There's never a good time for a pimple to pop up, which is why fast-acting acne treatments are key. There are a ton of awesome options, but treating the zit head on is one of the best ways to handle breakouts. Yes, pun intended.
Treatments are always the answer because, unlike Britney here, you should never, never, pop or pick at breakouts.
1. This Clearasil Rapid Action Treatment Cream uses benzoyl peroxide to kill the bacteria that causes acne.
Note that even though this is a cream, it is intended to be used as a spot treatment. Applying benzoyl peroxide all over your face would not only clear up acne fast, but also dry out your skin. Use it sparingly, y'all!
2. Sticker patches like these Acne Pimple Master Patch from Cosrx suck up the gunk that causes white heads to form overnight. So when you wake up, the breakout is flatter– AKA much more manageable.
There are a couple different brands that use this same technology, but these deliver results and wear comfortably.
Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $4.97.
3. Instead of using harsh chemicals, this Spot Treatment from Osmia Organics uses a potent blend of essential oils like lavender, lemon and cypress, to rid skin of zits.
One of my favorite things about this treatment is that it works (and works well) without drying out my skin out or further irritating it.
Get it from Osmia Organics for $22.
4. While blue light helps to penetrate the skin, red light reduces inflammation. Meaning this drugstore tool, the Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Treatment, uses both light therapies to calm down angry breakouts in minutes.
It may seem intense, but it actually only takes two minutes to do its job.
Get it from Amazon for $16.96.
5. Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment comes from a favorite French drugstore brand, La Roche-Posay. It uses benzoyl peroxide as well as Lipo-Hydroxy Acid to both target imperfections and exfoliate the skin, leaving you with a super smooth complexion.
It's quite effective, so only use once a day.
Get it from Ulta for $36.95.
6. This Murad Acne Spot Treatment is on the pricier end, but after just a drop or two a breakout is gone in mere hours — yes, hours. These fast results are thanks to its high amount of salicylic acid (the highest that's available over the counter).
Like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid is another effective ingredient by removing dead skin cells that clog pores and create unwanted breakouts.
Get it from Amazon $49.99.
7. I used to use a prescription retinol when I suffered from bad acne as a teen. When my prescription ran out, I had a hard time finding anything that truly gave me the same fast-acting results until this Differin Gel became available over the counter.
Do not use it as a spot treatment, though. You're meant to use about a pea-size amount spread out all over your face since it doesn't just reduce inflammation, but it also helps keep pores from clogging.
Get it from Amazon for $10.63.
8. Here we have Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers, another sticker option from a company that doesn't even specialize in skin care. These stick on so well that even the restless of sleepers will wake up with these still on.
These are actually satisfying to peel off in the morning, seeing all the gunk that it pulled out of your skin.
Get a pack of 36 from Amazon for $6.29.
