How to Reduce Acne Red Swelling

Most of us have had acne breakouts that caused the skin to become inflamed and red. Redness in acne is caused by inflammation, not scarring. The inflammatory response actually regenerates tissue and is part of the body’s normal healing response, but it’s annoying if the inflammation spreads all over the face for everyone to see. Fortunately, there are several home remedies that will help you reduce redness or hide spots until they heal.

Table of Contents

Use quick home remedies

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Apply ice to the pimple to reduce inflammation. Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean, thin cloth and apply it directly to the pimple. Stay like this for 5-10 minutes each session, repeating as many times a day as needed. Remember to let the skin rest for at least 2 hours before applying another round to avoid skin damage. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Do not apply too much force to the skin. Strong pressure can rupture the acne causing the skin to become redder and the bacteria to spread.

Laura Martin

Licensed Esthetician

Laura Martin is a licensed esthetician in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin
Licensed Esthetician

Do you know? Salicylic acid is present in most cleansers that contain the same anti-inflammatory ingredients as aspirin, so it is very effective at reducing redness and helping acne heal!

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Apply cucumber on acne. Cucumber is a natural cooling agent, and its mild astringent properties can help reduce redness. You can cut a thin slice of cucumber and apply it on the acne for 5-10 minutes. ^{[2] X Research Source}

For best results, use cucumbers that have just been taken out of the refrigerator. Cold cucumbers have a better anti-inflammatory effect than non-cold cucumbers.

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Make an aspirin mask to reduce redness. Mix 4-5 uncoated aspirin tablets with a little water to make a paste. Use a cotton swab to gently dab this mixture on the inflamed skin, then rinse when the mixture dries. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Do not use an aspirin mask if you are allergic to medication, are taking medications that may have drug interactions, or if you have a medical condition that cannot be taken with aspirin.

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Try a yogurt and honey face mask to reduce inflammation. Mix honey and whole white yogurt in equal proportions. Apply a thin layer of the mask to the inflamed areas of the face. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Apply a hot towel or warm compress to the pimple. While ice may provide temporary relief from redness, warm compresses provide long-term relief from inflammation. This treatment also helps open the pores, allowing sebum and bacteria to escape through the acne head. Apply warm compresses to the acne for about 10-15 minutes each time. Repeat the warm compress up to 4 times daily to heal acne. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

To make your own warm compress, dip a washcloth in hot but not too hot water. You can even use tea bags if you’ve just made tea.
Wash your face gently after applying the heat. Washing your face will help remove the oil and bacteria that are sucked out after the warm compress.
You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil or lavender oil to the gauze to reduce inflammation.

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Apply green concealer to cover blemishes. If you need to reduce redness around a pimple urgently, you can dab a little green concealer on it. Use a makeup sponge or brush to blend and cover with a very thin transparent layer. Green will neutralize the red color of acne. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Not all skin tones are suitable for green concealer. You will need to apply a little foundation or concealer that matches your skin tone.
Concealer can cover red acne but not high pimples on the skin. However, some concealers contain salicylic acid which can help with breakouts.

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Hide pimples with clothing or accessories. While clothes and accessories won’t really solve the redness, they will help you hide them. If you have a pimple on your body, you can use clothing to cover it. If you have acne on your face, try using accessories like sunglasses so people can’t see it.

If you have long hair, you can also style it in some way to hide your acne spots.

Using medical treatments

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Apply a topical medication that contains salicylic acid. You can find topical products containing salicylic acid at most drugstores. Apply the medication directly to the pimple. The acid will begin to dry out the oil and sebum in the acne area and reduce redness. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Topical medicine will take a few hours to a few days to completely cure acne, but the medicine will start to work to reduce redness quite quickly.

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Apply an acne cream containing benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide works to kill the bacteria in acne, and the redness caused by bacteria causes this cream to also help reduce redness. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Read the label on your acne cream to find one that contains benzoyl peroxide.

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Use eye drops as topical medication. Eye drops containing tetrahydrozpine hydrochloride are used to treat redness. This same ingredient can help reduce the redness associated with acne. Put a few drops of the medication on a cotton swab and dab it on the pimple to help clear it up. ^{[9] X Research Source}

You can also freeze a cotton swab soaked in eye drops overnight and dab it on the pimple. The cold will help reduce inflammation.
Eye drops are not effective in treating acne. It only helps reduce redness for a while.

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Use over-the-counter redness-reducing products. Many pharmacies sell redness-reducing creams and other topical medications. These products work to treat mild to moderate redness and limit skin discolouration within 12 hours. You should ask your pharmacist which product is right for you, especially if you have sensitive skin or are using other topical medications. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Popular redness products include Rhofade and Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Night Cream.

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Try hydrocortisone cream for temporary relief of redness. Although commonly used to relieve itching, hydrocortisone cream also helps reduce redness. You can dab a small amount of cream directly on the pimple.

