How to Get Rid of a Zit Overnight

Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: January 28, 2022 References Approved

A zit popped up out of nowhere at the worst possible moment, and now you're panicking. Worry not, follow these tips when you’re in a pinch and need to minimize a pimple or pimples as quickly as possible!

Nurse Practitioner Luba Lee gives some best practices: "There are many ways to help get rid of zits. Try eating well, staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, and avoiding excess sugar in your diet to make noticeable changes to zits."

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting Rid of the Pimple

1
Try sea salt. Mix a teaspoon of sea salt with two tablespoons of warm water. Then use a Q-tip to apply the salt water directly to the pimple. Do not rinse off. The sea salt will kill bacteria and dry out the pimple.^{[1]
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2
Try some benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that contribute to pimples. Benzoyl peroxide comes in different concentrations, but benzoyl peroxide with a 2.5% concentration is just as effective as 5-10% formulations, and it's less irritating to the skin. Benzoyl peroxide also helps peel away layers of dead skin, leaving brighter, rejuvenated skin in its place.^{[2]
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- The greatest improvement will be seen overnight.
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3
Use salicylic acid. Like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid kills bacteria responsible for pimple growth. It also causes skin cells to shed more rapidly, promoting the growth of new skin. Put small amounts of salicylic acid onto affected areas. After you have washed your face.^{[3]
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4
Try tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is an antibacterial essential oil that can blast the microbes that have started to make a home inside of your pores. With a dropper, dab a Q-Tip with a bit of tea tree oil and apply to pimples as needed, being careful not to put on too much.^{[4]
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- Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can make the redness and size of the pimple less noticeable.
5
Crush some aspirin. Crush an aspirin tablet and add just enough water to make it into a paste. With a Q-Tip, lightly coat the pimple(s) with the aspirin paste. Cover the pimples entirely and let dry. Aspirin is another anti-inflammatory, meaning it will help the skin fight against inflammation, making the pimple less visible. Let the aspirin paste fight the pimple overnight.^{[5]
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6
Use astringents on the affected areas. Astringents are agents that cause the skin to contract or get smaller. Some pharmaceutical astringents contain antimicrobial ingredients that will help fight the pimple in addition to reducing the size of the pimple. Here are some astringents to consider using:^{[6]
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- Store bought astringents. These come in different types and sizes. Look for one that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Ask for astringents that are gentle on the skin.
- Natural astringents may also work in a pinch. They include:
  - Lemon juice. The citric acid here kills the bacteria that cause acne and act as a skin-tightener. Many people swear by it. Slice a lemon and gently rub it over the affected area. Use a toner afterwards to balance the PH of your skin. Lemon is very acidic and can mess up your skin's PH which is why a toner is necessary.
  - Banana peel. Banana peels are helpful in treating insect and mosquito bites, and may be helpful in reducing the size of some pimples. Gently rub the banana peel over the affected area.
  - Witch hazel. Another great astringent with a ton of applications. Look for witch hazel that doesn't contain alcohol. Apply a small bit over affected area and let dry.
  - Green tea. Green tea is an astringent that's packed with lots of antioxidants, which help reduce signs of aging by fighting free radicals. Steep a tea bag in some hot water, remove the tea bag along with all the liquid, and place onto affected area briefly.
7
Use egg oil. Egg oil is effective in removing zits and preventing scars.^{[7]
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- Wash your hands with soap or use a sanitizer before using egg oil.
- Gently massage egg oil with your fingertips on the affected area twice a day until the scars disappear.
- Wash it off after an hour with a mild face wash.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Reducing the Redness

