Editor's Picks: This is my super effective pimple-killing routine
Pimples are stressful little buggers that always pop out whenever we least expect them. Hormonal cystic acne will need to be treated with medication, but pimples that are just sitting on the surface of the skin all red and angry can be managed topically with a few well-chosen products. Here's what I do whenever I get one (or a few)!
Step 1: I wash my face with a low pH cleanser. It's essential to get our skin to its normal, naturally acidic state by always using a cleanser close to the natural pH of skin (which is around 5.5). Most cleansers out in the market have a high pH that disrupts our skin's normal functions, which means that it becomes less able in fighting off pimple-causing bacteria and inflammation. I love the In Her Element Low pH Rose Gel Cleanser (P675 at inherelement.ph) since it cleanses well without drying up skin; it has a pH of 5.5-6!
Step 2: I disinfect the pimple with the VMV Hypoallergenics ID Monolaurin Gel (P960 in VMV stores). This is just a very simple formula of what is essentially alcohol thickened up with a carbomer, but it works if your pimples are caused by bacteria. I also like putting this on rashes and other skin irritations as a disinfectant.
Step 3: If the pimple is inflamed before popping, I apply the Origins Out of Trouble 10-Minute Mask (P1,550 in Origins stores) as a spot treatment. This can also be applied as an all-over face mask if you like, just make sure you don't go beyond 10 minutes with it on as it can be drying. It contains salicylic acid and colloidal sulfur, which help to calm down redness and dry up the pimple.
Step 4: Once the pimple is ripe, I pop it with disinfected hands or tools. This is important: do not pop the pimple until the pus is at the very tip of the pimple, otherwise you will risk it getting bigger and going deeper! I wait for the liquid to run clear of blood or pus and then dry a bit for about 30 minutes. Afterwards, I slap on the Cosrx Clear Fit Master Patch (P200 at theskincarecurator.com) for at least 4 hours to get it to absorb the remaining liquid welling up inside that people. This will hasten the healing process as it keeps the surface of the pimple clean while reducing swelling.
Step 5: I use the In Her Element Glow Job 5% Glycolic Gel Cream (P775 at inherelement.ph) to exfoliate the surface and reduce hyperpigmentation once the pimple is dry. The Glow Job is ideally used only once or twice a week as it's an acid exfoliator, and it's a pretty effective way to speed up skin turnover so the blemish will fade faster. Remember to only apply it once the pimple is dry and "dead" - meaning, it should no longer be inflamed or still wet to the touch!
If I need my blemishes to disappear even faster, I go for a 27% acid exfoliator in the Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial (80 USD or around P4,000). This is really intense so I can't recommend it to everyone; only use this if your skin is acclimated to acids already. The DESB stings like a bitch, and even though I've been using it for almost a year now, it still stings every time I use it. It's a fast worker though.
And that's how I currently get rid of pimples and the resulting spots fast. ^_^ Let me know how your routine is like!
