How to Clear Up Acne Overnight

Acne is a common skin condition that plagues people of all ages. Blemishes always seem to appear the day before a special event, so it's a common desire to want to get rid of them overnight. While that's not always possible, what you can do is speed up the healing process by taking extra care of your skin and working to open the clogged pore so the blemish can fully heal.

Step 1

Wash your face twice a day, in the morning and evening. Use a medicated acne cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to dry out your blemishes and to speed up healing. Don't cleanse more than this, however, as you could dry out the skin and make acne worse.

Step 2

Use steam to open your pores and make it more receptive to acne treatment. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then drape a towel over your head and neck while hovering over the pot. Don't get too close, however, as you could burn your skin. Allow the steam to open your pores and cause you to sweat for about 10 minutes.

Step 3

Dab a small amount of an acne spot treatment directly onto your acne blemishes. Benzoyl peroxide is best, since it dries up excess oil and kills the bacteria that causes acne. Using this cream right after steaming will allow it to be absorbed into your pores and get to work immediately.

Step 4

See a dermatologist if the acne doesn't clear. It's unlikely that you can eliminate an acne blemish overnight. However, if you continue taking care of your skin for six weeks and still see no change, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist to get a prescription-strength treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Acne cleanser

• Pot

• Water

• Towel

• Spot treatment