How to Clear Your Skin Overnight

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Sometimes when you have a new pimple and big plans the following day, you would really like to eliminate the blemish overnight. While not guaranteed to be effective for all types of acne or all skin types, you can still take action to clear some blemishes quickly, possibly in as little as one night.

Part 1
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Using the Proper Cleaning Regimen

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  1. You might think that clearing a blemish overnight would require you to scrub the skin repeatedly the night before; however, washing too much can dry out and irritate skin. [1] If you dry out skin too much in an attempt to clear it, you can potentially wake up the next morning with even more blemishes than you went to sleep with. Washing twice a day is a great overall way to get and keep clear skin. [2]
    • Even if the blemish does not disappear completely, washing the appropriate amount reduces redness around blemishes to help reduce the appearance of them. Over-washing, on the other hand, will cause the dry skin to appear redder and irritated.
  2. In addition to washing the proper amount, you should also make sure you’re washing with the correct cleanser. Grainy soaps or those with harsh chemicals can dry out skin as well. Dry skin then goes into overdrive on oil production, which can actually lead to more breakouts rather than fewer. Instead use a mild, oil-free cleanser with a dermatologist recommended ingredient such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. [3]
    • In addition to simply “oil free,” the cleanser may also be labelled as “nonacnegenic” or “noncomedogenic.” [4] Any of these labels are fine because they all mean that the product will not clog pores.
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  3. Washcloths, mesh sponges, or other scrubbing devices aimed at exfoliating skin can also cause irritation and redness because they’re too abrasive for many types of acne-prone skin. [5] Avoid scouring your skin with these implements and simply use thoroughly cleaned fingertips to scrub the skin gently in a circular motion. You should also pat the skin dry with a clean towel rather than rubbing the skin, which can also irritate blemish areas.
    • In addition to their abrasiveness, many of these exfoliating scrubbers left damp and hanging from shower racks can actually become breeding grounds for bacteria. Using these scrubbers can often spread around the pore-clogging germs you’re trying to eliminate.
  4. Even though you need to avoid treating your entire face too intensely, you can spot-treat the specific area you want to clear. Find a benzoyl peroxide acne cream specifically aimed at spot treating areas and apply as directed in the product’s instructions. Apply directly after cleaning the skin and apply either with thoroughly cleaned fingers or a cotton swab.
  5. If the rest of your skin feels excessively dry after cleaning it, then apply a moisturizing lotion to the other areas while leaving the area with the benzoyl peroxide alone. You should look for a lotion that says “noncomedogenic” on the label to ensure that it won’t clog pores and lead to more blemishes. Acne-fighting lotions are also available in many stores.
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Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: What Skin Type Do I Have?

Oily, combination, dry, or sensitive—to take the very best care of your face, first you’ve got to know your skin type. Whether it’s acne, flakiness, redness, or oil that’s got you down, we’ll give you all the knowledge you need, and we’ll even recommend our favorite products for your skin type.
1 of 12

Let’s talk about pores. How would you describe yours?

Part 2
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Keeping Your Skin Clear and Rested

