How to Create a Hot Compress for Acne Treatment and Skin Health

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Tried everything to treat your acne? A hot compress may be able to help! The warmth and moisture can soothe your skin and help clear out and heal stubborn pimples, plus, they’re incredibly easy and simple to make. Follow the steps below to learn how.

1

Fill a clean container with hot water.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Create a Hot Compress for Acne Treatment and Skin Health
    Run your faucet until the water heats up or put on a kettle to boil. Once the water is piping hot, add about 2 cups (470 mL) directly into your container and let it sit until it cools down to 100 °F (38 °C). [1]
    • Use a thermometer for the most accurate reading, or wait until you can comfortably touch the water.
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2

Add tea tree or lavender essential oils (optional).

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    [2] They also smell nice and can help you relax while you use the compress. Just add a few drops of either tea tree or lavender (or both) into your container of warm water.
    • You can also use the water to brew black tea and use that for your compress. [3]
3

Soak a clean cotton washcloth in the hot water.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Create a Hot Compress for Acne Treatment and Skin Health
    If the water is still really hot, wait a few minutes to let it cool down. Think hot shower temperature—warm but not boiling. Take a clean washcloth and fully submerge it into the warm water so it’s completely saturated. [4]
    • If you don’t have a cotton washcloth, use a small towel or a microfiber cloth. Don’t use paper towels, which may fall apart and stick to your skin.
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4

Wring out the excess water.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Create a Hot Compress for Acne Treatment and Skin Health
    Remove the cloth from the hot water once it’s fully soaked. Then, squeeze and twist it well. Get as much water out of it as you can so you’re left with a warm, damp compress. [5]
5

Apply the warm compress to your skin.

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    Warm compresses are especially effective on deep, painful pimples that have developed into whiteheads, plus they can bring blind pimples to the surface. [6] Don’t move the compress once you put it in place so it delivers consistent heat and moisture.
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6

Use a warm compress 3-4 times a day for acne.

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    The warmth from the compress helps draw out oil and bacteria trapped in your pimples and dissolves pus. [7] Use a clean cloth and fresh water each time you make a warm compress so you don’t get any dirt or additional bacteria in your pimples.
7

Apply acne medications to help treat and prevent breakouts.

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    Wash your face with a daily acne cleanser and use a small amount of topical acne medications that contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, or retinoids to knock out stubborn pimples. [8]
    • Keeping your skin clean can get rid of any pimples you have and prevent new ones from developing.
    • Using too much acne medication can irritate your skin and cause your problems to worsen. [9]
    • If you have severe acne, make an appointment to see your doctor or a dermatologist. They can prescribe stronger medication to help treat your acne. [10]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    If you have a pimple on your nose what do you do?
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Answer
    I recommend applying acne medication to the affected area. Ensure you do not squeeze your pimples. Additionally, a hot compress can be used to open your pores and facilitate getting rid of dirt and excess oil that may be causing your acne.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 7
  • Question
    How can I get rid of acne scars?
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Answer
    You can start of with retinol cream for about 3 to 4 weeks to help with skin cell turn over and healing. If that does not help, you can have a few series of chemical peels in the dermatologist’s office. If that does not improve your scars laser treatment would be my next recommendation. Laser treatment can vary from mild to invasive depending on the severity of your scars.
    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
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 7
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      Warnings

      • If your skin shows signs of an infection, such as red streaks around your skin or lots of pus oozing from it, see your doctor. [12] They may prescribe an antibiotic that can help clear it up.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.drugs.com/cg/warm-compress-or-soak.html
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9824697/
      3. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hidradenitis-suppurativa-self-care
      4. ↑ https://www.aad.org/news/how-to-treat-painful-pimple-home
      5. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hidradenitis-suppurativa-self-care
      6. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-bring-a-pimple-to-a-head/
      7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22761-infected-pimple
      8. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12233-acne
      9. ↑ ​​ https://communityhealth.mayoclinic.org/featured-stories/acne
      1. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22761-infected-pimple
      2. ↑ https://communityhealth.mayoclinic.org/featured-stories/acne
      3. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/skin-infections.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To create a hot compress to treat acne, start by washing your hands and face with a mild cleanser. Next, run a small, clean washcloth under warm water until it's saturated. Then, apply the compress to your entire face or the affected area for 10 minutes to open your pores and bring any pimples to a head. Finally, apply a topical acne treatment that contains salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or sulfur to the affected area. You can repeat this 2-3 times daily! For tips on adding green tea or tea tree oil to your hot compresses, read on!

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