How to Get Rid of Acne in a Week

• Over-the-counter topical treatments containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or adapalene can quickly target pimples and reduce their appearance.
• Icing the pimple or visiting your dermatologist for a cortisone injection can also help reduce inflammation fast.
• If acne persists, consider long-term changes, like eliminating foods that cause acne flare-ups, or working with a dermatologist to come up with a treatment plan.

Medical & Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Acne Fast

Try over-the-counter treatments. Over-the-counter topical creams or face washes can quickly target acne. When looking for an OTC treatment at the store, make sure to choose a product that has an effective active ingredient, like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Here’s a breakdown of ingredients to look for: Benzoyl peroxide kills acne-causing bacteria and unclogs pores. It’s a good place to start, since it has a high success rate and works quickly. Look for a benzoyl peroxide topical cream, spot treatment, or face wash at your local pharmacy. Salicylic acid can help unclog pores, shrink pimples, and reduce redness. Salicylic acid topical treatments and face washes are available at most pharmacies and drugstores. Adapalene gel (Differin) is a topical retinoid that's available OTC at the strength of .1%. It helps unclog pores and prevent future breakouts, but it can cause some irritation and dryness at first, so be sure to use a non-comedogenic moisturizer with it. Alpha hydroxy acids remove dead skin cells and reduce inflammation. These ingredients are present in products like The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution. Sulfur has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Products like Mario Badescu Cleansing Lotion C and ProActiv Skin Purifying Mask contain sulfur as an acne-fighting ingredient. Pimple patches are also great OTC options if you’re trying to target one pimple in particular. They usually contain one of the above ingredients to zap away the pimple quickly.

Use multiple products to combat the varying causes of acne. This may be an especially effective option if you're dealing with an intense breakout. For example, many people find it effective to use a salicylic acid face wash, followed by a benzoyl peroxide cream. This powerful combo can help cure existing breakouts, while preemptively stopping future ones. Be careful not to overdo it. There is a slight chance that using both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can make acne a bit worse before getting better. Start out slow, use low dosages, and reduce your use of the products if you notice any irritation.

Try icing your pimple. If your pimple is particularly swollen, icing it can temporarily decrease inflammation and soothe pain. When the blemish is less red and inflamed, it will likely also be less noticeable and easier to cover up with makeup.

Visit a dermatologist for a cortisone or antibiotic injection. If it’s the day before an important event and you need to get rid of your pimple ASAP, consider a trip to the dermatologist. They may be able to inject the pimple with cortisone or an antibiotic, which can visibly reduce the appearance of your pimple in 24 hours.

Try green tea extract. Many lotions contain green tea extract, a derivative of green tea leaves. It can be effective in combating mild to moderate acne breakouts. Look for lotions with 2% green tea extract. This method works best in teens and adolescents suffering from mild acne. If you're older or your acne is severe, you might want to try another option.

Use aloe vera. Aloe vera is a plant species that is used in small amounts in many gels and creams. It can be effective when it comes to fighting acne. Aim for a 50% aloe vera gel and combine it with a conventional acne drug. Studies show using aloe vera alongside other medications is significantly better than using other methods alone. Use the amount of aloe vera gel recommended on the bottle, and don’t over-apply it, as this might result in skin irritation. Aloe vera can work fast, but this is not always the case. It can sometimes take up to 8 weeks to see the full results.

Try tea tree oil. Tea tree oil's main benefit is that it has fewer side effects than benzoyl peroxide cream, and it may eliminate acne more effectively in the long run. However, it takes significantly longer to have an effect. While it might be great for a long-term cure, it may not be the best option if you need your treatment to work right away. Tea tree oil can cause contact dermatitis if you have an allergy. If you notice that your symptoms are worsening, cease use. Always dilute tea tree oil with another oil, like olive or almond oil, if you do choose to use it. Tea tree oil should never be taken orally, and can be particularly harmful to children if taken by mouth.

