Warm water doesn't directly "remove" pimples but helps treat them by opening pores, drawing out impurities, reducing inflammation, and encouraging pimples (especially blind ones) to come to a head and release pus, making them heal faster, often through warm compresses. It's best used with gentle cleansing and skincare products, avoiding very hot water that can irritate skin, with lukewarm water being ideal for daily washing to clean pores without stripping oils.
The exposure to warm temperature on the face can help enlarge the pores, making it easier to remove oil, dirt, and dust that have accumulated within them. When dirt, oil, and dust trapped in the pores can be lifted properly, the facial skin will be less prone to acne problems.
If you have a pimple, using benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or a pimple patch can help it go away faster. Your dermatologist can give you a cortisone injection to make a deep, painful, inflamed pimple heal quickly. Avoid picking or trying to pop your pimple — this can lead to more inflammation, redness, and scarring.
Once a whitehead begins to form, a warm compress can help release the pus that accumulates under the skin. Soak a clean washcloth in hot water. Apply the warm cloth to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat this step three to four times daily until the pimple begins to heal.
Experts recommend using lukewarm water to wash your face. Cold water can increase blood flow and decrease swelling caused by acne, while hot water can damage your skin barrier. Washing your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser and applying a moisturizer can improve your skin.
Effective Home Remedies for Acne Removal
Use ice instead to get rid of inflamed acne breakouts
By icing acne pimples, you can reduce swelling and redness on your face, as well. Ice has the added benefit of compacting the outer layer of the skin so that products can penetrate more readily.
This encourages the production of sebum and thus can cause a breakout. High-glycemic index foods that break down quickly in the body, such as white bread, processed breakfast cereals, white rice, pretzels, potato chips, cookies and cakes can increase the severity of an acne outbreak[2].
Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which is super effective at removing excess oil and dead skin. Crush one or two aspirin tablets and mix with several drops of water to form a paste. Then dab the paste directly onto the pimple. This should reduce swelling and redness and also make the pimple less painful.
“Hot showers can lead to potential dryness and irritation of the skin, which may aggravate back acne,” says Dr. Garshick. In addition, Dr. Sadick notes that hot water opens up your pores and stimulates excess sebum production, which can leave your skin prone to further irritation.
Are there any home remedies for pimples?
How acne develops. Acne develops when sebum — an oily substance that lubricates your hair and skin — and dead skin cells plug hair follicles. Bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection resulting in more severe acne.
In addition to acne control medications and cleansers, you can also use several natural ingredients found around your home to restore your skin health including:
To treat a new pimple at home, people can:
You can include these tasty beverages in your daily menu to get rid of your acne.
The Role of Prompt Showering
Prevents Pore Clogging: Showering soon after exercise helps to remove sweat, dirt, and oils before they can clog your pores. Reduces Bacterial Growth: Warm, moist environments (like sweaty skin) are ideal for bacteria that contribute to acne. Washing your skin disrupts this process.
Sebaceous glands lubricate the hair and the skin to stop it drying out. They do this by producing an oily substance called sebum. In acne, the glands begin to produce too much sebum. The excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and both substances form a plug in the follicle.
Overnight Mask: Using an overnight mask containing acne-fighting ingredients like sulfur, tea tree oil, or clay can help reduce the size and redness of pimples while you sleep. These ingredients work to unclog pores and absorb excess oil, leaving your skin looking clearer by morning.
Staying well-hydrated can also improve your immune system, supporting your body in fighting off infections — which in turn helps prevent acne. Many studies indicate that having a healthy immune system also keeps your skin's microbiome strong and able to fight off acne-causing bacteria.
Slideshow: Acne Visual Dictionary
Cow's milk may lead to acne breakouts
While cow's milk (but not milkshakes) is a low-glycemic beverage, some studies suggest that drinking this type of milk may be linked to an increase in acne breakouts. In these studies, all types of cow's milk (whole, low-fat, and skim) have been linked to acne.
On the other hand, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, may help to reduce the risk of acne. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and flaxseed oil also are known to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help to reduce the risk of acne.
Do not try to "clean out" blackheads or squeeze spots. This can make them worse and cause permanent scarring. Avoid make-up, skincare and suncare products that are oil-based (sometimes labelled “comedogenic”). Use water-based non-comedogenic products, as they're less likely to block the pores in your skin.
Squeezing also can lead to scabs and might leave you with permanent pits or scars. Because popping isn't the way to go, patience is the key. Your pimple will disappear on its own, and by leaving it alone you're less likely to be left with any reminders that it was there.