Scenario:
You have a big meeting or red-carpet-worthy event to attend tomorrow.
Too bad there's a red pimple about to rear its ugly black head. It
happens…to celebs, too. Unlike the stars, however, you probably don't
have a celeb dermatologist on call to give that bugger a cortisone shot,
which shrinks papules, nodules or cysts in 24 hours.
Instead,
your over-the-counter acne cream has one night to work its magic. Don't
get in its way—here's how to get the most out of your spot treatment
while you sleep.
"Acne treatments vary—from prescription to over-the-counter spot treatments—so the usage instructions will vary as well," said Dr. Howard Murad.
"At night your skin switches into a time of repairing and recovery from
all the daytime aggressors, so it's the optimum time for a treatment."
But
how do add the product into your normal nighttime skin-care routine?
Make sure to use the spot treatment after washing your face, instead of
after your products, as to not dilute the formula. "To avoid a layer
between the treatment and the affected area, we recommend applying the
treatment directly to the blemish followed by a moisturizer," said the
skin pro. "A night moisturizer is always recommended to keep skin
hydrated and help repair the skin overnight."
Sometimes,
however, you may wake up with a dry, flaky patch of skin. And
attempting to camouflage it with makeup is only going to make it worse.
"Skin typically dries out and becomes flaky if the product being used
has harsh ingredients, stripping the skin of hydration," noted Dr.
Murad. "It is always important to make sure you are using the proper
cleanser and moisturizer in your regimen that having calming and
soothing ingredients. Licorice root, for example, soothes irritation and
inflammation caused by acne."
La Roche-Posay Effaclar
Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment, $36.95
Renée Rouleau
Anti Cyst Treatment, $45.50
That zit might not be gone coming morning, but at least it'll be smaller.
How do you combat pesky pimples?
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