I'm very open about the state of my face, partially because people can see it and partially because I think we as a society need to discuss health more openly.
I wrote an article in the past about how I went 30 days without sugar thinking it would make my zits less red when, in reality, I created a new skin routine catered to my skin type. Before nailing down my routine, however, I tried every zit remedy in the book.
I've compiled a list of five ways to kill a pimple that has worked for me.
Note: Everyone has a different skin type. While these remedies worked in some capacity for me, they may not work for you. Results may vary.
1. Toothpaste
I know it sounds disgusting, but bear with me. Take a tiny bit of white toothpaste, not gel, and dab it onto your zit before you go to bed. Do not put the toothpaste on the area around the zit, only on the zit itself. The toothpaste will dry out the zit and shrink it so although it might not be less red in the morning, it'll definitely be smaller and easier to cover up with makeup if you choose.
2. Coconut oil
I've found that coconut oil can fix pretty much anything: sunburn, insect bites, and dry skin to name a few. So why not put it on your zits? Apply a small amount of coconut oil to the zit and the surrounding area. Leave it on for about 20 minutes, then wipe it off.I've found that going to bed with coconut oil on my face clogs more of my pores, but your skin might be different. Try taking it off and leaving it on to bed to see what works for you.3. Face masks
There are so many different kinds of face masks out there that you just need to dive right in and hope you find one that works for you. If you want to kill zits, I suggest getting a calming mask to tame the redness of the zit. Follow the directions on the bottle/package to determine how often you should do the mask and how long you should leave it on for. Personally, I use a detoxifying mud mask used to cleanse my skin.
4. Astringent/Toner
This one could go south very quickly if not used correctly, but it's worth a try. Toner and, in particular, astringent are very drying to the skin, so drying that unless the toner is something natural like Witch Hazel, I would only apply it to the reddest areas with a cotton pad. Only apply this once or twice a week so your skin doesn't totally dry out.
5. Facial Scrub
Go out there and kill some zits!