How to Clear a Breakout ASAP

You know the story: You go to sleep with a happy, clear complexion, only to wake up with an angry, large pimple staring back at you in the morning. Having acne flare-ups is normal, especially given the rise in maskne. But when a blemish pops up, you probably want to clear it up as quickly as possible. Here, we’re breaking down a simple, drugstore skin-care routine that will help you get rid of zits ASAP. 

How to Clear Your Breakout

The most important step you can take to clear up breakouts is to avoid picking and popping. Squeezing out pus may seem like a quick fix, but in the long run you’ll likely cause further inflammation, scarring and infection. If you are going to pop your pimple though, make sure your hands are clean and the pimple has come to a head. Then, use cotton swabs to apply pressure. 

A Simple Routine to Clear Breakouts

Need help creating a simple skin-care routine focused on fighting breakouts? Here’s the good news: Vichy just relaunched its Normaderm three-step system to help manage acne and prevent future flares. Here, we’re breaking down how to incorporate the cleanser, moisturizer and spot treatment into your regimen. 

Step 1: Cleanse

Removing dirt, oil and other impurities from the skin’s surface is the first step in both dealing with current breakouts and preventing future flares. We recommend the Vichy Normaderm PhytoAction Daily Deep Cleansing Gel. Its formula, which contains salicylic acid, reduces clogged pores, improves skin tone and controls excess oil. 

Step 2: Moisturize

Just because your skin is already oily or acne-prone doesn’t mean you should skip moisturizer altogether. In fact, skipping out on much needed hydration can actually signal your skin to produce more oil and make matters worse. Look for an oil-free option that includes acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid. One we love is the Vichy Normaderm PhytoAction Acne Control Daily Moisturizer, which is non-greasy, lightweight and non-comedogenic. It’ll give your skin the daily moisture it needs without contributing to unwanted breakouts. 

Step 3: Treat

The final step in clearing a breakout is a spot treatment, like the Vichy Normaderm S.O.S. Acne Rescue Spot Corrector. The formula, which contains 10% sulfur, glycolic acid and niacinamide, works to dry out pimples and reduce their size. 

Photo: Chaunte Vaughn

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