How to Treat Inflamed Acne

Acne is an irritating skin condition caused by trapped oil and debris on your skin. When your facial pores become clogged with oil, bacteria on your face leads to acne breakouts. Acne can quickly become inflamed, causing painful, large red bumps on your skin. If you suffer from acne-inflamed skin, you can see a dermatologist to discuss your treatment options or use over-the-counter products to fight the redness and inflammation at home.

Apply ice topically to inflamed acne breakouts. Hold an ice cube against the pimple for a few minutes to numb the pain and reduce redness.

Wash your face with a cleanser that contains salicylic acid. This will unclog your pores and help clear up inflamed acne breakouts. "Glamour" magazine suggests letting your cleanser sit on your face for a minute before rinsing. This will help the acne-fighting properties of the cleanser soak into your skin.

Apply a topical acne treatment to inflamed outbreaks. "Allure" magazine recommends using a cream that contains benzoyl peroxide, which kills acne-causing bacteria on your skin. You can purchase a spot acne treatment that contains 2.5 to 4 percent benzoyl peroxide at any drugstore. Be sure that your skin is dry before applying the treatment to prevent irritation.

Use cortisone cream to soothe and reduce redness caused by inflamed acne. You can use cortisone daily directly on your breakouts until the acne marks disappear completely.

Wear sunscreen when you go out. Protect your already inflamed skin by applying sunblock to your face every time you go outside. Sun exposure can cause acne marks to become darker and more noticeable.

Exfoliate weekly. Use an over-the-counter exfoliating system, which you can find at drugstores, to remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores, which lead to acne outbreaks.

Hide your breakouts with a concealer. "Glamour" magazine suggests using an oil-free concealer that is a bit paler than your skin tone. Using a concealer can make your inflamed acne outbreaks less noticeable.

See a dermatologist. Your doctor can give you a cortisone shot directly into your inflamed pimples that will help the breakouts shrink and become less irritated.

Tips

If you moisturize your skin, switch to an oil-free moisturizer to keep excess oils off your face and prevent clogged pores.