There are many facial washes, toners, creams and sticks for helping with pimples, whether you have acne or your problem is just a few isolated pimples. But how to get rid of pimples overnight, when the massive Eiffel tower blemish decides to grace your face just before a wedding, a first date, a photo shoot or an important party?
These tips are primarily meant for a quick elimination of one or a few unruly pimples. If acne is a chronic problem for you, you should consult a dermatologist or ask a pharmacist for over-the-counter treatments.
All of these treatments may occasionally cause skin irritation, so proceed carefully and try them out on a single pimple first.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial oil from the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), which despite its name has nothing to do with tea the beverage. Many cosmetic products contain tea-tree oil, but you can also buy the oil from many pharmacies and health food stores. Dab a Q-tip in it and apply it on pimples.
The efficacy of tea-tree oil can further increased by hydrocortisone cream, which is available over-the-counter in many countries. Hydrocortisone is an an anti-inflammatory drug and the combination of an antibacterial and an anti-inflammatory is extremely effective for eliminating pimples.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of those Martha Stewart remedies that are recommended for just about everything - but not without a reason, as it really is a multi-purpose miracle remedy. Besides removing unpleasant odours, baking soda can also make for a cleaner skin.
If the problem is just a single awful zit, you can dip a moist Q-tip in baking soda and smear it over the blemish. After 30 minutes, rinse the area. You can also wash your whole face with baking soda, but note that it is extremely drying for the skin and you should use a good moisturizer afterwards.
Be careful not to accidentally use baking powder instead of baking soda, as it tends to irritate the skin.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is an old home remedy for pimples, and many people find it very effective. It is best used for those inflamed pimples that look like it just needs to grow a little bigger and you can conveniently pop it out of its misery.
To apply toothpaste, take a dab of it on your finger and spread over the pimple. If you have tea-tree oil, you can apply it first. For best results keep it on overnight (toothpaste dries into a dry putty that should not stain your pillow). If you need to pop the zit afterwards, wash your hands carefully before and afterwards or use a needle sterilized in a flame or by disinfectant.
It is unknown which ingredients in toothpaste actually fight acne, but many of them contain silica derivatives and zinc compounds which may be helpful. The actual results obviously depend on the brand of toothpaste, and market brands may work better than all-natural ones.
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