How to Reduce Swelling and Redness caused by Acne

Acne is something that few people can avoid in life, but you don’t necessarily have to endure these red swollen monsters for months. Applying ice is a simple way to reduce swelling in the short term, but there are many other home remedies you can try right now. Here are 13 effective ways to quickly get rid of red and swollen acne spots.

Table of Contents

Ice

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Wrap an ice cube in a towel for short-term acne treatment. Apply ice to the pimple so that only the towel touches the skin and leave it for 5-10 minutes. The cold will constrict blood vessels under the skin, helping to reduce redness and swelling. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Acne patch

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Stick this product on the acne for a few hours. Acne patches will draw out the pus and help the acne heal faster. You can buy this product at drugstores as “hydrocploid tape” (which is cheaper), or “acne patch” (which sometimes contains medication to treat deep and painful acne). Whichever type you use, you need to wash and dry the skin around the pimple and stick it on. The patch will absorb the dirt in a few hours. You can leave the patch like that for up to 12 hours. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Concealer

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Use cosmetics to cover acne . Apply moisturizer, then cover blemishes with a thin layer of concealer that matches your skin tone. Apply a matching foundation to the rest of your face and blend concealer with foundation using a clean brush or sponge. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

If that doesn’t work, try using a color correction product. Green or yellow tones will help neutralize the redness of the acne.
It is also a good idea to use hypoallergenic cosmetics when you have acne.

Green tea

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Try green tea lotion or used green tea bags. Green tea applied to the skin has an anti-bacterial effect that causes swelling and redness. Lotions with green tea extract as one of the main ingredients are probably the most effective, but if that’s not available, you can apply a cool, wet green tea bag to your acne. Repeat this once a day. ^{[4] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Crushed Aspirin

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Try this folk remedy if you have aspirin on hand. Crush an aspirin into a powder, add a few drops of water to form a paste, then dab it on the pimple with a cotton swab. There’s not a lot of proof that this method works, but you can try it because it’s easy. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Do not try this therapy if you are less than 12 years old; otherwise, acne will begin to appear because of skin irritation (for example a hair band). ^{[6] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

Tea tree oil

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Dab tea tree oil cream on acne. Look for a cream that contains 5% tea tree oil and dab the spots with a cotton swab. This is one of the most promising natural remedies, but like all acne medications, it takes time to work. Repeat daily to help skin heal. ^{[7] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

If you’ve never used tea tree oil before, it’s a good idea to do a skin test on your arm first to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
You can buy pure tea tree oil and use a food scale to dilute it yourself. Each 1 g of tea tree oil will be mixed with 19 g of vegetable oil (do not use water). Jojoba oil is a good choice due to its anti-inflammatory properties (while other oils can clog pores and make matters worse). ^{[9] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Honey and Cinnamon

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This method is not very effective but safe. A drop of honey, especially when mixed with cinnamon powder, is an easy and cheap acne remedy. Both of these foods have anti-bacterial effects. ^{[10] X Research Source} While it’s not a miracle cure for acne, it does make a difference. ^{[11] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

If you have a pollen allergy, you should use a honey mask or other skin care product that contains honey. These products use pollen-filtered honey, so they are hypoallergenic. ^{[12] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source}

Face mask

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Buy a hydrating acne mask. It’s best to buy a basic product with an alpha hydroxy acid ingredient. (This ingredient may be listed as AHA, glycpic acid, or lactic acid.) ^{[13] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} These products are somewhat cheaper and gentler than strong face masks containing lemon juice or other luxury products with unfamiliar and unknown ingredients. proven – it’s a win-win. ^{[14] X Cleveland Clinic Trusted Source Go to Source}

Test a new product by dabbing a little behind the ear and letting it sit for 1-2 hours to see if any adverse reactions occur.
If you are applying the mask near your eyes, protect the sensitive area by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline cream).
Clay masks containing jojoba oil seem to work well for some people. Try applying a mask 2-3 times a week to your entire face or just to the acne-prone areas. ^{[15] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Benzoyl peroxide

Gentle face wash

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Wash your face twice a day with warm water. Wash only the acne-affected skin area and gently wipe it with clean hands. Washing your face too often, scrubbing or using a rough towel are all factors that make acne worse. ^{[18] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

You also need to wash your skin after sweating.
An oily scalp can also cause breakouts to appear around the hairline. Washing your hair regularly can help keep your hair from greasy quickly.
You can also wash your face with a mild cleanser. Some cleansers contain salicylic acid or glycpic acid, which helps open pores and reduce breakouts.

Skin moisturizing

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Moisturize your skin if you are treating acne with harsh treatments. Many acne medications like benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, aspirin, and a few others can dry out the skin. It may sound a little strange, but moisturizing your skin can actually help keep acne at bay. You can apply moisturizer after washing your face daily or when your skin feels dry. ^{[19] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

Look for a moisturizer that says “oil-free”, “non-comedogenic”, or “won’t clog pores”.

Change your diet

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Try cutting back on sugar and dairy. It’s not a well-researched topic, but it seems that many people get rid of their acne by eating foods with a low glycemic index (i.e., eating less sugar and simple carbs), and cutting down on dairy. Try using this method for a few weeks to see if it works. ^{[20] X Research Source}

These foods do not include all dairy products – cheese and yogurt do not appear to be affected. Skimmed milk (skim milk) is most associated with acne; so even switching to low-fat or full-fat milk can help.

Use hypoallergenic cosmetics

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Try switching to hypoallergenic cosmetics. Sometimes, cosmetics are the cause of pimples. Try switching to fragrance-free, hypo-allergenic cosmetics for a few weeks. ^{[21] X Trusted Source DermNet NZ Go to Source}

There’s a long list of ingredients that can cause breakouts, but the most common culprit is fragrance, followed by preservatives like parabens or methylisothiazpinone.
Even hypoallergenic cosmetics can cause problems. If you suspect a cosmetic product you’re using is causing your breakouts, see a dermatologist or allergist. They can help you choose the right cosmetics.
Don’t forget to remove makeup before going to bed. ^{[22] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}

Advice

Avoid touching your face with your hands or fingers. The skin is naturally oily, so when you put your hands on your face, the oil from your hands can stick to your face and clog pores.
If your acne doesn’t improve after a few weeks of treatment, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist. Some forms of acne are difficult to treat and respond only to prescription medications and lotions.
Most of us have acne at some point, so don’t panic over something everyone goes through.
Do not try these therapies at the same time. Combine 1-2 methods and wait 1-2 weeks to see if it works. It is not good to use a lot.
Once a whitehead has formed, a warm (not too hot) towel will help the pimple heal faster (but may be temporarily redder). Apply a towel to the acne every 10-15 minutes. ^{[23] X Research Sources}

Warning

Toothpaste is not a good choice for acne. Yes, toothpaste can kill bacteria, but it also has ingredients that can damage the skin. Your doctor can prescribe medication that is much more effective if over-the-counter medications don’t work. ^{[24] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}
Avoid exfoliating dead skin cells when you have a breakout. Exfoliating products irritate the skin and can make breakouts worse. ^{[25] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}
Serratiopeptidase, a drug marketed as an anti-inflammatory acne medication, is not approved by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) and there is no evidence that it works. ^{[26] X Trusted Source Science Direct Go to Source} The Thai FDA has recalled this product from the market due to these concerns. ^{[27] X Research Source}
Red-eye medications such as Visine are not intended for use on the skin and can be dangerous to use near your mouth and accidentally swallow them. It is best not to test this drug for acne. ^{[28] X Research Sources}

Steps

Ice