How to Get Rid of Pimples Overnight: Fastest Solutions That Work

We’ve all experienced the dreaded pimple that suddenly shows up in the morning. Last night you had clear skin, but now all you see is an angry spot that won’t go away. It’s understandable to want to eliminate spots quickly, especially if you have an upcoming event or special occasion. 

Pimples are signs of clogged pores. Acne-causing bacteria, such as cutibactrium acnes, can sit on your skin overnight and slowly create spots due to inflammation. Of course, no one wants to experience this, so following the safest spot treatment is essential for healthy skin.

Discover ways to get rid of pimples overnight, along with the best ingredients for treating acne and tips for preventing spots.

If you experience painful acne that worsens over time, speak to your doctor. A medical professional can refer you to a dermatologist who manages spot treatments and diagnoses skin conditions.

How to Reduce Pimple Redness Fast 

Use an ice pack to reduce pimple redness fast. Coldness constricts blood vessels under your skin and decreases blood circulation to that area, which reduces redness and swelling. Make sure to wrap the ice in a cloth to prevent ice burns and damaged skin tissue. 

For many years, ice has been the go-to remedy for swelling and soreness. The numbing effect can also reduce painful spots, so it’s worth using an ice pack before bed and when you wake up.

Pimple patches are also effective for eliminating dead skin cells in the pimple. You should buy patches containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, as these ingredients work to unclog blocked pores. Put the small sticker on your spot and leave that for a few hours or overnight for better results. 

Best Ingredients for Overnight Pimple Treatment 

Even though you can’t get rid of pimples overnight, you can still reduce redness with some cleansing ingredients. Dermatologists will usually provide products that are most useful in clearing pimples. 

Here are some ingredients to use when treating a pimple overnight: 

#1 Benzoyl peroxide 

Benzoyl peroxide is an antiseptic ingredient that is found in most acne creams. It reduces the bad bacteria on your skin and removes excess oil. Doctors will often prescribe a cream-based acne treatment for pustules, papules, cysts, and nodules, as these are common types of inflammatory acne.

You can also get face washes to use twice a day and soaps for chest, shoulder, and back pimples. A medical professional will prescribe benzoyl peroxide treatment based on your skin health. 

#2 Salicylic acid 

Salicylic acid can help with skin irritation, redness, and swelling associated with acne. This beta-hydroxy acid will clear your pores by removing dead skin cells and regulating sebum oil production. You can find this ingredient in daily face washes, soothing gels, and serums.

#3 Tea tree oil 

Tea tree oil is an anti-inflammatory product that will reduce redness in hours. It has been known to help kill propioni acnes bacteria, which is a common type of bacteria that will clog pores and cause acne. Fewer bacteria on the skin means your body can heal the pimple without leaving a scar.

Dab a small amount of diluted tea tree oil on the spot and let that dry. You can cover the pimple with a spot patch to prevent bacteria from making it worse.

#4 Green tea 

Green tea extract is a natural substance that can reduce acne breakouts. This extract contains a compound called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which soothes inflammation. You should use this ingredient if you experience more inflamed, painful acne that won’t go away. 

To use this ingredient, mix a spoonful of green tea leaves with a cup of warm water. Allow the leaves to soak for five minutes before straining the water. Next, blend the leaves into a fine paste and apply the mixture to your face like a mask. You can do this once or twice a week to treat acne. 

#5 Copaiba oil 

Copaiba oil can deeply moisturize and hydrate your skin. Increased hydration can prevent dryness and inflammation from triggering acne. It may not target pimples directly, but it will soothe your skin and offer some pain relief. 

You can add a few drops of copaiba oil to a face cream and use that daily. 

#6 Sulfur 

Sulfur is known to dry out your skin, which might sound counterproductive. However, only applying this substance to each pimple will absorb excess oil and inhibit the growth of bacteria. 

The lack of germs on your skin can help pimples heal faster since your body doesn’t need to unclog more inflamed pores.

#7 Aloe vera 

Aloe vera is one of the best ingredients for soothing inflammation and pimple pain. It can also fight off bacteria that tend to clog your pores, so it’s worth pairing this ingredient with benzoyl peroxide for the best results. 

People who experience inflamed cysts usually get pure aloe vera gel and apply that to their face and body. 

How to Prevent Pimples: 5 Tips for You 

Making changes to your diet and skincare routine could prove useful in treating acne. Sometimes, the food you eat can influence how your body responds to pimples, so creating more healthy habits is essential. 

Below are some ways you can prevent stubborn pimples:

#1 Take zinc supplements 

Zinc is a powerful mineral that can help treat acne. It has anti-inflammatory properties and skin-healing benefits that reduce the redness and swelling of spots. You can take zinc supplements every day to help prevent pimples. 

There are also nutrient-dense foods containing zinc. Some foods include oysters, lamb, hemp seeds, lentils, grass-fed beef, and oatmeal. Incorporating these foods into your meals could reduce the number of acne breakouts.

#2 Take a fish supplement 

A fish oil supplement could do wonders for your skin. These supplements can decrease inflammatory acne, reduce redness, and eliminate tenderness. People who experience cysts may benefit from taking fish oil, as cysts tend to be sore and angry due to inflammation. 

#3 Clean your skin regularly 

Washing your face twice daily is essential for clean skin. During sleep, your face rubs against a pillow that is probably swarming with bacteria. Not cleaning that bacteria off your skin in the morning can result in a painful pimple or few. 

Throughout the day, you will touch your face and come into contact with dirty surfaces, making an evening cleanse just as important.

#4 Take care of your personal hygiene

It might be an obvious tip, but looking after your personal hygiene can warn off bacteria that love to clog your skin. Sometimes, you might not have the energy to shower or clean your hands, but it’s important to maintain these habits when preventing and treating pimples. 

Some ways of improving personal hygiene include to:

• Wash your hands often with soap or antibacterial gel 
• Avoid touching things outside, such as handrails and restroom doors
• Disinfect your phone to prevent bacteria from clinging to your face 
• Shower once a day to wash off germs
• Trim your nails to prevent bacteria buildup 
• Change your bedding once a week 

#5 Limit your dairy intake 

Research suggests that a high dairy intake can increase the risk of acne. This is because cow’s milk is known to mess with your androgen hormones and cause hormonal fluctuations, which leads to more breakouts. However, the research is mixed, so aim to limit dairy for a week and see if that makes a difference. 

You can also try dairy-free products, such as oat milk, almond milk, plant butter, vegan cheese, and organic cultured yogurt. 

FAQs

Conclusion

There isn’t one solution that will eliminate a pimple overnight. The only way to treat acne is to use skincare products containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or tea tree oil. It’s also beneficial to wash your face twice daily and take zinc supplements to help reduce inflammation. 

For more guidance on treating acne and soothing sensitive skin, consult with a professional dermatologist.