There are few things more frustrating than seeing a big pimple start to incubate and feeling helpless to its whims. We can see it a’brewing, we can feel the tenderness, the slight inflammation, a hint of redness, and all we can do is wait for Vesuvius to erupt and ruin a perfectly good day, week, fortnight. Right? Wrong-o! We’ve got some tips to shorten the lifespan of those obnoxious intruders, and in some cases, make sure they never truly see the light of day.
Detox Mask
Price: $60
Root Science
We suggest using a clay mask on your whole face weekly if you’re prone to breakouts, but we also like to use them as a spot treatment at the first signs of a blemish. As soon as a hint of tenderness appears, dab some green clay on your potential spot and leave it on for the duration of the mask, or longer, if you can. Since it’s not on your full face, it won’t dry you out. Green clay is amazing for pulling out toxins, and in this formula, we’ve got neem—a zit’s greatest nemesis.
Try dabbing a washcloth dipped in some hot water (as hot as is comfortable for you) on the area, repeating for several minutes. This brings blood to the area, which is a good thing (it will look pink, but only temporarily). Boosted circulation brings nutrients to the active skin cells, expediting healing before the pimple has time to develop. Follow with ice applied to the area to reduce redness and inflammation. Do this twice a day until your spot disappears.
Clean Greens Mask
Price: $34
Golde
Algae like chlorella and spirulina are rich in both minerals and chlorophyll, which is naturally detoxing. This mask isn’t drying like clay, but for extra moisturizing properties, mix it with honey. That way you can do this mask a few times a week to keep toxins at bay.
Also known as nature’s antibiotic, colloidal silver is incredibly antimicrobial. Use a facial mist with colloidal silver throughout the day to prevent further infection and future breakouts, and dab it on the spot in question.
Double cleanse … heck, triple it.
If you feel multiple breakouts forming, definitely don’t cut your cleansing ritual short, especially if you’re wearing makeup or going out wearing a mask. Start with an oil cleanse, and follow with a mild gel cleanser applied once, or even twice for a triple cleanse. If you normally splash water on your face in the morning, opt for another round of the gel cleanser until your potential spots clear. And don’t rush it! Massage your face with the cleansers for 60 seconds each time.
Best Skin Ever Seabuckthorn Cleaning Oil
Price: $31
Living Libations
Harness the power of essential oils.
Zippity Dew Dab
Price: $30
Living Libations
Melaleuca, rosemary, and blue tansy are just a few of our favorite pimple-fighting powerhouses, all under one roof in this robust blended spot treatment. Dab it on at the very first inkling of a blemish, and repeat on the spot till it’s gone. This stuff kicks ass.
It may be tempting to check on your impending zit’s status all day long by grazing your face with your fingers but um, hello, gross, stop it. Our fingers are truly disgusting (keyboards, doorknobs, cellphones, pets, etc.) and only exacerbate the problem, if not cause more of the same issue. Hands off, honey. We got this.
A sulfur overnight spot treatment.
Sulfur works similarly to benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid but is gentler on the skin. It helps to dry up excess sebum, and in most overnight treatments, it’s mixed with soothing calamine. Dab it on with a cotton swab before bed, and rinse in the morning.
Shop the Poosh-approved acne bundle:
Acne Bundle
Price: $100
Living Libations
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