How to get rid of pimples safely?Updated a year ago
Whether you have a single pimple or a nasty breakout, here are the steps to getting safely rid of them, to speed healing and prevent future breakouts.
1. Cleanse
Keep your skin clean to remove excess bacteria and oils that’ll prevent acne treatments from penetrating. If you’re already using leave-on anti-acne products, opt for a gentle cleanser with a low pH, in order to facilitate a more resilient skin barrier.
You can also opt for a treatment cleanser with ingredients that will help target your blemishes, like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or glycolic acid (which you can find in our double AHA cleanser). When used in a cleanser, these ingredients can reduce breakouts over time. Because they wash off, they’re less likely to irritate your skin, so they’re ideal for regular use as part of a preventative approach.
2. Spot treat
Most spot treatments can help get rid of pimples by encouraging skin cell renewal, largely through chemical exfoliation. They help the skin push out the damaged and pore-clogging cells, allowing for faster healing and a lower risk of pigmentation.
Salicylic acid is the most common ingredient for this purpose since it is oil-soluble and gentle. Salicylic acid is ideal for blackheads and whiteheads since it can exfoliate within the pore. Retinoids can also help - they trigger skin renewal in a slightly different way, encouraging new cell proliferation deeper within the skin. They might be a better option for pimples deeper within the skin.
Finally, benzoyl peroxide is another very common treatment, but it can be quite drying and irritating to the skin. It kills the acne bacteria very effectively without causing resistance, so it’s often recommended for moderate to severe acne treatment. While we’re big fans, we find that its antibacterial effect often does more for long-term prevention than short-term pimple treatment.
3. Protect with a pimple patch
If you have pustules or popped pimples, applying pimple patches will protect the skin and create a better environment for healing. They don’t come off easily, and their smooth surface helps prevent picking or popping.
There are even microdart patches that combine acne treatments like salicylic acid with tiny spikes that lightly puncture the pimple while keeping it sealed. Hydrocolloid-based patches are ideal for small, surface-level papules and pustules, while microdart patches are great for slightly deeper acne.
If you do use a pimple patch, remember to apply it to untreated (but clean!) skin. Applying pimple patches over active acne treatments can occlude the skin too much, potentially leading to skin damage, while applying them over moisturizer can prevent adhesion.
That said, be very careful when removing pimple patches. The stickier the pimple patch, the likelier it is that it will irritate your skin when you remove it, leaving your blemished areas looking a little more red.
4. Keep moisturizing
There’s a misconception that depriving pimples of moisture will help them fade. In reality, those with acne-prone skin often experience higher rates of transepidermal water loss.
When the skin is dry and dehydrated, it has a harder time shedding dead skin cells or resisting bacterial infection. This can directly contribute to pimple formation. In other words, don’t skip moisturizing!
Keep your skin strong and hydrated with a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer like Water Lock. It's a phenomenal option thanks to its perfect blend of breathable, lightweight occlusives that keep water in the skin without promoting bacterial proliferation.
5. Be consistent
Finally, even when you have a bad breakout, it’s important to stay gentle and consistent with your skincare routine. Don’t change your products on a daily or weekly basis just because there’s a breakout. The only exception is your spot treatment or pimple patches.
That’s not to say you should keep using products that break you out. It’s important to reevaluate your skincare routine every few months to make sure it’s still working for you, but taking a single breakout as a sign to change everything is often a recipe for disaster.