We’ve surely all been there: You go to bed with clear skin, only to wake to find a smattering of pimples in your t-zone. Well, before you declare a bad skin day, take a good hard look at your beauty routine. Those products you’re using to clean off and moisturize your skin? They may be the very reason you’re seeing a zit eruption. You probably need to include acne remedies that prevent blemishes and dry up existing ones. Check out our guide to making your pimples disappear—today and always:
Revamp Your Cleanser
Since some acne is caused by a build-up of grease and grime in pores, make sure your cleanser is both oil-free and noncomedogenic (which won’t block pores and promote blackheads). And while you may think that drying up the oil entirely is the best way to prevent pimples, it’s not. An overly-drying cleanser with alcohol will actually signal to your oil glands to speed up oil production (to make up for the loss of oil) and actually bring on blemishes.
Make Your Moisturizer Work
Skin that’s prone to breakouts needs moisturizer, for sure, but one that inhibits acne and buildup in your pores. Look for a light, oil-free lotion with salicylic acid to loosen up clogged pores. You also should apply a night cream with retinol, which gently exfoliates dead skin cells and keeps your skin looking clear.
Size Up Your Spot
Got a red, pulsing pimple? You need the superhero of acne remedies—a 10% benzoyl peroxide solution, which is the highest concentration you can get over-the-counter. If your pimples aren’t as bad, use a 2% salicylic acid spot remover, which is a bit gentler. Either way, apply a dot by dabbing the zit with a cotton swab to prevent bacteria from spreading to other parts of your face.
These are a few of our quick acne remedies for light breakouts. Do you have any other ones you like to use? Let us know in the comment section.