How to Get Rid Of A Blind Pimple Overnight

The more sinister cousin of the classic glaring red zit, blind pimples are a kind of acne that develops deep beneath the skin, often causing soreness and swelling. Because they emerge in the subepidermal layers, many do not know how to get rid of under the skin pimples. They have a reputation for being harder to treat than other kinds of blemishes. 

Here’s the good news: like most acne that pop up on our skin, these result from a mixture of dead skin, bacteria, or sebum clogging the pores. This means they may be responsive to proper skincare treatment—yep, even overnight [1] 

Contending with a blind pimple comes down to three points of action: not adding more fuel (bacteria) to the fire (the pimple), reducing inflammation, getting rid of dead skin, and treating the blemish. Below, we cover how to get rid of a blind pimple fast by breaking down the process step-by-step.

#1 Don’t Squeeze

Longtime acne sufferers know this mantra, but it’s even more important for blind pimples. These blemishes are buried so deep below your skin’s surface, picking at them can lead to [2]:

• Acne scarring
• More noticeable acne
• Bacterial infection
• Pain and inflammation

We carry a lot of acne-causing bacteria on our hands that you don’t want on your face—especially not in the open wound you’ve created by picking your zit. Moreover, rather than extruding matter that led to your pimple in the first place, trying to pop the affected area can sometimes push its contents deeper. This can cause your skin to double down in its inflammatory response, resulting in more swelling, soreness, and a less-than-happy complexion.

The bottom line: If you have a blemish that really does need to be popped, try to have it done at a dermatologist's office.

#2 Use Cold and Heat to Reduce Inflammation

Want to know how to make a pimple less red while reducing swelling and pain? The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using the following home remedy as an acne treatment: 

1. Wrap an ice cube in a paper towel and hold it to the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes. Take a ten-minute break, and then repeat this process.
2. Next, use an antibacterial product like benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil to kill the bacteria causing your skin to inflame [3] 
3. When your pimple is healing, you may begin to see a whitehead appear. When you do, apply a warm compress by soaking a clean washcloth in hot water. Hold it to the spot for 10 to 15 minutes and repeat a few times a day.

When used alongside other products and tips, combining cold and hot compresses to reduce inflammation is one of the best at-home remedies for quelling a blind pimple quickly.

#3 Use Blind Pimple-Busting Ingredients

To cure painful blind pimples fast, you’ll want the right ingredients in your corner. Look for these three in your skincare formulas:

• Antibacterial ingredients like tea tree oil and sulfur fight the source of the pimple by killing infection-causing bacteria.
• Anti-inflammatories like green tea, licorice root, or pomegranate extract. These topical treatment ingredients help assuage inflammation that’s leaving your skin swollen.
• AHAs and BHAs – AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) are powerful exfoliants that help fight oil overproduction and keep your skin from getting overwhelmed by pore-clogging sebum [6]. Some AHAs to keep an eye out for are glycolic acid and mandelic acid. BHAs like salicylic acid (which is found in willow bark extract) is also frequently found in acne-fighting skin cleansers.

One note: while these ingredients can clear your skin, people with particularly sensitive skin types can become increasingly sensitive to sunlight [6][7]. Be sure to use a non-comedogenic daily moisturizer with SPF when you’re out in the sun.

Tips for Preventing Blind Pimples

Even after your blind pimple has vanished, how do you ensure a similar acne breakout doesn’t come back? Practicing these habits can help maintain your clear skin and prevent cystic acne, like blind pimples, from cropping up:

• Use non-comedogenic cosmetics
• Remove your makeup at the end of the day
• Avoid skincare products that contain alcohol, which can overly dry out skin
• Do your best to avoid touching your face
• Wash your hair regularly and keep it away from your face (these can spread oils from your scalp to your complexion)

Finally, creating a targeted skincare routine, including using a daily facial cleanser and a moisturizing night cream, is foundational to achieving overall skin health (no matter what issues rise to the surface in the future).

With PROVEN, Skincare Gets Personal

Waking up with an unwanted pimple before a big event may be a universal experience, but no two faces are the same—and the way you take care of your skin should be personal. 

At PROVEN Skincare, we want to get to know you and your skin on the deepest level so you can reveal skin that radiates from the inside out. We curate custom skincare routines for every individual, featuring powerful, clean formulas made for your skin and your lifestyle.  

To start, take PROVEN’s skin quiz to discover which key ingredients can help you progress toward your skincare goals.