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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- "Medical Journal of Australia"; A Comparative Study of Tea-Tree Oil Verses Benzoylperoxide In The Treatment Of Acne; I.B. Bassett, et al.; Oct. 15, 1990
- "Medical Journal of Australia"; A Comparative Study of Tea-Tree Oil Verses Benzoylperoxide In The Treatment Of Acne; I.B. Bassett, et al.; Oct. 15, 1990
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How to Get the Redness Out of a Pimple
Clearing away acne takes time, but you can reduce the redness so that a newly erupted blemish isn't quite so noticeable. The key to taking care of a blemish in the short term is to do so in a way that doesn't spread the bacteria inside the pimple to other locations on your face where they can take root. Because pimples are actually a form of infection, however, you'll also need to think ahead. Take measures to treat the underlying problem to prevent more unsightly bumps from popping up over the next few days and weeks.
Wash your face thoroughly with a mild, water-based cleanser. Avoid scrubbing your face; instead, wash by rubbing the cleanser on clean fingertips and making gentle circles on your face. Pat dry with a clean washcloth.
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Place an ice cube directly against the blemish for 10 to 15 seconds to constrict the blood vessels and reduce the swelling that causes redness. Alternately, dip a cotton ball in a small amount of redness-reducing eye drops, and press it directly against the red pimple for immediate redness reduction.
Destroy bacteria that cause pimples while also reducing redness and inflammation by applying a solution of 5-percent tea-tree oil. A 1990 study in the "Medical Journal of Australia" found that tea-tree oil is as effective as benzoyl peroxide, a common ingredient in acne medication, as a treatment for acne inflammation 1. You can make a tea-tree oil solution yourself by mixing the essential oil into aloe vera gel, almond oil or water.
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Use an over-the-counter product containing benzoyl peroxide as an alternative to a solution made with tea-tree oil. Talk to your dermatologist about which concentration is appropriate for you, since benzoyl peroxide comes in strengths of 2.5, 5 and 10 percent, and different strengths may be appropriate for different people. Benzoyl peroxide usually has more side effects than tea-tree oil, so some people choose to try it only if other methods don't help.
Tips
If some redness remains after trying these techniques, use a green-tinted concealer to cover up any remaining redness. If you have acne all over your face or if you encounter frequent outbreaks, talk to a dermatologist about topical solutions or oral antibiotics that can reduce the occurrence of acne.
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References
- "Medical Journal of Australia"; A Comparative Study of Tea-Tree Oil Verses Benzoylperoxide In The Treatment Of Acne; I.B. Bassett, et al.; Oct. 15, 1990
- The Beauty Bible; Paula Begoun; June 2002
- Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037
- Sevimli dikicier B. Topical treatment of acne vulgaris: efficiency, side effects, and adherence rate. J Int Med Res. 2019;47(7):2987-2992. doi:10.1177/0300060519847367
- Tan AU, Schlosser BJ, Paller AS. A review of diagnosis and treatment of acne in adult female patients. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2018;4(2):56-71. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.10.006
- Baldwin HE. Pharmacologic Treatment Options in Mild, Moderate, and Severe Acne Vulgaris. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. 2015 Sep;34(5S): S82-S85.
- Kim C, Craiglow BG, Watsky KL, Antaya RJ. Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Benzoyl Peroxide Resembling Impetigo. Pediatric Dermatology. 2015 Jul-Aug;32(4):e161-2.
- Mohammad TF, Burkhart CG. Acne therapeutics: a closer look at benzoyl peroxide. Skinmed. 2015;13(2):94-6.
- Veraldi S, Brena M, Barbareschi M. Allergic Contact Dermatitis Caused by Topical Antiacne Drugs. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology. 2015;8(4):377-81.
Writer Bio
Bridget Coila specializes in health, nutrition, pregnancy, pet and parenting topics. Her articles have appeared in Oxygen, American Fitness and on various websites. Coila has a Bachelor of Science in cell and molecular biology from the University of Cincinnati and more than 10 years of medical research experience.