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  1. While you can occasionally reduce a blemish in quick time, one thing you cannot do is heal a wound on your face overnight. Popping or squeezing a pimple not only spreads around the bacteria inside, but it also creates an abrasion on your face, which takes much more time to heal than simply allowing the blemish to go away on its own. [6]
  2. If you know today that you would really like to have clearer skin tomorrow, then avoid the cosmetics. You may feel naked by avoiding the concealer you typically put on a blemish, but keeping the skin both clean and clear as far in advance as possible gives the area more chance to heal and clear.
    • A general guideline to follow with regard to cosmetics is that creamy foundations and blushes usually clog pores whereas light and powdery mineral-based or water based products are less likely to do so. [7] As with cleanser, you can look for cosmetics labeled “oil free,” “nonacnegenic,” or “noncomedogenic.” [8] However, leaving out the cosmetics altogether is still the best option when looking for immediate results.
    • If you absolutely cannot avoid using cosmetics the day before, thoroughly clean the skin to remove every trace as early into the evening as possible. No matter how tired you are, make sure you clean your face before sleeping because wearing makeup overnight is a good way to ensure you'll wake up with more blemishes instead of fewer. [9]
    • As with facial scrubbing pads, makeup applicators are usually very germy. Ditch the applicator and use cotton balls or swabs to apply makeup whenever possible. [10] If you do need to use an applicator, keep it washed regularly and replace it often.
  3. Other greasy products, especially hair products, that can end up on your face can make a problem area worse or lead to new blemishes overnight. [11] Avoid using any greasy hair products as far in advance as possible and shield your face when applying sprays or gels to your hair.
  4. Even clean hair without product in it has natural oils that can clog pores. While it might be tempting to hide behind your hair for the day—and even more so if you go sans makeup to try to clear the skin quickly—your best bet to have the blemish clear up overnight is to keep your hair away from your face as well. [12]
  5. It’s always tempting to poke at blemishes throughout the day, but oily, dirty fingers are the last thing that will clear a blemish in quick time, so do your best to keep your hands away from your face. This tip applies to your phone as well. Many people don’t consider it, but we touch our phones with dirty fingers all day and store them in dirty pockets and purses that are also breeding grounds for germs. By holding your phone to your face, you transfer those germs over. [13] If you want to clear a blemish quickly and avoid any others popping up, then stick to your speaker feature or texting for the day.
  6. It’s a myth that UV rays dry out blemishes and can be overnight miracle cures, so skip laying out in the sun or making an emergency trip to a tanning bed. [14] If anything, the added sweat from being in the sun or the clogging effect of tanning oils can exacerbate the very problem you want to clear.
    • If you already see a dermatologist for your skin and have been placed on medication—especially those including retinoids—then your skin will be even more sensitive to UV rays than normal, making this an even more ill-advised option. [15]
  7. Many people have heard the myth that toothpaste is a great overnight miracle cure for a pimple, but the myth simply isn’t true. While toothpaste does contain ingredients such as baking soda and hydrogen peroxide that can help reduce a pimple, they’re not formulated in a way that will be more effective than standard cleansers and benzoyl peroxide specifically meant for the purpose. [16] Additionally, the pH of toothpaste and the other ingredients are more likely to irritate skin, causing redness around the area you’re trying to treat and possibly making the blemish even more visible in the process. [17]
  8. Sleep is a naturally restorative time for the body. Studies have shown that cell turnover is eight times faster while sleeping, so giving your skin a full eight hours of sleep is a great way to help clear it.
  9. Even if you wake up the next day and the blemish is still there, do not panic. You notice it exponentially more than anyone else does, and a blemish is never the end of the world. Continue with the cleaning regimen outlined here, and if your skin doesn’t clear completely within three months, then consider seeing a dermatologist for prescription-strength acne treatments.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I make a breakout look less noticeable the night before a big event?
    Joanna Kula
    Licensed Esthetician
    Joanna Kula is a Licensed Esthetician, Owner and Founder of Skin Devotee Facial Studio in Philadelphia. With over 10 years of experience in skincare, Joanna specializes in transformative facial treatments to help clients achieve a lifetime of healthy, beautiful, and radiant skin. She is also a contributing author for the prestigious Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa magazine and has been featured in a number of magazines including InStyle.
    Joanna Kula
    Licensed Esthetician
    Expert Answer
    if you have a breakout, try holding an ice cube on it for a little bit. Then, spot-treat the breakout with salicylic acid or some sulfur-based product. This may take more than one night to completely heal, though.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
  • Question
    How can I get clear skin in under a week?
    Joanna Kula
    Licensed Esthetician
    Joanna Kula is a Licensed Esthetician, Owner and Founder of Skin Devotee Facial Studio in Philadelphia. With over 10 years of experience in skincare, Joanna specializes in transformative facial treatments to help clients achieve a lifetime of healthy, beautiful, and radiant skin. She is also a contributing author for the prestigious Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa magazine and has been featured in a number of magazines including InStyle.
    Joanna Kula
    Licensed Esthetician
    Expert Answer
    Everyone has different skin and there's no one-size-fits-all method that will do this for you. If you have a week, go see an esthetician to get a professional treatment. That's probably going to be your best shot.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
  • Question
    Is it possible to clear my skin overnight?
    Joanna Kula
    Licensed Esthetician
    Joanna Kula is a Licensed Esthetician, Owner and Founder of Skin Devotee Facial Studio in Philadelphia. With over 10 years of experience in skincare, Joanna specializes in transformative facial treatments to help clients achieve a lifetime of healthy, beautiful, and radiant skin. She is also a contributing author for the prestigious Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa magazine and has been featured in a number of magazines including InStyle.
    Joanna Kula
    Licensed Esthetician
    Expert Answer
    Probably not. It takes time for you skin to adjust and respond to things. You can take some steps to make sure you wake up with healthier skin, but you're unlikely to get totally perfect skin overnight.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • A generally imbalanced diet can have an effect on the glands that produce oil in the skin; however, it is a myth that greasy or sugary foods alone can cause acne. [18] Unfortunately, trying to cleanse your body overnight to clear your skin will have very little effect.
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      • For healthy skin, drink a glass of milk before going to bed. If you like, you can add a small amount of original saffron, or turmeric to the milk.
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      • Before going to bed, rub an ice cube on your face to close up your pores after cleaning.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm
      3. ↑ Joanna Kula. Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview. 9 July 2019.
      4. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm
      5. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm
      6. ↑ Joanna Kula. Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview. 9 July 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm
      8. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm
      9. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm
      1. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm
      3. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm
      4. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm
      5. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm
      6. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm
      7. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/23/toothpaste-pimples-acne-dry-out_n_1994320.html
      8. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/23/toothpaste-pimples-acne-dry-out_n_1994320.html
      9. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to clear your skin quickly, wash your face with a mild, oil-free cleanser before bed, scrubbing your skin gently with your fingertips. Then, apply a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment to the pimple to reduce inflammation. After the spot treatment has dried, use a mild, fragrance-free moisturizer all over your face if it feels dry. Even though it might be tempting, don't try to pop the blemish since this can cause even more inflammation. For tips on applying makeup to conceal a stubborn pimple, keep reading!

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