Buzz
Many people face this frustrating situation – the night before a date, concert, wedding, or any major event, a large red pimple suddenly appears, making it difficult to hide. The redness on or around the pimple indicates inflammation and irritation. Resist the urge to squeeze or pick at it, as this will only worsen the irritation and spread redness to other areas of your face. Instead, consider using natural remedies or over-the-counter treatments to reduce redness and confidently attend your event.
Steps
Use Natural Remedies
Apply raw honey to the pimple. Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent natural remedy to reduce skin redness. Look for pure, raw honey for the best results.
- Dip a cotton swab or ball into the honey and dab it onto the pimple. Leave it on for about 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Avoid scrubbing the area when washing off the honey. You can repeat this process as often as needed.
- You can also try mixing honey with cinnamon or turmeric powder, then applying the mixture to the pimple with a cotton swab. Turmeric and cinnamon have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Be aware that turmeric may leave an orange tint on your skin; test the mixture on the inside of your wrist or behind your ear before applying it to your face.
Use ice to reduce swelling and redness. Applying ice to the pimple can help minimize swelling and redness, similar to icing a sore muscle. You’ll need ice cubes and a clean cloth for this method.
- Wrap the ice in the cloth and apply it to the pimple in 20-minute intervals. Apply for 20 minutes, then take a 20-minute break before repeating. You can repeat this process as often as needed.
Try using cucumber slices. Cucumber is a natural cooling agent that works wonders for the skin. Its astringent properties can help reduce swelling and redness. For this remedy, use chilled cucumbers by refrigerating them beforehand.
- Place a thin slice of cucumber directly on the pimple, with or without the peel. Leave it on for 5 minutes or until the slice warms up, then replace it with a fresh, cold slice. Repeat as desired.
Apply witch hazel or apple cider vinegar. Both witch hazel and apple cider vinegar have astringent properties, which can help reduce swelling and redness. These products are available at health stores or cosmetic counters.
- Use a cotton swab to apply witch hazel or apple cider vinegar to the pimple and let it dry. You can apply this multiple times a day or leave it on overnight.
- Discontinue use if your skin becomes irritated after application.
Use lemon juice. Lemon juice is an effective antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. For best results, use fresh lemon juice.
- Apply 1-2 drops of lemon juice to a cotton swab and dab it onto the pimple. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Repeat 3-4 times daily with a fresh cotton swab.
- Lemon juice has mild acidity, which may cause a slight stinging sensation. It also has bleaching properties, so avoid sun exposure immediately after application. The bleaching effect may lighten the pimple but could also leave a white spot on your skin.
Try applying aloe vera. Aloe vera is a herbal remedy long used to soothe and heal inflamed or irritated skin. Its astringent properties also tighten the skin as it dries. You can extract fresh gel from an aloe vera leaf or purchase aloe vera products from health stores or online.
- Use a cotton swab to apply aloe vera gel to the pimple. Let it dry, then rinse with warm water. Apply pure aloe vera twice daily.
- If using fresh aloe vera, store the leaf in the refrigerator to preserve the gel for future use.
- Do not ingest aloe vera. Consuming it may cause diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, and impaired kidney function.
Use Medication
Apply eye drops. Redness-relief eye drops contain tetrahydrozoline, a compound that constricts blood vessels. This can reduce blood flow to the pimple and quickly diminish redness, though the effect is temporary.
- Place 1-2 drops of eye drops on a cotton swab and dab it onto the pimple.
- Note that this remedy is short-lived, typically lasting no more than an hour, so it’s best used right before or during your special event.
Use aspirin. Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which helps reduce inflammation and redness on the skin. Ensure you use uncoated tablets, as they need to be dissolved for topical application.
- Mix 2-3 aspirin tablets with a teaspoon of water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the pimple, let it dry, and then rinse off with warm water.
Try a topical salicylic acid treatment. Over-the-counter products containing salicylic acid can also be applied to the pimple to reduce redness. Salicylic acid comes in gel or lotion form. Apply a small amount directly to the pimple and leave it on overnight.
- Look for products with 0.05-1% salicylic acid and a pH of 3.0–4.0. Use 2% salicylic acid for stubborn pimples. Salicylic acid is also found in cleansers, but it’s most effective when left to dry and absorb into the skin, making toners, gels, or lotions more effective than cleansers.
- You can find salicylic acid treatments at pharmacies or cosmetic counters. Many major brands include salicylic acid in their skincare products.
Reduce the Redness of the Pimple
Conceal the pimple with makeup. If natural remedies and medications don’t work, you might need to use makeup to cover the pimple. A concealer can be applied to make the blemish less noticeable.
- Apply foundation and/or tinted moisturizer to your face, followed by a serum or moisturizer on the pimple. This step helps hydrate the surrounding skin and reduce redness.
- Use concealer to draw a small X over the pimple. You can use the applicator stick from the concealer or a small brush. Outline a circle around the X, then gently tap the concealer into your skin with a clean fingertip. Dab the concealer on and around the pimple (avoid rubbing).
- Next, apply foundation to set the concealer. This helps the concealer stay in place on the pimple.
Use accessories to divert attention from the pimple. You can also wear eye-catching jewelry like necklaces or earrings to draw attention away from the pimple on your face. Choose accessories that complement your outfit and direct focus to other areas, such as your ears or neck.
Get a good night’s sleep. You can also help reduce the appearance of the pimple by getting a full night’s rest. Your skin will be less swollen and irritated after at least 8 hours of sleep.
- Remember to cleanse and moisturize your face before bed to prevent further irritation overnight. You can also apply a salicylic acid product to the pimple and leave it on while you sleep.
