Is It Possible to Treat an Acne Breakout Overnight?
When your face breaks out in acne the night before an important event, tailor your basic skin-care routine for quick healing. Acne-prone skin requires products that deeply cleanse to eliminate bacteria while soothing inflammation. Treat your skin before bed to reduce the visibility and discomfort of a breakout overnight.
Start with Salicylic
Cleanse your skin with a salicylic acid-based cleanser. Salicylic acid does double duty by exfoliating the skin and soothing inflammation. It breaks apart pore-clogging bacteria without causing the breakout to spread. To intensify your cleanse routine, pour a quarter-sized amount of cleanser onto a natural-bristle face brush. Massage it into damp skin using a circular motion for two minutes while avoiding the eye area. Rinse your face with cool water to close your pores, and pat it dry with a paper towel to prevent the transfer of bacteria.
- Cleanse your skin with a salicylic acid-based cleanser.
- Rinse your face with cool water to close your pores, and pat it dry with a paper towel to prevent the transfer of bacteria.
Clear Out with Charcoal
Is There a Natural Way to Reduce Overactive Sebum Glands?
Learn More
Use a charcoal face mask to draw out deeply embedded impurities 7. Charcoal acts like a magnet for oil and buildup, working in less than five minutes to dry out breakouts and prevent those about to surface. Smooth the mask over your face, avoiding your eyes, nostrils and mouth. Allow it to sink in until it feels slightly tacky, but not completely dry. Rinse the mask off with warm water, and use a clean cloth to remove any stubborn patches.
- Use a charcoal face mask to draw out deeply embedded impurities 7.
- Smooth the mask over your face, avoiding your eyes, nostrils and mouth.
Banish with Benzoyl
Target spots with a Benzoyl peroxide spot treatment. Benzoyl peroxide quickly eliminates bacteria in blackheads, whiteheads and red blemishes. It exfoliates deep within the pores to prevent buildup. Wash your hands with soap and water, and pat a thin layer of Benzoyl peroxide gel onto blemishes with your fingertip. Avoid rubbing the spot, as the gel will sink in on its own. Only apply Benzoyl peroxide during breakouts -- not on clear skin -- as it has a drying effect.
- Target spots with a Benzoyl peroxide spot treatment.
- Only apply Benzoyl peroxide during breakouts -- not on clear skin -- as it has a drying effect.
A Soothing Sleep
How to Get Rid of Pimples Without Scarring
Learn More
Set yourself up for a good skin day by preparing your sleeping environment as well as your skin. Tie your hair up and wrap it in a scarf to prevent oils and product buildup from irritating your skin. Change your bedding to a clean set to avoid transferring bacteria onto your clean skin while you sleep. Wash your bedding without fabric softener, which leaves behind a pore-clogging residue. Use a pillowcase made of natural fabric, as it breathes better and doesn't trap oil as easily as man-made fabrics.
- Set yourself up for a good skin day by preparing your sleeping environment as well as your skin.
- Change your bedding to a clean set to avoid transferring bacteria onto your clean skin while you sleep.
Related Articles
References
- Cosmopolitan: How to Get Rid of and Prevent Acne
- Teen Vogue: Acne Agony? Here's Your Complete Guide to Getting Rid of a Breakout
- Marie Claire: How to Stop Breakouts
- Teen Vogue: Salicylic Acid vs. Benzoyl Peroxide: How To Decide Which Acne Fighter Is Right For You
- Cosmopolitan: Tea Tree Oil For Acne
- Michelle Phan: DIY Anti Acne Honey-Cinnamon Mask
- Allure: The Right Way to Use a Clay Face Mask
- Total Beauty: How to Cure Sleep Acne
- Teen Vogue: Newsflash! Charcoal Is Amazing for Oily Skin—and Here's Your Rock-Solid Shopping List
- Kawashima M, Nagare T, Doi M. Clinical efficacy and safety of benzoyl peroxide for acne vulgaris: Comparison between Japanese and Western patients. J Dermatol. 2017;44(11):1212–1218. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.13996
- 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
- Mills OH, Kligman AM, Pochi P, Comite H. Comparing 2.5%, 5%, and 10% benzoyl peroxide on inflammatory acne vulgaris. Int J Dermatol. 1986;25(10):664-7. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1986.tb04534.x
- Baldwin HE. Pharmacologic treatment options in mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. 2015 Sep;34(5S):S82-S85. doi:10.12788/j.sder.2015.0162
- Mohammad TF, Burkart CG. Acne therapeutics: A closer look at benzoyl peroxide. Skinmed. 2015 Mar-Apr;13(2):94-6.
Writer Bio
Celeigh O'Neil has been writing professionally since 2008. She has a Bachelor of fine arts from the University of Ottawa, as well as degrees in fashion illustration/design, digital arts and certification in hair and makeup artistry. O'Neil was a frequent contributor to Toronto's "Dialog" newspaper and has worked as an instructional writer, creating lessons in fashion, art and English for students of all ages.