Overview

Your skin is breaking out, and you want to get rid of your pimples as quickly as possible. No at-home remedies will make your zits vanish overnight, but some can help them clear up more rapidly. Acne products with a higher concentration of medicated ingredients can irritate your skin, but a dermatologist can determine which products are best suited for your complexion and the severity of your pimples.

Identification

Pimples pop up when skin cells and oil get lodged in your pores and block the openings. Once your pores are clogged, the bacteria that live inside them begin to multiply rapidly, and this leads to the inflamed pustules that characterize acne. Your blemishes may be mild to severe, and their intensity can fluctuate with your hormones, stress levels and exposure to oil-based products.

Function

Remedies that effectively get rid of pimples will contain medications such as salicylic acid, which sloughs off dead skin cells and unclogs your pores, or benzoyl peroxide, which kills acne-causing bacteria. You can find these medications in cleansers, lotions, creams and gels. When you use them twice a day and in conjunction with one another, they can clear your acne more rapidly, says Acne Net.

Technique

Wash your face with a benzoyl peroxide cleanser both in the morning and at night. Dry your skin, and then apply a salicylic acid lotion to your entire face, not just on top of your pimples. Avoid any products that are oil-based, as these can clog your pores, and products that contain alcohol, which can dry out your skin, leading to flaking and potentially making your acne worse. Such products can also inhibit the efficacy of your pimple-fighting treatments, according to Acne Net.

Misconceptions

Scratching or popping your pimples will not get rid of them faster, and it can cause your skin to scar and may put you at risk for infections. Similarly, harsh exfoliants and scrubs can irritate your skin and make acne worse, as can washing your face more than twice a day, unless directed to do so by a dermatologist.

Considerations

Your skin may require several weeks of treatment before you experience satisfactory results, according to DermNet NZ. Your face may also look slightly red or become irritated when you first begin using acne products, and this typically subsides after two weeks. If you feel that your pimples require a stronger treatment, ask your doctor about prescription-strength products or antibiotics.