You can buy 1% hydrocortisone cream from most pharmacies without a prescription. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Apply a clay mask to dry out acne. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of clay powder with just enough water to form a spreadable paste. Apply a thin layer of the mask to your face and wait for it to dry completely before rinsing it off with warm water. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the mixture before applying it to your face to increase the effectiveness of acne treatment. ^{[12] X Research Source}

You can buy clay powder at most drugstores, health product stores, or online.
Another alternative is to use a pre-mixed clay mask that is available at any cosmetic store or drugstore.

Prevent acne

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See a dermatologist if you have frequent breakouts. Acne can appear for many reasons, from hormonal to external environment. If you can’t control these factors on your own, see a dermatologist. They can help you develop a comprehensive acne treatment plan that may include diet and lifestyle, skin care routine and/or acne medication. ^{[13] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

Your doctor is the only one who can prescribe high-strength medications if over-the-counter medications and home remedies don’t work.

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Wash your face daily with a good quality cleanser. Washing your face daily will help remove dead skin, sebum, and acne-causing bacteria. Look for a cleanser formulated for acne-prone skin. Your doctor can advise you on the right cleanser for you. ^{[14] X Research Source}

You should wash your face 1-2 times a day. If you have makeup on, you need to wash your face at the end of the day to remove the makeup on your face. Try not to overwash, as this can actually trigger breakouts.
Don’t scrub too hard on your skin or use abrasive materials like loofahs or face towels to wash your face. Hand washing or facial scrubbing is best. When drying your face, you should use a soft towel.

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Use toner after washing your face. Use a cotton ball to apply toner all over the face. Toners will help remove dirt or cosmetics from the skin and balance the pH of the skin. Toners also work to shrink pores.

You can find toners at drugstores or cosmetic stores.

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Daily facial moisturizer. After washing your face, you should apply a moisturizing cream, gel or lotion. This helps to compensate for the natural moisture lost during the washing process. Even if your skin is oily or acne-prone, moisturizers can help reduce the amount of oil and sebum your skin produces and prevent breakouts. ^{[15] X Research Source}

There are tons of different moisturizers on the market, so it may take a bit of experimentation to find the right one. Look for moisturizers formulated to suit your skin type (oily, combination, etc.) for best results.
If you have acne-prone skin, look for a non-comedogenic product (which won’t clog pores). This product is specially formulated to not clog pores.

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Provides water to the skin. Moisturizer will help keep your skin hydrated, but you can do more. Some of the most effective steps are preventive care (including limiting exposure to dry and cold air), avoiding prolonged exposure to hot or chlorinated water, and avoiding alcohol-based skin care products. You should also make sure to hydrate your body both internally and externally. ^{[16] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Many doctors recommend that men drink at least 3 liters (13 cups) of water a day, and women drink 2.2 liters (9 cups). ^{[17] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
Use mineral water for facial skin during the day to provide water to the skin from the outside. If you live in a dry climate, you may want to include a humidifier for your skin care as well.

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Get the necessary vitamins. Although research is still ongoing, some vitamins are known to help fight inflammation and maintain healthy skin. ^{[18] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to the source} Common vitamins thought to help keep skin healthy include:

Vitamin A. Vitamin A is an antioxidant, which means it helps fight harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals can damage skin cells and accelerate the aging process. Foods rich in vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, squash, apricots, and cantaloupe. ^{[19] X Research Source}
Vitamin C. Vitamin C is required for the production of cplagen, the building block of the skin. Studies also show that vitamin C also has anti-inflammatory effects. Foods rich in vitamin C include guava, citrus fruits, kale, broccoli, kiwi, and strawberries. ^{[20] X Trusted Source Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute Go to Source}

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Exfoliate weekly. Exfoliation is the process of removing old, dead skin cells in the outermost layer of the skin. Exfoliating 1-2 times a week helps to remove dead skin cells that will eventually build up in acne, while stimulating cell turnover, leaving skin bright and healthy. ^{[21] X Research Source}

You should exfoliate after washing your skin but before applying toner.
Mechanical products like exfoliating cleansers and chemical products like enzyme wet wipes are widely available. However, if you have acne-prone, sensitive or aging skin, you should choose a chemical exfoliator, as the rubbing material can irritate or even injure the skin.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you should probably exfoliate 2-3 times a week.

Advice

Dermatologists do not recommend toothpaste to dry out acne. This ancient home remedy can irritate the skin and make it worse.
Also, although lemon juice is a common home remedy for acne, it can burn the skin, stimulate scarring and discoloration, and increase skin sensitivity to the sun. God.
Avoid breaking the pimple if possible.
If you really need to break a pimple, you must wash your hands thoroughly, then use a tissue to squeeze the pimple. Finally, dab an antibacterial cream on the acne to eliminate bacteria.
Hydrocploid acne patches can suck up broken acne.
Mix a few drops of tea tree oil into a face mask or moisturizer. It will help dry up the acne.

Warning

Breaking a pimple can lead to scarring, and it can also spread dirt, oil, and bacteria that build up in a pimple, which can cause new breakouts.

Steps

Use quick home remedies

Using medical treatments

Prevent acne

Advice

Warning

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