4 Home Remedies For Acne That Actually Work, According To Dermatologists

By Maddy Zollo Rusbosin, Women'sHealth

There are few things in life than waking up in the morning, looking in the mirror, and being confronted with a huge pimple seemingly out of nowhere. But even for those of us who are super-diligent with their routines—washing daily, using SPF and moisturizer, dabbing on retinol at night—
pimples are bound to flare up from time to time. If you're stressed, on your period, or just genetically disposed to breakouts, the evidence is going to flare up every once in a while on your face.

And odds are that for every legit acne remedy that you've heard of, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, you've also heard of at least three strange home remedies for acne. They range from the slightly weird to the truly questionable—and people SWEAR by them. Maybe someone's told you to dry up a pimple with toothpaste. Or to swipe your face with apple cider vinegar. Or even make a DIY scrub out of baking soda (please, please don't do that last one).

We've heard enough of these DIY tips to wonder—which ones actually work? And which ones are just wishful thinking? For most of us, the idea of a zit cure-all that you can find in your kitchen cabinet or under the bathroom sink is too good to pass up. Especially when you're facing with an enormous blemish that has resisted all other forms of treatment. But is the risk of irritating or harming your skin worth the potential benefits?

Related: Watch This Woman Pop Her Husband's Giant 4-Year-Old Pimple

We decided to get to the bottom of what (and what not) is blemish BS by asking dermatologists for their take. Here’s what is worth testing out—and what you should absolutely skip:

ICE

 

Ice, ice baby is right: This freezer staple helps tame an unruly spot. “Apply a little ice by wrapping an ice cube in a paper towel which can reduce swelling and inflammation as well as redness,” says dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, M.D. “Ice is a vasoconstrictor and will therefore decrease blood supply and inflammation in the pimple.” Only press it on skin for a few minutes, since ice can burn your skin if left on one spot for too long.

Aspirin and Warm Water

Another way to calm inflammation? Aspirin. “While the salicylic acid derivative found in aspirin does not remove oil from the skin the way it does in traditional salicylic acid acne creams, it still may help treat acne,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D. “Crush an aspirin and add water to form a paste. Then spot treat a large pimple.” While it may not be as effective as an over-the-counter solution, it can help if you’re in a pinch and just ran out of your favorite spot treatment.

Related: 'I Suffered From Hormonal Acne For 16 Years—Until I Tried This Miracle Pill'

A DIY Honey + Turmeric Mask

While there are a ton of at-home mask recipes on Pinterest, here’s the doctor-approved one that’s worth checking out. Mix a half teaspoon of turmeric into one tablespoon of honey. Apply it to wet skin, leaving it on for five minutes. “The turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, and the honey has antimicrobial properties—both great ingredients to reduce the size and appearance of a blemish,” explains Nussbaum. The honey will get a little messy, but it's worth it!

Related: 'I Used A Turmeric Face Mask Every Day For A Week—Here's What Happened'

Tea Tree Oil

If you're all about essential oils at home, Zeichner says tea tea oil is a tried-and-true acne remedy. “It has antimicrobial properties and can help reduce levels of acne causing bacteria on the skin,” says Zeichner. However, a little goes a long way of this potent oil. Always make sure to dilute it before applying, since it is known to cause irritation if applied directly to skin. (Try this tea tree and clay pimple mud from the Women's Health Boutique to get rid of pimples faster.)