Best way to banish spots overnight as toothpaste should always be avoided
Unless you are super lucky, most of us are familiar with getting a spot or two.
As cold temperatures and storms continue to batter Britain, some people will be experiencing more breakouts. While in summer many of us are glowing from soaking in plenty of sunshine and Vitamin D, cold weather can cause conditions such as acne to worsen, and our skin can often become drier and lacks hydration.
Plus off the back of heavy eating and drinking at Christmas, many of us will be sufffering the aftermath on our skin. Unfortunately, spots aren't solely confined to our hormonal teenage years.
While there are endless pimple creams and patches on the market, there are a number of simple remedies you can try at home. But, be aware that a number of 'DIY' solutions can actually do more harm than good.
Let's take a look at some of the do's and don'ts when it comes to preventing spotting skin.
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Don't squeeze
Dermatologists do this all the time because they have the tools for the job. You probably don't. Using your fingers to squeeze out that nasty pus puts you at the risk of infection, and may mean your skin takes longer to heal. This could lead to scarring. And that's a lot harder to conceal than a zit.
If you do want to get a handle on self-squeezing, try a Tweezerman No Slip Tool, which has a sort of metal noose which will exorcise your blocked pores when you apply a small amount of pressure.
Go easy on the make-up
You should be washing your face as a matter of course every night anyway. If you do wear make-up though, be extra thorough when removing it - and try and give your skin a break for a day if you're experiencing a flare-up.
If you're not keen on this, then try to use mineral makeup on your skin rather than oil-based products, which can actually cause these break-outs in the first place. A good indicator for acne-safe products are when they are labelled as hypoallergenic.
Toothpaste on spots
Many homemade spot remedies do more harm than good. Toothpaste has evolved since this urban myth began telling us how it can dry pesky spots out.
Many toothpastee brands now contain ingredients and fragrances which can irritate or dry out your skin, dermatologist Dr Doris Day tells Good Housekeeping.
The same applies to other more homespun solutions - like lemon juice (ouch), a spritz of perfume, even Windolene or vinegar. Simply put, all of these may have more of an adverse affect on your skin.
Crushed aspirin
It's not just handy when you have a headache. Aspirin, with its anti-inflammatory properties, can be useful when your skin goes a little rogue.
This is because aspirin is a derivative of salicylic acid, and it can soothe a pulsing, red zit much in the same way it can soothe a painful headache, dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe tells Seventeen. Take a couple before bed-time.
Hydrocortisone
Sudocrem can help with aggravated spots or dry skinNow, while cortisone injections are a thing, they're hardly the most practical or inexpensive measure out there. The next best option is hydrocortisone cream.
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A topical steroid, it's used in its various forms on nappy rash and insect bites - and it can help reduce the swelling and redness of your spots too. You may have some in your bathroom cabinet. If not, other antiseptic creams like Sudocrem or Savlon can help make the zit less angry.
Warm or cold compress
Both of these work in different ways. A warm compress or steam bath will help bring all that grot to the surface. Then, once the spots appear, apply a treatment like tea tree oil or hydrocortisone cream. A cold compress is good for existing pimples as it will help with the swelling, redness and soreness.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is like a skincare miracle worker. You can use it on insect bites - and even less savoury conditions, like athlete's foot.
It's also a known "cure" for spots and blemishes too. There are a wealth of products containing it, but if you want to apply some in its most concentrated form, "Dilute it at first, because some people are too sensitive to use it straight up," Dr. Bowe cautions. Simply use some on use a cotton wool pad or cotton bud before you go to bed.
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