5 Spot Treatments to Calm Stubborn Acne Fast

Even with a solid post-workout skincare routine, which is cleanse, hydrate, SPF, I still get the occasional unwelcome visitor. For me, it’s almost predictable! I’ll power through a sweaty workout, feel amazing, and then the very next day, bam! A fresh pimple, right on schedule.

I admit it took me a while to realize that simply sweating can clog pores and cause breakouts. But it takes very little for an acne spot treatment to make them go away! The right formula can flatten swelling, reduce redness, and calm acne fast! Here’s the lowdown!

An acne spot treatment is a highly concentrated solution made with active ingredients that are proven to work on acne. Some of the most common ingredients used in them are salicylic acid, sulfur, and benzoyl peroxide.

Each of these active ingredients has a different way of working on pimples, which allows you to choose a formula that’s best suited for your skin type and needs.

Spot treatments also come in different forms, such as a leave-on liquid formula, a pimple patch that adheres to the skin and is removed the next day, and like an ointment/gel that works overnight.

Again, you can choose based on preference and what kind of pimple you’re dealing with. You absolutely do not need to let that pimple run its course! Below are some of the most effective ones I’ve ever had to try.

1. Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask

This can be used as an acne spot treatment, but also as an overall face mask. It’s made with sulfur, zinc, and salicylic acid. So it works by absorbing oil, calming inflammation, and drying that flared-up bump! Just squeeze out a tiny amount and put it on the pimples, and then rinse with water. This takes about 20 minutes to really calm inflammation, which goes to show you that you don’t even need an overnight product to get a handle on stubborn acne and reduce its intensity.

2. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

If you can afford to sleep on that pimple, you can try a leave-on formula like this. This is a cult favorite solution, and it’s basically a liquid you apply to the problem area, and the acne is very likely to calm down the next day, so much so that it’s not gonna bother you anymore. This is especially helpful when you’re breaking out left and right, and you need something consistently effective until your skin clears up.

3. Kate Somerville EradiKate 10% Sulfur Acne Treatment

This is a very similar formula but with a higher concentration of sulfur. 10% goes straight for stubborn breakouts, drying them out fast while zinc oxide chills out the redness. So if you don’t have sensitive skin, this is the better option to calm and minimize that stubborn acne. This doesn’t need a whole night to get that blemish to calm down.

4. Paula’s Choice Extra Strength Skin Clearing Treatment

Speaking of not having sensitive skin, this one is made with 5% benzoyl peroxide, the most effective anti-acne ingredient you can slather on those red dots. It’s a gel formula that quickly dries out inflamed acne. This is more of an ointment-type product, so it’s best to use it at night instead of under makeup during the day.

5. Peace Out Early Stage Acne Dots

This might look like a gimmick, but pimple patches are surprisingly effective. Each patch adheres snugly to your skin and delivers salicylic acid and niacinamide directly to the spot. So you really zero in on those pimples without potentially drying out the rest of the face!

Know Before You Buy

If this is your first time trying a spot treatment, I feel you. Breakouts are frustrating. Here’s what to keep in mind so you pick a formula that works without turning your skincare routine upside down.

1. If you don’t have sensitive skin, go for a formula that is made with benzoyl peroxide. It works the fastest! If you do have sensitive skin, stick with sulfur and salicylic acid to avoid sensitizing your skin or causing peeling around the pimple.
2. It’s always a plus to have some sort of anti-inflammatory/soothing ingredients in the formula, too. This helps so much with reducing the visible redness around the pimple. Allantoin, oatmeal, and green tea work great!
3. Even if there are makeup-friendly products, don’t bother. Trust me, nastier formulas that look or feel too ugly to use during the day usually work the best. Use them in your evening routine!
4. The lighter the formula, the more effective it is. That means liquids work the best as they absorb fast. So if you don’t have a lot of time, go for liquid solutions instead of creams.
5. If your problem is more skin-wide, consider supplementing your spot treatment with a good skincare routine. Incorporate exfoliating cleansers and toners, clay masks, and a salicylic acid cleanser into your routine to clear up congested skin.

How to Use

1. Always apply the spot treatment on your clean, dry face. No skincare or makeup!
2. If it’s liquid, dab a cotton swab into the bottle and gently put it on the problem area. You don’t need to drench the pimple with the solution; this amount is enough.
3. For creams, get a tiny amount on your clean pinky and gently put it on the pimple. Remember to wash your hands after.
4. For patches, make sure your skin is clean and dry so that the patch adheres to the skin better.
5. Whatever product you’re using, make sure to check the instructions for how long to leave the product on and how often to use it.
6. Using too much product or leaving it too long on the skin might cause irritation or dryness that looks like flaky skin.
7. Active ingredients can make your skin prone to sunburn, so remember to wear SPF daily.