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Good news for those who are acne-prone: how to get rid of pimples effectively and quickly is easier than you might think. So when a surprise breakout strikes out of nowhere (because they do love to pop up in the most inopportune moments), no need to panic. There are a few ways to treat—or at the very least decrease its appearance—it.
Some things to note before jumping into those quick acne fixes. The first step you should take is to "identify the zit," says New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD. There are many types of pimples, and New York City-based dermatologist Hadley King, MD, breaks them into three categories: comedonal acne, which includes whiteheads and blackheads, inflammatory acne such as red pimples, pustules, and larger cystic acne lesions, and nodulocystic acne, the deep inflammatory cystic acne lesions. Once you identify what type of acne you might have, you’ll get a better timeline of the healing process.
According to Shereene Idriss, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Idriss Dermatology, how long a pimple takes to heal depends on what type you’re dealing with. “Whiteheads and blackheads typically clear up in a few days to a week, while papules and pustules can take one to two weeks,” Idriss says. “Nodules and cysts, which are deeper and more severe, can last for weeks or even months.” But with proper treatment and a proper skincare routine, she says you can help speed that up. Below are the six fool-proof ways of getting rid of a pimple fast.
Look For Acne-Fighting Ingredients
A topical solution might be your best bet for an easy and effective treatment, and you’ll want to be sure to look for products that contain known acne-fighting ingredients. Three of the most common ones include:
Salicylic acid is one of my favorite ingredients because it penetrates inside the pores to unclog them, reduce oil, exfoliate, and reduce inflammation,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD. King agrees and explains that because salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid, it will dissolve the bonds that hold dull, dead skin cells on the skin’s surface so that the skin will gently shed and reveal smoother, brighter skin underneath. “This is a great ingredient for people with oily and acne-prone skin, and particularly for treating and preventing comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads),” she says.
Henry recommends using something like Kiehl’s Acne Moisturizer, which contains salicylic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to treat breakouts and support your skin barrier. We also like the Inkey List’s Salicylic Cleanser or Mara Beauty’s Clear Skin Mineral Milk with 2% salicylic acid.
Idriss says that benzoyl peroxide is great for killing the acne-causing bacteria and reducing the inflammation that comes with flare ups. King adds that it also helps prevent and clear out clogged pores. We like something like the Sofie Pavitt Reset Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Mask and PanOxyl’s Acne Foaming Wash. For those with sensitive skin, she recommends looking for micronized formulations, as those will cause less irritation to the skin (and stabilize the molecule so the shelf life can be longer as an added bonus).
King explains that retinoids increase cell turnover and reduce dead skin cells and other debris to clog pores. She adds that it also helps treat discoloration and reduce healing time. She recommends over-the-counter or prescription adapalene, tretinoin, or tazarotene.
Other ingredients you can turn to include sulfur, which King says has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties (she likes the Face Reality Sulfur Spot Treatment). Fusco advises prepping the area with a warm, wet towel to "soften and open up the blood vessels." Next, dab on an antibacterial cream like Neosporin to kill any bacteria causing the irritation and once it s dry, the pro suggests applying hydracortisone right over it.
Try An Acne Patch
Acne patches, a.k.a. hydrocolloid patches, can help absorb excess fluid and impurities, promoting faster healing, says Idriss. She recommends a classic like Hero Cosmetics’s Mighty Patch Original Acne Pimple Patches. We also love the CosRx Acne Pimple Master Patch or the ZitSticka Killa Deep Zit Microdart Acne Pimple Patch.
Get a Cortisone Shot
Yet for a quick universal fix for all types of deep breakouts, Fusco recommends swinging by your dermatologist s office for a swift cortisone injection. "It gets working immediately," she says, "within 24 hours, the zit is gone." King agrees and calls it the “most effective spot treatment.” She recommends this for an inflamed acne lesion, particularly if you’re dealing with cystic acne.
Home Remedies
Contrary to popular opinion, swiping toothpaste over a zit isn t the household item you want to use in a pinch. “They’re not formulated to be used on the skin, so they’re likely to disrupt the skin barrier and cause irritation,” says King. “Which can then mean that the pimple may take longer to heal, and there will be an increased risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.” In an emergency, "take a little Pepto Bismol to the spot" Fusco says, "it will really dry out [the pimple] out fast."
Never Pop a Pimple
No matter what those TikTok videos claim, all experts caution against doing this one thing: popping a pimple on your own. It will make it so much worse. “Never pop or pick pimples, which can lead to scarring and post-acne marks,” says Dr. Henry. “And more pimples.”
Avoid Harsh Ingredients
Henry recommends avoiding ingredients like alcohol may overdry your acne-prone skin, which will cause more acne breakouts. Comedogenic ingredients, such as heavy oils or waxes, will congest pores and exacerbate oily skin, she says. And if your first instinct is to turn to your trusty exfoliators to clean those pores, be careful of overdoing it. Idriss says over-exfoliating can irritate the skin and make your breakouts worse.
Prevention Is Key
The best way to treat a pimple is to prevent it from popping up in the first place, which is pretty easy to do when you use the right skincare products with the right ingredients. “If you have acne-prone skin, consistent use of ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retinoids,” says Idriss. “And even niacinamide is helpful in your weekly routine to keep your acne at bay.”
