A Simple Guide on How To Use Acne Spot Treatment 2022
Acne is always obnoxious and uncomfortable, but many folks only experience a few trouble spots of acne pimples or pustules rather than having acne spread all over their faces. If that’s the case for you, acne spot treatments could be the best way to care for your issues.
Not sure where to begin? Read on for a detailed breakdown of how to use acne spot treatments for 2022 and well beyond.
What’s Involved in Acne Spot Treatment?
In a nutshell, an acne spot treatment involves using an ointment, cream, or some other topical agent to treat individual acne spots, like pimples. However, you can also use some acne spot treatments for broader acne reduction or elimination, depending on the ingredients used.
Lots of acne spot treatments will use ingredients like salicylic acid, glycerin, bacopa, and so on. Many of these ingredients can do helpful things like:
- Clear away dead skin cells and debris
- Clean out your skin’s pores
- Eliminate excess sebum
- Reduce irritation
Many acne outbreaks are due to various causes, not just one or two skin imbalances. But powerful acne spot treatments often include potent ingredients that could irritate your skin or dry it out.
Therefore, you need to know how to apply acne spot treatments effectively and properly so you can benefit from their effects without seeing many side effects.
How Should You Use Acne Spot Treatments?
Acne spot treatments usually have specific directions on the back of their boxes or tubes. You should read these instructions whenever you get a new acne spot treatment.
However, you can also keep the following steps in mind as good rules of thumb no matter which specific acne spot treatment you choose to use.
Apply a Small Amount of Ointment to Acne
For starters, you should only ever apply a very small amount of ointment to acne when trying a new spot treatment product.
Why?
Simply put, your acne spot treatment could irritate your skin, or your skin could be allergic to one or more of its ingredients. The only way to know for sure is to try it out!
By applying a small amount of ointment or cream to your acne spots, you’ll avoid spreading it all around your face and causing a significant allergic reaction. This “dab test” is an integral part of trying any new skincare product — not just acne spot treatments.
If you apply the acne spot treatment to one or two pimples and you don’t see any adverse side effects, you can go ahead and use it for the rest of your trouble spots.
Wash Affected Areas
To begin using an acne spot treatment fully, first wash any affected areas using a cleanser. Gentle cleansers are best because they deeply clean acne pimples or plugged pores. The gentle cleansers won’t excessively dry out your skin or make it more likely to be irritated.
Once you have washed the affected areas, you can dry them. Dry your skin by dabbing a soft towel. Try not to scrub your towel around, as this can irritate your skin and make it redder.
Of course, if you follow a holistic skincare routine, you probably already cleanse your face twice per day with a gentle cleansing product. That’s the best way to make sure your acne trouble spots are clean and ready for spot treatment at all times.
Apply Small Dabs of Ointment with Fingers
Next, apply tiny dabs of your chosen ointment or cream to your acne or inflamed areas. Generally, it’s best to do this with your fingers. Your fingers provide more specific direction and control over the pressure than a soft pad (although you can use a soft pad if you prefer).
Rub the Ointment in Gently
Your next up is to rub your chosen ointment in gently. Try not to put too much pressure on your acne trouble spots. This could irritate your skin, cause pimples to burst and spread pus everywhere, or lead to other negative side effects.
By rubbing the ointment in gently, your skin benefits from the chosen ingredients without becoming inflamed. Generally, you’ll find the most success by rubbing the ointment into your acne trouble spots using small, concentric circles.
It may also help to warm up your chosen acne spot treatment beforehand. To do this, simply hold the acne spot treatment tube or dispenser in your hands. Your body will warm up the formula within a minute or two.
Wash Hands After Use
Once you have applied to the ointment of your choice, wash your hands so you don't continue to spread the remaining particles of the spot treatment around your face. Many acne spot treatments are pretty intense. The last thing you want is some of that spot treatment formula getting near your eyes or around your mouth!
At this point, all that’s left is to wait for the spot treatment to do its work. Depending on the formula you choose, your acne spot treatment could take effect immediately, or it could take several hours before you see any reduction in symptoms or irritation.
Does Acne Spot Treatment Work for Everyone?
No, but acne spot treatments, like the one offered at Hope Health, are very effective if you have mild pimples or your acne spots are localized around one or two areas.
Acne primarily arises because of hormone imbalances or over-production of sebum (or both). If you have widespread acne that covers your entire face, you'll be better off working with a cleansing facial care routine rather than employing an acne spot treatment.
On the flip side, if you only have a few trouble areas of acne, acne spot treatment is better than completely revamping your skincare routine from the bottom up. Acne trouble spots can appear sporadically throughout our lives. Spot treatment formulas are perfect for knocking out sudden pimples that appear out of nowhere or larger than usual acne pimples that you don't want anyone to notice.
In general, it’s a good idea to ask your dermatologist before starting any intense skincare routine or using a new chemical formula. Your dermatologist will be able to tell you whether a given formula is appropriate for your skin type, particularly if your skin type is dry or oily.
Summary
All in all, acne spot treatments can and do work for mild to moderate acne, and they can be especially helpful for tackling pesky pimples that just won’t go away in the middle of your forehead! Of course, you can also take other steps to minimize acne outbreaks, like getting plenty of sleep or trying Hair, Skin, and Nails gummies.
Anti-acne skin care is just one part of holistic health. At Hope Health, you’ll find everything you need to maintain your dietary goals and manage your supplements — all without risking harmful chemicals or synthetic ingredients.
Contact us today or check out our online shop to learn more!
Sources:
Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review | NCBI