Use creams containing bovine cartilage. Bovine cartilage is a substance found in a cow's body that provides structural support to the bones. When extracted, it can be a quick and powerful acne cure. Look for creams that contain 5% bovine cartilage. These can usually be found at department and health stores. Apply the creams twice daily for optimal results.

Lifestyle Changes to Get Rid of Acne

Follow a skincare regimen at home. Though it may take several weeks to see the full effects, it’s still a good idea to start a good face care routine right away. You may start to notice improvement quickly, and you’ll be setting yourself up to prevent future breakouts, too! Here are some tips: Wash your face twice daily (once in the morning and once at night) with a gentle cleanser. Use the OTC treatment of your choice, such as a benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or adapalene topical cream or gel, and apply the product as directed. Moisturize with an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer. You might be afraid to do this if you have oily, acne-prone skin, but moisturizer is essential if you’re experiencing any dryness or irritation from your topical treatments. Stick to your new routine, and don’t try to switch things up if you don’t see results right away. Most treatments take several weeks to fully work, and switching products too much can cause increased irritation and breakouts.

Switch to oil-free, non-comedogenic products. Using make-up or hair products that have high oil contents can lead to breakouts. Go through your cabinets and identify any substances that may be worsening your acne, and consider replacing them with non-comedogenic options. If you wear make-up, look for water-based or mineral-based products, rather than oil-based ones. Look for oil-free brands of sunscreen that are identified as "non-comedogenic” on their labels. Try to look for hair products that are labeled as oil-free or non-comedogenic, or pay extra attention not to get them on your face when applying them to your hair.

Consider eliminating any foods that may be causing acne flare-ups. Dairy in particular may trigger breakouts for some people. If you think dairy products may be a factor in your acne, consider cutting back on them or eliminating them from your diet for a period of time. For example, if you notice that you tend to wake up with a new pimple after eating foods like ice cream or cheese, try abstaining from these foods for a few weeks. If you start to break out less, you may have found the culprit! Chocolate is often listed as a potential cause of acne, but the link has not been well established, and further study is needed. However, if you're hoping to cure your acne fast, it might be better to err on the side of caution and cut back on chocolate.

If your acne is severe and persistent, see a dermatologist. Sometimes over-the-counter treatments aren’t enough to fully cure acne. If you aren’t noticing improvement after a few weeks, or if your acne is particularly severe, a dermatologist can help. A dermatologist will be able to determine the type of acne you have (hormonal, fungal, nodular, cystic, etc) and pick the treatment that will be most effective. They may recommend topical treatments like tretinoin (prescription-strength retinoid) or antibiotic creams. They may also prescribe oral medication, like isotretinoin (Accutane), oral antibiotics, or medications that address any hormone imbalances.

What Not to Do

Don't pick at your acne. You might be tempted to try to pop your pimple, but squeezing and prodding it can actually make things worse. It may make your pimple more irritated, swollen, and red, and it can even lead to infection and scarring.

Don’t over-wash or scrub your face too harshly. Oftentimes, people assume poor hygiene has caused their acne and respond with heavy washings. This irritates the skin, making existing acne more apparent and increasing the risk of infection. Stick to gentle washings twice a day with a mild soap or an acne cleanser. On the same note, avoid harsh astringents like alcohol or witch hazel. These products will likely irritate your skin further, which actually worsens your breakouts.

Don’t overdo it with the OTC treatments. Begin with low doses, and be on the lookout for any skin irritation, as side effects like redness and dry skin can occur. Until you know how your skin will react to a product, it's best to keep dosages low and start out slowly.

Try not to stress out about your acne. This is easier said than done, but it’s super important. Stressing about acne can easily make it worse, since stress hormones have been linked to breakouts. So, if you feel your cortisone levels starting to rise, pull yourself away from the mirror and try to calm yourself down with a relaxing activity, like meditating or journaling.