Medically Reviewed June 2023, by Daron Seukeran, Group Medical Director, for sk:n. Next review due June 2024.

Up to 95% of the young adult population in the Western world are affected by spots. They are a part of a more serious and widespread problem called acne. Acne can affect the face, back and sometimes even the buttocks.

A spot occurs when the sebaceous glands at the surface of the skin become blocked. The sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance called sebum, which keeps healthy skin lubricated. The overproduction of sebum along with dirt, bacteria, dead skin cells and product build-up can clog pores, resulting in unwanted pimples or even acne.

Spots can also be caused by hormonal imbalances during the teenage years, when you are run down or when you are due on your period. Spots and breakouts often occur at the most inopportune times, such as when you have a date the next day or even later that evening!

To find out how to get rid of spots quickly, here are a few handy tips that you can use to calm the spot down and make it less obvious.

Salicylic Acid

This popular skin care ingredient is a type of BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) with exfoliating properties. It efficiently tackles both teen and adult acne by removing dead skin cells and regulating oil production. Derived from willow bark, salicylic acid also has anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it works to get rid of pimples gently, all while reducing redness.

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Glycolic Acid

If you suffer from long-term spots, you would benefit from some of the acne treatments on offer at one of the many sk:n clinics in the UK. If you are under their care, you are likely to have been given medicated creams containing glycolic acid.

Glycolic acid is part of the AHA family (alpha-hydroxy acids) and is very effective at reducing the appearance of spots, as it tackles the excess oil production which causes spots.

On the day the spot erupts, clean the area thoroughly and apply the glycolic acid cream twice a day. If your skin starts to feel dry, reduce the frequency to once a day. You should notice the redness and size of the spot start to reduce within a few hours.

Refrain from touching or squeezing the spot, as this will only aggravate it and increase the risk of scarring.

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Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO)

Similarly to salicylic and glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide is an exfoliant agent that kills the acne-causing bacteria in your pores. It works against most types of acne lesions, including blackheads, whiteheads and red bumps.

The main strength of this ingredient is that it doesn’t just slow down the damaging effects of acne, it attacks and kills the bacteria delivering quick results. This makes it particularly efficient if you want to get rid of pimples overnight.

One thing to bear in mind is that products containing high concentrations of BPO may over dry your skin and cause hyperpigmentation if used inappropriately. However, if you want to get rid of face spots fast ahead of your special occasion, this ingredient can deliver incredible results when used sparingly.

Apply a benzoyl peroxide cream on the affected area and let it dry. BPO can bleach your clothes, so be sure to treat the pimple after you’ve put your top on.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil or Melaleuca oil is a natural remedy derived from the Melaleuca tree indigenous to Australia, and is a fantastic antibacterial and anti inflammatory agent. Dilute one to two drops in water or a non-comedogenic carrier oil, and apply it to the spot using a cotton bud.

Apply it sparingly as it can sting, but it is very effective at reducing inflammation and spot redness in a few hours.

Makeup

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, spots will take their time to go away. In this case, having a good concealer at hand will save the day. Use a non-comedogenic concealer or high-coverage foundation to hide the spot without aggravating it.

Cream products tend to provide the highest coverage, however, liquid ones are just as good if you let the product dry for a few minutes before buffing just the edges into your skin.

Key takeaways

Acne and spots in general can be a real inconvenience ahead of a date or a big event. While there is no set guide on how to get rid of spots overnight, luckily, there are plenty of ingredients on the market to help solve your problem. Whether that’s through AHAs, BHAs, or an all-time favourite essential oil, you can easily minimise the appearance of pimples.

However, if you’ve been struggling with acne for some time, or you get a lot of sudden spots, over the counter products won’t be enough. Paying a visit to your dermatologist for an acne treatment is the safest solution to tackle the root cause of the issue, without causing extra damage to your skin.