1
Put ice on the affected area. This should bring down the swelling, as it slows down blood flow to the area. Either apply ice directly to the pimple or cover it in a thin layer of gauze or towel.^{[8]
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2
Use eye-drops on the affected area. Some makeup experts claim that eye drops, at least the ones that reduce redness in the eyes, can be helpful in reducing redness and signs of irritation in acne. Drop a few eye-drops onto a cotton swab and apply as necessary onto the pimple(s).^{[9]
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- Because cold also helps reduce inflammation in acne, place the Q-Tip soaked in eye-drops into the freezer for an hour before applying. The cold Q-Tip will soothe as it reduces inflammation.
3
Try some natural antihistamines. Antihistamines suppress the swelling effect in the skin tissue of people. Most of these remedies can be ingested in pill form, but some can be consumed as tea or used as a topical agent. These should offer a reduction in redness. Natural herbal antihistamines include:^{[10]
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- Stinging nettle. This may sound weird, because touching nettles in the wild can produce a rash not unlike small pimples. Some doctors, however, recommend taking a freeze-dried preparation of stinging nettle, which is known for its ability to reduce the amount of histamine the body produces.^{[11]
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- Coltsfoot may be effective as a natural antihistamine. Europeans have a long history of using the plant to cure skin conditions. The leaves can either be ground up into a paste or coltsfoot extract can be ingested in pill form.
- Basil may also work as a natural antihistamine. Heat a couple sprigs of basil leaves up under some steam and apply gently to the hives. Basil may help reassure the body that the foreign agent causing the hives is not something it should be fighting.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

General Tips

1
Wash your face twice a day. Try to wash your face twice a day. Remember to be gentle when handling with your face and don't use a dirty towel or anything else dirty when washing your face: acne is caused by bacteria, which are found on dirty towels.^{[12]
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- Use a facial scrub once every week to help exfoliate. Exfoliate means wiping off the top, dead layer of skin, called the epidermis. Doing this once a week is healthy.
- Moisturize after every wash. Your skin is an organ in your body, too. Like your kidney, it needs moisture to be healthy. Give it the moisture it needs after each wash.
2
Don't touch your face. Try not to touch your face — consciously or unconsciously. Your hands are dirty things, vectors for bacteria. The less your hands meet your face, the happier your face will feel and look.
3
Work out. Exercise is a great way to get rid of acne. When you exercise you relieve stress. Stress is thought to contribute to acne, although doctors are still not sure how.^{[13]
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- Find a healthy way to relieve stress and anxiety through exercise. Join a sports team, go to the gym, or push yourself through a daily exercise regimen. All will help your skin look clearer.
- After you've done your exercise, shower immediately. When you exercise, you sweat. (At least if you exercise correctly, you will sweat.) Grime, salt, and dead skin cells all accumulate after vigorous exercise.
4
Cut back on sweets. Minimize the sugar in your diet to keep your skin looking its best. Sugar can cause increased inflammation and lead to new pimples or worsen breakouts. Candy, chocolate, and full-calorie soda are all good foods to cut back.^{[14]
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5
Don't drink. Alcohol may worsen the effects of acne. Drinking alcohol may worsen acne. Alcohol dehydrates your body, leaving it deprived of essential water. And alcohol contains lots of sugars, which may be connected to acne growth. Either way, if you want to play it safe, consume less alcohol and see how your body reacts.Just drink lots of water.^{[15]
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6
Don't pick at your pimples. Don't pop them, pick at them, prod them, itch them, scratch them, or otherwise touch them unless applying a medicine or remedy. Doing so will only make the redness and inflammation worse. It's easy to say but hard to do. If you don't pick at them then it will minimize scarring and ultimately get rid of the pimple a lot faster.^{[16]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I get rid of dark spots

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

There are lots of things you can try to see what works for you. Apply a salicylic acid toner after cleansing your face with a benzoyl peroxide cleanser. Start using a vitamin C serum, too, which helps to lighten up your skin. Alternatively, you can use retinol cream at night which will help to increase cell turnover and lighten your dark spots. If you find you like retinol, you can get a stronger retinol prescription from your primary care doctor or dermatologist. Remember to apply sunblock daily as sun exposure makes your dark spots and acne scars darker.

Warnings

Lemon juice can irritate sensitive skin.

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Benzoyl peroxide can have some side effects, such as redness and mild swelling on the face, so be sure to test it first before applying it all over the face. Most common with sensitive skin.

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