face. Apply toner to your entire face using a cotton pad. Toner helps remove dirt and makeup from the skin and balances the skin's pH level. It also helps tighten pores.
- You can purchase toner at pharmacies or beauty stores.
Moisturize your face daily. After cleansing your face, apply a cream, gel, or lotion to hydrate your skin. This helps restore the natural moisture lost during the washing process. Even if you have oily or acne-prone skin, moisturizers help control excess oil production and reduce breakouts.
- There are many moisturizing products available on the market, so you may need to experiment to find the right one. Look for a moisturizer formulated for your skin type (oily, combination, etc.) for the best results.
- If you have acne-prone skin, choose a non-comedogenic product (won't clog pores). These products are specially formulated to prevent pore blockages.
Hydrate Your Skin. Moisturizing creams help to keep your skin hydrated, but you can go further. Some of the most effective steps include preventive care (such as limiting exposure to dry and cold air), avoiding long contact with hot water or chlorinated water, and steering clear of skincare products containing alcohol. It is also essential to hydrate your body both internally and externally.
- Doctors commonly recommend men to drink at least 3 liters (13 cups) of water daily, and women to drink 2.2 liters (9 cups).
- Use facial mist sprays throughout the day to hydrate your skin externally. If you live in a dry climate, you may also want to use a humidifier for better skin care.
Ensure You Get Enough Essential Vitamins. While still under research, several vitamins are known to help reduce inflammation and promote healthy skin. Common vitamins believed to support skin health include:
- Vitamin A. As an antioxidant, Vitamin A helps reduce free radicals, harmful molecules that can damage skin cells and accelerate aging. Foods rich in Vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, squash, apricots, and cantaloupe.
- Vitamin C. Essential for collagen production, Vitamin C is vital for skin structure. Studies also indicate it has anti-inflammatory effects. Foods high in Vitamin C include guavas, citrus fruits, kale, broccoli, kiwis, and strawberries.
Exfoliate Weekly. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells from the outermost layer of your skin. By exfoliating 1-2 times a week, you help remove dead cells that can eventually cause acne, while stimulating cell turnover for brighter, healthier skin.
- Exfoliate after washing your skin but before applying toner.
- There are various products available, such as mechanical exfoliants like scrub cleansers and chemical exfoliants like enzyme wipes. However, if you have sensitive, acne-prone, or aging skin, it's best to opt for chemical exfoliants as abrasive scrubs can irritate or damage your skin.
- If you have oily or acne-prone skin, consider exfoliating 2-3 times a week.
Tips
- Dermatologists do not recommend using toothpaste to dry out pimples. This outdated home remedy can irritate the skin and make the situation worse.
- While lemon juice is a popular home remedy for acne, it can burn the skin, promote scarring, discoloration, and increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight.
- Avoid popping pimples when possible.
- If you absolutely must pop a pimple, wash your hands thoroughly, then use a tissue to gently squeeze the pimple. Finally, apply antibacterial cream to the pimple to kill bacteria.
- Hydrocolloid acne patches can help absorb pus from popped pimples.
- Mix a few drops of tea tree oil into a face mask or moisturizer to help dry out pimples.
Warning
- Popping pimples can lead to scarring, and it can also spread dirt, oil, and bacteria trapped in the pimple, which may result in new breakouts.
