How to Put a Pimple in its Place (i.e off your face)

Okay, so the rhyming was totally by accident, but I have to admit I’m a little proud. But not as proud as I am for discovering a way of saying sayonara to those little zits which have a habit of popping up just when you don’t want them.

I mean, let’s face it – there is never a good time to have to deal with a pimple/breakout/blemish; BUT these little guys want to crop up THE VERY DAY BEFORE an important meeting/date/partay, and what are you meant to do? Balaclava up that face? Heck no! You’re going to show those little tinkers whose boss.

So pimples tend to make their appearance on numerous occasions, whether it’s that time of the month, you’ve had a stressful week, or you haven’t been able to give your skin a break from heavy makeup, regardless how you got the zit –there are ways to slay the nuisance and send it packing back to zits-ville.

1. Drink the agua

This is a must, regardless of what else you decide to do – you gotta get some of that H20 in your system to hydrate your skin and reduce the redness of the spot.

2. Treat it

Now when get a pimple, particularly a painful one. It’s super easy to just want to throw every product you have on it in an attempt to get rid of it. But lemme tell you from experience that this will not work. More than likely you’ll probably anger it (and the layers of skin below it), leaving a nice little red patch on your face even harder to conceal than before.

What I recommend you do instead, is a very light clense first, to take away any bacteria from the face (I use Liz Earle Clense and Polish which is lovely and soothing on the face.) Then move in with a light toner (I use Caudalie beauty elixir – nothing too abrasive, but cools down the face), and finish up with a good 2 minute massage of your face with your favourite moisturiser. What this will do is give your skin a really good drink, which is exactly what it needs to recover, and will reduce any lingering redness from the face.

3. Treat it some more

I know I said don’t overload – but this isn’t what we’re doing here. What we’re doing here is giving your pimple a specific kick up the caboose to send it on its way. Now depending on what goodies you’ve got stored away in your beauty box, I would recommend these products (or something similar) to give that spot the deep treatment it really needs; Lush’s Grease Lightning and Kiehls Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque.

Now you definitely don’t need both, just one or the other depending on your preference. Lush’s Grease Lightning is a treatment specific to spots what’ll treat your breakout without upsetting the skin around it. Using antibacterial ingredients such as antiseptic rosemary, thyme and tea tree as well as antioxidant-rich grape juice and witch hazel – this little miracle treatment will not only treat the spot, but also soothe the redness – apply before bed and wake up to a much happier face!

Kiehls Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque helps to eliminate any surface impurities and toxins from the skin, literally lifting out any imperfections your skin may have. Now this is normally used as a full masque, which is great and just the ticket for a pamper night; but if you really want a deep cleanse, I normally apply a light to medium layer over said spot right before bed time and let it work its magic throughout the night. The next day, the little critter has normally reduced in both redness and size, making it super easy to cover up to the point of invisible using make up.

4. Cover Up

The very last thing you can do after the above steps is to cover it cleverly with makeup. Now, don’t go slapping every concealer you have under the sun on your new found friend – all this will do is irritate the blemish more, and draw more attention to it. I recommend putting half a pea sized blob of your most trusted concealing product (mine's the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer) onto your ring finger, and gently dab it over the offending area before you apply your foundation, this should reduce any redness, making it a lot more easier to blend into the skin using your regular foundation.

If you’re still feeling self-conscious about it, this is the day to showcase that new lipstick you bought, or try out a statement eye.  Ever notice that your eyes are drawn to the most interesting part of someone’s face? Whether it be big fluttering lashes or a deliciously plum-stained colour on their lips – people won’t even realise you’ve had a breakout when they’re too busy wondering what Mac shade you’re wearing so well.

I hope these tips have been of some use to you, I know these are my go-to actions whenever an offending blemish makes itself at home on my face – so good luck, and send that bugger back where he belongs! 

Toodles! xx